TrkA signalling pathways in human airway smooth muscle cell proliferation

NGF may play a role in airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness. We studied its possible involvement in airway remodelling and report here its proliferative effect and its receptor and signalling pathways in human airway smooth muscle cells in culture (HASMC). Proliferation of HASMC induced by NGF (0.1-10 pM) was assessed by the XTT and BrdU techniques with and without kinase inhibitors. Immunoprecipitation and Western blotting were used to study phosphorylation of TrkA and MAPK. NGF caused dose-dependent proliferation of HASMC and induced TrkA phosphorylation, both abolished by the tyrosine-kinase inhibitor K252a. PI3K and JNK inhibitors had no effect. PKC inhibitors partially inhibited NGF-induced proliferation and totally abolished p38 phosphorylation but did not affect ERK1/2 phosphorylation. The rafK inhibitor decreased NGF-induced proliferation, and totally abolished ERK1/2 phosphorylation, but did not affect p38 phosphorylation. This finding was confirmed by the decrease of NGF-induced proliferation after treatment with inhibitors of the p38 or of ERK1/2 pathways. In conclusion, NGF activation of the TrkA receptor involves two distinct signalling pathways: PKC selectively activates p38, and the ras/raf pathway selectively activates ERK1/2. Both are necessary to induce HASMC proliferation.     

Forskolin increases angiogenesis through the coordinated cross-talk of PKA-dependent VEGF expression and Epac-mediated PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling

Forskolin, a potent activator of adenylyl cyclases, has been implicated in modulating angiogenesis, but the underlying mechanism has not been clearly elucidated. We investigated the signal mechanism by which forskolin regulates angiogenesis. Forskolin stimulated angiogenesis of human endothelial cells and in vivo neovascularization, which was accompanied by phosphorylation of CREB, ERK, Akt, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) as well as NO production and VEGF expression. Forskolin-induced CREB phosphorylation, VEGF promoter activity, and VEGF expression were blocked by the PKA inhibitor PKI. Moreover, phosphorylation of ERK by forskolin was inhibited by the MEK inhibitor PD98059, but not PKI. The forskolin-induced Akt/eNOS/NO pathway was completely inhibited by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002, but not significantly suppressed by PKI. These inhibitors and a NOS inhibitor partially inhibited forskolin-induced angiogenesis. The exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac) activator, 8CPT-2Me-cAMP, promoted the Akt/eNOS/NO pathway and ERK phosphorylation, but did not induce CREB phosphorylation and VEGF expression. The angiogenic effect of the Epac activator was diminished by the inhibition of PI3K and MEK, but not by the PKA inhibitor. Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of Epac1 suppressed forskolin-induced angiogenesis and phosphorylation of ERK, Akt, and eNOS, but not CREB phosphorylation and VEGF expression. These results suggest that forskolin stimulates angiogenesis through coordinated cross-talk between two distinct pathways, PKA-dependent VEGF expression and Epac-dependent ERK activation and PI3K/Akt/eNOS/NO signaling.     

Ras/MEK pathway is required for NGF-induced expression of tyrosine hydroxylase gene

Neurotrophins are essential for the development and survival of catecholaminergic neurons. However, the critical pathway for expression of the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene induced by neurotrophin is still unclear. Here we found that Ras/MEK pathway is required for NGF-induced expression of the TH gene in PC12D cells. Induction of TH mRNA by NGF was abolished by pretreatment of the cells with U0126, an inhibitor for MEK1/2, but not with inhibitors for p38 MAPK, PI3K, and PKA. U0126 inhibited TH promoter activity at the same concentration as it acted on ERK1/2 phosphorylation. A dominant-negative form of Ras suppressed the NGF-induced activation of the TH reporter gene, and transient transfection of cells with wild-type Ras and an active form of MEK1 increased the TH promoter activity. The reporter assay also demonstrated that the Ras/MEK pathway acted on both the AP-1-binding motif and the cAMP-responsive element in the TH promoter.     

Nerve growth factor promotes formation of lumen-like structures in vitro through inducing apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Recent evidence suggests that apoptosis of endothelial cells contributes to lumen formation during angiogenesis, but the biological mechanism remains obscure. In this study, we investigated the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF), a member of the neurotrophin family and a potential angiogenic factor, on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) apoptosis and the formation of lumen-like structures (LLS) by cultured HUVEC on Matrigel. We demonstrate that NGF induces cell apoptosis. NGF treatment has no significant effect on the expression level of its two receptors, TrkA and p75NTR. Blockade of both TrkA and p75NTR, but not that of either receptor alone significantly decreases NGF-induced cell apoptosis. NGF significantly increases formation of LLS which consist substantially of apoptotic cells. Application of NGF-neutralizing antibody or simultaneous blockade of TrkA and p75NTR significantly blocks spontaneous and NGF-induced LLS formation. These data support a role for NGF-induced cell apoptosis in LLS formation in vitro.     

Redox regulation of nerve growth factor-induced neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells through modulation of the nerve growth factor receptor, TrkA

We investigated the effects of the cellular redox state on nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neuronal differentiation and its signaling pathways. Treatment of PC12 cells with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) reduced the levels of GSH, a major cellular reductant, and enhanced NGF-induced neuronal differentiation, activation of AP-1 and the NGF receptor tyrosine kinase, TrkA. Conversely, incubation of the cells with a reductant, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), inhibited NGF-induced neuronal differentiation and AP-1 activation. Consistent with the suppression, NAC inhibited NGF-induced activation of TrkA, formation of receptor complexes comprising TrkA, Shc, Grb2, and Sos, and activation of phospholipase Cgamma and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Biochemical analysis suggested that the cellular redox state regulates TrkA activity through modulation of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). Thus, cellular redox state regulates signaling pathway of NGF through PTPs, and then modulates neuronal differentiation.     

Fibronectin increases matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression through activation of c-Fos via extracellular-regulated kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathways in human lung carcinoma cells

Enhanced expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is associated with human lung tumor invasion and/or metastasis. We have demonstrated that fibronectin (FN), a matrix glycoprotein, stimulates human non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cell proliferation. The current study examines the effect of FN on MMP-9 expression in NSCLC cells. We show that FN increases MMP-9 protein, mRNA expression, and gelatinolytic activity in NSCLC cells. The integrin alpha5beta1 mediated the effects of FN because alpha5 small interfering RNA blocked FN-stimulated MMP-9 protein expression, and also abrogated FN-induced phosphorylation of ERK and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signals. The inhibitor of ERK, PD98095, and of PI3K, wortmannin, but not that of protein kinase A, H89, of Rho kinase, Y-27632, of mTOR, rapamycin, or of JNK, SP600125, prevented FN-induced MMP-9 gelatinolytic activity and gene expression. FN enhanced MMP-9 gene promoter activity; however, there was no response to FN in DNA constructs with an AP-1 site mutation. FN increased AP-1 DNA binding activity, and this was abrogated by cyclic AMP response element decoy oligonucleotides, which also diminished FN-induced MMP-9 promoter activity. FN increased the expression of the AP-1 subunit c-Fos protein, but not in the presence of PD98095 and wortmannin. The AP-1 inhibitor, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, and a c-Fos small interfering RNA eliminated the effect of FN on MMP-9 expression. This study indicates that FN, by binding to the integrin alpha5beta1 receptor, stimulates the expression of MMP-9 through increased AP-1/DNA binding and c-Fos protein expression via ERK and PI3K signaling pathways. The data unveils a novel mechanism by which FN could promote NSCLC cell invasion and metastasis.     

A positive role of the PI3-K/Akt signaling pathway in PC12 cell differentiation

Activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) is considered to be a key event upon stimulation of cells with growth factors. Akt is known to be a downstream target of PI3-K when it is activated by nerve growth factor (NGF). NGF induces cell differentiation of PC12 cells as indicated by neurite outgrowth. In order to investigate the role of PI3-K/Akt in NGF-induced differentiation of PC12 cells, we generated cells ectopically expressing constitutively activated (CA), wild type (WT) and dominant negative (DN) forms of Akt. NGF-induced neurite outgrowth was greatly accelerated in the cells expressing CA-Akt, and dramatically inhibited in those expressing DN-Akt. Pre-treatment with an Akt inhibitor, ML-9 [1-(5-chloronaphthalene-1-sulfonyl)-1H- hexahydro-1,4-diazepine], inhibited NGF-induced Akt phosphorylation as well as neurite outgrowth but did not markedly affect the activities of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). The PI3-K inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002 blocked NGF-induced Akt phosphorylation as well as neurite outgrowth. These results indicate that PI3-K/Akt is a positive regulator of NGF-induced neuronal differentiation in PC12 cells.     

NGF-induced moesin phosphorylation is mediated by the PI3K,Rac1 and Akt and required for neurite formation in PC12 cells

Moesin is a member of ERM family proteins which act as the cross-linkers between plasma membrane and actin-cytoskeleton and is activated by phosphorylation at Thr-558. In neurons, suppression of radixin and moesin alters the growth cone morphology. However, the significance of phosphorylation of ERM proteins in neuronal cells has not been fully investigated. In this study, we studied the signaling pathways responsible for moesin phosphorylation and its functional importance in NGF-treated PC12 cells. NGF rapidly induced the phosphorylation of moesin at Thr-558 in PC12 cells which was dependent on PI3K and Rac1. We found that Akt interacted and phosphorylated with moesin both in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of PI3K and Rac1 abolished the NGF-induced Akt activation, indicating that Akt is at the downstream of PI3K and Rac1. To examine the functional role of phosphorylated ERM proteins, a dominant negative mutant form of moesin (T558A) was introduced into PC12 cells. The mutant significantly reduced the frequency of cells with neurites following NGF treatment. Our results indicate that PI3K, Rac1 and Akt-dependent phosphorylation of moesin is required for the NGF-induced neurite formation in differentiating PC12 cells.     

Nerve growth factor promotes lysyl oxidase-dependent chondrosarcoma cell metastasis by suppressing miR-149-5p synthesis

Chondrosarcoma is a malignancy of soft tissue and bone that has a high propensity to metastasize to distant organs. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is critical for neuronal cell growth, apoptosis, and differentiation, and also appears to promote the progression and metastasis of several different types of tumors, although the effects of NGF upon chondrosarcoma mechanisms are not very clear. We report that NGF facilitates lysyl oxidase (LOX)-dependent cellular migration and invasion in human chondrosarcoma cells, and that NGF overexpression enhances lung metastasis in a mouse model of chondrosarcoma. NGF-induced stimulation of LOX production and cell motility occurs through the inhibition of miR-149-5p expression, which was reversed by PI3K, Akt, and mTOR inhibitors and their respective short interfering RNAs. Notably, levels of NGF and LOX expression correlated with tumor stage in human chondrosarcoma samples. Thus, NGF appears to be a worthwhile therapeutic target for metastatic chondrosarcoma.Subject terms: Bone cancer, Cell invasion     

p75 neurotrophin receptor is required for constitutive and NGF-induced survival signalling in PC12 cells and rat hippocampal neurones

We have previously shown that nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappaB increased neuronal expression of Bcl-xL, an anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein. In the present study we determined the role of the p75 neurotrophin receptor in constitutive and NGF-induced survival signalling. Treatment of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells with a blocking anti-rat p75 antibody or inhibition of p75 expression by antisense oligonucleotides reduced constitutive and NGF-induced bcl-xL expression. Treatment with the blocking anti-p75 antibody also inhibited NGF-induced activation of the survival kinase Akt. Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3 kinase) activity or overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant of Akt kinase inhibited NGF-induced nuclear factor-kappaB activation. Activation of Akt kinase by NGF was also observed in PC12nnr5 cells and cultured rat hippocampal neurones which both lack significant TrkA expression. Treatment of hippocampal neurones with the blocking anti-p75 antibody inhibited constitutive and NGF-induced Bcl-xL expression, activation of Akt, and blocked the protective effect of NGF against excitotoxic and apoptotic injury. Our data suggest that the p75 neurotrophin receptor mediates constitutive and NGF-induced survival signalling in PC12 cells and hippocampal neurones, and that these effects are mediated via the PI3-kinase pathway.     

Nerve growth factor-induced neurite outgrowth is potentiated by stabilization of TrkA receptors

Exogenous stimuli such as nerve growth factor (NGF) exert their effects on neurite outgrowth via Trk neurotrophin receptors. TrkA receptors are known to be ubiquitinated via proteasome inhibition in the presence of NGF. However, the effect of proteasome inhibition on neurite outgrowth has not been studied extensively. To clarify these issues, we investigated signaling events in PC12 cells treated with NGF and the proteasome inhibitor MG132. We found that MG132 facilitated NGF-induced neurite outgrowth and potentiated the phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen- activated protein kinase (ERK/MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol- 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathways and TrkA receptors. MG132 stimulated internalization of surface TrkA receptor and stabilized intracellular TrkA receptor, and the Ub(K63) chain was found to be essential for stability. These results indicate that the ubiquitin-proteasome system potentiated neurite formation by regulating the stability of TrkA receptors.     

Antimetastatic potential of fisetin involves inactivation of the PI3K/Akt and JNK signaling pathways with downregulation of MMP-2/9 expressions in prostate cancer PC-3 cells

Fisetin (3,3′,4′,7-tetrahydroxyflavone), a naturally occurring flavonoid, has been reported to possess some anti-cancer and anti-inflammation capabilities. In this study, fisetin has exhibited inhibitory effects on the adhesion, migration, and invasion ability of a highly metastatic PC-3 cells under non-cytotoxic concentrations. Gelatin zymography assay showed that fisetin inhibited the matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activities. Our result also showed that fisetin could inhibit the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 and 2 (JNK1/2) and Akt. Moreover, fisetin significantly decreased the nuclear levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), c-Fos, and c-Jun, and the binding abilities of NF-κB and activator protein-1 (AP-1). Also, the results showed that the protein and mRNA levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly reduced by Western blot and semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Further, treating specific inhibitors for PI3K (Wortmannin) or JNK (SP600125) to PC-3 cells could reduce the protein expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9. These results showed fisetin could inhibit the metastatic ability of PC-3 by reducing MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions through suppressing phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) and JNK signaling pathways. This suggested fisetin can serve as a potential candidate for treating cancer metastasis.     

Nerve growth factor inhibits Na+/H+ exchange and formula absorption through parallel phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-mTOR and ERK pathways in thick ascending limb

In the medullary thick ascending limb, inhibiting the basolateral NHE1 Na(+)/H(+) exchanger with nerve growth factor (NGF) induces actin cytoskeleton remodeling that secondarily inhibits apical NHE3 and transepithelial HCO(3)(-) absorption. The inhibition by NGF is mediated 50% through activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Here we examined the signaling pathway responsible for the remainder of the NGF-induced inhibition. Inhibition of HCO(3)(-) absorption was reduced 45% by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors wortmannin or LY294002 and 50% by rapamycin, a specific inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a downstream effector of PI3K. The combination of a PI3K inhibitor plus rapamycin did not cause a further reduction in the inhibition by NGF. In contrast, the combination of a PI3K inhibitor plus the MEK/ERK inhibitor U0126 completely eliminated inhibition by NGF. Rapamycin decreased NGF-induced inhibition of basolateral NHE1 by 45%. NGF induced a 2-fold increase in phosphorylation of Akt, a PI3K target linked to mTOR activation, and a 2.2-fold increase in the activity of p70 S6 kinase, a downstream effector of mTOR. p70 S6 kinase activation was blocked by wortmannin and rapamycin, consistent with PI3K, mTOR, and p70 S6 kinase in a linear pathway. Rapamycin-sensitive inhibition of NHE1 by NGF was associated with an increased level of phosphorylated mTOR in the basolateral membrane domain. These findings indicate that NGF inhibits HCO(3)(-) absorption in the medullary thick ascending limb through the parallel activation of PI3K-mTOR and ERK signaling pathways, which converge to inhibit NHE1. The results identify a role for mTOR in the regulation of Na(+)/H(+) exchange activity and implicate NHE1 as a possible downstream effector contributing to mTOR's effects on cell growth, proliferation, survival, and tumorigenesis.     

Pravastatin-induced proangiogenic effects depend upon extracellular FGF-2

The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) have been shown to exert several protective effects on the vasculature that are unrelated to changes in the cholesterol profile, and to induce angiogenesis. The proangiogenic effect exerted by statins has been attributed to the activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway in endothelial cells; however, it is unclear how statins activate this pathway. Pravastatin-mediated activation of Akt and MAPK occurs rapidly (within 10 min.) and at low doses (10 nM). Here, we hypothesized that FGF-2 contributes to the proangiogenic effect of statins. We found that pravastatin, a hydrophilic statin, induced phosphorylation of the FGF receptor (FGFR) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. SU5402, an inhibitor of FGFR, abolished pravastatin-induced PI3K/Akt and MAPK activity. Likewise, anti-FGF-2 function-blocking antibodies inhibited Akt and MAPK activity. Moreover, depletion of extracellular FGF-2 by heparin prevented pravastatin-induced phosphorylation of Akt and MAPK. Treatment with FGF-2 antibody inhibited pravastatin-enhanced endothelial cell proliferation, migration and tube formation. These observations indicate that pravastatin exerts proangiogenic effects in endothelial cells depending upon the extracellular FGF-2.     

Nerve growth factor activates brain-derived neurotrophic factor promoter IV via extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 in PC12 cells

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neuromodulator of nociceptive responses in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord. BDNF synthesis increases in response to nerve growth factor (NGF) in trkA-expressing small and medium-sized DRG neurons after inflammation. Previously we demonstrated differential activation of multiple BDNF promoters in the DRG following peripheral nerve injury and inflammation. Using reporter constructs containing individual promoter regions, we investigated the effect of NGF on the multiple BDNF promoters, and the signaling pathway by which NGF activates these promoters in PC12 cells. Although all the promoters were activated 2.4-7.1-fold by NGF treatment, promoter IV gave the greatest induction. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor, SB203580, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) inhibitor, LY294003, protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, H89, and protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, chelerythrine, had no effect on activation of promoter IV by NGF. However, activation was completely abolished by the MAPK kinase (MEK) inhibitors, U0126 and PD98059. In addition, these inhibitors blocked NGF-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) 1/2. Taken together, these results suggest that the ERK1/2 pathway activates BDNF promoter IV in response to NGF independently of NGF-activated signaling pathways involving PKA and PKC.     

Nerve growth factor signals through TrkA,phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase,and Rac1 to inactivate RhoA during the initiation of neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells

In PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cells, nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neuronal differentiation is blocked by constitutively active dominant mutants of RhoA but augmented by negative ones, suggesting a not yet elucidated inhibitory signaling link between NGF receptors and RhoA. Here we show that NGF treatment rapidly translocates RhoA from the plasma membrane to the cytosol and simultaneously decreases RhoA affinity to its target Rho-associated kinase (ROK), a key mediator of neurite outgrowth. This effect was transient, because after 2 days of NGF treatment, RhoA relocated from the cytosol to the plasma membrane, and its GTP loading returned to a level found in undifferentiated cells. Inhibition of RhoA is mediated by activation of the TrkA receptor, because NGF failed to induce RhoA translocation and inhibition of ROK binding in nnr5 cells that lack TrkA, whereas the inhibition was reconstituted in receptor add-back B5 cells. In MM17-26 cells, which due to expression of dominant negative Ras do not differentiate, NGF-stimulated transient RhoA inhibition was unaffected. The inhibitory pathway from TrkA to RhoA involves phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), because the inhibitors LY294002 or wortmannin prevented NGF-induced RhoA translocation and increased RhoA association with ROK. Furthermore, inhibition of PI3K significantly reduced NGF- mediated Rac1 activation, whereas dominant negative Rac1 abolished the inhibitory signaling to RhoA. Taken together, these data indicate that NGF-mediated activation of TrkA receptor stimulates PI3K, which in turn increases Rac1 activity to induce transient RhoA inactivation during the initial phase of neurite outgrowth.     

Fractalkine stimulates angiogenesis by activating the Raf-1/MEK/ERK- and PI3K/Akt/eNOS-dependent signal pathways

Fractalkine (FKN) has been implicated in modulation of angiogenesis and vascular inflammation, but the underlying mechanism has not been elucidated. We have investigated the molecular mechanism by which FKN regulates angiogenesis. We found that recombinant FKN increases in vitro proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and stimulates in vivo angiogenesis. FKN-induced angiogenesis was accompanied by phosphorylation of ERK, Akt, and endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS), as well as an increase in NO production. These biochemical events and angiogenesis were completely inhibited by the G protein-coupled receptor inhibitor pertussis toxin. Inhibitors of Raf-1, MEK, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and eNOS or transfection with dominant-negative forms of ERK and Akt significantly suppressed the angiogenic activity of FKN. However, inhibitors of Raf-1 and MEK or a dominant-negative ERK mutant blocked FKN-induced ERK, but not Akt and eNOS, phosphorylation. The PI3K inhibitor and a dominant-negative mutant of Akt suppressed Akt and eNOS phosphorylation and NO production. Our results demonstrated that FKN stimulated angiogenesis by activating the Raf-1/MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt/eNOS/NO signal pathways via the G protein-coupled receptor CX3CR1, indicating that two pathways are required for full angiogenic activity of FKN. This study suggests that FKN may play an important role in the pathophysiological process of inflammatory angiogenesis.     

Comparison of doxycycline and minocycline in the inhibition of VEGF-induced smooth muscle cell migration

Smooth muscle cell migration plays an important role during angiogenesis and vascular remodeling. In this study, we examined the effects of doxycycline and minocycline on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced human aortic smooth muscle cell (HASMCs) migration, and explored the mechanisms in which doxycycline or minocycline inhibit HASMC migration. We demonstrated that both doxycycline and minocycline attain consistent anti-angiogenic effects in the inhibition of HASMC migration via a different signal pathway (p<0.05). This effect is through attenuating VEGF-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity (p<0.05). Doxycycline could increase tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) expression while minocycline down-regulated PI3K/Akt phosphorylation in HASMC. Our study suggests that doxycycline has a stronger ability to inhibit MMP secretion in HASMC by up-regulating endogenous MMPs inhibitor TIMP-1, while minocycline implements anti-angiogenic effect through inhibiting HASMC migration by down-regulating PI3K/Akt pathway.