UTP经PLC-IP3信号通路调控猪冠状动脉平滑肌细胞自发性瞬时外向电流

本文采用全细胞穿孔膜片钳技术研究uTP对急性酶分离的猪冠状动脉平滑肌细胞(coronary artery smooth muscle cells,CASMCs)自发性瞬时外向电流(spontaneous transient outward currents,STOCs)的作用,探讨细胞内Ca2 释放在UTP产物三磷酸肌醇(inositol 1,4,5.trisphosphate,IP3)调控STOCs过程中的作用机制.结果显示:(1)UTP(40 gmol/L)可明显激活CASMCs的STOCs,使其幅度和频率分别增~0(57.54±5.34)%和(77.46±8.42)%(P<0.01,n=38).(2)磷脂酶C(phospholipase C,PLC)阻断剂U73122(5 gmol/L)可明显抑制STOCs的活性,使其幅度和频率分别降低(31.04±7.46)%和(41.65±16.59)%(P<0.05,,n=10);细胞外再加入UTP小能再次激活STOCs(n=7).(3)L型电压依赖性钙通道(L-type voltage-dependent Ca2 channels,L-VDCCs)阻断剂verapamil(20 gmol/L)和CdCl2(200 gmol/L)几乎不影响UTP对STOCs活性的调节(n=8).(4)1 gmol/L的bisindolylmaleimide I[Bisl,蛋白激酶C(protein kinase C,PKC)的特异性阻断剂]可明显激活STOCs,使其幅度和频率分别增加(65.44±24.66)%和(61.35±21.47)%(P<0.01,n=12),细胞外再加入UTP(40 gmol/L)可使STOCs的幅度及频率进一步明显增加(P<0.05,P<0.01,n=12),细胞外继续加入ryanodine(50 gmol/L)则可完全阻断STOCs.(5)UTP(40 gmol/L)预处理细胞后,IP受体(IP3 receptors,IP3Rs)阻断剂2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate(2-APB,40 gmol/L)可使STOCs的幅度降低(24.08±3.97)%(P<0.05,n=8),对其频率的影响较小(n=8);而80 gmol/L的2-APB则可明显抑制STOCs的活性,使其幅度和频率分别降低(31.43±6.34)%和(40.59±19.01)%(P<0.05,P<0.01,n=6),细胞外继续加入高浓度的ryanodine(50 Bmol/L)可完全抑制STOCs(n=6).用2-APB(40 gmol/L)或ryanodine(50 gmol/L)预处理细胞后,UTP(40 gmol/L)不能再次激活STOCs.以上结果提示:UTP主要通过PLC-IPl信号通路激活急性酶分离的猪CASMCs的STOCs,IP3Rs和ryanodine受体(ryanodine receptors,RyRs)介导的细胞内Ca2 释放在此过程中发挥重要作用.     

细胞内钙动员对猪冠状动脉平滑肌细胞自发性瞬时外向电流的调节

为研究急性酶分离的猪冠状动脉平滑肌细胞自发性瞬时外向电流(spontaneous transient outward currents, STOCs)的基本特性及其调节, 采用全细胞穿孔膜片钳技术记录STOCs的变化. 结果发现, STOCs具有明显的电压依赖性, 随机地叠加在全细胞大电导钙激活钾通道(large Ca²⁺-activated-K⁺ channels, BKCa)电流上, BKCa通道的特异性阻断剂卡律蝎毒素(charybdotoxin, ChTX) 200 nmol/L可完全抑制STOCs的活性. 逐步降低细胞外Ca²⁺浓度可明显抑制STOCs活性直至完全消失, 而钙离子载体A23187(10 μmol/L)可明显增强STOCs的活性. L型电压依赖性钙通道(L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels, L-VDCCs)阻断剂维拉帕米(20 μmol/L)和氯化镉(200 μmol/L)对STOCs的活性却没有明显影响. 兰诺定受体(ryanodine receptors, RyRs)的特异性激动剂咖啡因(5 mmol/L)能够明显激活STOCs, 而其阻断剂兰诺定(ryanodine, 50 μmol/L)却可以使其不可逆性完全抑制; 随后再应用咖啡因(5 mmol/L)不能再次激活STOCs. 三磷酸肌醇受体(inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors, IP3Rs)阻断剂2APB(40 μmol/L)也可明显抑制STOCs的活性, 继而使用咖啡因(5 mmol/L)仍可激活STOCs. 结果表明: 猪冠状动脉平滑肌细胞的STOCs是由BKCa通道介导的, 细胞外Ca²⁺对于STOCs的产生是必需的, 而L-VDCCs介导的Ca²⁺内流不影响STOCs的活性, RyRs是STOCs产生的最终通路, IP₃Rs也可能参与了STOCs的调控.     

川芎嗪对猪冠状动脉平滑肌细胞大电导钙激活钾通道的作用

本工作旨在研究川芎嗪对猪冠状动脉平滑肌细胞钾通道的作用,为阐明其扩张冠状动脉血管的机制提供实验依据。采用膜片钳细胞贴附式和内面向外式记录方式观察川芎嗪对猪冠状动脉平滑肌细胞大电导钙激活钾通道(large-conductance Ca2+- activated potassium channels,BKCa channels)的作用,分别用蛋白激酶A(protein kinase A,PKA)抑制剂H-89和蛋白激酶G (protein kinase G,PKG)抑制剂KT-5823处理细胞,再观察川芎嗪对BKCa通道作用的变化。结果表明在研究的0．73-8．07 mmol/L浓度范围,川芎嗪可以剂量依赖性地激活BKCa通道,使通道的开放概率从(0．01±0．003)增加到(0．03±0．01)-(．21± 0．18)(P<0．01,n=10),使通道平均关闭时间从(732．33±90．67)ms降低到(359．67±41．30)-(2．96±0．52)ms(P<0．01, n=10)。川芎嗪的这种激活作用在浴液游离钙离子浓度接近0 mmol/L时也存在。PKA的特异性抑制剂H-89(3 μmol/L)和 PKG的特异性抑制剂KT-5823(1 μmol/L)对川芎嗪激活BKCa通道的作用无影响。以上结果提示:川芎嗪能直接激活冠状动脉平滑肌BKCa通道,这种作用可能是川芎嗪扩张冠状动脉血管的一种重要机制。     

18β-甘草次酸抑制微动脉平滑肌细胞外向电流

本文旨在观察18β-甘草次酸(18β-glycyrrhetinic acid,18βGA)对微动脉平滑肌细胞膜电流的影响。分离出豚鼠小脑前下动脉(anterior inferior cerebellar artery,AICA)和肠系膜动脉(mesenteric artery,MA)后,用酶消化法制备单个血管平滑肌细胞(vascular smooth muscle cells,VSMCs),应用全细胞膜片钳技术记录平滑肌细胞外向电流的变化。结果显示:(1)1mmol/L4氨基吡啶(4-aminopyridine,4-AP)和1mmol/L tetraethylammonium(TEA)都可以部分抑制微动脉平滑肌细胞的外向电流。(2)18βGA电压和浓度依赖性地抑制微动脉平滑肌细胞外向电流。18βGA主要抑制0～+40mV电压区间的激活电流,其中对+40mV激活电流的抑制作用最强。10、30和100μmol/L18βGA对AICA平滑肌细胞外向电流(+40mV)的抑制率分别为(25.3±7.1)%、(43.1±10.4)%和(68.4±3.9)%,对MA平滑肌细胞外向电流(+40mV)的抑制率分别为(13.2±...     

三磷酸肌醇对猪冠状动脉平滑肌细胞大电导钙激活钾通道的作用

应用膜片钳单通道电流记录技术,研究三磷酸肌醇(trisphosphateinositol,IP3)对猪冠状动脉平滑肌细胞大电导钙激活钾通道(large-conductanceCa2+-activatedpotassiumchannels,BKchannels)的作用。结果显示:在内面向外式(inside-out)膜片下,IP3(10~50μmol/L)可以浓度依赖性地增加通道的开放概率,而对电流幅值无明显影响,开放概率的增加是通过明显缩短平均关闭时间实现的(n=11,P<0.01);洗去药物后通道活性可以恢复到对照水平;IP3对通道的激活作用不随时间而衰减;IP3的降解产物对通道没有明显的激活作用。结果表明:在inside-out膜片下,IP3能够激活猪冠状动脉平滑肌细胞BK通道。     

cGMP对原代培养猪冠状动脉平滑肌细胞钙激活钾通道的作用

３′,５′－环－磷酸鸟苷（ｃＧＭＰ）具有激活血管平滑肌细胞膜上钙激活钾通道（ＫＣａ通道）的作用,从而引起血管平滑肌细胞的舒张。但ｃＧＭＰ激活ＫＣａ物机制存在争论。本工作应用膜片箝技术以原代培养猪冠状动脉平滑肌细胞为对象研究了ｃＧＭＰ影响ＫＣａ通道的机制。实验结果显示：（１）在ｃｅｌｌ－ａｔｔａｃｈｅｄ膜片方式下,当溶液内游离Ｃａ＾２＋浓度为１０＾－７ｍｏｌ／Ｌ,膜电位为＋７０ｍＶ时,不同浓度的ｃＧ     

多巴胺对血管平滑肌细胞钙激活钾通道的影响及其机制

目的：研究多巴胺对血管平滑肌细胞大电流、钙激活钾（ＢＫｃａ）通道的影响及其信息传递机制。方法用膜片钳细胞贴附式技术,记录细胞能液内灌流多巴胺受体激动剂、阻断剂以及第二信使及相关蛋白激酶拮机剂对猪冠状动脉血管平滑肌细胞ＢＫｃａ 爱道活动的影响。结果：多巴胺增加ＢＫｃａ通道活性（Ｐ〈０．０１）,并可被ＣＡ－１受体阻断剂ＳＣＨ２３３９０完全阻断,但不受β２受体阻断剂普藉洛尔的影响。腺苷酸环化酶抑制剂ＳＯ     

15-KETE对大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞钾离子通道的作用

目的观察15-酮基二十碳四烯酸(15-ketoeicosatetraenoic acid,15-KETE)对大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞(pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells,PASMCs)膜电压门控钾离子通道(Kv)的作用,探讨其收缩肺动脉的离子通道机制。方法采用急性酶分离法(胶原酶Ⅰ型和弹性酶)获得健康成年SD大鼠单个PASMC,应用全细胞膜片钳记录方法,研究15-KETE对膜电位(Em)、膜电容(Cm)、电压门控钾电流(Ikv)的影响。结果①高浓度15-KETE(1×10-7mol/L、1×10-6mol/L)可引起PASMCs去极化,并且在细胞内钙被BAPTA缓冲后,15-KETE仍可引起PASMCs去极化,15-KETE对PASMC的膜电容无影响;②15-KETE(1×10-8~1×10-6mol/L)对Ikv的影响呈浓度依赖性和可逆性;③细胞内钙离子在生理浓度时([Ca2 ]i=75 nmol/L),15-KETE(1×10-6mol/L)对Ikv峰电流的抑制率显著高于细胞内无钙离子时。结论15-KETE可浓度依赖性的抑制Ikv,使常氧大鼠PASMCs去极化;细胞内钙离子加强了15-KETE对Ikv峰电流的抑制作用。     

温度和胞内钠、ATP及酸碱度对心室肌细胞钠钙交换电流的调节

心肌缺血损伤过程中,胞内Na^＋、ATP及pH都出现明显变化。钠／钙交换对心肌细胞的钙平衡起重要的调节作用。本实验采用膜片钳全细胞记录豚鼠心室肌细胞钠／钙交换电流,研究温度和胞内Na^＋、ATP及pH对钠／钙交换双向电流的影响。结果表明,温度从22℃升至34℃,钠／钙交换电流增大约4倍,而pH值的改变对钠／钙交换双向电流没有明显的影响。在22～24℃时,同时耗竭胞内ATP和胞内酸化对钠／钙交换双向转运功能影响程度小;而在34—37℃时,同时耗竭胞内ATP和胞内酸化能抑制钠／钙交换双向电流的外向和内向成分,且内向成分抑制程度高于外向成分抑制程度。表明同时耗竭胞内ATP和胞内酸化对钠／钙交换的作用具有温度依赖性。胞内Na^＋超载能使钠／钙交换电流的外向成分增加,但不增加或减少内向电流（即正向转运）成分。因此,胞内酸化及耗竭胞内ATP损伤细胞排钙机制和胞内钠超载通过钠／钙反向交换引起钙内流是引起心肌细胞钙超载的两个独立的重要因素。     

血管平滑肌细胞中大电导钙激活钾通道的调节作用

大电导钙激活钾通道(BKCa)广泛分布于血管平滑肌细胞(VSMCs).由通道组成亚基α和调节亚基β构成.BKCa在细胞膜电位以及血管张力方面有重要的调节作用,并且与高血压等心血管类疾病的发生也有密切的关系.本文就BKCa通道的分子结构、生理功能及其与心血管疾病的关系研究进展作一综述.     

Role of calcium mobilization in the regulation of spontaneous transient outward currents in porcine coronary artery myocytes

The purpose of the present study was to further study the characteristics and regulation of spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs) in freshly isolated porcine coronary artery smooth muscle cells (ASMCs). STOCs were recorded using the perforated whole-cell patch-clamp configuration. STOCs were voltage-dependent and superimposed stochastically onto whole-cell Ca²⁺-activated-K⁺ (BK_Ca) currents. Charybdotoxin (ChTX, 200 nmol/L), a selective blocker of BK_Ca channels, completely inhibited STOCs within 10 min. STOCs activity was greatly suppressed when extracellular Ca²⁺ concentration decreased from 1.8 mmol/L to 200 nmol/L, further removal of Ca²⁺ abolished STOCs activity. Ca²⁺ ionophore A23187 (10 μmol/L) increased STOCs activity significantly. Verapamil (20 μmol/L) and CdCl₂ (200 μmol/L), two kinds of organic L-type voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels (L-VDCCs) antagonists, had little effect on STOCs. In addition, the ryanodine receptors (RyRs) agonist caffeine (5 mmol/L) significantly activated STOCs. Application of ryanodine (50 μmol/L) to block RyRs abolished STOCs, subsequent washout of ryanodine or application of caffeine failed to reproduce STOCs activity. Inhibition of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP₃Rs) by 2APB (40 μmol/L) greatly suppressed the activity of STOCs, application of caffeine (5 mmol/L) in the presence of 2APB caused a burst of outward currents followed by inhibition of STOCs. These results suggest that STOCs in porcine coronary ASMCs are mediated by BK_Ca channels. Extracellular Ca²⁺ is essential for STOCs activity, while Ca²⁺ entry through L-VDCCs has little effect on STOCs. Intracellular Ca²⁺ release induced by RyRs is responsible for the regulation of STOCs, whereas IP3Rs might also be involved.     

Role of calcium mobilization in the regulation of spontaneous transient outward currents in porcine coronary artery myocytes

The purpose of the present study was to further study the characteristics and regulation of spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs) in freshly isolated porcine coronary artery smooth muscle cells (ASMCs). STOCs were recorded using the perforated whole-cell patch-clamp configuration. STOCs were voltage-dependent and superimposed stochastically onto whole-cell Ca2 -activated-K (BKCa) currents. Charybdotoxin (ChTX, 200 nmol/L), a selective blocker of BKCa channels, completely inhibited STOCs within 10 min. STOCs activity was greatly suppressed when extracellular Ca2 concentration decreased from 1.8 mmol/L to 200 nmol/L, further removal of Ca2 abolished STOCs activity. Ca2 ionophore A23187 (10 μmol/L) increased STOCs activity significantly. Verapamil (20 μmol/L) and CdCl2 (200 μmol/L), two kinds of organic L-type voltage-dependent Ca2 channels (L-VDCCs) antagonists, had little effect on STOCs. In addition, the ryanodine receptors (RyRs) agonist caffeine (5 mmol/L) significantly activated STOCs. Application of ryanodine (50 μmol/L) to block RyRs abolished STOCs, subsequent washout of ryanodine or application of caffeine failed to reproduce STOCs activity. Inhibition of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) by 2APB (40 μmol/L) greatly suppressed the activity of STOCs, application of caffeine (5 mmol/L) in the presence of 2APB caused a burst of outward currents followed by inhibition of STOCs. These results suggest that STOCs in porcine coronary ASMCs are mediated by BKCa channels. Extracellular Ca2 is essential for STOCs activity, while Ca2 entry through L-VDCCs has little effect on STOCs. Intracellular Ca2 release induced by RyRs is responsible for the regulation of STOCs, whereas IP3Rs might also be involved.     

四周模拟失重大鼠后身动脉平滑肌细胞钾电流的改变

本文采用全细胞膜片钳方法观察4周尾部悬吊大鼠（tail-suspended rats,SUS)隐动脉及肠系膜的动脉第2-6级动脉分支血管平滑肌细胞（vascular smooth muscle cells,VSMCs)钾电流密度的变化,结果表明：SUS大鼠后身动脉VSMCs的静息电位（RP）较对照大鼠（CON）后身动脉VSMCs的RP更负,SUS组隐动脉和肠系膜小鼠后身动脉VSMCs的静息电位（RP）较对照大鼠（CON）后身动脉VSMCs的RP更负,SUS组隐动脉和肠系膜小动脉VSMCs的全细胞钾电流密度较CON组显著增加,其中,SUS组的隐动脉和肠系膜小动脉VSMCs的大电导钙激活钙离子通道（BKca)和电压激活钾离子通道（Kv)电流密度较CON组的BKca和Kv电流密度均显著增加,以上结果提示,VSMCs的超极化及进一步引起的通过电压依赖性钙离子通道的钙内流减少可能是模拟失重引起后身动脉反应性降低的电生理机制之一。     

高血压病患者肠系膜动脉平滑肌细胞钙激活钾通道研究

目的:研究高血压病患者肠系膜动脉平滑肌细胞钙激活钾通道(KCa)的功能活动。方法:应用膜片钳制技术内面向外式单通道记录方法。结果:①人肠系膜动脉平滑肌细胞KCa开放具有电压依赖性。KCa通道电导在高血压组、正常组分别为191.4pS、197.7pS。胞内侧应用TEA可阻断通道。②增加浴液中Ca2 浓度(从0增至10-8、10-7、5×10-7、10-6mol/L),各组KCa开放概率(Po)均呈浓度依赖性增加,高血压组Po从0.016增至0.023、0.031、0.053、0.094,正常组Po从0.004增至0.023、0.041、0.072、0.184。通道平均开放时间延长,平均关闭时间缩短。③Ca2 浓度为0时,高血压组KCa开放概率明显高于正常组,在其它Ca2 浓度下高血压组KCa开放概率等于或低于正常组。结论:高血压病患者肠系膜动脉平滑肌细胞KCa的Ca2 敏感性较低,可能促进高血压的发生。     

Calcium-induced transitions between the spontaneous miniature outward and the transient outward currents in retinal amacrine cells

Spontaneous miniature outward currents (SMOCs) occur in a subset of retinal amacrine cells at membrane potentials between -60 and -40 mV. At more depolarized potentials, a transient outward current (I(to)) appears and SMOCs disappear. Both SMOCs and the I(to) are K(+) currents carried by BK channels. They both arise from Ca(2+) influx through high voltage-activated (HVA) Ca(2+) channels, which stimulates release of internal Ca(2+) from caffeine- and ryanodine-sensitive stores. An increase in Ca(2+) influx resulted in an increase in SMOC frequency, but also led to a decline in SMOC mean amplitude. This reduction showed a temporal dependence: the effect being greater in the latter part of a voltage step. Thus, Ca(2+) influx, although required to generate SMOCs, also produced a negative modulation of their amplitudes. Increasing Ca(2+) influx also led to a decline in the first latency to SMOC occurrence. A combination of these effects resulted in the disappearance of SMOCs, along with the concomitant appearance of the I(to) at high levels of Ca(2+) influx. Therefore, low levels of Ca(2+) influx, arising from low levels of activation of the HVA Ca(2+) channels, produce randomly occurring SMOCs within the range of -60 to -40 mV. Further depolarization leads to greater activation of the HVA Ca(2+) channels, larger Ca(2+) influx, and the disappearance of discontinuous SMOCs, along with the appearance of the I(to). Based on their characteristics, SMOCs in retinal neurons may function as synaptic noise suppressors at quiescent glutamatergic synapses.     

慢性吸烟大鼠气道平滑肌大电导的钙激活钾通道和Kv1.5表达的变化

复制大鼠的慢性吸烟模型,采用气道反应性的测定、HE染色、免疫组织化学染色、原位杂交和免疫印迹实验等方法,观察吸烟对大鼠支气管平滑肌大电导的钙激活的钾通道(BKca)和电压依赖性延迟整流钾通道Kv1．5蛋白和mRNA表达的影响,以阐明吸烟引起的气道高反应性发病机制中钾通道表达变化的作用。结果显示：(1)慢性吸烟可降低大鼠大气道和小气道BKca和Kv1．5蛋白和mRNA表达;(2)大气道BKca的降低程度大于Kv1．5,小气道BKca和Kv1．5的降低程度无明显差异：(3)吸烟对全肺组织BKca和Kv1．5的蛋白表达无明显影响。上述结果提示,慢性吸烟可下调大鼠气道平滑肌钾通道BKca和Kv1．5的表达水平,是导致气道高反应的机制之一。     

Type-3 ryanodine receptors mediate hypoxia-, but not neurotransmitter-induced calcium release and contraction in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells

In this study we examined the expression of RyR subtypes and the role of RyRs in neurotransmitter- and hypoxia-induced Ca2+ release and contraction in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Under perforated patch clamp conditions, maximal activation of RyRs with caffeine or inositol triphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) with noradrenaline induced equivalent increases in [Ca2+]i and Ca2+-activated Cl- currents in freshly isolated rat PASMCs. Following maximal IP3-induced Ca2+ release, neither caffeine nor chloro-m-cresol induced a response, whereas prior application of caffeine or chloro-m-cresol blocked IP3-induced Ca2+ release. In cultured human PASMCs, which lack functional expression of RyRs, caffeine failed to affect ATP-induced increases in [Ca2+]i in the presence and absence of extracellular Ca2+. The RyR antagonists ruthenium red, ryanodine, tetracaine, and dantrolene greatly inhibited submaximal noradrenaline- and hypoxia-induced Ca2+ release and contraction in freshly isolated rat PASMCs, but did not affect ATP-induced Ca2+ release in cultured human PASMCs. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining indicated similar expression of all three RyR subtypes (RyR1, RyR2, and RyR3) in freshly isolated rat PASMCs. In freshly isolated PASMCs from RyR3 knockout (RyR3-/-) mice, hypoxia-induced, but not submaximal noradrenaline-induced, Ca2+ release and contraction were significantly reduced. Ruthenium red and tetracaine can further inhibit hypoxic increase in [Ca2+]i in RyR3-/- mouse PASMCs. Collectively, our data suggest that (a) RyRs play an important role in submaximal noradrenaline- and hypoxia-induced Ca2+ release and contraction; (b) all three subtype RyRs are expressed; and (c) RyR3 gene knockout significantly inhibits hypoxia-, but not submaximal noradrenaline-induced Ca2+ and contractile responses in PASMCs.     

VDR-mediated gene expression patterns in resting human coronary artery smooth muscle cells

Vitamin D analogs such as paricalcitol and calcitriol that activate the vitamin D receptor (VDR) provide survival benefit for Stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, possibly associated with a decrease in cardiovascular (CV)-related incidents. Phenotypic changes of smooth muscle cells play an important role in CV disease. The role of vitamin D analogs in modulating gene expression in smooth muscle cells is still not well understood. In this study, DNA microarray analysis of approximately 22,000 different human genes was used to characterize the VDR-mediated gene expression profile in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (CASMC) at rest. Cells in serum free medium were treated with 0.1 microM calcitriol (1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3)) or paricalcitol (19-nor-1alpha,25-(OH)(2)D(2)) for 30 h. A total of 181 target genes were identified, with 103 genes upregulated and 78 downregulated (>two fold changes in either drug treatment group with P < 0.01). No significant difference was observed between calcitriol and paricalcitol. Target genes fell into various categories with the top five in cellular process, cell communication, signal transduction, development, and morphogenesis. Twenty-two selected genes linked to the CV system were also impacted. Real-time RT-PCR and/or Western blotting analysis were employed to confirm the expression patterns of selected genes such as 25-hydroxyvitamin D-24-hydroxylase, Wilms' tumor gene 1, transforming growth factorbeta3, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, thrombospondin-1 (THBS1), and thrombomodulin (TM). This study provides insight into understanding the role of VDR in regulating gene expression in resting smooth muscle cells.