scholarly journals RhoA/Rho kinase (ROCK) alters fetuin-A uptake and regulates calcification in bovine vascular smooth muscle cells (BVSMC)

2010 ◽  
Vol 299 (3) ◽  
pp. F674-F680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neal X. Chen ◽  
Xianming Chen ◽  
Kalisha D. O'Neill ◽  
Simon J. Atkinson ◽  
Sharon M. Moe

RhoA/Rho kinases (ROCK) play a critical role in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) actin cytoskeleton organization, differentiation, and function and are implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. We have previously determined that an important step in the regulation of calcification is fetuin-A endocytosis, a process that is dependent on changes in the cytoskeleton, which, in turn, is known to be affected by the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway. In the present study, bovine VSMC (BVSMC) were treated with the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 or transfected with ROCK small interfering (si) RNA to knock down ROCK expression. Both conditions resulted in reduced actin stress fibers and increased Cy5-labeled fetuin-A uptake. Inhibition of ROCK by Y-27632 or siRNA also significantly increased BVSMC alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcification of BVSMC and rat aorta organ cultures. Cells were then incubated in calcification media in the presence or absence of Y-27632 and matrix vesicles (MV) isolated by collagenase digestion. These MV, isolated from BVSMC incubated with Y-27632, had increased ALP activity and increased ability of MV to subsequently calcify collagen by 66%. In contrast, activation of RhoA, which is upstream of ROCK, by transfecting plasmids encoding the dominant active Rho GTPase mutant (Rho-L63) led to decreased fetuin-A uptake and reduced calcification in BVSMC. These results demonstrate that the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway is an important negative regulator of vascular calcification.

Author(s):  
Jingjing Cong ◽  
Bei Cheng ◽  
Jinyu Liu ◽  
Ping He

AbstractVascular calcification (VC) is highly prevailing in cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease and, when present, is associated with cardiovascular events and mortality. The osteogenic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is regarded as the foundation for mediating VC. Related transcriptional enhancer factor (RTEF-1), also named as transcriptional enhanced associate domain (TEAD) 4 or transcriptional enhancer factor-3 (TEF-3), is a nuclear transcriptional factor with a potent effect on cardiovascular diseases, apart from its oncogenic role in the canonical Hippo pathway. However, the role and mechanism of RTEF-1 in VC, particularly in calcification of VSMCs, are poorly understood. Our results showed that RTEF-1 was reduced in calcified VSMCs. RTEF-1 significantly ameliorated β-glycerophosphate (β-GP)-induced VSMCs calcification, as detected by alizarin red staining and calcium content assay. Also, RTEF-1 reduced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and decreased expressions of osteoblast markers such as Osteocalcin and Runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx2), but increased expression of contractile protein, including SM α-actin (α-SMA). Additionally, RTEF-1 inhibited β-GP-activated Wnt/β-catenin pathway which plays a critical role in calcification and osteogenic differentiation of VSMCs. Specifically, RTEF-1 reduced the levels of Wnt3a, p-β-catenin (Ser675), glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), and p-GSK-3β (Ser9), but increased the levels of p-β-catenin (Ser33/37). Also, RTEF-1 increased the ratio of p-β-catenin (Ser33/37) to β-catenin proteins and decreased the ratio of p-GSK-3β (Ser9) to GSK-3β protein. LiCl, a Wnt/β-catenin signaling activator, was observed to reverse the protective effect of RTEF-1 overexpression on VSMCs calcification induced by β-GP. Accordingly, Dickkopf-1 (Dkk1), a Wnt antagonist, attenuated the role of RTEF-1 deficiency in β-GP-induced VSMCs calcification. Taken together, we concluded that RTEF-1 ameliorated β-GP-induced calcification and osteoblastic differentiation of VSMCs by inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Ren Chen ◽  
Yu Jie Zhou ◽  
Jia Qi Yang ◽  
Fang Liu ◽  
Ying Xin Zhao ◽  
...  

Background. Melatonin has been demonstrated to protect against calcification in cyclosporine nephrotoxicity. The wingless-type MMTV integration site family member 1 (Wnt1)/β-catenin pathway is associated with cardiovascular calcification. This study aimed to explore whether melatonin could attenuate VSMC calcification through regulating the Wnt1/β-catenin signaling pathway. Methods. The effects of melatonin on vascular calcification were investigated in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Calcium deposits were visualized by Alizarin Red Staining. Calcium content and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were used to evaluate osteogenic differentiation. Western blots were used to measure the expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and cleaved caspase-3. Results. Melatonin markedly ameliorated calcium deposition and ALP activity. Runx2 and cleaved caspase-3 were found to be reduced and α-SMA was found to be increased by melatonin, together with a decrease in apoptosis. Immunofluorescence assay revealed a lower Runx2 protein level in the melatonin group. Melatonin treatment significantly decreased the expression of Wnt1 and β-catenin. Treatment with lithium chloride or transglutaminase 2 abrogated the protective effects of melatonin. Conclusion. Melatonin can attenuate β-GP-induced VSMC calcification through the suppression of Wnt1/β-catenin system.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 782
Author(s):  
Chia-Chi Ho ◽  
Yu-Cheng Chen ◽  
Ming-Hsien Tsai ◽  
Hui-Ti Tsai ◽  
Chen-Yi Weng ◽  
...  

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated an association between ambient particulate matter (PM) exposure and vascular diseases. Here, we observed that treatment with ambient PM increased cell migration ability in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and pulmonary arterial SMCs (PASMCs). These results suggest that VSMCs and PASMCs transitioned from a differentiated to a synthetic phenotype after PM exposure. Furthermore, treatment with PM increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), activated the NF-κB signaling pathway, and increased the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in VSMCs. Using specific inhibitors, we demonstrated that PM increased the migration ability of VSMCs via the nicotinamide–adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 1 (NOX1)/ROS-dependent NF-κB signaling pathway, which also partially involved in the induction of proinflammatory cytokines. Finally, we investigated whether nature polyphenolic compounds prevent PM-induced migration and proinflammatory cytokines secretion in VSMCs. Curcumin, resveratrol, and gallic acid prevented PM2.5-induced migration via the ROS-dependent NF-κB signaling pathway. However, honokiol did not prevent PM2.5-induced migration or activation of the ROS-dependent NF-κB signaling pathway. On the other hand, all polyphenols prevented PM2.5-induced cytokines secretion. These data indicated that polyphenols prevented PM-induced migration and cytokine secretion via blocking the ROS-dependent NF-κB signaling pathway in VSMCs. However, other mechanisms may also contribute to PM-induced cytokine secretion.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianlei Chen ◽  
Huijuan Mao ◽  
Cheng Chen ◽  
Lin Wu ◽  
Ningning Wang ◽  
...  

Objective. To investigate the role and possible mechanism ofα-Klotho in the calcification and the osteogenic transition of cultured VSMCs.Methods. VSMCs were culturedin vitroand divided into 5 groups, each using a different medium: (1) control; (2)β-GP; (3)β-GP + Klotho; (4)β-GP + LiCl; (5)β-GP + Klotho + LiCl. Calcium deposits were visualized using Alizarin Red S staining. The calcium concentrations were determined by the o-cresolphthalein complexone method. BMP2, Runx2 andβ-catenin levels were estimated by western blotting, and the level ofα-SMA was determined by using immunofluorescence at day 12.Results.β-GP induced an increase in the expression of BMP2, Runx2, andβ-catenin. The calcium content increased, and the expression ofα-SMA decreased. Alizarin Red S staining was positive under the high phosphorus conditions. BMP2, Runx2, andβ-catenin levels and the calcium content decreased when the cells were cultured with rmKlotho; however, the levels of each were upregulated after treatment with the LiCl.Conclusions. Klotho can ameliorate the calcification and osteogenic transition of VSMCs induced byβ-GP. The mechanism of Klotho in preventing calcification in VSMCs may be partially mediated by the inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.


2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Rui Chang ◽  
Yue-Long Hou ◽  
Wei-Wei Lu ◽  
Jin-Sheng Zhang ◽  
Yan-Rong Yu ◽  
...  

Vascular calcification (VC) is highly associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease(CKD). We previously reported that paracrine/autocrine factor intermedin (IMD) could protect against VC. In the present study we assessed the hypothesis that IMD inhibits VC by upregulating klotho protein. VC in CKD rat was induced by 5/6 nephrectomy plus vitamin D 3 administration and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) calcification was induced by calcifying media containing β -glycerophosphate and CaCl 2 . IMD (100 ng kg -1 h -1 ) was systemically administered by a mini-osmotic pump. CKD rat aortas showed lower IMD content and increased expression of its receptors (calcitonin receptor-like receptor,CRLR/receptor activity-modifying protein 3, RAMP3), along with increased aortic alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium deposition. In vivo administration of IMD significantly reduced aortic ALP activity and calcium deposition in CKD rats when compared with vehicle treatment, which was further confirmed in cultured VSMCs. Concurrently, the loss of smooth muscle lineage markers and klotho protein in aortas was rescued by administering IMD to CKD rats with VC. However, the inhibitory effects of IMD on VC were abolished upon pre-treatment with small interfering RNA to reduce klotho. Moreover, the increased effects of IMD on klotho were abolished upon pretreatment with small interfering RNA to reduce its receptors or with PKA inhibitor H89. These results demonstrated that IMD attenuates VC by upregulating klotho via CRLR/RAMP3-cAMP/PKA signaling pathway in rat with CKD. IMD is an important paracrine/autocrine protective factor for VC.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. e97565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yana Dautova ◽  
Diana Kozlova ◽  
Jeremy N. Skepper ◽  
Matthias Epple ◽  
Martin D. Bootman ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Tang ◽  
Takashi Saito

Aim. To analyze the effect of three mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors, namely, SB202190 (p38 inhibitor), SP600125 (JNK inhibitor), and PD98059 (ERK inhibitor) in Dex-stimulated MDPC-23 cell differentiation and mineralization. Methods. Experiment was divided into five groups, control (cells without Dex and inhibitors treatment), Dex (cells with Dex treatment but without inhibitors), Dex + SB202190, Dex + SP600125, and Dex + PD98059. Cell differentiation was assessed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay and real time RT-PCR. Cell mineralization was investigated by alizarin red staining. Results. Exposure to SB202190 (20 μM) significantly decreased the mineral deposition in Dex-treated cells as demonstrated by alizarin red staining. Treatment of SP600125 (20 μM) attenuated the mineralization as well, albeit at a lower degree as compared to SB202190 (20 μM). Similarly, SB202190 (20 μM) completely abrogated the ALP activity stimulated by Dex at six days in culture, while no changes were observed with regard to ALP activity in SP600125 (20 μM) and PD98059 (20 μM) treated cells. The upregulation of bone sialoprotein (BSP), ALP, and osteopontin (OPN) in Dex challenged cells was completely inhibited by SB202190. Conclusion. Blockade of p38-MAPK signaling pathway resulted in significant inhibition of ALP activity, mineralization, and downregulation of osteogenic markers. The data implicated that p38 signaling pathway plays a critical role in the regulation of MDPC-23 cells differentiation and mineralization.


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