Notch3 signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells induces c-FLIP expression via ERK/MAPK activation. Resistance to Fas ligand-induced apoptosis.

Notch3 Signaling in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Induces c-FLIP Expression via ERK/MAPK Activation: Resistance to FasL-Induced Apoptosis

Sensitivity to Fas-mediated apoptosis is determined below receptor level in human vascular smooth muscle cells.

Despite Fas expression, many cells resist Fas-induced apoptosis. Although differences in surface Fas expression can explain Fas resistance, multiple proteins below receptor level also inhibit Fas-induced apoptosis. To examine the mechanism of Fas resistance, we studied Fas-induced apoptosis in human medial vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from healthy coronary arteries. VSMCs showed marked ...

Tanshinone IIA inhibits AGEs-induced proliferation and migration of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells by suppressing ERK1/2 MAPK signaling

Objective(s): Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a key role in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular disease. Our current study sought to explore the effects of tanshinone IIA on the proliferation and migration of VSMCs induced by advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Materials and Methods: In this study, we examined the effects of tanshinone IIA by cell proliferation assay and cell mi...

Suppression of Akt signaling induces Fas ligand expression: involvement of caspase and Jun kinase activation in Akt-mediated Fas ligand regulation.

Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) expression has been detected in chronic vascular lesions, and Fas-mediated apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) may influence the integrity of the atherosclerotic plaque. Here we report that FasL is not expressed by normal VSMC, but its expression is upregulated by stresses that induce apoptosis, including serum deprivation, exposure to the phosphatidylinos...

The caspase-8 inhibitor FLIP promotes activation of NF-κB and Erk signaling pathways

BACKGROUND Activation of Fas (CD95) by its ligand (FasL) rapidly induces cell death through recruitment and activation of caspase-8 via the adaptor protein Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD). However, Fas signals do not always result in apoptosis but can also trigger a pathway that leads to proliferation. We investigated the level at which the two conflicting Fas signals diverge and the...