High reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and enhanced vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) proliferation are observed in numerous cardiovascular diseases. The mechanisms by which hormones such as angiotensin II (Ang II) acts to promote these cellular responses remain poorly understood. We have previously shown that the ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6), a molecular switch that coordinates intrac...

Circulation Research is available at http://circres.ahajournals.org DOI: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.115.306361 Abstract: The historical view of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in atherosclerosis is that aberrant proliferation of VSMCs promotes plaque formation, but that VSMCs in advanced plaques are entirely beneficial, for example preventing rupture of the fibrous cap. However, this view has been...

Accelerated vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation is implied in cardiovascular disease and significantly contributes to vessel lumen reduction following surgical interventions such as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or bypass surgery. Therefore, identification and characterization of compounds and mechanisms able to counteract VSMC proliferation is of potential therape...

Inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation is of substantial interest in combating cardiovascular disease. A dichloromethane extract from the rhizomes of Peucedanum ostruthium, a traditionally used Austrian medicinal plant with anti-inflammatory properties, was examined for a putative antiproliferative activity in rat aortic VSMC. This extract inhibited serum (10%)-induced V...

Objective—The Ezrin-radixin–moesin– binding phosphoprotein 50 (EBP50) is a scaffolding protein known to regulate ion homeostasis in the kidney and intestine. Previous work showed that EBP50 expression increases after balloon injury in rat carotids. This study was designed to determine the role of EBP50 on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) proliferation and the development of neointimal hyperp...

Though vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation underlies all cardiovascular hyperplastic disorders, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for this cellular process is still incomplete. Here we report that SRSF1 (serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1), an essential splicing factor, promotes VSMC proliferation and injury-induced neointima formation. Vascular injury i...

Objective: Cysteinyl leukotrienes (Cys-LTs) are proinflammatory lipid mediators generated from arachidonic acid through 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO). It was reported that the 5-LO pathway is associated with vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration; however, the relationship between Cys-LTs and VSMC proliferation and migration remains unclear. Methods: We used a mouse (C57/BL6J) m...

Background: Hippo-Yap signaling pathway is one of the critical pathways regulating cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Results: Knockdown of endogenous Yap1 impairs VSMC proliferation and enhances VSMC contractile phenotype by promoting the association of the myocardin/ SRF/CArG complex. Conclusion: Yap1 signaling pathway is a central regulator of phenotypic switch of VSMCs Signi...

AIMS The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms by which nicotine increases vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and post-injury neointimal formation. METHODS AND RESULTS Vascular injury was inflicted in the right iliac artery of nicotine-treated and control rats. Nicotine increased post-injury VSMC proliferation (Ki67(+) cells) and neointimal formation (neointima/med...

Hyperlipemia and oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) are important independent cardiovascular risk factors. Ox-LDL has been shown to stimulate vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. However, the effects of hyperlipemia and the molecular mechanisms mediating hyperlipemia and ox-LDL effects on VSMC growth are poorly understood. The helix-loop-helix (HLH) transcription factor, Id3, is a redox-sensiti...