J Korean Geriatr Soc.  2000 Dec;4(4):251-256.

Role of Cytosolic Calcium Ion and Expression of Proliferation Responsive Gene of Cultured Medial Smooth Muscle Cells Obtained from rat Aortas with Atherosclerotic Changes Induced by High Cholesterol Feeding

• Yoo HJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation is an important process in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. VSMCs proliferation is closedly related to the cytosolic calcium flux via L-type voltage dependent calcium channel.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the role of cytosolic Ca(2+) in the proliferation of VSMCs.
METHODS
The proliferation of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells of rats(1% cholesterol diet fed rats and general diet fed ones), acquired by enzymatic method. Cell counting, and calcium agonists(Bay K 8644 10(-6)M) or calcium antagonists(verapamil 10(-6)M). Cytosolic calcium ion was measured with Fura 2 method. Calcium channel gene expresssion was detected with RT-PCR method.
RESULTS
Masson Trichrome staining shows more disturbed cell lining, more VSMCs, more degenerated media, more collagen laydown, and more adventitial fat in the aorta of cholesterol-fed rats than in that of general diet-fed ones. VSMCs of cholesterol fed-rats were moreproliferated than those of general diet fed-ones. Bay K 8644 enhanced VSMCs proliferation of both groups. Verapamil blocked the incremental effects induced by Bay K 8644. Expression of calcium channel gene was enhanced by Bay K 8644 and was reversed by verapamil.
CONCLUSION
The enhanced proliferation of atherosclerotic VSMCs is associated with the increment in cytosolic calcium, which is accomplshed through the expression of L-type voltage dependent calcium channel.

Keyword

Diabetes; Atherosclerosis; Cytosolic calcium; Calcium channel gene

MeSH Terms

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester
Animals
Aorta*
Atherosclerosis
Calcium Channels
Calcium*
Cell Count
Cholesterol*
Collagen
Cytosol*
Diet
Fura-2
Muscle, Smooth*
Muscle, Smooth, Vascular
Myocytes, Smooth Muscle*
Rats*
Verapamil
3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester
Calcium
Calcium Channels
Cholesterol
Collagen
Fura-2
Verapamil