• Molecules and Cells
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• 제43권8호
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• pp.749-762
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• 2020

The migration, dedifferentiation, and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are responsible for intimal hyperplasia, but the mechanism of this process has not been elucidated. WD repeat domain 1 (WDR1) promotes actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilin-mediated depolymerization of actin filaments (F-actin). The role of WDR1 in neointima formation and progression is still unknown. A model of intimal thickening was constructed by ligating the left common carotid artery in Wdr1 deletion mice, and H&E staining showed that Wdr1 deficiency significantly inhibits neointima formation. We also report that STAT3 promotes the proliferation and migration of VSMCs by directly promoting WDR1 transcription. Mechanistically, we clarified that WDR1 promotes the proliferation and migration of VSMCs and neointima formation is regulated by the activation of the JAK2/STAT3/WDR1 axis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.1375-1383
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• 2015

Background: Objective Myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF)-A is a Rho signaling-responsive co-activator of serum response factor (SRF). The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of MRTF-A and AQP1 (aquaporin 1) in pathological vascular remodeling. Materials and Methods: MRTF-A, AQP1 and neointima expression was detected both in the wire injured femoral arteries of wild-type mice and the atherosclerotic aortic tissues of $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice. Expression of ICAM-1, matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) and integrin ${\beta}1$ were also assayed. The intercourse relationship between the molecules were investigated by interfering RNA and inhibitor assay. Results: MRTF-A and AQP1 expression were significantly higher in the wire injured femoral arteries of wild-type mice and in the atherosclerotic aortic tissues of $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice than in healthy control tissues. Both in wire-injured femoral arteries in MRTF-A knockout ($Mkl1^{-/-}$) mice and atherosclerotic lesions in $Mkl1^{-/-}$; $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice, neointima formation were significantly attenuated and the expression of AQP1 were significantly decreased. Expression of ICAM-1, matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) and integrin ${\beta}1$, three SRF targets and key regulators of cell migration, and AQP1 in injured arteries was significantly weaker in $Mkl1^{-/-}$ mice than in wild-type mice. In cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), knocking down MRTF-A reduced expression of these genes and significantly impaired cell migration. Underlying the increased MRTF-A expression in dedifferentiated VSMCs were the down-regulation of microRNA-300. Moreover, the MRTF-A inhibitor CCG1423 significantly reduced neointima formation following wire injury in mice. Conclusions: MRTF-A could be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of vascular diseases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.264-272
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• 2007

배경: 혈관내피 성장인자(vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF)는 혈관평활근세포(vascular smooth muscle cell)의 증식과 이동을 촉진함으로써 혈관신생에 중요한 역할을 한다. 당뇨병은 VEGF의 발현과 연관되어 정상 혈당상태에서 보다 세포의 증식을 더욱 촉진시킨다. 당뇨병쥐에서 VEGF 수용체의 선택적 차단이 손상된 혈관에서 신내막 형성과 혈관평활근세포의 이동에 미치는 영향에 대해 알아보고자 했다. 대상 뜻 방법: 당뇨병 쥐의 경동맥 풍선손상 모델에서 위약을 투여하거나, 혈관내피 성장 인자 수용체-1(VEGFR-1)에 선택적으로 작용하는 항-Flt-1 펩타이드(anti-Flt-1 peptide; Gly-Asn-Gln-Trp-Phe-Ile)를 풍선손상 2일 전부터 0.5mg/kg의 용량으로 2주간 매일 투여한 군으로 나누어 Hematoxylin-Eosin 염색을 하여 신내막의 형성정도와 혈관내강의 협착정도를 비교하였으며, proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)에 대한 면역조직화학염색법을 시행하여 세포의 증식정도를 관찰하였다. 혈관평활근세포를 고혈당환경에서 배양하고 transwell assay를 시행하여 혈관평활근세포의 이동 정도를 측정하였다. 고혈당 환경에서 자라고 있는 혈관평활근세포에 50ng/mL의 VEGF를 단독 또는 3ug/mL의 항-Flt-1 펩타이드와 함께 처리하고 일정시간이 지난 후 matrigel filter를 통과한 세포를 세어 아무런 처치를 받지 않은 세포가 이동한 정도와 비교하였다. 또한, 혈관평활근세포에 세포이동 정도 측정 시와 같은 처리를 한 후, RNA를 분리하고 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)을 시행하여 기질금속단백분해효소(matrix metalloprotenase, MMP)의 발현 정도를 관찰하였다. 결과: 신내막의 면적은 위약 투여 쥐는 $0.24{\pm}0.03 mm^2$이었으나, 항-Flt-1 펩타이드의 처리에 의해 $0.15{\pm}0.04 mm^2$로 유의하게 감소하였으며(p<0.01), 신내막 형성에 따른 내강의 협착 정도도 위약 투여 쥐는 $61.85{\pm}5.11%$, 항-Flt-1 펩타이드 투여 쥐는 $36.03{\pm}3.78%$로 항-Flt-1 펩타이드 투여에 의하여 유의하게 감소하였다(p<0.01). 신내막의 전체 세포수에 대한 PCNA(+)인 세포를 백분율로 구하였으며, 위약 투여 쥐와 항- Flt-1 펩타이드 투여 쥐에서 각각 $52.82{\pm}4.20%,\;38.11{\pm}6.89%$로 나타나 항-Flt-1 펩타이드를 투여한 쥐에서 PCNA(+)인 세포가 유의하게 적음을 보이고 있다(p<0.05). 혈관평활근세포의 이동 정도 측정에서는 항-Flt-1 펩타이드 처리에 의하여 VEGF에 의한 혈관평활근 세포의 이동이 유의하게 감소하였다(p<0.01). 또한, 항-Flt-1 펩타이드 처리에 의하여 VEGF에 의한 MMP-3와 MMP-9 mRNA의 발현 증가가 억제되었다. 결론: 항-Flt-1 펩타이드는 당뇨병쥐의 경동맥손상모델에서 신내막 형성을 억제하였으며, 고혈당 환경에서 배양된 혈관평활근세포의 이동과, MMP-3와 MMP-9의 활성을 억제하였다.

• 대한예방한의학회지
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• 제12권3호
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• pp.67-80
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• 2008

The pathobiologic process of arterial stenosis following balloon angioplasty continues to be an enigmatic problem in clinical settings. This study investigates the ability of demethoxycurcumin, a curcuminoid isolated from Radix Curcumae, to attenuate balloon injury-induced neointima(NI) formation in the rat carotid artery. It was found that demethoxycurcumin induced inducible heme oxygenase(HO-1) expression and inhibited dose-dependently cellular proliferation in rat vascular smooth muscle cells. Perivascular application of demethoxycurcumin immediately following injury significantly reduced NI area and NI thickness 2 weeks post-injury. Interestingly, treatment with tin-protoporphyrin IX, a HO inhibitor, reversed the effects of demethoxycurcumin on NI formation. These results implicate demethoxycurcumin as a potent new therapeutic agent that is capable of reducing post-angioplasty arterial stenosis through induction of the HO-1 expression.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제63권1호
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• pp.34-44
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• 2020

Objective : Despite widespread use of flow diverters (FDs) to treat aneurysms, the exact healing mechanism associated with FDs remains poorly understood. We aim to describe the healing process of aneurysms treated using FDs by demonstrating the histopathologic progression in a canine aneurysm model. Methods : Twenty-one side wall aneurysms were created in common carotid artery of eight dogs and treated with two different FDs. Angiographic follow-ups were done immediately after placement of the device, 4 weeks and 12 weeks. At last follow-up, the aneurysm and the device-implanted parent artery were harvested. Results : Histopathologic findings of aneurysms at 4 weeks follow-up showed intra-aneurysm thrombus formation in laminating fashion, and neointimal thickening at the mid-segment of aneurysm. However, there are inhomogenous findings in aneurysms treated with the same type of FD showing same angiographic outcomes. At 12 weeks, aneurysms of complete and near-complete occlusion revealed markedly shrunken aneurysm filled with organized connective tissues with thin neointima. Aneurysms of incomplete occlusion at 12 weeks showed small amount of organized thrombus around fringe neck and large empty space with thick neointmal formation. Neointimal thickness and diameter stenosis was not significantly different between the groups of FD specification and follow-up period. Conclusion : Intra-aneurysmal thrombus formation and organization seem to be an important factor for the complete occlusion of aneurysms treated using the FD. Neointimal formation could occur along the struts of the FD independently of intra-aneurysmal thrombus formation. However, neointimal formation could not solely lead to complete aneurysm healing.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.523-528
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• 2016

Urotensin II (UII) is a potent vasoactive peptide and mitogenic agent to induce proliferation of various cells including vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). In this study, we examined the effects of a novel UII receptor (UT) antagonist, KR-36676, on vasoconstriction of aorta and proliferation of aortic SMCs. In rat aorta, UII-induced vasoconstriction was significantly inhibited by KR-36676 in a concentration-dependent manner. In primary human aortic SMCs (hAoSMCs), UII-induced cell proliferation was significantly inhibited by KR-36676 in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, KR-36676 decreased UII-induced phosphorylation of ERK, and UII-induced cell proliferation was also significantly inhibited by a known ERK inhibitor U0126. In mouse carotid ligation model, intimal thickening of carotid artery was dramatically suppressed by oral treatment with KR-36676 (30 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks compared to vehicle-treated group. From these results, it is indicated that KR-36676 suppress UII-induced proliferation of VSMCs at least partially through inhibition of ERK activation, and that it also attenuates UII-induced vasoconstriction and vascular neointima formation. Our study suggest that KR-36676 may be an attractive candidate for the pharmacological management of vascular dysfunction.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.308-314
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• 2017

Urotensin II (UII) is a mitogenic and hypertrophic agent that can induce the proliferation of vascular cells. UII inhibition has been considered as beneficial strategy for atherosclerosis and restenosis. However, currently there is no therapeutics clinically available for atherosclerosis or restenosis. In this study, we evaluated the effects of a newly synthesized UII receptor (UT) antagonist, KR-36996, on the proliferation of SMCs in vitro and neointima formation in vivo in comparison with GSK-1440115, a known potent UT antagonist. In primary human aortic SMCs (HASMCs), UII (50 nM) induced proliferation was significantly inhibited by KR-36996 at 1, 10, and 100 nM which showed greater potency ($IC_{50}$: 3.5 nM) than GSK-1440115 ($IC_{50}$: 82.3 nM). UII-induced proliferation of HASMC cells was inhibited by U0126, an ERK1/2 inhibitor, but not by SP600125 (inhibitor of JNK) or SB202190 (inhibitor of p38 MAPK). UII increased the phosphorylation level of ERK1/2. Such increase was significantly inhibited by KR-36996. UII-induced proliferation was also inhibited by trolox, a scavenger for reactive oxygen species (ROS). UII-induced ROS generation was also decreased by KR-36996 treatment. In a carotid artery ligation mouse model, intimal thickening was dramatically suppressed by oral treatment with KR-36996 (30 mg/kg) which showed better efficacy than GSK-1440115. These results suggest that KR-36996 is a better candidate than GSK-1440115 in preventing vascular proliferation in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and restenosis.