Abstract

The molecular characterization of the human PLC β1 gene was just reported by Peruzzi et al. [Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1582 (2002) 46]. This prompted us to investigate the effects of dexamethasone on PLC β1 expression in two types of human vascular smooth muscle cells—coronary artery smooth muscle cells (hCASMC) and aortic smooth muscle cells (hAoSMC), since glucocorticoids are known to affect the signaling pathways of Gprotein coupled receptors. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to analyze mRNA expression and Western-blot for protein expression. Dexamethasone treatment in the two types of cells studied decreased (mRNA and protein) PLC β1 isozyme expression. A rapid (2 h) fall in mRNA occurred in hCASMC after treatment, and hCASMC were more sensitive to dexamethasone (1 nM versus 100 nM) than hAoSMC. The major reduction (80%) was observed after 48 h of exposure in both VSMC. Treatment with mifeprisone, an antagonist of glucocorticoid receptors, blunted the dexamethasone effect on PLC β1 mRNA and showed that this effect was mediated by glucocorticoids receptors.

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