Inhibitory Effect of BQ-123 on Endothelin-1-Stimulated Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase and Cell Growth of Rat Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells.

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Studies have suggested that endothelin-1 (ET-1) activates cellular contraction and proliferation in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). We examined whether an ET(A) receptor antagonist, BQ-123, inhibits the following cellular actions of ET-1 in rat VSMC: cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) mobilization, cellular contraction, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation, [3H]thymidine incorporation, and MTT reduction. [Ca2+]i was measured by the fluorescent method. MAP kinase activity was measured by the phosphorylation of a synthetic peptide of a specific substrate for MAP kinase. The specificity of BQ-123 for ET-1-activated MAP kinase was checked by Western blotting analysis. [3H]thymidine incorporation and MTT reduction studies were performed using the cells incubated for 12 h with serum-free medium containing effectors. BQ-123 inhibited ET-1 receptor binding and blocked [Ca2+]i mobilization, cellular contraction, MAP kinase activation, [3H]thymidine incorporation, and MTT reduction in response to ET-1. BQ-123 did not affect the arginine vasopressin (AVP)- and angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced increases in [Ca2+]i mobilization or in MAP kinase activity. Preincubation with BQ-123 did not enhance its inhibitory effects but these effects of BQ-123 were diminished by washing after preincubation. Receptor studies revealed that the washing procedure decreased the inhibitory effect of BQ-123 on ET-1 binding to receptors. These results indicate that BQ-123 is a potent and specific ET(A) receptor antagonist that blocks the ET-1-induced cellular contraction and proliferation in rat VSMC.