Static pressure induces vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation and apoptosis

Abstract

To study the role of static pressure on proliferation and apoptosis of the vascular smooth muscle cells. Vascular smooth muscle cell line A10 were cultured at normal atmosphere, 80 mmHg, 100 mmHg, 200 mmHg static pressure respectively. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay, cell cycle and apoptosis rate were analyzed by flow cytometer. After exposure to lower static pressure (100 mmHg) for 48 hour, cell viability and proliferation index (PI) of A10 cell significantly increased, the percentage of A10 cell in G(0)/G(1) phase decreased significantly and the apoptosis rate showed no difference as compared with those exposed to atmospheric pressures. However after exposure of A10 cell to higher static pressure (200 mmHg) for 48 hours, cell viability and proliferation index (PI) significantly decreased, the percentage of A10 cell in G(0)/G(1) phase increased significantly, apoptosis rate significantly increased, as compared with cells exposed to atmospheric pressure. Lower static pressure can facilitate vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation, while higher pressure can induce cell apoptosis.