PDGF-induced DNA Synthesis Research Articles

Differential effect of simvastatin on various signal transduction intermediates in cultured human smooth muscle cells

The underlying mechanism of the antiproliferative effect of S (simvastatin), a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) is still poorly understood. In the present study, we used synchronized human SMC, isolated from left interior mammary artery, as an in vitro model to test the effects of S on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced DNA synthesis, extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38/stress-activated protein kinase 2 (SAPK2), RhoA and Rac1 activation. ERK1/2 phosphorylation was triggered within 2 min of PDGF stimulation (early G1 phase) and was blocked by PD98059, a specific inhibitor of the ERK1/2 pathway, which also strongly inhibited PDGF-induced DNA synthesis ( ic 50 = 10 μmol/L). PDGF quickly induced p38 phosphorylation (early G1 phase) and SB203580, a specific inhibitor of the p38/SAPK2 pathway, also blocked PDGF-induced DNA synthesis ( ic 50 = 0.3 μmol/L). Translocation to the plasma membrane of small GTPases, such as RhoA and Rac1, could not be detected within 15 min of stimulation with PDGF or lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) (early G1 phase), but occurred after 24 hr of PDGF stimulation (late G1/S phase). S inhibited PDGF-induced DNA synthesis ( ic 50 = 3.5 μmol/L), and this effect was dependent on intracellular mevalonate, farnesyl pyrophosphate, and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate availability. The critical time period for the reversal of the S effect by mevalonate comprised both the early and late G1 phase of the SMC cycle. PDGF-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation and PDGF-induced p38 phosphorylation were not markedly affected by S during the whole G1 phase. However, S treatment blocked the PDGF- and LPA-induced membrane translocation of RhoA that occurred during the late G1/S phase. In the case of Rac1, the same process was also inhibited by S treatment. We concluded from these results that, in SMC, the early events associated with ERK1/2 and p38 signal transduction pathways, recruited for PDGF-mediated DNA synthesis, were insensitive to S action, whereas the mevalonate-dependent, posttranslational modification of RhoA and Rac1 molecules, required for PDGF-induced membrane translocation, was blocked by this drug. These results suggest that the antiproliferative effect of S can be explained not only by the blockage of RhoA-mediated signaling events but also by Rac1-mediated signaling events.

A(2b) receptors mediate the antimitogenic effects of adenosine in cardiac fibroblasts.

Adenosine inhibits growth of cardiac fibroblasts; however, the adenosine receptor subtype that mediates this antimitogenic effect remains undefined. Therefore, the goals of this study were to determine which adenosine receptor subtype mediates the antimitogenic effects of adenosine and to investigate the signal transduction mechanisms involved. In rat left ventricular cardiac fibroblasts, PDGF-BB (25 ng/mL) stimulated DNA synthesis ((3)H-thymidine incorporation), cellular proliferation (cell number), collagen synthesis ((3)H-proline incorporation), and MAP kinase activity. The adenosine receptor agonists 2-chloroadenosine and 5'-N-methylcarboxamidoadenosine, but not N(6)-cyclopentyladenosine, 4-aminobenzyl-5'-N-methylcarboxamidoadenosine, or CGS21680, inhibited the growth effects of PDGF-BB, an agonist profile consistent with an A(2B) receptor-mediated effect. The adenosine receptor antagonists KF17837 and 1,3-dipropyl-8-p-sulfophenylxanthine, but not 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine, blocked the growth-inhibitory effects of 2-chloroadenosine and 5'-N-methylcarboxamidoadenosine, an antagonist profile consistent with an A(2) receptor-mediated effect. Antisense, but not sense or scrambled, oligonucleotides to the A(2B) receptor stimulated basal and PDGF-induced DNA synthesis, cell proliferation, and collagen synthesis. Moreover, the growth-inhibitory effects of 2-chloroadenosine, 5'-N-methylcarboxamidoadenosine, and erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine plus iodotubericidin (inhibitors of adenosine deaminase and adenosine kinase, respectively) were abolished by antisense, but not scrambled or sense, oligonucleotides to the A(2B) receptor. Our findings strongly support the hypothesis that adenosine causes inhibition of CF growth by activating A(2B) receptors coupled to inhibition of MAP kinase activity. Thus, A(2B) receptors may play a critical role in regulating cardiac remodeling associated with CF proliferation. Pharmacologic or molecular biological activation of A(2B) receptors may prevent cardiac remodeling associated with hypertension, myocardial infarction, and myocardial reperfusion injury after ischemia.

A2B Adenosine Receptors Mediate the Anti-Mitogenic Effects of Adenosine in Cardiac Fibroblasts

P85 Adenosine inhibits growth of CFs; however, the adenosine receptor subtype that mediates this anti-mitogenic effect remains undefined. Using specific ADE receptor antagonists and agonists and antisense oligonucleotides (OLIGO) against A2B receptors, we investigated the role of A2B receptors in inhibiting cardiac fibroblast growth. PDGF (25ng/ml)-induced DNA synthesis, cell number and collagen synthesis in CFs were inhibited by A2 (chloroadenosine [Cl-Ad]and MECA), but not by A1 (CPA), A2a ( CGS21680 ) or A3 (AB-MECA),receptor agonists.The inhibitory effects of 1μM MECA and Cl-Ad were reversed by A1/A2 (DPSPX; 10nM), but not by A1 (DPCPX; 10nM), receptor antagonists. In CFs treated with antisense, but not sense or scrambled, OLIGOs to the A2B receptor, both basal and PDGF-induced DNA synthesis was enhanced by 70±4% and 64±5% respectively. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of Cl-Ad and MECA were completely abolished in CFs treated with antisense, but not sense and scrambled, OLIGOs. In conclusion, A2B receptors mediate the anti-mitogenic effects of adenosine suggesting that A2B receptors are importantly involved in the regulation of CF biology. Thus, A2B receptors may play a critical role in regulating cardiac remodeling associated with CF proliferation.

Nitrovasodilators inhibit platelet-derived growth factor-induced proliferation and migration of activated human hepatic stellate cells

Background & Aims: Nitrovasodilators have been proposed for the treatment of portal hypertension alone or in combination with β-blockers. In addition to their vasodilatory properties, nitric oxide (NO) donors may exert direct antifibrogenic properties. We evaluated the effect of nitroglycerin (NTG) and S-nitroso-N-acetyl penicillamine (SNAP) on the mitogenic and chemotactic properties of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB and the modulation of the relative intracellular signaling pathways in fully activated human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), a cell type that plays an active role in liver fibrogenesis and portal hypertension. Methods & Results: Both NTG and SNAP induced a dose-dependent decrease in PDGF-induced DNA synthesis and cell migration, which was associated with a decrease in PDGF-induced intracellular Ca2+ increase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity. These effects were not related to activation of the classic soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)/guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate pathway; accordingly, Western blot analysis of HSC lysates revealed the absence of the α1β1 ubiquitous subunits of sGC, whereas they were detectable in quiescent HSCs, freshly isolated from normal human liver. Conversely, both NTG and SNAP induced a more than 10–20-fold increase in prostaglandin E2 in cell supernatants within 1 minute, associated with an increase in intracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate levels. Accordingly, the inhibitory effects of NO donors on PDGF action and signaling were eliminated after preincubation with ibuprofen. Conclusions: These results suggest that NO donors may exert a direct antifibrogenic action by inhibiting proliferation, motility, and contractility of HSCs in addition to a reduction of fibrillar extracellular matrix accumulation.GASTROENTEROLOGY 2000;119:479-492

Increased Effect of Interferon γ on PDGF-Induced c-fos Gene Transcription in Glomerular Mesangial Cells: Differential Effect of the Transcriptional Coactivator CBP on STAT1α Activation

We have previously shown that interferon γ (IFNγ) synergistically increases PDGF-induced DNA synthesis in mesangial cells. To examine the mechanism, we studied its effect on PDGF-induced c-fos gene transcription using a reporter mesangial cell in which firefly luciferase gene is driven by c-fos promoter. IFNγ significantly enhanced PDGF-induced c-fos transcription. We have shown previously that PDGF-induced c-fos transcription in mesangial cells is mediated by the ternary complex factor Elk-1. Using a GAL-4 DNA binding-domain-Elk-1 transactivation domain fusion protein-based reporter assay we showed that the increased effect of IFNγ was not mediated by Elk-1 transactivation. Gel mobility shift assay of lysates of mesangial cells treated with a combination of IFNγ and PDGF using sis-inducible DNA element (SIE) showed increased STAT1α-SIE complex formation as compared to the PDGF alone. To investigate the transcriptional consequences of this observation, stable reporter mesangial cells in which luciferase gene is driven by four copies of SIE was used. IFNγ and PDGF in combination significantly increased SIE-dependent transcription as compared to PDGF or IFNγ alone. Using an antibody in the gel mobility shift assay we showed that the PDGF-induced SIE-STAT1α complex recruited the transcriptional coactivator CBP. However, the STAT1α-SIE complex formed in the presence of IFNγ and PDGF did not contain CBP. Taken together, our data provide the first evidence that the synergistic effect of IFNγ on PDGF-induced DNA synthesis may be the result of increased c-fos gene transcription via SIE. This effect occurs in the presence of increased activation of STAT1α without recruitment of the transcriptional coactivator CBP.

Inhibition of platelet-derived growth factor-induced mitogenesis by phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitors: Role of protein kinase a in vascular smooth muscle cell mitogenesis

Proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) in response to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and other mitogens plays an important role in restenosis following coronary angioplasty. Elevation of adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) concentration in SMC has been shown to inhibit SMC mitogenesis and could be obtained either directly by stimulatation of adenylyl cyclase-coupled receptors or indirectly by inhibition of cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE4) or the cyclic guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate-inhibitable phosphodiesterase (PDE3). This study compared the effects of the selective PDE3 inhibitors trequinsin and quazinone with the selective PDE4 inhibitors Ro 20-1724 and rolipram on PDGF-induced DNA synthesis, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation, cAMP levels, and protein kinase A (PKA) activation in SMC. Both PDE3 and PDE4 inhibitors stimulated intracellular PKA activation as seen from phosphorylation of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP). However, only PDE3 inhibitors, and not inhibitors of PDE4, reduced PDGF-induced DNA synthesis and inhibited p42/p44 MAP kinase phosphorylation. At antimitogenic concentrations, the PDE3 inhibitors had only minor effects on cAMP levels. In contrast, PDE4 inhibitors increased the forskolin-induced cellular cAMP concentration 13- to 17-fold above control. These data demonstrate that inhibitors of PDE3 are potent antimitogenic agents and that a general increase in cellular cAMP levels and PKA activation per se are not sufficient to inhibit PDGF-induced SMC mitogenesis.

Platelet-Derived Microparticles Stimulate Coronary Artery Smooth Muscle Cell Mitogenesis by a PDGF-Independent Mechanism

This study investigates the role of platelet-derived microparticles for vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation. Microparticles concentration dependently stimulated p42/p44 MAP kinase phosphorylation, c-fos induction, DNA synthesis, and proliferation of cultured bovine coronary artery SMC. The maximum mitogenic effects of microparticles were significantly higher than those of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB. Microparticle-induced SMC mitogenesis was heat sensitive, whereas the effects of PDGF were not. In addition, neutralizing anti-PDGF antibodies prevented PDGF-induced DNA synthesis but did not inhibit the effects of microparticles. In contrast to PDGF, which potently stimulated SMC migration, microparticles had only minor migratory activity. These results demonstrate a novel mechanism of SMC mitogenesis by platelet-derived microparticles that is probably independent of PDGF.

A2B Adenosine Receptors Mediate the Anti-Mitogenic Effects of Adenosine in Cardiac Fibroblasts

P85 Adenosine inhibits growth of CFs; however, the adenosine receptor subtype that mediates this anti-mitogenic effect remains undefined. Using specific ADE receptor antagonists and agonists and antisense oligonucleotides (OLIGO) against A2B receptors, we investigated the role of A2B receptors in inhibiting cardiac fibroblast growth. PDGF (25ng/ml)-induced DNA synthesis, cell number and collagen synthesis in CFs were inhibited by A2 (chloroadenosine [Cl-Ad]and MECA), but not by A1 (CPA), A2a (CGS21680) or A3 (AB-MECA),receptor agonists.The inhibitory effects of 1μM MECA and Cl-Ad were reversed by A1/A2 (DPSPX; 10nM), but not by A1 (DPCPX; 10nM), receptor antagonists. In CFs treated with antisense, but not sense or scrambled, OLIGOs to the A2B receptor, both basal and PDGF-induced DNA synthesis was enhanced by 70±4% and 64±5% respectively. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of Cl-Ad and MECA were completely abolished in CFs treated with antisense, but not sense and scrambled, OLIGOs. In conclusion, A2B receptors mediate the anti-mitogenic effects of adenosine suggesting that A2B receptors are importantly involved in the regulation of CF biology. Thus, A2B receptors may play a critical role in regulating cardiac remodeling associated with CF proliferation.

Complex actions of protein kinase A inhibitors on mitogenesis of bovine coronary artery smooth muscle cells

This study investigates the possible modulation of platelet-derived growth factor-(PDGF, 20 ng/ml)-induced DNA synthesis in bovine coronary artery smooth muscle cells by the protein kinase A inhibitors Rp-adenosine-3′,5′-cyclic phosphorothioate (Rp-cAMPS, 0.03–10 μM) and { N-[2-(( p-bromocinnamyl)amino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide, HCl} (H-89, 0.01–1 μM). Rp-cAMPS concentration dependently enhanced PDGF-induced DNA synthesis. In contrast, no potentiation of PDGF-induced DNA synthesis was seen with H-89. However, H-89 but not Rp-cAMPS, inhibited p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation. Thus, Rp-cAMPS, but not H-89, unmasks inhibitory actions of protein kinase A on PDGF-induced mitogenesis of vascular smooth muscle cells. Low specificity may limit the use of H-89 as protein kinase A inhibitor.

Eicosapentaenoic acid suppresses PDGF-induced DNA synthesis in rat mesangial cells: Involvement of thromboxane A2

The administration of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) derived from marine oils has been shown to suppress vascular myocyte, lymphocyte, keratinocyte, and mesangial cell proliferation in vitro, although the effects are variable and most reports provide fragmented insight into the mechanism(s) responsible for altering cell growth, particularly the relationship of membrane lipid remodeling to changes in cell proliferation. Thus, these studies were designed to elucidate the effects of mesangial cell membrane fatty acid remodeling (induced by EPA) on cell growth, and to define the relevance of changes in the synthesis of growth-modulating eicosanoids. Mesangial cells were grown in RPMI and 17% fetal calf serum, and were subcultured and grown for 48 hours in 17% delipidated serum or delipidated serum supplemented with 0 to 50 micrograms/mL of EPA. Quiescent EPA-loaded and control mesangial cells were subjected to stimulation with 20 ng/mL of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) followed by measurement of 3H-thymidine incorporation and cell number. Mesangial cells remodeled with EPA exhibited a significant decrease in PDGF-stimulated 3H-thymidine incorporation and cell number associated with a reduction in thromboxane A2 (TXA2) in the media. Importantly, the phospholipid fatty acid composition of mesangial cells grown in media enriched with EPA revealed an increase in EPA (0.5 +/- 0.02% to 17.02 +/- 0.52%) coupled with a reciprocal decrease in the precursor for TXA2, arachidonic acid (18.9 +/- 3.17% to 3.55 +/- 0.30%). Blockade of TXA2 synthesis in mesangial cells treated with indomethacin (0.1 to 100 mumol/L) or the specific TXA2 synthase inhibitor, U-63557A (0.1 to 100 mumol/L), evoked a similar reduction in PDGF-stimulated proliferation and TXA2 synthesis. Coincubation of PDGF with the TXA2 mimetic, U-46619 (1 mumol/L), reversed the growth suppression induced by cell membrane remodeling. These studies suggest that changes in membrane fatty acid composition induced by EPA modulates PDGF-stimulated proliferation by engendering a change in PDGF-stimulated TXA2 synthesis. Furthermore, we conclude that TXA2 functions as a comitogen for PDGF-stimulated mesangial cell growth.

Eicosapentaenoic acid suppresses PDGF-induced DNA synthesis in rat mesangial cells: Involvement of thromboxane A2

Eicosapentaenoic acid suppresses PDGF-induced DNA synthesis in rat mesangial cells: Involvement of thromboxane A2

A(2B) receptors mediate antimitogenesis in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Adenosine inhibits growth of vascular smooth muscle cells. The goals of this study were to determine which adenosine receptor subtype mediates the antimitogenic effects of adenosine and to investigate the signal transduction mechanisms involved. In rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells, platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) (25 ng/mL) stimulated DNA synthesis ([(3)H]thymidine incorporation), cellular proliferation (cell number), collagen synthesis ([(3)H]proline incorporation), total protein synthesis ([(3)H]leucine incorporation), and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activity. The adenosine receptor agonists 2-chloroadenosine and 5'-N-methylcarboxamidoadenosine, but not N(6)-cyclopentyladenosine or CGS21680, inhibited the growth effects of PDGF-BB, an agonist profile consistent with an A(2B) receptor-mediated effect. The adenosine receptor antagonists KF17837 and 1,3-dipropyl-8-p-sulfophenylxanthine, but not 8-cyclopentyl-1, 3-dipropylxanthine, blocked the growth-inhibitory effects of 2-chloroadenosine and 5'-N-methylcarboxamidoadenosine, an antagonist profile consistent with an A(2) receptor-mediated effect. Antisense, but not sense or scrambled, oligonucleotides to the A(2B) receptor stimulated basal and PDGF-induced DNA synthesis, cell proliferation, and MAP kinase activity. Moreover, the growth-inhibitory effects of 2-chloroadenosine, 5'-N-methylcarboxamidoadenosine, and erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine plus iodotubericidin (inhibitors of adenosine deaminase and adenosine kinase, respectively) were abolished by antisense, but not scrambled or sense, oligonucleotides to the A(2B) receptor. Our findings strongly support the hypothesis that adenosine causes inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell growth by activating A(2B) receptors coupled to inhibition of MAP kinase activity. Pharmacological or molecular biological activation of A(2B) receptors may prevent vascular remodeling associated with hypertension, atherosclerosis, and restenosis following balloon angioplasty.

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors Attenuate Vascular Smooth Muscle Proliferation by Preventing Rho GTPase-induced Down-regulation of p27 Kip1

The mechanism by which platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) regulates vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) DNA synthesis is unknown, but may involve isoprenoid intermediates of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway. Inhibition of isoprenoid synthesis with the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitor, simvastatin (Sim, 1-10 microM), inhibited PDGF-induced SMC DNA synthesis by >95%, retinoblastoma gene product hyperphosphorylation by 90%, and cyclin-dependent kinases (cdk)-2, -4, and -6 activity by 80 +/- 5, 50 +/- 3, and 48 +/- 3%, respectively. This correlated with a 20-fold increase in p27(Kip1) without changes in p16, p21(Waf1), or p53 levels compared with PDGF alone. Since Ras and Rho require isoprenoid modification for membrane localization and are implicated in cell cycle regulation, we investigated the effects of Sim on Ras and Rho. Up-regulation of p27(Kip1) and inhibition of Rho but not Ras membrane translocation by Sim were reversed by geranylgeranylpyrophosphate, but not farnesylpyrophosphate. Indeed, inhibition of Rho by Clostridium botulinum C3 transferase or overexpression of dominant-negative N19RhoA mutant increased p27(Kip1) and inhibited retinoblastoma hyperphosphorylation. In contrast, activation of Rho by Escherichia coli cytotoxic necrotizing factor-1 decreased p27(Kip1) and increased SMC DNA synthesis. These findings indicate that the down-regulation of p27(Kip1) by Rho GTPase mediates PDGF-induced SMC DNA synthesis and suggest a novel direct effect of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors on the vascular wall.

Differential regulation of Na +/H + exchange and DNA synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells

Na +/H + exchange has been proposed to be involved in the regulation of cell growth. However, little is known about the regulatory pathway and relationship between Na +/H + exchange and DNA synthesis. In vascular smooth muscle cells, platelet-derived growth factor (a tyrosine kinase-coupled receptor agonist) and thrombin (a G protein-coupled receptor agonist) stimulate both activation of Na +/H + exchange and DNA synthesis. In this study, we compared the effect of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and thrombin on the signal transduction pathway leading to the activation of these responses in A10 cells, clonal rat thoracic aortic smooth muscle cells. To investigate the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase as potential mediators, we examined the effect of pharmacological kinase inhibitors on these responses. The Na +/H + exchange activity induced by thrombin was inhibited by a specific inhibitor of MAPK kinase, 2′-amino-3′-methoxyflavone (PD98059), but was not affected by a specific phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase inhibitor, 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4 H-1-benzopyran-4-one (LY294002). Thrombin-induced DNA synthesis was inhibited by LY294002, but not by PD98059. In contrast, the Na +/H + exchange activity induced by PDGF was inhibited by neither LY294002 nor PD98059, but PDGF-induced DNA synthesis was inhibited by both LY294002 and PD98059. These data suggest that, in A10 cells, Na +/H + exchange activation and DNA synthesis are differently regulated by the two extracellular stimuli.

Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 Inhibits Platelet-derived Growth Factor-induced c-fos Gene Transcription and DNA Synthesis in Mesangial Cells: INVOLVEMENT OF MITOGEN-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play an important role in nephrogenesis. The biologic effect and mechanism of action of these proteins in the adult kidney has not yet been studied. We investigated the effect of BMP2, a member of these growth and differentiation factors, on mitogenic signal transduction pathways induced by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in glomerular mesangial cells. PDGF is a growth and survival factor for these cells in vitro and in vivo. Incubation of mesangial cells with increasing concentrations of BMP2 inhibited PDGF-induced DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner with maximum inhibition at 250 ng/ml. Immune complex tyrosine kinase assay of PDGF receptor beta immunoprecipitates from lysates of mesangial cells treated with PDGF showed no inhibitory effect of BMP2 on PDGF receptor tyrosine phosphorylation. This indicates that the inhibition of DNA synthesis is likely due to postreceptor events. However, BMP2 significantly inhibited PDGF-stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity that phosphorylates the Elk-1 transcription factor, a component of the ternary complex factor. Using a fusion protein-based reporter assay, we also show that BMP2 blocks PDGF-induced Elk-1-mediated transcription. Furthermore, we demonstrate that BMP2 inhibits PDGF-induced transcription of c-fos gene, a natural target of Elk-1 that normally forms a ternary complex that activates the serum response element of the c-fos gene. These data provide the first evidence that in mesangial cells, BMP2 signaling cross-talks with MAPK-based transcriptional events to inhibit PDGF-induced DNA synthesis. One target for this inhibition is the early response gene c-fos.

Identity of adenylyl cyclase isoform determines the rate of cell cycle progression in NIH 3T3 cells.

Cell cycle progression is regulated by cAMP in several cell types. Cellular cAMP levels depend on the activity of different adenylyl cyclases (ACs), which have varied signal-receiving capabilities. The role of individual ACs in regulating proliferative responses was investigated. Native NIH 3T3 cells contain AC6, an isoform that is inhibited by a variety of signals. Proliferation of exogenous AC6-expressing cells was the same as in control cells. In contrast, expression of AC2, an isoform stimulated by protein kinase C (PKC), resulted in inhibition of cell cycle progression and increased doubling time. In AC2-expressing cells, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) elevated cAMP levels in a PKC-dependent manner. PDGF stimulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases 1 and 2 (MAPK 1,2), DNA synthesis, and cyclin D1 expression was reduced in AC2-expressing cells as compared with control cells. Dominant negative protein kinase A relieved the AC2 inhibition of PDGF-induced DNA synthesis. Expression of AC2 also blocked H-ras-induced transformation of NIH 3T3 cells. These observations indicate that, because AC2 is stimulated by PKC, it can be activated by PDGF concurrently with the stimulation of MAPK 1,2. The elevation in cAMP results in inhibition of signal flow from the PDGF receptor to MAPK 1,2 and a significant reduction in the proliferative response to PDGF. Thus, the molecular identity and signal receiving capability of the AC isoforms in a cell could be important for proliferative homeostasis.

ANTI-PROLIFERATIVE EFFECTS OF PRAVASTATIN (PVS) AND CYCLOSPORIN (CS) ON VASCULAR SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS (VSMC) - IS INHIBITION OF RAS ACTIVITY THE MECHANISM?

388 Transplant coronary vasculopathy (TCV) in heart allografts is the most important causes of late graft loss and is caused by endothelial cell injury leading to proliferation of VSMCs. We have shown that PVS-treated heart transplant (HT) recipients have decreases in the incidence and progression of TCV. It has been hypothesized that the combination of PVS, an HMGCoA reductase inhibitor, and CS in these patients leads to this reduction in TCV. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of PVS and CS on the proliferation of VSMCs and to gain insight into the mechanism of the clinical effects noted above. A10 cultured rat aortic VSMCs were grown to confluence and then serum-starved for 2 days. Test VSMCs were treated with CS (200 ng/ml) and/or PVS (100mcM) prior to stimulation with PDGF (30 ng/ml). The cells were pulsed with 3H-thymidine for 8 hours and radioactivity assessed by liquid scintillation. PDGF-stimulated DNA synthesis was demonstrated by a 12-fold increase in 3H thymidine incorporation over control. PVS(p=.04) and CS (p=.06) alone inhibited VSMC DNA synthesis by 46% and 33%, respectively. PVS and CS together led to a 64% inhibition of PDGF-induced DNA synthesis (p=.008) and a 46% inhibition (p=.01) compared with CS alone. When mevalonate, an early metabolite of the cholesterol synthesis pathway, was added to the PVS-inhibited VSMCs, DNA synthesis was restored to 92% of control, confirming that the PVS-induced inhibition was specific to its effect on HMGCoA reductase. We then examined signaling through the MAP kinase pathway, which is thought to represent the mitogenic pathway of tyrosine kinase receptor-associated growth factors. Tyrosine phosphorylation, a proximal step in this pathway, as well as MAPK activity were markedly stimulated by PDGF, but were unaffected by inhibitory doses of PVS. However, the activity of Ras (an intermediate component of the MAPK pathway and a byproduct of the cholesterol synthesis pathway) was increased by PDGF but reduced to baseline with PVS. CS had no additional effect on elements of the MAPK pathway. In conclusion, PVS alone inhibits VSMC proliferation but the combination of PVS and CS inhibits proliferation even further. This inhibitory effect may occur via a PVS-induced inhibition of Ras farnesylation. These data may explain the reduction of TCV in our HT recipients taking both PVS and CS. This research was funded in part by a grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Proliferation of Adult Rat Hepatocytes in Primary Cultures Induced by Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Is Potentiated by Phenylephrine

We investigated whether or not proliferation of adult rat hepatocytes induced by plateletderived growth factor (PDGF) is affected by α1adrenoceptor agonists such as phenylephrine during the early and late phases of primary culture. Adult rat hepatocytes underwent significant DNA synthesis after culture with 10 ng/ml of PDGF for 2 hr at a low cell density (3.3 × 104 cells/cm2). Under these culture conditions, the number of nuclei increased significantly during the 3.5-hr culture period. Hepatocyte DNA synthesis and proliferation induced by 10 ng/ml of PDGF decreased slightly as a result of increasing the initial plating density. An α1adrenoceptor agonist, phenylephrine (10-6 and 10-5 M), alone did not affect hepatocyte DNA synthesis and proliferation, but markedly potentiated PDGF-induced hepatocyte DNA synthesis and proliferation. The phenylephrine effect was mimicked by phorbol myristate acetate (10-7 M), but not by ionomycin (10-5 M). The mitogenic effects of PDGF were almost completely blocked by treating hepatocytes with genistein (5 × 10-6 M), U-73122 (3 × 10-6 M), sphingosine (10-5 M), wortmannin (10-7 M) and rapamycin (10 ng/ml). These results demonstrate that PDGF can induce the proliferation of adult rat hepatocytes rapidly in primary culture, regardless of the initial plating density. The present results also suggest that following stimulation with PDGF, activation of tyrosine kinase, phospholipase C, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, protein kinase C (PKC) and p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase is essential for the proliferation of adult rat hepatocytes. The co-mitogenic effects of phenylephrine may involve PKC activation.

PI-3-kinase and MAPK regulate mesangial cell proliferation and migration in response to PDGF

Proliferation and migration are important biological responses of mesangial cells to injury. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a prime candidate to mediate these responses in glomerular disease. PDGF and its receptor (PDGFR) are upregulated in the mesangium during glomerular injury. We have recently shown that PDGF activates phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3-kinase) in cultured mesangial cells. The role of this enzyme and other more distal signaling pathways in regulating migration and proliferation of mesangial cells has not yet been addressed. In this study, we used two inhibitors of PI-3-kinase, wortmannin (WMN) and LY-294002, to investigate the role of this enzyme in these processes. Pretreatment of mesangial cells with WMN and LY-294002 dose-dependently inhibited PDGF-induced PI-3-kinase activity assayed in antiphosphotyrosine immunoprecipitates. WMN pretreatment also inhibited the PI-3-kinase activity associated with anti-PDGFR beta immunoprecipitates prepared from mesangial cells treated with PDGF. Pretreatment of the cells with different concentrations of WMN resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of PDGF-induced DNA synthesis. Both WMN and LY-294002 inhibited PDGF-stimulated migration of mesangial cells in a dose-dependent manner. It has recently been shown that PI-3-kinase physically interacts with Ras protein. Because Ras is an upstream regulator of the kinase cascade leading to the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), we determined whether activation of PI-3-kinase is necessary for activation of MAPK. Pretreatment of mesangial cells with WMN and LY-294002 significantly inhibited PDGF-induced MAPK activity as measured by immune complex kinase assay of MAPK immunoprecipitates. Furthermore, PD-098059, an inhibitor of MAPK-activating kinase inhibited PDGF-induced MAPK activity and resulted in significant reduction of mesangial cell migration in response to PDGF. These data indicate that MAPK is a downstream target of PI-3-kinase and that both these enzymes are involved in regulating proliferation and migration of mesangial cells.

Identification of a cyclic peptide inhibitor of platelet-derived growth factor–BB receptor-binding and mitogen-induced DNA synthesis in human fibroblasts

Peptides corresponding to residues from Loops I and III of platelet-derived growth factor–BB (PDGF-BB) were examined for their potential to act as PDGF antagonists. We have identified two peptides which directly stimulated DNA synthesis in human dermal fibroblasts and a cyclic peptide which inhibited PDGF-induced DNA synthesis. The inhibitory action of cyclic PDGF-BB 73-81, on DNA synthesis was shown to be restricted to cells which express PDGF receptors. Also cyclic PDGF-BB 73-81 specifically competed for 125I-labelled PDGF-BB but not for 125I-labelled EGF binding to their respective cellular receptors. The cyclic peptide therefore provides a minimum structure to investigate PDGF/receptor interactions and our findings confirm the importance of the loop configuration of PDGF-BB 73-81 in the native molecule. The cyclic peptide may constitute a basis for developing more potent inhibitors of PDGF action.