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- Title
Monocyte Chemotactic Protein 1 (MCP-1) Is a Mitogen for Cultured Rat Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells.
- Authors
Porreca, Ettore; Di Febbo, Concetta; Reale, Marcella; Castellani, Maria Luisa; Baccante, Giovanna; Barbacane, Renato; Conti, Pio; Cuccurullo, Franco; Poggi, Andreina
- Abstract
The involvement of inflammatory mechanisms in the progression of atherosclerosis has recently been suggested. Monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) is a soluble protein which is implicated in acute and chronic inflammatory processes, including atherosclerosis. We evaluated the effect of human recombinant MCP-1 on the in vitro proliferation of rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Incubation of VSMCs with MCP-1 (50-200 ng/ml) in the presence of 0.5% FCS significantly increased cell proliferation, [3H]-thymidine incorporation and the proliferative S fraction, measured by flow cytometry, compared to control cells. The proliferative effect of MCP-1 was specific, as shown by inhibition with a rabbit polyclonal serum to MCP-1. Moreover, the mitogenic effect of MCP-1 was significantly inhibited by downregulation of protein kinase C (PKC) activity and by incubation with H-7, a protein kinase inhibitor, suggesting the involvement of the PKC system. Verapamil, a Ca2+ channel blocker, also reduced the stimulatory effect of MCP-1 on cell proliferation. This study demonstrates that MCP-1 does not merely have a chemotactic activity, but also a mitogenic effect on cultured rat VSMCs. Copyright © 1997 S. Karger AG, Basel
- Publication
Journal of Vascular Research, 1997, Vol 34, Issue 1, p58
- ISSN
1018-1172
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1159/000159202