• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.201-207
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• 1998

To evaluate the possibility that the ginseng saponins could be developed as an anti-arteriosclerotic agent, we examined the inhibitory effects of ginseng saponins (total saponin[TS], panaxatriol[PT], panaxadiol[PD]) on the expression of c-fos mRNA and the proliferation of cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) stimulated by angiotensin II (Ang II). TS and PT (1.0 mg/ml) suppressed c-fos mRNA induction in VSMCs stimulated by $10^{-5}$ M Ang II. The order of inhibitory potency was PT>TS. Ginseng saponins ($0.01{\sim}1.0$ mg/ml) inhibited the proliferation of VSMCs stimulated by Ang II in a concentration dependent manner, the inhibitory potency was TS＞PT＞PD at $0.1{\sim}1.0$ mg/ml. These results suggest that ginseng saponins may suppress Ang II-stimulated proliferation of aortic VSMCs which can be seen in atherosclerosis, hypertension and restenosis.

• BMB Reports
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• 제46권11호
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• pp.550-554
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• 2013

The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling pathway is essential for inducing a dedifferentiated state of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Activation of PDGF inhibits smooth muscle cell (SMC)-specific gene expression and increases the rate of proliferation and migration, leading to dedifferentiation of VSMCs. Recently, microRNAs have been shown to play a critical role in the modulation of the VSMC phenotype in response to extracellular signals. However, little is known about microRNAs regulated by PDGF in VSMCs. Herein, we identify microRNA- 15b (miR-15b) as a mediator of VSMC phenotype regulation upon PDGF signaling. We demonstrate that miR-15b is induced by PDGF in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells and is critical for PDGF-mediated repression of SMC-specific genes. In addition, we show that miR-15b promotes cell proliferation. These results indicate that PDGF signaling regulates SMC-specific gene expression and cell proliferation by modulating the expression of miR-15b to induce a dedifferentiated state in the VSMCs.

• 한국식품위생안전성학회지
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.187-191
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• 2011

Platelet derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB is one of the most potent vascular smooth muscle cell(VSMC) proliferative factors, and abnormal VSMC proliferation by PDGF-BB plays an important role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of YP 12, a newly synthesized obovatol derivative, on the proliferation of PDGF-BB-stimulated rat aortic VSMCs. The anti-proliferative effects of YP 12 on rat aortic VSMCs were examined by direct cell counting and by using $[^3H]$ thymidine incorporation assays. It was found that YP 12 potently inhibited the growth of VSMCs. The pre-incubation of YP 12 (1-4 ${\mu}M$) significantly inhibited the proliferation and DNA synthesis of 25 ng/ml PDGF-BB-stimulated rat aortic VSMCs in a concentration-dependent manner. In accordance with these findings, YP 12 revealed blocking of the PDGF-BB-inducible progression through G0/G1 to S phase of the cell cycle in synchronized cells. Whereas, YP 12 did not show any cytotoxicity in rat aortic VSMCs in this experimental condition by WST-1 assay. These results also show that YP 12 may have potential as an anti-proliferative agent for the treatment of restenosis and atherosclerosis.

• 약학회지
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• 제55권2호
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• pp.116-120
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• 2011

Abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays an important role in the development and progression of proliferative cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension and atherosclerosis. To find antiproliferative agent (A)-8 had inhibitory effect on VSMCs proliferation. Therefore, we examined the antiproliferative effect of A-8, a newly synthesized obovatol derivative. To investigate the antiproliferative effect of A-8, we examined cell counting and [$^3H$]-thymidine incorporation assays. The pre-incubation of A-8 (1~4 ${\mu}M$) significantly inhibited proliferation and DNA synthesis of 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS)-stimulated rat aortic VSMCs in concentration-dependent manner. Whereas, A-8 did not show any cytotoxicity in rat aortic VSMCs in this experimental condition by WST-1 assay. In addition, A-8 significantly inhibited 5% FBS-induced cell cycle progression in rat aortic VSMCs. These results show that A-8 may be developed as a potential antiproliferative agent for treatment of angioplasty restenosis and atherosclerosis. Furthermore, A-8 should be examined for further clinical application either as a single agent or in combination with other angioplasty restenosis or atherosclerosis agents.

• BMB Reports
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• 제55권5호
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• pp.244-249
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• 2022

Characterized by abnormal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), neointima hyperplasia is a hallmark of vascular restenosis after percutaneous vascular interventions. Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) is a stress adaption-associated ser/thr protein kinase that can induce the proliferation of various types of cells. However, the role of VRK1 in the proliferation and migration of VSMCs and neointima hyperplasia after vascular injury remains unknown. We observed increased expression of VRK1 in VSMCs subjected to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB by western blotting. Silencing VRK1 by shVrk1 reduced the number of Ki-67-positive VSMCs and attenuated the migration of VSMCs. Mechanistically, we found that relative expression levels of β-catenin and effectors of mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) such as phospho (p)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), p-S6, and p-4EBP1 were decreased after silencing VRK1. Restoration of β-catenin expression by SKL2001 and re-activation of mTORC1 by Tuberous sclerosis 1 siRNA (siTsc1) both abolished shVrk1-mediated inhibitory effect on VSMC proliferation and migration. siTsc1 also rescued the reduced expression of β-catenin caused by VRK1 inhibition. Furthermore, mTORC1 re-activation failed to recover the attenuated proliferation and migration of VSMC resulting from shVrk1 after silencing β-catenin. We also found that the vascular expression of VRK1 was increased after injury. VRK1 inactivation in vivo inhibited vascular injury-induced neointima hyperplasia in a β-catenin-dependent manner. These results demonstrate that inhibition of VRK1 can suppress the proliferation and migration of VSMC and neointima hyperplasia after vascular injury via mTORC1/β-catenin pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.389-396
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• 2022

The increased expression of receptors for advanced glycation end-product (RAGE) is known as a key player in the progression of vascular remodeling. However, the precise signal pathways regulating RAGE expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in the injured vasculatures are unclear. Given the importance of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in cell proliferation, we investigated the importance of MAPK signaling in high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)-induced RAGE expression in VSMCs. In HMGB1 (100 ng/ml)-stimulated human VSMCs, the expression of RAGE mRNA and protein was increased in association with an increase in AGE-induced VSMC proliferation. The HMGB1-induced RAGE expression was attenuated in cells pretreated with inhibitors for ERK (PD98059, 10 μM) and p38 MAPK (SB203580, 10 μM) as well as in cells deficient in ERK and p38 MAPK using siRNAs, but not in cells deficient of JNK signaling. In cells stimulated with HMGB1, the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK was increased. This increase in ERK and p38 MAPK phosphorylation was inhibited by p38 MAPK and ERK inhibitors, respectively, but not by JNK inhibitor. Moreover, AGE-induced VSMC proliferation in HMGB1-stimulated cells was attenuated in cells treated with ERK and p38 MAPK inhibitors. Taken together, our results indicate that ERK and p38 MAPK signaling are involved in RAGE expression in HMGB1-stimulated VSMCs. Thus, the ERK/p38 MAPK-RAGE signaling axis in VSMCs was suggested as a potential therapeutic target for vascular remodeling in the injured vasculatures.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.237-245
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• 2023

Background: Ginsenoside Rg2 (Rg2) has a variety of pharmacological activities and provides benefits during inflammation, cancer, and other diseases. However, there are no reports about the relationship between Rg2 and atherosclerosis. Methods: We used 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) to detect the cell viability of Rg2 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The expression of inflammatory factors in HUVECs and the expression of phenotypic transformation-related marker in VSMCs were detected at mRNA levels. Western blot method was used to detect the expression of inflammation pathways and the expression of phenotypic transformation at the protein levels. The rat carotid balloon injury model was performed to explore the effect of Rg2 on inflammation and phenotypic transformation in vivo. Results: Rg2 decreased the expression of inflammatory factors induced by lipopolysaccharide in HUVECs-without affecting cell viability. These events depend on the blocking regulation of NF-κB and p-ERK signaling pathway. In VSMCs, Rg2 can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and phenotypic transformation of VSMCs induced by platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)-which may contribute to its anti-atherosclerotic role. In rats with carotid balloon injury, Rg2 can reduce intimal proliferation after injury, regulate the inflammatory pathway to reduce inflammatory response, and also suppress the phenotypic transformation of VSMCs. Conclusion: These results suggest that Rg2 can exert its anti-atherosclerotic effect at the cellular level and animal level, which provides a more sufficient basis for ginseng as a functional dietary regulator.

• 대한약학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한약학회 2003년도 Proceedings of the Convention of the Pharmaceutical Society of Korea Vol.1
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• pp.136.2-137
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• 2003

It was previously reported that luteolin, a flavone compound, displayed the potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which have also been successful in reducing vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) proliferation after arterial injury. Proliferation of VSMCs plays an important role in development of astherosclerosis. In this study, a possible anti-proliferative effect and its mechanism on rat aortic VSMCs by luteolin was investigated. (omitted)

• 대한약학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한약학회 2003년도 Proceedings of the Convention of the Pharmaceutical Society of Korea Vol.2-2
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• pp.102.2-103
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• 2003

It has been previously reported that luteolin and luteolin-7-glucoside displayed the potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which have also been successful in reducing vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) proliferation. In this study, a possible anti-proliferative effect and its mechanism on rat aortic VSMCs by luteolin and luteolin-7-glucoside were investigated. Luteolin significantly inhibited the platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF)-BB-induced proliferation of rat aortic VSMCs. While luteolin-7-glucoside weakly inhibited the proliferation. (omitted)

• 대한약학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한약학회 2003년도 Proceedings of the Convention of the Pharmaceutical Society of Korea Vol.2-2
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• pp.108.2-108.2
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• 2003

Kaempferol, a flavonol compound, has been reported as the anti-oxidant and anti-angiogenic agent and it has been found to inhibit cell growth in vitro. Abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays an important role in development of atherosclerosis. In this study, we examined the anti-proliferative effect and its mechanism on rat aortic VSMCs treated by kaempferol. kaempferol significantly inhibited the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced proliferation of rat aortic VSMCs in concentration-dependent manner by cell count and ［$^3$H］-thymidine incorporation assay. (omitted)