Apelin induces vascular smooth muscle cells migration via a PI3K/Akt/FoxO3a/MMP-2 pathway. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Cheng; Wen, Jianyan; Zhou, Yun; Li, Li; Cui, Xiaobing; Wang, Jinyu; Pan, Lin; Ye, Zhidong; Liu, Peng; Wu, Liling
• Is Part Of: International journal of biochemistry & cell biology. Volume 69(2015:Dec.)
• Page Start: 173
• Page End: 182
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Atherosclerosis -- Vascular smooth muscle cells -- Apelin -- FoxO3a -- MMP-2; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Periodicals; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Cell Biology -- Periodicals; Biochimie -- Périodiques; Cytologie -- Périodiques; Biochimie; Cytologie; Biochemistry; Cytology; Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Periodicals; 572.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2015.10.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1357-2725

Abstract

Highlights: Investigate the effect of apelin on VSMC migration. Discover the possible signaling mechanism is via a PI3K/Akt/FoxO3a/MMP-2 pathway. Verified the results in human carotid-artery atherosclerotic plaque. Improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in apelin-induced VSMC migration. Abstract: Apelin is an adipokine that has a critical role in the development of atherosclerosis, which may offer potential for therapy. Because migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is a key event in the development of atherosclerosis, understanding its effect on the atherosclerotic vasculature is needed. Here we investigated the effect of apelin on VSMC migration and the possible signaling mechanism. In cultured rat VSMCs, apelin dose- and time-dependently promoted VSMC migration. Apelin increased the phosphorylation of Akt, whereas LY294002, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and an Akt1/2 kinase inhibitor blocked the apelin-induced VSMC migration. Apelin dose-dependently induced phosphorylation of Forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a) and promoted its translocation from the nucleus to cytoplasm, which were blocked by LY294002 and Akt1/2 kinase inhibitor. Furthermore, apelin increased matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) expression and gelatinolytic activity. Overexpression of a constitutively active, phosphorylation-resistant mutant, TM-FoxO3a, in VSMCs abrogated the effect of apelin on MMP-2 expression and VSMC migration. ARP101, an inhibitor of MMP-2, suppressed apelin-induced VSMC migration. Moreover, the levels of apelin, phosphorylated Akt, FoxO3a, and MMP-2 were higher in human carotid-artery atherosclerotic plaque than in adjacent normal vessels. We demonstrate that PI3K/Akt/FoxO3a signaling may be involved in apelin inducing VSMC migration. Phosphorylation of FoxO3a plays a central role in mediating the apelin-induced MMP-2 activation and VSMC migration.