The Interaction of Endothelin-1 and TGF-β1 Mediates Vascular Cell Remodeling

Abstract

BackgroundPulmonary arterial hypertension is characterized by increased thickness of pulmonary vessel walls due to both increased proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell (PASMC) and deposition of extracellular matrix. In patients suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension, endothelin-1 (ET-1) synthesis is up-regulated and may increase PASMC activity and vessel wall remodeling through transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) and connective tissue growth factor.ObjectiveTo assess the signaling pathway leading to ET-1 induced proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition by human PASMC.MethodsPASMC were serum starved for 24 hours before stimulation with either ET-1 and/or TGF-β1. ET-1 was inhibited by Bosentan, ERK1/2 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) was inhibited by U0126 and p38 MAPK was inhibited by SB203580.ResultsET-1 increased PASMC proliferation when combined with serum. This effect involved the mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) ERK1/2 MAPK and was abrogated by Bosentan which caused a G1- arrest through activation of p27(Kip). Regarding the contribution of extracellular matrix deposition in vessel wall remodeling, TGF-β1 increased the deposition of collagen type-I and fibronectin, which was further increased when ET-1 was added mainly through ERK1/2 MAPK. In contrast, collagen type-IV was not affected by ET-1. Bosentan dose-dependently reduced the stimulatory effect of ET-1 on collagen type-I and fibronectin, but had no effect on TGF-β1.Conclusion and Clinical RelevanceET-1 alone does not induce PASMC proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition. However, ET-1 significantly up-regulates serum induced proliferation and TGF-β1 induced extracellular matrix deposition, specifically of collagen type-I and fibronectin. The synergistic effects of ET-1 on serum and TGF-β1 involve ERK1/2 MAPK and may thus present a novel mode of action in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Prostanoid EP2 Receptors Are Up-Regulated in Human Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Key Anti-Proliferative Target for Treprostinil in Smooth Muscle Cells

“…This combination of ET-1 and FBS was used to provide a synergistic stimulus for evoking the proliferation of HPASMCs, as described by others [22]. In cells incubated with treprostinil, a concentration-dependent reduction in proliferation (as measured by MTS assay) was observed over a wide concentration range (0.001–10,000 nM; Figure 1B).…”

Reassessing the Role of the Active TGF-β1 as a Biomarker in Systemic Sclerosis: Association of Serum Levels with Clinical Manifestations

“…It was demonstrated that TGF- β induces the synthesis of endothelin, a potent vasoconstrictor implicated in ulcer pathogenesis in systemic sclerosis [27]. It was found that TGF- β acts synergistically with endothelin [28]. The vascular effect of TGF- β , through its interaction with the coreceptor endoglin, also results in activation of endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells [29].…”

Endogenous sulfur dioxide alleviates collagen remodeling via inhibiting TGF-β/Smad pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells

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