Journal
JOURNAL OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND THROMBOSIS
Volume 15, Issue 2, Pages 69-74Publisher
JAPAN ATHEROSCLEROSIS SOC
DOI: 10.5551/jat.E496
Keywords
Jun N-terminal kinase; tube formation; vascular endothelial growth factor; matrix metalloprotemase
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Aim: The excessive proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and angiogenesis of endothelial cells (ECs) participate in the growth and instability of atherosclerotic plaques. It is unclear whether Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is pro- or anti-atherogenic. Methods: We examined the direct effect of JNK inhibitor (JNK-I) on the proliferation and formation of tubes by human coronary SMCs and human coronary ECs. Results: Culture medium from JNK-I-treated SMCs prevented ECs from forming tubes in an in vitro model of angiogenesis indirectly by reducing the amount of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) released from SMCs. In addition, JNK-I attenuated the expression of pro-matrix metalloproteinase-2 in ECs. When added back to the medium of SMCs treated with JNK-I, VEGF blocked the inhibitory effect on the formation of tubes. Conclusion: Our results indicate JNK-I to have a direct anti-atherogenic effect in SMCs and ECs.
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