Involvement of erythropoietin-induced cytosolic free calcium mobilization in activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and DNA synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells

Background/objective Human recombinant erythropoietin (rHuEPO) induces cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+](i)) mobilization, an activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and DNA synthesis in several tissues. We explored the mechanism of rHuEPO-induced [Ca2+](i) mobilization and its role in the activation of MAP kinase and DNA synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Methods [Ca2+](i) concentrations were measured by fura-2. MAP kinase activation was analyzed using an immunocomplex kinase assay and Western blotting. DNA synthesis was measured as an incorporation of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine, Results Although addition of rHuEPO significantly increased [Ca2+](i), either in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+, the peak level and sustained elevation of [Ca2+](i) were significantly reduced in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Pretreatment with genistein completely blocked the elevation of [Ca2+](i) in both conditions. Calphostin C and staurosporine did not completely block the elevation of [Ca2+](i). Staurosporine reduced its peak level in a dose-dependent manner, whereas calphostin C reduced its peak level at concentrations over 1 nmol/l in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. Similar results to those with staurosporine were observed with nifedipine. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, their dose-dependent effects disappeared even though rHuEPO increased [Ca2+](i). rHuEPO activated MAP kinase and DNA synthesis, both of which were significantly suppressed by the chelation of intracellular Ca2+. Conclusion These findings suggest that rHuEPO increases [Ca2+](i) by both Ca2+ influx and Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. Tyrosine phosphorylation is critical in the regulation of [Ca2+](i), but protein kinase C activation is important only in the regulation of Ca2+ influx. Dihydropyridine-sensitive L-type Ca2+ channels seem to be involved in rHuEPO-induced Ca2+ influx. In addition, increase of [Ca2+](i) by rHuEPO stimulates MAP kinase activation and DNA synthesis in VSMC, (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.