Effect of low-density lipoprotein on intracellular calcium, intracellular pH and DNA synthesis in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells.
Low-density lipoprotein has proliferative effects on vascular smooth muscle cells and thus may play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and hypertension. In order to investigate the underlying mechanisms, we studied the influence of low-density lipoprotein on intracellular free calcium, intracellular pH and the rate of DNA synthesis in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells of the rat aorta. The low-density lipoprotein (1-30 micrograms/ml) caused a dose-dependent increase in intracellular calcium and affected the intracellular pH accordingly. In addition, a marked low-density lipoprotein-induced increase in 3H-thymidine incorporation into DNA was observed. It is concluded that low-density lipoprotein, apart from its classical role as a cholesterol-transporting vehicle, enhances cellular processes leading to cell proliferation.
Sachinidis
A
A
Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.
Locher
R
R
Steiner
A
A
Mengden
T
T
Vetter
W
W
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY
D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D004247:DNA; D002118:Calcium