title: Rho-kinase mediates angiotensin II-induced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression in rat vascular smooth muscle cells.
abstract: Recently, it was shown that Rho-kinase plays an important role in blood pressure regulation. However, it is not known whether Rho-kinase is involved in atherogenesis. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is an important chemokine that regulates monocyte recruitment and atherogenesis. Therefore, we examined the role of Rho and Rho-kinase in the angiotensin (Ang) II-induced expression of MCP-1. Ang II dose- and time-dependently enhanced the expression of MCP-1 mRNA and the protein production in vascular smooth muscle cells. CV11974, an Ang II type 1 receptor (AT(1)-R) specific antagonist inhibited the enhancement of MCP-1 expression by Ang II, suggesting that the effect of Ang II is mediated by the AT(1)-R. Botulinum C3 exotoxin, a specific inhibitor of Rho, suppressed Ang II-induced MCP-1 production. To examine the role of Rho-kinase in Ang II-induced MCP-1 expression, we used adenovirus-mediated overexpression of the dominant negative mutant of Rho-kinase (AdDNRhoK) or Y-27632, a specific inhibitor of Rho-kinase. Both AdDNRhoK and Y-27632 strongly inhibited Ang II-induced MCP-1 expression. Although inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) by PD 098,059 also inhibited Ang II-induced MCP-1 expression, Y-27632 did not affect Ang II-induced activation of ERK. These results indicate that Rho-kinase plays a critical role in Ang II-induced MCP-1 production independent of ERK. The Rho-Rho-kinase pathway may be a novel target for the inhibition of Ang II signaling and the treatment of atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kyushu University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Funakoshi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ichiki
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shimokawa
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Egashira
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaibuchi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takeya
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshimura
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Takeshita
mesh_terms: D000577:Amides / Q000494:pharmacology; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D011725:Pyridines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000804:Angiotensin II; C108830:Y 27632; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein