title: 5-Hydroxytryptamine augments migration of human aortic smooth muscle cells through activation of RhoA and ERK.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) action on migration of vascular smooth muscle cells. Migration of cultured human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs), evaluated using time-lapse microscopy, was significantly enhanced by 5-HT at concentrations of 1-100 nM. The enhancing effect of 5-HT on cell migration was markedly inhibited in the presence of ketanserin, a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, but not by GR 55562, a 5-HT1 receptor antagonist. Activities of RhoA and ERK were increased by 5-HT, and the increase in cell migration by 5-HT was abolished in the presence of U0126, a MEK1/2 inhibitor, or Y-27632, a Rho-kinase inhibitor. Activation of ERK was strongly inhibited by Y-27632. 5-HT-induced formation of stress fiber and detachment of uropod (trailing edge) were abolished by Y-27632. Thus, 5-HT has a potent enhancing action on migration of HASMCs due to an increase in stress fiber formation by 5-HT2 receptor stimulation followed by activation of the Rho-kinase and ERK pathways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata 990-9585, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsusaka
authors.forename: Ichiro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wakabayashi
mesh_terms: D001011:Aorta; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism*; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein