Taurine inhibits osteoblastic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells via the ERK pathway.
Vascular calcification develops within atherosclerotic lesions and results from a process similar to osteogenesis. Taurine is a free beta-amino acid and plays an important physiological role in mammals. We have recently demonstrated that vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) express a functional taurine transporter. To evaluate the possible role of taurine in vascular calcification, we assessed its effects on osteoblastic differentiation of VSMCs in vitro. The results showed that taurine inhibited the beta-glycerophosphate-induced osteoblastic differentiation of VSMCs as evidenced by both the decreasing alkaline phosphate (ALP) activity and expression of the core binding factor alpha1 (Cbfalpha1). Taurine also activated the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) pathway. Inhibition of ERK pathway reversed the effect of taurine on ALP activity and Cbfalpha1 expression. These results suggested that taurine inhibited osteoblastic differentiation of vascular cells via the ERK pathway.
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Second Xiang-Ya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, People's Republic of China.
Xiao-bo
XB
Liao
Xin-min
XM
Zhou
Jian-ming
JM
Li
Jin-fu
JF
Yang
Zhi-ping
ZP
Tan
Zhuo-wei
ZW
Hu
Wei
W
Liu
Ying
Y
Lu
Ling-qing
LQ
Yuan
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D050659:Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005994:Glycerophosphates / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013654:Taurine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
D050659:Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit; D005994:Glycerophosphates; D013654:Taurine; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D002118:Calcium; C031463:beta-glycerophosphoric acid