Inhibition of cardiovascular cell proliferation by angiotensin receptor blockers: are all molecules the same?
BACKGROUND
Few studies have directly compared the effects of different angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) on mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease.


METHODS
We studied the ability of different ARBs to inhibit the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) in continuous culture and in quiescent cells stimulated to proliferate by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and insulin. We also investigated whether the antiproliferative effects of ARBs depended on their ability to block angiotensin II receptors or activate the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma).


RESULTS
Dose-response studies showed that candesartan, eprosartan, and irbesartan had little or no effect on the proliferation of VSMC or CF in continuous culture even when tested at concentrations as high as 10 mumol/l or when tested in cells stimulated with PDGF/insulin. In contrast, telmisartan inhibited VSMC and CF proliferation by 50-70% (P < 0.05) in a dose-dependent and reversible fashion and significantly inhibited the increases in cyclin D1 levels and cell proliferation induced by PDGF/insulin. Antiproliferative effects of telmisartan were also observed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells that lack functional angiotensin II receptors and in human VSMCs treated with the PPAR gamma antagonist GW9662.


CONCLUSIONS
Telmisartan, but not candesartan, irbesartan, or eprosartan, can significantly inhibit the proliferation of VSMC and CF in culture when tested at concentrations near those that can be achieved in plasma with usual oral dosing. Telmisartan can also inhibit the proliferation of cells that lack angiotensin II receptors and cells treated with a PPAR gamma antagonist suggesting that the antiproliferative effects of telmisartan may involve more than just angiotensin II receptor blockade or activation of PPAR gamma.
Benson
Stephen C
SC
Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA 94542, USA. Stephen.benson@csueastbay.edu
Iguchi
Rumiko
R
Ho
Christopher I
CI
Yamamoto
Koichi
K
Kurtz
Theodore W
TW
D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001565:Benzoates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019938:Cyclin D1 / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000187:drug effects*; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects; D000077333:Telmisartan
D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D001565:Benzoates; D047495:PPAR gamma; D019938:Cyclin D1; D000077333:Telmisartan