[Effect of hypoxia on the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in rat vascular smooth muscle cells].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether hypoxia could induce the expression of MIF in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).


METHODS
Rat vascular smooth muscle cells (A7r5 from ATCC) were cultured under hypoxia condition (37 degrees C, 5% CO2, 1% O2) and normoxia condition (37 degrees C, 5% CO2, 20% O2) for 2, 4, 12, 24 or 48 hours respectively. MIF mRNA expression was detected by reverse transcriptase and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). MIF protein expression was determined by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).


RESULTS
Expression of MIF mRNA was up-regulated as early as 2 hours in VSMCs after being exposed to hypoxia condition, which remained the elevated level up to 48 hours. Meanwhile, MIF protein level increased after hypoxia treatment for 2 hours, and maintained elevated status up to 48 hours.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypoxia could significantly induce MIF expression in VSMCs. MIF might be an important factor in the patho-physiological response of VSMCs to hypoxia.
Hu
Xiao-lin
XL
Department of Internal Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan Univeristy, Chengdu 610041, China.
Pan
Ping-xi
PX
Yang
Li
L
Liu
Xiao-jing
XJ
Fu
Hua
H
D000818:Animals; D015687:Cell Hypoxia; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats
D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger