Proteomics changes in adhesion molecules: a driving force for vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switch.
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), if activated by growth factors as a consequence of vessel injuries, acquire the ability to proliferate and migrate thus contributing to the formation of neointima and atherosclerotic plaque. In this study, a gel-free and label-free proteomic approach was proposed to highlight factors modulated during VSMC activation. Twenty proteins, differentially expressed between quiescent and activated cells, were identified. A constellation of elements, that move together and are closely and functionally related, was visualized. The great majority of them are involved in cell migration and in adhesion formation, suggesting a pivotal role of these protein complexes on the phenotypic modulation. This study represents a first step to ascertain the precise actors of cell activation, their roles and interactions.
Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
Silvia
S
Rocchiccioli
Nadia
N
Ucciferri
Laura
L
Comelli
Maria Giovanna
MG
Trivella
Lorenzo
L
Citti
Antonella
A
Cecchettini
D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism*; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010641:Phenotype; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods*; D013552:Swine
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules