title: Artemisinin attenuates platelet-derived growth factor BB-induced migration of vascular smooth muscle cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Artemisinin (AT), an active compound in Arternisia annua, is well known as an anti-malaria drug. It is also known to have several effects including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation, and anti-cancer activities. To date, the effect of AT on vascular disorders has not been studied. In this study, we investigated the effects of AT on the migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB).
  
  
  METHODS
  Aortic smooth muscle cells were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats. PDGF-BB stimulated VSMC migration was measured by the scratch wound healing assay and the Boyden chamber assay. Cell viability was determined by using an EZ-Cytox Cell Viability Assay Kit. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PDGF-BB stimulated VSMC was measured through H2DCF-DA staining. We also determined the expression levels of signal proteins relevant to ROS, including measures of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 measured by western blot analysis and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9 measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  AT (10 µM and 30 µM) significantly reduced the proliferation and migration of PDGF-BB stimulated VSMC in a dose-dependent manner. The production of ROS, normally induced by PDGF-BB, is reduced by treatment with AT at both concentrations. PDGF-BB stimulated VSMC treated with AT (10 µM and 30 µM) have reduced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and inhibited MMP9 expression compared to untreated PDGF-BB stimulated VSMC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest, based on these results, that AT may exert an anti-atherosclerotic effect on PDGF-BB stimulated VSMCs by inhibiting their proliferation and migration through down-regulation of ERK1/2 and MMP9 phosphorylation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Science, School of Medicine Konkuk University, Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Kang Pa
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Kyungbok University, Gyeonggi-do 487-717, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-Seok
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Kyungbok University, Gyeonggi-do 487-717, Korea.
authors.forename: Dae-Eun
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongsangbuk-do 780-714, Korea.
authors.forename: In-Sik
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongsangbuk-do 780-714, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Tack
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Science, School of Medicine Konkuk University, Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Heeok
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hong
keywords: Artemisinin; ERK1/2; MMP9; platelet-derived growth factor-BB; vascular smooth muscle cells