Effects of Mycophenolic Acid on Oleic Acid- induced Rat Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation

PURPOSE: Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation plays an important role in the development and progression of chronic allograft vasculopathy. Mycophenolic acid (MPA) inhibits various mesenchymal cell proliferation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the anti-pro-liferative effect of MPA. In this study, we investigated the effects of MPA on oleic acid (OA)-induced VSMC proliferation and also the role of ROS in these processes. METHODS: Primary cultured rat VSMCs from Sprague-Dawley were stimulated with OA 100micrometer. MPA 0.1~10micrometer and N-acetylcystein (NAC) 5 mM were administered 1 hour before adding the OA. Cell proliferation was measured by Methylthiazoletetrazolium (MTT) assay, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression by Western blot analysis, and dichlorofluorescein (DCF)-sensitive cellular ROS by flow cytometry. RESULTS: OA at 100micrometer significantly increased MTT level by 1.6-fold as well as PCNA expression at 48 hours in rat VSMCs. OA also induced DCF-sensitive cellular ROS by 1.6-fold at 5 minutes and the increment of cellular ROS remained for up to 1 hour. MPA at above 1micrometer inhibited OA- induced VSMC proliferation and cellular ROS in a dose-ependent manner. NAC 5 mM also inhibited OA-induced rat VSMC activation. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that MPA inhibits OA-induced VSMC proliferation partially through the inhibition of cellular ROS.

Effects of Inosine Monophosphate Dehydrogenase Inhibition on Platelet-derived Growth Factor- Induced Fibronectin Secretion and Cellular Reactive Oxygen Species in Mouse Mesangial Cells / 대한이식학회지

PURPOSE: Mesangial cell extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis plays an important role in various renal diseases. Mycophenolic acid (MPA), which is an inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), inhibits mesangial cell proliferation and ECM synthesis. However, the exact mechanism of MPA has not been clearly elucidated in mesangial cells. To examine the relative importance of IMPDH on the inhibitory action of MPA, we compared the effects of MPA or IMPDH2 siRNA on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced fibronectin secretion and cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mouse mesangial cells (MMC). METHODS: MMC were stimulated with PDGF 10 ng/ml with or without MPA 0.1~10micrometer, IMPDH2 siRNA 10~50 nM, or N-acetylcystein (NAC). IMPDH2 siRNA was transiently transfected by lipofectamine for 24 hours. MPA 0.1~10micrometer, ribavirin 10~100micrometer, and NAC 5 mM were administered 1 hour before the stimulation. Cell viability was measured by methylthiazoletetrazolium (MTT) assay, fibronectin secretion by Western blot analysis, and dichlorofluorescein (DCF)-sensitive cellular ROS by flow cytometry. RESULTS: PDGF 10 ng/ml effectively increased fibronectin secretion and cellular ROS in MMC. MPA and NAC at concentration without affecting basal level of fibronectin and cellular ROS ameliorated PDGF-induced fibronectin secretion and cellular ROS. However, IMPDH2 siRNA only partially reduced PDGF- induced fibronectin secretion and cellular ROS in MMC. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that MPA may inhibit PDGF-induced fibronectin secretion partly through IMPDH2 or cellular ROS in MMC, and there may be other mechanisms on the inhibitory action of MPA in mesenchymal cells.

N epsilon(Carboxymethyl)Lysine-Induced Mesangial Cell Activation / 대한신장학회잡지

BACKGROUND: Advanced glycation end products (AGE) are independent risk factors in the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy. Receptor for AGE(RAGE) is considered the main receptor involved in AGE-induced cell activation. Galectin-3, another AGE receptor, has recently been found upregulated in mesangial cells(MC) cultured under high glucose and in diabetic rat kidneys. N epsilon(carboxymethyl)lysine(CML) is a well characterized AGE but its role in MC activation is unknown. The present study examined the effects of CML on MC proliferation and extracellular matrix(ECM) secretion. METHODS: Synchronized rat MC were stimulated with different concentrations of CML-bovine serum albumin(BSA), control BSA, and transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-beta) for up to 72 hours. Cell proliferation was measured by [3H]-thymidine incorporation. Fibronectin, TGF-beta, plasminogen activator inhibitor(PAI)-1 secreted into the media and RAGE and galectin-3 expression in MC were measured by Western blot analysis and ELISA. RESULTS: 1,000 micro /mL of CML-BSA decreased [3H]-thymidine incorporation by MC at 48 hours and 10 ng/mL TGF-beta at 24 and 48 hours. CML-BSA 100 and 1,000 micro /mL, control BSA 1,000 micro /mL, and TGF-beta 10 ng/mL increased fibronectin secretion at 48 hours. CML-BSA up to 1,000 micro /mL did not affect TGF-beta or PAI-1 secretion. TGF-beta 10 ng/mL, however, significantly increased PAI-1 secretion. Cultured MC expressed both RAGE and galectin-3. CML-BSA 100 micro /mL upregulated galectin-3 expression. CONCLUSION: CML-BSA decreased MC proliferation and increased fibronectin secretion, suggesting that CML may lead to ECM accumulation and glomerulosclerosis in diabetic animals. MC express RAGE and galectin-3 constitutively and CML-induced galectin-3 upregulation may have a role in AGE-induced MC activation.