Abstract
Objective
We investigated whether angiotensin (Ang) III induces nuclear factor kappa beta (NF‐kb) phosphorylation in isolated rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).
Background
The molecular mechanisms by which Ang III induces various biological effects have not been fully investigated. Most studies have shown that NF‐kb mediates Ang II inflammatory responses effects in VSMCs. Inflammation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is a critical action associated with cardiovascular diseases including hypertension. The role of Ang III to induce NF‐kb in VSMCs is unknown and is a focus of these studies.
Methods
Primary cultures of VSMCs were isolated from the thoracic aorta of adult Wistar rats by the explant technique. VSMCs were treated with Ang III ranging in concentration from 0.1 nM to 1000 nM for 10 minutes or with 100 nM Ang III for 1 minute to 30 minutes. The western blotting technique was used to determine the effects of the peptide on NF‐kb protein phosphorylation.
Results
Concentration studies showed that Ang III caused a dose‐dependent increase in NF‐kb protein phosphorylation. The effects of the peptide on NF‐kb phosphorylation were maximal between 10 nM and 100 nM. The peptide's effects were rapid and significant; occurring within minutes of treatment and the maximal effects on NF‐kb phosphorylation was observed by 10 minutes.
Conclusion
These findings provide insight into the molecular nature of the actions of Ang III and offer possible mechanism by which Ang III physiological actions occur in VSMCs.
This is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this published in The FASEB Journal.