Angiotensin Ⅱ induces the differentiation of mouse epicardial progenitor cells into vascular smooth muscle-like cells

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2016 Nov 25;480(4):696-701. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.10.122. Epub 2016 Oct 29.

Abstract

Epicardial progenitor cells (EpiCs) have a crucial role in cardiac development and vasculature formation. Here we detected the expression of Angiotensin II (Ang II) receptors AT1 and AT2 on EpiCs and demonstrated that AngII could increase the expression of smooth muscle specific markers, including α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and myosin heavy chain 11 (Myh11) in EpiCs. Moreover, the expression of α-SMA and Myh11 induced by Ang II was blocked by pretreatment of EpiCs with the AT1 receptor antagonist losartan, but not the AT2 receptor antagonist PD123319. We further showed that the AngII-induced cells showed significant contractile responses to carbachol. These results implied that AngII could effectively induce EpiCs to differentiate into vascular smooth muscle-like cells through the AT1 receptor.

Keywords: AngiotensinⅡ; Differentiation; Epicardial progenitor cells; Smooth muscle-like cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin II / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Batch Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / cytology
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / drug effects
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / metabolism*
  • Myoblasts, Cardiac
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / cytology*
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / drug effects
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / metabolism*
  • Pericardium / cytology
  • Pericardium / drug effects
  • Pericardium / metabolism
  • Receptors, Angiotensin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Receptors, Angiotensin
  • Angiotensin II