The effect of adrenomedullin and proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide on angiotensin II induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation

OBJECTIVE(S): The study aimed to investigate the effects of adrenomedullin (ADM) and proadrenomedullin N- terminal 20 peptide (PAMP) on angiotensin (AngII)-stimulated proliferation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thoracic aorta was obtained from Wistar rats and VSMCs were isolated from aorta tissues and then cultured. In vitro cultured VSMCs were stimulated with Ang II (10(-8) mol/l) followed by various doses of PAMP or ADM (10(-9), 10(-8), or 10(-7) mol/l). Cell proliferation as assessed by (3)H-TdR incorporation. Protein kinase C (PKC) activity was measured by counting γ-(32)P radioactivity with liquid scintillation. In a separate cohort, in vitro cultured rat aortic vessels were treated with different doses of Ang II or PAMP (10(-9), 10(-8), or 10(-7) mol/l). Cellular and secreted levels of PAMP, ADM and Ang II were measured using radioimmunoassay in the tissues and intubation mediums, respectively. RESULTS: Ang II (10(-8) mol/l) treatment significantly increased both (3)H-TdR incorporation and PKC activity in VSMCs (by 2.68 and 1.02-fold, respectively; both P<0.01 vs. the control). However, Ang II-induced elevation of (3)H-TdR incorporation, and PKC activity was significantly inhibited by various doses of ADM and PAMP (all P<0.01 vs. the Ang II group). In rat aortic vascular tissues or intubation media, Ang II treatments stimulated the expression and secretion of PAMP and ADM in a dose-dependent manner, while PAMP treatments had no significant effects on Ang II levels. CONCLUSION: ADM and PAMP inhibit Ang II-induced VSMCs proliferation. The interaction of Ang II, ADM and PAMP may regulate VSMCs and cardiovascular function.