Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 2 Inhibits Angiotensin II-Induced Proliferation and Inflammation in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

OBJECTIVES: Protein arginine methyltransferase 2 (PRMT2) protects against vascular injury-induced intimal hyperplasia; however, little is known about the role of PRMT2 in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced VSMCs proliferation and inflammation. This research aims to determine whether PRMT2 inhibits Ang II-induced proliferation and inflammation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: PRMT2 overexpression was used to elucidate the role of PRMT2 in Ang II-induced VSMCs proliferation and inflammation. Western blotting and reverse transcriptional PCR were adopted to detect protein and mRNA expression severally. Cell viability was evaluated by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay and cell cycle distribution by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Ang II significantly reduced mRNA and protein levels of PRMT2 in VSMCs in time-dependent and dose-dependent manner. Results of PRMT2 overexpression indicated that PRMT2 inhibited proliferation of VSMCs stimulated with 100 nmol/L Ang II for 24 hours. Furthermore, overexpression of PRMT2 reduced Ang II-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) in VSMCs. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that PRMT2 alleviates Ang II-induced VSMCs proliferation and inflammation, providing a new mechanism about how Ang II mediated VSMCs proliferation and inflammation.