OBJECTIVEPlatelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) plays an important role during the pathophysiological changes in vascular remodeling. The study aimed to investigate the effect of truncated PDGF-alpha receptor on apoptosis and expression of c-sis mRNA of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).

METHODSTissue mass culture was done to get vascular smooth muscle cells of pulmonary artery in newborn pigs. Two methods were used to interfere VSMCs: adding adenoviral recombined body (Ad5CMV-PalphaRtr, ACP) with three different concentrations of truncated PDGF-alpha receptor into the cultures, or adding three concentrations of PDGF-BB after the treatment with mid-concentration of ACP. VSMC apoptosis, cellular cycle and expression of c-sis were observed using flow-cytometry, and the expression of c-sis mRNA was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSACP with mid- to- high concentrations could restrain the proliferation of VSMCs apparently with the increase of G(0)/G(1) cells. The apoptotic rate presented an ascending tendency. The differences among the groups were of statistically significant. Affected by mid- concentration of ACP, PDGF-BB did not exhibit a significantly accelerating effect on the changes of cellular cycle and VSMC apoptosis. The expression of c-sis mRNA was up-regulated under the effect of ACP. Affected by mid-concentration of ACP and PDGF-BB, c-sis mRNA expressed was down-regulated.

CONCLUSIONMid- to- high concentration of ACP is a powerful inhibitor of cellular proliferation for pulmonary artery VSMCs. It can significantly increase cells in number in G(0)/G(1) phase, apoptosis and c-sis mRNA expression.