The Role of Ca²⁺/CaM-Stimulated Phosphodiesterase 1C in Vascular Smooth Muscle cells of the Synthetic/Activated Phenotype

Manipulations to cyclic nucleotide populations show considerable promise in the treatment of vasculopathies associated with luminal narrowing and PDE inhibition currently represents one of the most selective methods of clinically modifying levels of these second messengers. Many cardiovascular diseases are associated with a change in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotype, resulting in a hyperproliferative cell devoid of contractile properties. This cell has been defined as “synthetic/activated” and differs from the normal “contractile/quiescent” VSMC in several aspects. Previous investigations have established that phosphodiesterase 1C (PDE1C), a PDE not produced in contractile/quiescent VSMCs is upregulated, and the functionally dominant PDE in the presence of calcium in these cells. This study looked to establish a role for PDE1C in synthetic/activated VSMCs as it relates to the management of VSMC phenotype. Herein, we show that RNAi mediated knockdown of PDE1C decreased expression of phenotype-dependent markers in HASMCs including PDGF-alpha receptor, l-caldesmon, and TRPC1, while the expression of other markers, including PKG, vinculin, and beta-1 integrin were unaffected. Treatment with PDE1C siRNA also reduced cell migration, proliferation, and the ability of HASMCs to bind extracellular matrix proteins. These effects were mediated without any major changes in global cAMP levels. Furthermore, a novel interaction between PDE1C and the TRPC cation channel was identified that may establish a role for PDE1C in calcium-cAMP mediation. These findings establish an important role for PDE1C in the synthetic/activated HASMC, both phenotypically, and at the sub-cellular level.

Department dc:contributor.department

Pharmacology and Toxicology

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Ross, Andrew

Advisor dc:contributor.supervisor

• Maurice, Donald H.

• PDE1C
• VSMC

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1974/1980

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:queensu.scholaris.ca:1974/1980