Biomaterial Database

Serum Amyloid A Induces a Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype Switch through the p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway. 2017

Xincai Zhang, and Jinqin Chen, and Shixun Wang

Department of Cardiology II, Weifang People's Hospital, Kuiwen District, Weifang, Shandong 261041, China.

Atherosclerosis is an important pathological condition which is accompanied by a vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotype switch toward a synthetic phenotype. As an acute-phase protein, Serum Amyloid A (SAA) is thought to have a close relationship to atherosclerosis development. However, no study has investigated the direct effect of SAA on the VSMC phenotype switch, as well as the underlying mechanisms. The purpose of our study was to explore the effect of SAA on the VSMC phenotype switch and the potential mechanisms involved. In our study, we found that SAA induced the VSMC phenotype switch which reduced expression of the smooth muscle cell (SMC) marker and enhanced expression of the matrix synthesis related marker. The proliferative ability of VSMCs was also increased by SAA treatment. Furthermore, our research found that SAA activated the ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. Finally, by applying the ERK1/2 and p38 inhibitors, U0126 and SB203580, we demonstrated that the SAA-induced VSMC phenotype switch was p38-dependent. Taken together, these results indicated that SAA may play an important role in promoting the VSMC phenotype switch through the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007093	Imidazoles	Compounds containing 1,3-diazole, a five membered aromatic ring containing two nitrogen atoms separated by one of the carbons. Chemically reduced ones include IMIDAZOLINES and IMIDAZOLIDINES. Distinguish from 1,2-diazole (PYRAZOLES).
D009131	Muscle, Smooth, Vascular	The nonstriated involuntary muscle tissue of blood vessels.	Vascular Smooth Muscle,Muscle, Vascular Smooth,Muscles, Vascular Smooth,Smooth Muscle, Vascular,Smooth Muscles, Vascular,Vascular Smooth Muscles
D010641	Phenotype	The outward appearance of the individual. It is the product of interactions between genes, and between the GENOTYPE and the environment.	Phenotypes
D010766	Phosphorylation	The introduction of a phosphoryl group into a compound through the formation of an ester bond between the compound and a phosphorus moiety.	Phosphorylations
D011725	Pyridines	Compounds with a six membered aromatic ring containing NITROGEN. The saturated version is PIPERIDINES.
D005786	Gene Expression Regulation	Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control (induction or repression) of gene action at the level of transcription or translation.	Gene Action Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression,Expression Regulation, Gene,Regulation, Gene Action,Regulation, Gene Expression
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000209	Acute-Phase Proteins	Proteins that are secreted into the blood in increased or decreased quantities by hepatocytes in response to trauma, inflammation, or disease. These proteins can serve as inhibitors or mediators of the inflammatory processes. Certain acute-phase proteins have been used to diagnose and follow the course of diseases or as tumor markers.	Acute Phase Reactant,Acute-Phase Glycoprotein,Acute-Phase Reactant,Acute-Phase Reactants,Proteins, Acute-Phase,Reactants, Acute-Phase,Acute-Phase Glycoproteins,Acute-Phase Protein,Acute Phase Glycoprotein,Acute Phase Glycoproteins,Acute Phase Protein,Acute Phase Proteins,Acute Phase Reactants,Glycoprotein, Acute-Phase,Glycoproteins, Acute-Phase,Phase Reactant, Acute,Protein, Acute-Phase,Proteins, Acute Phase,Reactant, Acute Phase,Reactant, Acute-Phase,Reactants, Acute Phase
D000685	Serum Amyloid A Protein	An ACUTE PHASE REACTION protein present in low concentrations in normal sera, but found at higher concentrations in sera of older persons and in patients with AMYLOIDOSIS. It is the circulating precusor of amyloid A protein, which is found deposited in AA type AMYLOID FIBRILS.	Amyloid Protein SAA,Amyloid Serum Protein SAA,Serum A Related Protein,Amyloid A Precursor,Amyloid A Protein,Amyloid A Protein-Related Serum Component,Amyloid Fibril Protein AA,Amyloid Protein AA,Amyloid Protein AA Precursor,Amyloid-Related Serum Protein (SAA),Serum Amyloid A,Serum Amyloid Protein A,Amyloid A Protein Related Serum Component
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia