Biomedical subjects

Akira Ishisaki

Publications and source records attributed to Akira Ishisaki.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Involvement of p44/p42 MAP kinase in insulin-like growth factor-I-induced alkaline phosphatase activity in osteoblast-like-MC3T3-E1 cells.

It has been shown that insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) stimulates the activity of alkaline phosphatase, a marker of mature osteoblast phenotype, in osteoblasts. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase superfamily in the IGF-I-stimulated alkaline phosphatase activity in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. IGF-I-stimulated alkaline phosphatase activity dose dependently in the range between 1 nM and 0.1 microM. IGF-I induced the phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase and p38 MAP kinase but not stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK). PD98059 and U0126, specific inhibitors of the upstream kinase that activates p44/p42 MAP kinase, significantly suppressed the IGF-I-induced alkaline phosphatase activity. On the contrary, SB203580 and PD169316, specific inhibitors of p38 MAP kinase, failed to affect the activity induced by IGF-I. Specific inhibitors for phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway (LY294002 and wortmannin) also had no significant effect on IGF-I-induced p44/p42 MAP kinase phosphorylation. The phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase induced by IGF-I was reduced by U0126. These results strongly suggest that p44/p42 MAP kinase among the MAP kinase superfamily plays a role in the IGF-I-stimulated alkaline phosphatase activity in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2006

Differential roles of MAP kinases in atorvastatin-induced VEGF release in cardiac myocytes.

Statins, specific inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase, are now widely used for treatment of patients with hypercholesterolemia. In addition to the reduction of cholesterol biosynthesis, accumulating evidence indicates that statins have several pleiotropic effects especially on cardiovascular system. However, the exact role of statin in cardiac myocytes remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated whether atorvastatin induces vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release in cardiac myocytes, and the underlying mechanism. We observed that atorvastatin significantly stimulated VEGF release in a dose-dependent manner. It induced the phosphorylation of p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and p38 MAP kinase but not SAPK (stress-activated protein kinase)/JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase). The atorvastatin-induced VEGF release was enhanced by PD98059, which is a specific inhibitor of the upstream kinase that activates p44/p42 MAP kinase (MEK). Further, it was significantly reduced by SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase. Furthermore, the atorvastatin-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase was attenuated by SB203580, whereas it was enhanced by PD98059. Taken together, these results suggest that the atorvastatin-induced VEGF release in cardiac myocytes is positively regulated by p38 MAP kinase and negatively regulated byp44/p42 MAP kinase and that the atorvastatin-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase is regulated by p44/p42 MAP kinase in these cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Novel ideas of gene therapy for atherosclerosis: modulation of cellular signal transduction of TGF-beta family.

Atherosclerosis is a disease characterized by accumulation of lipids and fibrous elements in the innermost layer of the arterial wall. An asymptomatic atherosclerotic plaque is characterized by a lipid core, composed of modified lipids, macrophages and T cells, which were separated from the lumen vessel by a thick fibrous cap, composed of vascular smooth muscle cell-secreted solid collagen matrix. Recently, it has been reported that expressions of TGF-beta family were up regulated in human atherosclerotic plaques. In addition TGF-beta family seems to plays pivotal roles for the development of atherosclerosis: TGF-beta and activin A were suggested to play protective roles against the development of atherosclerotic plaques. On the other hand bone morphogenetic protein seems to play pivotal roles for the calcification of the atherosclerotic plaques. Therefore, it is debatable whether gene therapy modulating cellular signal transductions of TGF-beta family is a useful tool for the inhibition of progression of atherosclerotic disease. In this review, our discussion is focused on the possibilities of gene therapies for atherosclerosis either by enhancement or suppression of cellular signaling of TGF-beta family in target cells, in atherosclerotic plaques.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Attenuated phosphorylation of heat shock protein 27 correlates with tumor progression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) is expressed at high levels in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We examined correlations of total HSP27 and serine phosphorylated (Ser-15, Ser-78, and Ser-82) HSP27 levels in HCC tissues with clinical and pathologic characteristics in 48 resected HCC specimens. The levels of total and Ser-phosphorylated HSP27 were evaluated by Western blot analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis of HSP27 expression was also performed on some samples. Phosphorylation of HSP27 was detected in all 48 HCC tissues. Levels of phosphorylated HSP27 were correlated inversely with tumor size, microvascular invasion of HCC, and tumor stage by TNM classification. In contrast, only microvascular invasion showed an inverse correlation with total HSP27 levels. The decrease in phosphorylated HSP27 in progressed HCC was also observed by immunohistochemistry. Levels of phosphorylated HSP27 gradually decreased in parallel with HCC progression. Our findings suggest that phosphorylated HSP27 may have a suppressive role in progression of human HCC.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Akt regulates thrombin-induced HSP27 phosphorylation in aortic smooth muscle cells: function at a point downstream from p38 MAP kinase.

We previously reported that p38 MAP kinase takes part in thrombin-induced HSP27 phosphorylation in aortic smooth muscle A10 cells. In the present study, we investigated whether Akt is involved in the phosphorylation of HSP27 and the role of adenylyl cyclase-cAMP system. Thrombin time-dependently induced the phosphorylation of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) and Akt in aortic smooth muscle A10 cells. SB203580, a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, significantly suppressed the thrombin-induced phosphorylation of Akt and the Akt inhibitor suppressed the phosphorylation of HSP27. Furthermore, the thrombin-induced phosphorylation of HSP27, p38 MAP kinase and Akt were decreased by dibutyryl-cAMP (DBcAMP). These results strongly suggest that Akt functions the thrombin-induced phosphorylation of HSP27 at a point downstream from p38 MAP kinase in aortic smooth muscle cells and the adenylyl cyclase-cAMP system is upstream regulator of the HSP27 phosphorylation in these cells.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

PubMed2005

alphaB-crystallin is phosphorylated during myocardial infarction: involvement of platelet-derived growth factor-BB.

alphaB-crystallin is the most abundant low-molecular-weight heat shock protein in heart and recent studies have demonstrated that it plays a cardioprotective role during myocardial infarction both in vivo and in vitro. On the other hand, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), a potent serum mitogen, has been reported to improve cardiac function after myocardial infarction. In the present study, using a mouse myocardial infarction model, we investigated whether alphaB-crystallin is phosphorylated during myocardial infarction and the implication of PDGF-BB. Phosphorylation of alphaB-crystallin at Ser-59 was time dependently induced and plasma PDGF-BB levels were concomitantly increased. Moreover, PDGF-BB-stimulated phosphorylation of alphaB-crystallin was suppressed by SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, in primary cultured cardiac myocytes. Our results indicate that PDGF-BB induces phosphorylation of alphaB-crystallin via p38 MAP kinase during myocardial infarction.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Possible involvement of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signal pathway in vasopressin-induced HSP27 phosphorylation in aortic smooth muscle A10 cells.

We previously reported that p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase takes a part in arginine vasopressin (AVP)-induced heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) phosphorylation in aortic smooth muscle A10 cells. In the present study, we investigated whether phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) is involved in the phosphorylation of HSP27 in these cells. AVP time-dependently induced the phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt. Akt inhibitor, 1l-6-hydroxymethyl-chiro-inositol 2-(R)-2-O-methyl-3-O-octadecylcarbonate, partially suppressed the phosphorylation of HSP27. The AVP-induced HSP27 phosphorylation was attenuated by LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor. The combination of Akt inhibitor and SB203580, a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, completely suppressed the AVP-induced phosphorylation of HSP27. Furthermore, LY294002 or Akt inhibitor did not affect the AVP-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase and SB203580 did not affect the phosphorylation of PI3K or Akt. These results suggest that PI3K/Akt plays a part in the AVP-induced phosphorylation of HSP27, maybe independently of p38 MAP kinase, in aortic smooth muscle A10 cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Tiludronate inhibits prostaglandin F2alpha-induced vascular endothelial growth factor synthesis in osteoblasts.

We have previously reported that prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) activates p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase through protein kinase C (PKC), resulting in the synthesis of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells, and that incadronate, a bisphosphonate, amplifies the VEGF synthesis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of tiludronate and etidronate, other bisphosphonates, on the PGF2alpha-stimulated VEGF synthesis in these cells. Tiludronate reduced the synthesis of VEGF induced by PGF2alpha. The PGF(2alpha)-stimulated phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase was suppressed by tiludronate. On the other hand, etidronate affected neither the VEGF synthesis nor the phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase elicited by PGF2alpha. Tiludronate attenuated the phosphorylation of both Raf-1 and MEK1/2 induced by PGF2alpha. The VEGF synthesis stimulated by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a direct activator of PKC, was suppressed by tiludronate. The TPA-induced phosphorylations of Raf-1, MEK1/2 and p44/p42 MAP kinase were inhibited by tiludronate. These results strongly suggest that tiludronate but not etidronate suppresses the PGF2alpha-stimulated VEGF synthesis in osteoblasts, and that the effect of tiludronate is exerted at the point between PKC and Raf-1.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2005

PPAR-gamma ligands up-regulate basic fibroblast growth factor-induced VEGF release through amplifying SAPK/JNK activation in osteoblasts.

We previously reported that basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) activates stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) and p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase resulting in the stimulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells and that FGF-2-activated p38 MAP kinase negatively regulates the VEGF release. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ciglitazone and pioglitazone, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) ligands, on the VEGF release by FGF-2 in MC3T3-E1 cells. The FGF-2-induced VEGF release was significantly enhanced by ciglitazone. The amplifying effect of ciglitazone was dose-dependent between 0.1 and 10 microM. Pioglitazone had a similar effect on the VEGF release. GW9662, an antagonist of PPAR-gamma, reduced the effects of ciglitazone and pioglitazone. Ciglitazone or pioglitazone markedly enhanced the phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK induced by FGF-2 without affecting both the FGF-2-induced phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase and p38 MAP kinase. GW9662 markedly reduced the amplification by ciglitazone of the SAPK/JNK phosphorylation. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that PPAR-gamma ligands up-regulate FGF-2-stimulated VEGF release resulting from amplifying activation of SAPK/JNK in osteoblasts.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2005

Adenylyl cyclase-cAMP system inhibits thrombin-induced HSP27 in vascular smooth muscle cells.

We previously reported that thrombin stimulates the induction of heat shock protein (HSP) 27 via p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation in aortic smooth muscle A10 cells. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the adenylyl cyclase-cAMP system on the thrombin-stimulated induction of HSP27 in A10 cells. Forskolin, a direct activator of adenylyl cyclase, reduced the thrombin-induced p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation, and significantly suppressed the thrombin-stimulated accumulation of HSP27. However, dideoxyforskolin, a forskolin derivative that does not activate cAMP, failed to suppress the HSP27 accumulation. Furthermore, dibutyryl-cAMP (DBcAMP), a permeable analog of cAMP, significantly suppressed the accumulation of HSP27. On the other hand, calphostin C, an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), reduced the thrombin-induced p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation, and significantly suppressed the thrombin-stimulated accumulation of HSP27. Moreover, forskolin reduced the p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation induced by the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a PKC-activating phorbol ester, and significantly suppressed the TPA-stimulated accumulation of HSP27. These results indicate that adenylyl cyclase-cAMP system has an inhibitory role in thrombin-stimulated HSP27 induction in aortic smooth muscle cells, and the effect seems to be exerted on the thrombin-induced PKC- p38 MAP kinase signaling pathway.

Adenine↗

PubMed2005

Adenylyl cyclase-cAMP system inhibits thyroid hormone-stimulated osteocalcin synthesis in osteoblasts.

It is generally recognized that thyroid hormone modulates osteoblast cell function. We have previously shown that triiodothyronine (T(3)) activates p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, resulting in the synthesis of osteocalcin in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the adenylyl cyclase-cAMP system on thyroid hormone-stimulated osteocalcin synthesis in these cells. Dibutyryl-cAMP (DBcAMP) reduced the osteocalcin synthesis stimulated by T(3). Forskolin and cholera toxin suppressed the osteocalcin synthesis while dideoxyforskolin, a forskolin derivative that does not activate adenylyl cyclase, had little effect on the synthesis. KT5720, a selective inhibitor of protein kinase A, reversed the inhibitory effect of forskolin or DBcAMP. DBcAMP and forskolin markedly reduced the phosphorylation of p38 MAP stimulated by T(3). Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) significantly inhibited the T(3)-stimulated osteocalcin synthesis. These results strongly suggest that the adenylyl cyclase-cAMP system has an inhibitory role in thyroid hormone-stimulated osteocalcin synthesis via suppression of p38 MAP kinase activation in osteoblasts.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

PubMed2005

Methotrexate suppresses inflammatory agonist induced interleukin 6 synthesis in osteoblasts.

OBJECTIVE: Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine that plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In bone metabolism, it is known that IL-6 is produced and secreted by osteoblasts, and that IL-6 induces osteoclast formation and stimulates bone resorption. Various bone inflammatory agonists such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-1alpha, prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), PGE2, and PGF2alpha, which play important roles in the pathogenesis of RA, induce IL-6 synthesis in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. Low dose methotrexate (MTX) is currently used for treatment of patients with RA. We investigated the effect of MTX on IL-6 synthesis induced by these agents in MC3T3-E1 cells. METHODS: Cultured cells were pretreated with various doses of MTX, and then stimulated by these inflammatory agonists. The IL-6 in the conditioned medium was measured by IL-6 enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: MTX significantly suppressed IL-6 synthesis stimulated by these agonists in a dose-dependent manner, although MTX alone had no effect on the levels of IL-6. In addition, MTX significantly inhibited the enhancement by IL-17 of TNF-alpha-stimulated IL-6 synthesis. MTX reduced the levels of IL-6 induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate, a direct activator of protein kinase C (PKC), suggesting that MTX inhibits PKC signals for IL-6 synthesis. CONCLUSION: MTX suppresses IL-6 synthesis stimulated by various inflammatory agonists in osteoblasts.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2004

P2Y12 receptors play a significant role in the development of platelet microaggregation in patients with diabetes.

Ninety-eight diabetic patients (type 2) were studied together with 24 healthy normotensive controls. Microaggregates (particle scale, <25 microm) of platelets were detected by a laser scattering system. Microaggregates in the control group showed a time-dependent reversible change; however, they existed continuously in 82 of 98 diabetic patients. When platelets of diabetics were stimulated by a shear stress alone without ADP, 74 also showed spontaneous and irreversible microaggregates even though they were not observed in all control subjects. In control subjects, microaggregates were inhibited by MRS2279 (a P2Y1 antagonist), but not AR-C69931MX (a P2Y12 antagonist). However, AR-C69931MX prevented irreversible microaggregates in diabetic patients. When either aspirin or ticlopidine was administered to diabetic patients with irreversible microaggregates, both drugs significantly decreased microaggregates induced by a low dose of ADP. Ticlopidine additionally reduced the microaggregates induced by shear stress alone. In conclusion, microaggregates of platelets via P2Y12 receptors could play a key role in the hypersensitivity of platelets in diabetic patients, and the measurement of microaggregation could be a useful marker to estimate of thrombogenesis. These findings present a possible new means for patients with diabetes to prevent ischemic events.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

PubMed2004

Vasopressin phosphorylates HSP27 in aortic smooth muscle cells.

Administration of arginine vasopressin (AVP) time-dependently induced the phosphorylation of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) at Ser-15 and Ser-85 in smooth muscle of aorta in vivo. The AVP-induced phosphorylation of HSP27 at Ser-15 and Ser-85 was inhibited by a V1a receptor antagonist but not by a V2 receptor antagonist. In cultured aortic smooth muscle A10 cells, AVP markedly stimulated the phosphorylation of HSP27 at Ser-15 and Ser-85. The AVP-induced phosphorylation of HSP27 was attenuated by SB203580 and PD169316, inhibitors of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, but not by PD98059, a MEK inhibitor. These results strongly suggest that AVP phosphorylates HSP27 via p38 MAP kinase in aortic smooth muscle cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Expressions of inhibitory Smads, Smad6 and Smad7, are differentially regulated by TPA in human lung fibroblast cells.

Smad6 and Smad7 are inhibitory Smads (I-Smads) with differential inhibitory effects on the regulation of the cellular signalings induced by TGF-beta superfamily. Here, we show that phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) down-regulates Smad6 mRNA expression and up-regulates Smad7 mRNA expression in IMR-90, a human lung fibroblast cell line. These regulations of I-Smads by TPA were suppressed by one PKC inhibitor (Gö6983), but not by another (Gö6976). TPA treatment had little effect on the phosphorylation of novel PKCs (PKCdelta and PKCepsilon), but specifically induced PKCmu phosphorylation, and this effect was inhibited by Gö6983, but not by Gö6976. Additionally, Gö6983 but not Gö6976 inhibited ERK- and JNK-phosphorylation as well as Smad7 promoter activity induced by TPA. MEK inhibitor U0126 inhibited the down-regulation of Smad6 mRNA expression but not the up-regulation of Smad7 mRNA expression. In contrast, JNK inhibitor SP600125 had no such effects. Luciferase reporter analysis revealed that TPA did not induce NF-kappaB activation. In addition, TPA up-regulated Smad7 expression in the presence of NF-kappaB inhibitor TLCK. These findings indicate that TPA down-regulates Smad6 expression presumably via PKCmu-ERK-dependent pathway and up-regulates Smad7 expression via PKCmu-dependent mechanism(s) which need no MAPK and NF-kappaB activation.

Blotting, Western↗

PubMed2004

Interleukin (IL)-17 enhances tumor necrosis factor-alpha-stimulated IL-6 synthesis via p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in osteoblasts.

Inflammatory cytokines are well known to play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Among them, interleukin (IL)-17 is a cytokine that is mainly synthesized by activated T cells and its receptors are present in osteoblasts. The synthesis of IL-6, known to stimulate osteoclastic bone resorption, is reportedly responded to bone resorptive agents such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in osteoblasts. It has been reported that IL-17 enhances TNF-alpha-stimulated IL-6 synthesis in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. We previously showed that sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1-P) mediates TNF-alpha-stimulated IL-6 synthesis in these cells. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of IL-17 underlying enhancement of IL-6 synthesis in MC3T3-E1 cells. IL-17 induced phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. SB203580 and PD169316, specific inhibitors of p38 MAP kinase, significantly reduced the enhancement by IL-17 of TNF-alpha-stimulated IL-6 synthesis. IL-17 also amplified S1-P-stimulated IL-6 synthesis, and the amplification by IL-17 was suppressed by SB203580. Anisomycin, an activator of p38 MAP kinase, which alone had no effect on IL-6 level, enhanced the IL-6 synthesis stimulated by TNF-alpha. SB203580 and PD169316 inhibited the amplification by anisomycin of the TNF-alpha-induced IL-6 synthesis. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that IL-17 enhances TNF-alpha-stimulated IL-6 synthesis via p38 MAP kinase activation in osteoblasts.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Platelet-derived growth factor-BB phosphorylates heat shock protein 27 in cardiac myocytes.

It is recognized that heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) is highly expressed in heart. In the present study, we investigated whether platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) phosphorylates HSP27 in mouse myocytes, and the mechanism underlying the HSP27 phosphorylation. Administration of PDGF-BB induced the phosphorylation of HSP27 at Ser-15 and -85 in mouse cardiac muscle in vivo. In primary cultured myocytes, PDGF-BB time dependently phosphorylated HSP27 at Ser-15 and -85. PDGF-BB stimulated the phosphorylation of p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, p38 MAP kinase, and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) among the MAP kinase superfamily. SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase, reduced the PDGF-BB-stimulated phosphorylation of HSP27 at both Ser-15 and -85, and phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase. However, PD98059, a specific inhibitor of MEK, or SP600125, a specific inhibitor of SAPK/JNK, failed to affect the HSP27 phosphorylation. These results strongly suggest that PDGF-BB phosphorylates HSP27 at Ser-15 and -85 via p38 MAP kinase in cardiac myocytes.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Possible involvement of p44/p42 MAP kinase in retinoic acid-stimulated vascular endothelial growth factor release in aortic smooth muscle cells.

Retinoic acid modulates cell growth and differentiation of the vascular system. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known as a vascular permeability factor and a potent mitogen for vascular endothelial cells. In the present study, we investigated whether retinoic acid induces VEGF release in aortic smooth muscle A10 cells and if so, the mechanism of VEGF release. Retinoic acid stimulated VEGF release dose-dependently over the range 0.1 nM-0.1 microM. The retinoic acid-stimulated VEGF release was significantly reduced by actinomycin D. Retinoic acid induced the phosphorylation of p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase but not p38 MAP kinase or stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase among the MAP kinase superfamily. This effect of retinoic acid was dose-dependent (30 nM-5 microM) and the maximum effect was observed at 0.3 microM. The retinoic acid-stimulated release of VEGF was significantly reduced by PD98059 and U0126, specific MEK inhibitors, which attenuated the retinoic acid-induced phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase. These results strongly suggest that retinoic acid stimulates the release of VEGF in a p44/p42 MAP kinase-dependent manner in aortic smooth muscle cells.

Animals↗