Down-regulation of SENCR promotes smooth muscle cells proliferation and migration in db/db mice through up-regulation of FoxO1 and TRPC6.

BACKGROUND

The inappropriate proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays a crucial role in the atherosclerotic process. SENCR was reported to be associated with cell migration in human smooth muscle cells. However, the regulation role of SENCR in SMCs is still not fully understood.

METHODS

qRT-PCR and Western blotting were performed to detect the mRNA and protein levels of SENCR, FOXO1 and TRPC6 in SMCs of db/db mice and SMCs exposed to high glucose. The regulation of SENCR on the expression of FoxO1 and TRPC6 were examined with luciferase report assays. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of SENCR on VSMCs proliferation and migration using MTT assay and cell migration assay, respectively.

RESULTS

Here, we found that SENCR was down-regulated in db/db mice and in SMCs exposed to high glucose. According to the result of luciferase assays, it was shown that SMCs knockdown enhanced the expression of FoxO1 and FoxO1 overexpression increased the expression of TRPC6. In addition, qRT-PCR revealed that SENCR overexpression reversed the effect of high glucose on mouse VSMCs proliferation and migration.

CONCLUSION

In this study, our data indicated that down-regulation of SENCR promoted smooth muscle cells proliferation and migration in db/db mice through up-regulation of FoxO1 and TRPC6.