Thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2-stimulated mitogenesis of coronary artery smooth muscle cells involves activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and S6 kinase.

Prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) are potent activators of platelets and vascular smooth muscle whose responses are mediated through a common G-protein coupled receptor (TXA2/PGH2 receptor). Despite the many studies describing their ability to aggregate platelets and contract vascular smooth muscle, little is known concerning the potential mitogenic capabilities of these autocoids. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAP kinases) and ribosomal S6 kinases are well characterized intracellular mediators involved in proliferation of cells. The present study was designed to examine the activation of MAP kinase and S6 kinase in guinea pig coronary artery smooth muscle cells (CASMC) in response to stimulation by a TXA2/PGH2 mimetic, I-BOP ([1S-(1 alpha,2 beta(5Z),3 alpha(1E,3R*),4 alpha)]-7-[3-(3-hydroxy-4-(4'- iodophenoxy)-1-butenyl)-7-oxabicyclo-[2.2.1]heptan-2-yl]-5-h eptenoic acid). Equilibrium radioligand binding assays using [125I]BOP defined a single class of high affinity TXA2/PGH2 receptors on monolayers of guinea pig CASMC (Kd = 0.18 +/- 0.03 nM; 26,476 +/- 3,600 sites/cell; 0.08 +/- 0.01 pmol/mg of protein; n = 12). I-BOP produced a concentration-dependent increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation in these cells (EC50 = 0.3 nM) which was inhibited by a series of TXA2/PGH2 receptor antagonists as well as by verapamil and staurosporine. I-BOP also produced a time-dependent increase in the activation of kinases phosphorylating myelin basic protein (MBP; a substrate for MAP kinase) and RRLSSLRA (S6 peptide; a substrate for pp85rsk kinase), reaching a peak activation between 5 and 10 min. Stimulated MBP kinases were identified as ERK1 and ERK2. The activation of these kinases by I-BOP was inhibited by the TXA2/PGH2 receptor antagonist SQ29548 and also by staurosporine. These results indicate that I-BOP, a TXA2/PGH2 mimetic, produces growth of coronary artery vascular smooth muscle cells, which is preceded by activation of MAP kinase and S6 kinase.