Project description:The loss of REST in uterine fibroids promotes aberrant gene expression and enables mTOR pathway activation We used siRNA to knockdown REST/ NRSF in cultured primary myometrial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and global gene expression was analyzed using microarrays.
Project description:We explored the impact of siRNA-mediated knockdown of the transforming growth factor β receptor III (TGFBR3) on the gene expression in the human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (hPASMC), at 24h and 48h.
Project description:Smooth muscle cell TGFβ signaling is one of the primary drivers of smooth muscle cell maturation. Inhibition of smooth muscle cell TGFβ signaling in hyperlipidemic mice induces vessel wall inflammation and vessel wall dilation/dissection and leads aortic aneurysm. We performed bulk RNAseq method to examine smooth muscle cell gene expression profile using fresh human tissues from normal aortic media smooth muscle cells and aneurysm aortic media smooth muscle cells.
Project description:Smooth muscle cell TGFβ signaling is one of the primary drivers of smooth muscle cell maturation. Inhibition of smooth muscle cell TGFβ signaling in hyperlipidemic mice induces vessel wall inflammation and vessel wall dilation/dissection and leads aortic aneurysm. We performed scRNAseq method to examine smooth muscle cell gene expression profile using Apoe and SMC specific TGFbR2 KO in Apoe background mice.
Project description:Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) and zipper-interacting protein kinase (ZIPK) have been implicated in diverse physiological functions, including smooth muscle contraction, cell proliferation, cell adhesion, apoptosis, cell migration and inflammation. Many aspects of regulation via ROCK and ZIPK, however, remain unclear. In this study, we utilized an siRNA approach to knock down ROCK1 and ZIPK in cultured human arterial smooth muscle cells. Microarray analysis was performed, using a whole-transcript expression chip, to identify changes in gene expression profiles induced by ROCK1 and ZIPK knockdown. ROCK1 knockdown affected the expression of 553 genes (355 down-regulated and 198 up-regulated), while ZIPK knockdown affected the expression of 390 genes (219 down-regulated and 171 up-regulated). A high incidence of up- and down-regulation of transcription regulator genes was observed in both ROCK1 and ZIPK knockdowns. Other markedly affected groups included transporters, kinases, peptidases, transmembrane and G protein-coupled receptors, growth factors, phosphatases and ion channels. Three microRNAs (mir-145, mir-199 and mir-622) were up-regulated by ROCK1 knockdown, whereas ZIPK knockdown had no effect on microRNA expression. 76 differentially expressed genes were common to ROCK1 and ZIPK knockdown, of which 41 were down-regulated and 26 up-regulated by both treatments, while the other 9 genes were differentially up/down-regulated. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis identified five pathways shared between the two knockdowns, which are mainly involved in cell cycle regulation. Marked differences in the effects of ROCK1 and ZIPK knockdown on the genes involved in cell cycle regulation suggested that ROCK1 and ZIPK regulate the cell cycle by different mechanisms. ROCK1, but not ZIPK knockdown significantly reduced the viability of vascular SMC. ROCK1 knockdown also affected several cytokine signaling pathways with up-regulation of 5 and down-regulation of 4 cytokine genes, in contrast to ZIPK knockdown, which affected the expression of only two cytokine genes (both down-regulated). IL-6 gene expression and secretion of IL-6 protein were up-regulated by ROCK1 knockdown, whereas ZIPK knockdown reduced IL-6 mRNA expression and IL-6 protein secretion and ROCK1 protein expression, suggesting that ROCK1 may inhibit IL-6 secretion. IL-1β mRNA and protein levels were increased in response to ROCK1 knockdown. Finally, ROCK1 but not ZIPK knockdown inhibited proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. We conclude that ROCK1 and ZIPK have diverse, but predominantly distinct regulatory functions in vascular smooth muscle cells. Human coronary artery smooth muscle cells were transfected with siRNA targeting ROCK1 or ZIPK or with negative control siRNA that does not target any gene product. 48 h later, total RNA was isolated, reverse transcribed, amplified, labeled with the Ambion WT Express kit and hybridized to Human Gene 1.0 ST arrays (Affymetrix) at 45 oC for 16 h. The probe arrays were washed and stained on an Affymetrix GeneChip Fluidics-450 and scanned on an Affymetrix GeneChip Scanner 3000 7G System. Triplicates were prepared under all three conditions for microarray analysis.
Project description:High-flow causes the remodeling of arteries, in which smooth muscle cells play an important role. To know the profile of smooth muscle gene expression under high-flow conditions in vivo, flow of rabbit basilar artery was increased by ligation of both common carotid arteries. Microarrays were performed to profile the gene expression of smooth muscle cells isolated from rabbit basilar artery. Expression profiles indicate 43603 differentially expressed genes in smooth muscle cells exposed to high-flow insult compared with the sham control, of which 1470 genes were upregulated and 780 genes downregulated using 2 fold-changes and P<0.05 as a cut-off.
Project description:Here, we generated and differentiated a mouse induced pluripotent stem cell line with an Acta2hrGFP reporter towards a smooth muscle-like cell that can be purified and expresses characteristic markers of smooth muscle cells. We performed microarray analysis of 3 timepoints in our smooth muscle directed differentiation protocol and compared it to primary adult aortic smooth muscle cells. The profiles indicated that the day 13 Acta2hrGFP+ and Acta2hrGFP- populations are fairly similar, and that the day13 Acta2hrGFP+ population's transcriptomic profile is reminiscent of an immature or a synthetic smooth muscle cell phenotype. Using a mouse iPSC line with a transgenic GFP reporter for Acta2, we characterized the global transcriptomic proifle of cells during different developmental time points in our in vitro differentiation (undifferentiated iPSC, sorted Kdr+ mesodermal progenitors, and sorted Acta2hrGFP+ and Acta2hrGFP- candidate SMCS). We also included freshly isolated primary aortic Acta2hrGFP+ smooth muscle cells as a control.
Project description:Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) phenotype switch has been thought to be critical to the development of thoracic aneurysm/dissection. To investigate the function EZH2 in the regulation of VSMCs phenotype switch, we established mouse vascular smooth muscle cells in which each target gene has been knocked down by siRNA.
Project description:The MaxiK potassium channel is a key modulator of smooth muscle tone. Due to its calcium and voltage sensitivity, MaxiK is activated following depolarization and Ca2+ mobilization, therefore relaxing the muscle. We investigate the effects of silencing MaxiK for 48h in corpus cavernosuml smooth muscle (CCSM) cells to identify possible mechanisms of compensation through molecular crosstalk between pathways regulating smooth muscle tone. Human CCSM cells were obtained from explant cell cultures. MaxiK channels were silenced for 48h then total RNA was extracted for hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays. Global gene expression of 48h siRNA treated cells was compared to that of untreated controls.