Novel small leucine-rich repeat protein podocan is a negative regulator of migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells, modulates neointima formation, and is expressed in human atheroma.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration and proliferation critically influence the clinical course of vascular disease. We tested the effect of the novel small leucine-rich repeat protein podocan on SMC migration and proliferation using a podocan-deficient mouse in combination with a model of arterial injury and aortic explant SMC culture. In addition, we examined the effect of overexpression of the human form of podocan on human SMCs and tested for podocan expression in human atherosclerosis. In all these conditions, we concomitantly evaluated the Wnt-TCF (T-cell factor) pathway.

Methods and results

Podocan was strongly and selectively expressed in arteries of wild-type mice after injury. Podocan-deficient mice showed increased arterial lesion formation compared with

SUBMITTER: Hutter R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3917564 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature