Inhibition of SRF/myocardin reduces aortic stiffness by targeting vascular smooth muscle cell stiffening in hypertension.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Increased aortic stiffness is a fundamental manifestation of hypertension. However, the molecular mechanisms involved remain largely unknown. We tested the hypothesis that abnormal intrinsic vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) mechanical properties in large arteries, but not in distal arteries, contribute to the pathogenesis of aortic stiffening in hypertension, mediated by the serum response factor (SRF)/myocardin signalling pathway.

Methods and results

Four month old male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were studied. Using atomic force microscopy, significant VSMC stiffening was observed in the large conducting aorta compared with the distal arteries in SHR (P < 0.001), however, this regional variation was not observed in

SUBMITTER: Zhou N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5340142 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature