Cigarette smoke extract induces migration of rat vascular smooth muscle cells through regulation of expressions of MOB2 and LATS1

Abstract

Purpose: To study the impact of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on the migratory capacity of rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and the likely mechanism of action involved. Methods: Rat VSMCs were exposed to varying concentrations of CSE. The migration capacity of the cells was determined by Transwell migration assay and scratch test. Protein and RNA expression levels of LATS1 (large tumor suppressor kinase 1) and MOB2 (monopolar spindle-one-binder protein 2) were assayed using immunoblotting and quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively. Results: The results showed that within a certain concentration range, the migratory capacity of VSMCs increased as the concentration of CSE increased (p < 0.05). In contrast, the protein and RNA expressions of LATS1 and MOB2 were negatively correlated with CSE concentrations (p < 0.05). Conclusion: CSE promotes abnormal migration of rat VSMCs by inhibiting the expressions of LATS1 and MOB2 associated with Hippo signaling pathway. Thus, smoking may induce vascular remodeling and cardiovascular events via this mechanism.