Activation of the Ca{sup 2+}/calcineurin/NFAT{sub 2} pathway controls smooth muscle cell differentiation

Journal Article · Sat Oct 15 04:00:00 EDT 2005 · Experimental Cell Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yexcr.2005.07.021· OSTI ID:20717669

Larrieu, Daniel ^[1]; Thiebaud, Pierre ^[1]; Duplaa, Cecile ^[2]; Sibon, Igor ^[1]; Theze, Nadine ^[1]; Lamaziere, Jean-Marie Daniel ^[1]

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1. U441 INSERM, Universite Bordeaux 2 'Victor Segalen', Avenue du Haut Leveque, 33600 Pessac (France)
2. U441 INSERM, Universite Bordeaux 2 'Victor Segalen', Avenue du Haut Leveque, 33600 Pessac, (France)

Cellular mechanisms controlling smooth muscle cells (SMCs) phenotypic modulation are largely unknown. Intracellular Ca{sup 2+} movements are essential to ensure SMC functions; one of the roles of Ca{sup 2+} is to regulate calcineurin, which in turn induces nuclear localization of the nuclear factor of activated T-cell (NFAT). In order to investigate, during phenotypic differentiation of SMCs, the effect of calcineurin inhibition on NFAT{sub 2} nuclear translocation, we used a culture model of SMC differentiation in serum-free conditions. We show that the treatment of cultured SMC with the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine A induced their dedifferentiation while preventing their differentiation. These findings suggest that nuclear translocation of NFAT{sub 2} is dependent of calcineurin activity during the in vitro SMC differentiation kinetic and that the nuclear presence of NFAT{sub 2} is critical in the acquisition and maintenance of SMC differentiation.

• OSTI ID: 20717669
• Journal Information: Experimental Cell Research, Journal Name: Experimental Cell Research Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 310; ISSN 0014-4827; ISSN ECREAL
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
CALCIUM IONS
CELL CULTURES
CELL DIFFERENTIATION
CYCLOSPORINE
IN VITRO
INHIBITION
MODULATION
MUSCLES
TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS
TRANSLOCATION