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

Journal Article · · Experimental Cell Research
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [1];  [1];  [1]
  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

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