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Lectin binding and uptake and glycoprotein characterization of isolated porcine aortic endothelial and smooth muscle cells.

Endothelial and smooth muscle cells were isolated from porcine aorta and kept in short-term culture. To determine the terminal carbohydrate composition of the plasma membranes from both cell populations, the cells were incubated with a panel of fluorescein-labelled lectins. Both cell populations shared a number of terminal carbohydrates, but the N-galactosamine specific lectin Wistaria floribunda agglutinin labelled only endothelial cells. A lectin which selectively labelled smooth muscle cells was not found. Western blot analysis of isolated endothelial cell membrane glycoproteins indicated that most membrane glycoproteins are labelled by Wistaria floribunda agglutinin.

Acetylgalactosamine↗

Insulin as a cellular growth regulator of rat arterial smooth muscle cells in vitro.

Smooth muscle cells were grown from thoracic aortas of rats. The effect of insulin on the proliferation of these cells was studied by comparing the growth of cells in culture medium containing insulin and 1% fetal calf serum with growth of cells in culture medium containing only 1% serum and in culture medium containing 10% serum. Insulin in concentrations of 10, 50, 100, 1000 and 10 000 microunits/ml induced smooth muscle cells to stationary growth more rapidly than basal medium. This could be demonstrated as well in the logarithmic growth as in confluent cells grown in medium with 1% serum. However, the highest concentration of insulin did not stimulate growth to the same degree as medium containing 10% serum. Cells that were older in culture life (11th passage) did not show a growth response to insulin.

Animals↗

Nitric oxide mediates the neural nonadrenergic, noncholinergic relaxation of pig tracheal smooth muscle.

In pig tracheal smooth muscle, the isometric tension responses to electrical field stimulation (EFS) were studied after raising the tone with carbamylcholine chloride (carbachol). EFS induced frequency-dependent relaxations that were nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) in nature. Addition of NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOArg), an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis from L-arginine, resulted in concentration-dependent inhibition of the relaxation response to EFS. Pretreatment of the tissues with L-arginine (1 mM) prevented the inhibitory effect of L-NOArg on the EFS-induced relaxations at the frequencies studied. However, in the presence of D-arginine, EFS-induced relaxations were inhibited by L-NOArg. L-Arginine, D-arginine, and L-NOArg had no significant effects on basal tone of the muscle. In the presence of L-NOArg, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (3 x 10(-7) M), the nicotinic agonist dimethylphenyl piperazinium bromide (100 microM), and isoproterenol (1 microM) relaxed carbachol-induced tone. The concentration-dependent selective inhibition of neural relaxation by L-NOArg and its reversal by L-arginine in a stereospecific manner are consistent with NO-mediated NANC relaxation of pig tracheal smooth muscle.

Animals↗

Inhibition of rac1 reduces PDGF-induced reactive oxygen species and proliferation in vascular smooth muscle cells.

In vascular smooth muscle cells, reactive oxygen species (ROS) were known to mediate platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced cell proliferation and NADH/NADPH oxidase is the major source of ROS. NADH/NADPH oxidase is controlled by rac1 in non-phagocytic cells. In this study, we examined whether the inhibition of rac1 by adenoviral-mediated gene transfer of a dominant negative rac1 gene product (Ad.N17rac1) could reduce the proliferation of rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (RASMC) stimulated by PDGF via decreasing intracellular ROS. RASMC were stimulated by PDGF (80 ng/mL) with or without N-acetylcysteine 1 mM or infected with 100 mutiplicity of infection of Ad.N17rac1. Intracellular ROS levels were measured at 12 hr using carboxyl-2', 7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate confocal microscopy. At 72 hr, cellular proliferation was evaluated by cell number counting and XTT assay. Compared with control, ROS levels were increased by 2-folds by PDGF. NAC and Ad.N17rac1 inhibited PDGF-induced increase of ROS by 77% and 65%, respectively. Cell number was increased by PDGF by 1.6-folds compared with control. NAC and Ad.N17rac1 inhibited PDGF-induced cellular growth by 45% and 87%, respectively. XTT assay also showed similar results. We concluded that inhibition of rac1 in RASMCs could reduce intracellular ROS levels and cellular proliferation induced by PDGF.

Adenoviridae↗

Differential proliferation of rat aortic and mesenteric smooth muscle cells in culture.

Smooth muscle cells (SMC) from various arterial origins have been successfully maintained in culture. The present study evaluates the proliferative activity of aortic and mesenteric SMC in culture. Aortic and mesenteric SMC were obtained from male Wistar rats by explant and enzyme digestion techniques, respectively. Vascular SMC obtained by either method exhibited a characteristic hill-and-valley growth pattern in culture after confluence and were positively labelled with either anti-smooth muscle actin or myosin by an indirect immunofluorescent method. The rate of incorporation of thymidine into DNA and cell number counting were used as indices of proliferation in vitro. Vascular SMC from passages 4-33 were first synchronized with either Dullbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DME) or Ham's F-12 medium, supplemented with insulin-transferring-selenium (ITS), for 72 hours. SMC were then stimulated with 10% bovine serum for either 24 or 72 hours with the former processed for scintillation counting, the latter for cell number determination. The incorporation of tritiated thymidine into DNA following a 2 hour incubation was determined by scintillation counting after perchloric acid extraction. In terms of cell numbers, proliferative responses to bovine serum were determined by Coulter counting. Autoradiography was also carried out in some cultures to determine both thymidine and mitotic labelling indices. The rate of thymidine incorporation in aortic cells was 2-3 fold higher than in mesenteric cells. Aortic and mesenteric SMC lines exhibited similar cell cycle intervals in terms of total duration and individuals cycle parameters. However, the total thymidine index was higher in the aortic than mesenteric SMC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Relationship between internalization and mRNA decay in down-regulation of recombinant type 1 angiotensin II receptor (AT1) expression in smooth muscle cells.

In vascular smooth muscle cells, the hormone angiotensin II is thought to cause internalization of the seven-transmembrane domain type 1 angiotensin II receptor (AT1-R) but it also suppresses expression of the receptor mRNA. As for similarly regulated members of this gene superfamily, the relative roles of these processes in receptor down-regulation are not well understood. In this study a recombinant AT1-R mRNA was synthesized in A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells from a tetracycline-suppressible promoter using a retroviral vector system. Angiotensin II induces a profound internalization of the cell surface AT1-R protein but has no effect on steady-state AT1-R mRNA levels. Shortly after either bolus or prolonged dosing with angiotensin II, cell surface AT1-R expression recovers, indicating the existence of a significant restorative externalization pathway. The extent of this recovery is attenuated markedly when transcription of the recombinant AT1-R gene is suppressed by cotreatment of the cells with anhydrotetracycline. Although agonist-stimulated internalization appears to contribute directly to a loss of AT1-R protein, these observations provide direct evidence that a reduction in AT1-R mRNA content plays a significant role in sustained AT1-R down-regulation.

Angiotensin II↗

The synthetic metalloproteinase inhibitor batimastat suppresses injury-induced phosphorylation of MAP kinase ERK1/ERK2 and phenotypic modification of arterial smooth muscle cells in vitro.

Smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration and proliferation are important events in the formation of intimal lesions associated with atherosclerosis and restenosis following balloon angioplasty. The extracellular matrix has important functions in modulating SMC structure and function, but less is known about the role of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their endogenous tissue inhibitors. The present study investigates the effects of the synthetic MMP inhibitor batimastat (BB94) on vascular SMCs. As experimental model, rat aortic smooth muscle cells in primary and secondary cultures were employed. Electron microscopy was used to investigate the effects of BB94 on the overall phenotypic properties of the cells. Induction of DNA synthesis and migration was studied by thymidine autoradiography and counting of cells moving into an injured zone. Gelatin zymography was used for the detection of BB94-mediated inhibition of injury-induced MMP activity. Phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK1/ERK2, two potential mediators of the injury-induced activation of the cells, was measured by Western blotting. The results show that BB94 restrained the phenotypic modulation of vascular SMCs in primary cultures and suppressed injury-induced DNA synthesis and migration. Moreover, the upregulation of ERK1/ERK2 phosphorylation in injured secondary cultures and in cells treated with bFGF was markedly reduced by BB94, whereas TIMP-2 lacked a clear effect. Our data suggest that BB94 inhibits injury-induced activation of vascular SMCs by acting on MMPs as well as other targets.

Animals↗

Calcium channels and calcium-mediated effects in smooth muscle cells.

In single smooth muscle cells held at depolarized potentials under voltage-clamp, spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs) of about 100 ms in duration and 100-300 pA in size are observed. These behave as if they are caused by the cyclical release of calcium from storage sites within the cell and can therefore be used as a method of monitoring the release of calcium from these stores by various agents. Muscarinic receptor activation or caffeine applied to single smooth muscle cells from rabbit jejunum produced outward current, probably due to the release of calcium from stores, and STOCs were subsequently abolished. Levels of inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate in fragments of the muscle were increased within 5 s by carbachol application. STOCs and outward current due to calcium store release were probably due to the opening of calcium-activated K-channels since they were abolished by 4 mM tetraethylammonium. Receptor activation also opens channels that admit cations, including calcium, which may also contribute to tension generation.

Animals↗

Differential Rho-kinase dependency of full and partial muscarinic receptor agonists in airway smooth muscle contraction.

In airway smooth muscle (ASM), full and partial muscarinic receptor agonists have been described to have large differences in their ability to induce signal transduction, including Ca2+-mobilization. Despite these differences, partial agonists are capable of inducing a submaximal to maximal ASM contraction. To further elucidate transductional differences between full and partial muscarinic receptor agonists, we investigated the contribution of Rho-kinase (an important regulator of Ca2+-sensitization) to methacholine-, pilocarpine- and McN-A-343-induced bovine tracheal smooth muscle (BTSM) contraction, using the selective Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632. In addition, we measured Ca2+-mobilization and -influx in BTSM cells in response to these agonists in the absence and presence of Y-27632. Whereas treatment with Y-27632 (1 microM) significantly decreased potency (pEC50) for all agonists, maximal contraction (Emax) was reduced by 23.4+/-2.8 and 50.4+/-7.9% for the partial agonists pilocarpine and McN-A-343, respectively, but was unaffected for the full agonist methacholine. However, Emax of methacholine became Rho-kinase dependent after taking away its receptor reserve using the irreversible muscarinic receptor antagonist propylbenzilylcholine mustard. Pilocarpine and McN-A-343 induced a very small Ca2+-mobilization and -influx as compared to methacholine. In addition, an inverse relationship of these two parameters with the Rho-kinase dependency was observed. Interestingly, no inhibitory effects of Y-27632 were observed on Ca2+-mobilization and-influx for all three agonists, indicating that the effects of Y-27632 on contraction are most likely on the level of Ca2+-sensitization. In conclusion, in contrast to the full agonist methacholine, the partial muscarinic receptor agonists pilocarpine and McN-A-343 are dependent on Rho-kinase for their maximal contractile effects, presumably as a consequence of differences in transductional reserve, indicating an agonist-dependent role for Rho-kinase in ASM contraction. Moreover, an inverse relationship exists between Rho-kinase dependency and both Ca2+-mobilization and Ca2+-influx for these agonists.

(4-(m-Chlorophenylcarbamoyloxy)-2-butynyl)trimethy↗

Inhibition of Ca-movement and mechanical movement in rabbit taenia coli by a smooth muscle relaxant (suloctidil).

A smooth muscle relaxant (suloctidil) relaxed a contractile response of taenia coli to acetylcholine and noncompetitively depressed a dose response curve of Cacl2 Ca-uptake by the microsomal fraction was inhibited by suloctidil. Its noncompetitive antiacetylcholine activity and inhibitory action on Ca-uptake were not influenced by an increase of external Ca-concentration. Ca-release from the Ca-incorporated microsomal fraction was not significantly influenced by suloctidil. These results suggest that suloctidil inhibit Ca-influx noncompetitively, thus inducing smooth muscle relaxation.

Animals↗

Actions downstream of cyclic GMP/protein kinase G can reverse protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation of CPI-17 and Ca²⁺ sensitization in smooth muscle.

Ca(2+) sensitivity of smooth muscle contraction is modulated by several systems converging on myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP). Rho-Rho kinase is considered to inhibit MLCP via phosphorylation, whereas protein kinase C (PKC) induced sensitization has been shown to be dependent on phosphorylation of the inhibitory protein CPI-17. We have explored the interaction of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) with Ca(2+) sensitization pathways using permeabilized mouse smooth muscle. Three conditions giving approximately 50% of maximal active force were compared in small intestinal preparations: 1). Ca(2+)-activated unsensitized muscle (pCa 5.9 with Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632); 2). Rho-Rho kinase-sensitized muscle (pCa 6.1 with guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate); and 3). PKC-sensitized muscle (pCa 6.0 with Y27632 and PKC activator phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate). 8-Br-cGMP relaxed the sensitized muscles but had marginal effects on unsensitized preparations, showing that PKG reverses both PKC and Rho-mediated Ca(2+) sensitization. CPI-17 was present in permeabilized intestinal tissue. In PKC-sensitized preparations, CPI-17 phosphorylation decreased in response to 8-Br-cGMP. The rate of PKC-mediated phosphorylation in the presence of the MLCP inhibitor microcystin-LR was not influenced by 8-Br-cGMP. PKC-induced Ca(2+) sensitization also was reversed in vascular smooth muscle tissues (portal vein and femoral artery). We conclude that actions downstream of cGMP/PKG can reverse PKC-mediated phosphorylation of CPI-17 and Ca(2+) sensitization in smooth muscle.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Purification and characterization of smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase.

Smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase was purified from turkey gizzards. The enzyme was extracted from washed myofibrils and the final step of purification was affinity chromatography using calmodulin coupled to Sepharose 4B. The purified enzyme was characterized with respect to its physical, chemical, and kinetic properties. It has a molecular weight of 130,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and 124,000 by sedimentation equilibrium centrifugation under nondenaturing conditions. It is an asymmetric molecule with a Stokes radius of 75 A, a sedimentation coefficient of 4.45 S, and a frictional coefficient of 1.85. Smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase is dependent on the calcium-binding protein calmodulin for activity. It has an apparent K0.5 for calmodulin of 10(-9) M and binds 1 mol of calmodulin/mol of myosin kinase in the presence of calcium. The binding of calmodulin increases the sedimentation coefficient from 4.45 S to 5.05 S, and the Stokes radius from 75 A to 79 A, and does not alter the frictional coefficient. The enzyme has a Km for ATP and the 20,000-dalton light chain of smooth muscle myosin of 50 microM and 5 microM, respectively. It phosphorylates the 20,000-dalton light chain of smooth muscle myosin more rapidly than the equivalent light chain from cardiac and skeletal muscles. It does not phosphorylate histones, alpha-casein, phosphorylase kinase, or phosphorylase b at a significant rate.

Amino Acids↗

Alpha(1)-adrenoceptors (alpha(1)-AR) and vascular smooth muscle cell growth.

BACKGROUND: Smooth muscle cells in vascular tissue, like tissue within the urogenital sinus, undergo growth and proliferation. METHODS: This review attempts to compare and contrast the mechanisms and controlling factors involved in prostatic and vascular tissue. There is a particular focus on the role of catecholamines and alpha-adrenoceptors (alpha-ARs), and on the effects of alpha(1)-AR antagonists (blockers) on cellular dynamics. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The situation in vascular tissue appears analagous to that in prostatic tissue. Certain AR-antagonists, in addition to altering smooth muscle contraction, may have other actions on cellular dynamics.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

Interleukin-1beta-induced, nitric oxide-dependent and -independent inhibition of vascular smooth muscle contraction.

Stimulation of vascular smooth muscle by bacterial lipopolysaccharide has been shown to produce interleukin-1beta and to induce vasodilation in septic shock. To understand the mechanisms of interleukin-1beta-induced relaxation, we examined the effects of interleukin-1beta on contractility and cyclic GMP contents of vascular smooth muscle. After treatment of the rat aorta with interleukin-1beta (20 ng/ml) for 6 h, the cyclic GMP content increased and the contraction induced by phenylephrine (1 microM) was partially inhibited. An inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA, 100 microM), prevented the inhibitory effect of interleukin-1beta. After treatment with interleukin-1beta for 24 h, the phenylephrine-induced contraction was inhibited more strongly. Neither L-NMMA (100 microM) nor aminoguanidine (100 microM) reversed the inhibition, whereas methylene blue (10 microM) partially reversed the inhibition. After treatment with interleukin-1beta for 12 or 24 h, the cyclic GMP content increased but to a level lower than that obtained with a 6-h treatment. The effects of sodium nitroprusside (1 microM) to inhibit the phenylephrine-induced contraction and to increase the cyclic GMP content were markedly suppressed by the 24-h interleukin-1beta treatment. In contrast, the 24-h interleukin-1beta treatment did not change the ability of 8-bromo-cGMP to relax the phenylephrine-stimulated aorta. Addition of L-NMMA (1 mM) during the 24 h treatment prevented NO production and preserved the sodium nitroprusside-induced cGMP generation by interleukin-1beta. The 24 h interleukin-1beta treatment increased the threshold concentration of KCl needed to induce contraction without changing the maximum contraction. In the presence of 25.4 mM KCl or the non-selective K+ channel inhibitor, tetraethylammonium, the inhibitory effect of the 24-h interleukin-1beta treatment on phenylephrine-induced contraction was restored. These results suggest that interleukin-1beta inhibits vascular smooth muscle contraction by a time-dependent, dual mechanism. After a 6-h treatment with interleukin-1beta, the NO/cyclic GMP system is activated. After a 24-h interleukin-1beta treatment, in contrast, the NO/cyclic GMP system may be desensitized and the contraction of vascular smooth muscle is inhibited by another mechanism, possibly membrane hyperpolarization.

Animals↗

Endoscopic features of smooth muscle tumors in children with AIDS.

BACKGROUND: Smooth muscle tumors are the second most common malignancy encountered in children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This study reviewed the incidence and endoscopic appearance of smooth muscle tumors in the gastrointestinal tract of children with AIDS undergoing endoscopy. METHODS: Retrospective review of all endoscopic records (n = 70) of children with AIDS from August 1988 to December 1997 at a tertiary care inner city hospital. RESULTS: Three children with advanced AIDS (4%) were found to have smooth muscle tumors, all of which had the typical appearance of submucosal nodules with central ulceration. Some were hemorrhagic. They measured less than 1 to 4 cm in diameter. Two children had multiple tumors. All lesions except for one were located in the colon. Colonic biopsies revealed a leiomyoma in one patient and a smooth muscle tumor of uncertain malignant potential in another. The forceps biopsy of the single gastric mass was not deep enough to make the diagnosis of a smooth muscle tumor. A nonmalignant smooth muscle tumor grew from less than 5 mm to more than 4 cm in 1 year and was removed surgically. All three children are alive without any evidence of local spread or distant metastases despite no specific therapy for the smooth muscle tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Smooth muscle tumors in the GI tract of children with AIDS are relatively common. Further study of the long-term outcome for children infected with the human immunodeficiency virus who have these lesions are needed to establish prognosis and management guidelines.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

In vitro immune aggression against rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells.

Rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells cultivated with certain antisera underwent growth changes and necrosis. These cytotoxic antisera were obtained by immunizing rabbits against rat aorta, human or pig aortic glycoproteins, human serum glycoproteins and E. coli lipopolysaccharide. These different antigens share some biochemical characteristics, and contain four main amino acid residues (Glu, Ala, Asp, Gly) and four sugars (mannose, galactose, glucose, N-acetyl glucosamine). The cytolytic properties of these antisera, however, probably correspond to structural analogies, since although ovalbumin is a glycoprotein, anti-ovalbumin antiserum was not cytotoxic. Antibody cytotoxicity against rabbit arterial smooth muscle cells may depend on the biochemical structure of the antigen used to produce antiserum.

Animals↗

Killing effect of coexpressing cytosine deaminase and thymidine kinase on rat vascular smooth muscle cells.

BACKGROUND: Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation following arterial injury plays a critical role in a variety of vascular proliferative disorders, such as atherosclerosis and restenosis after balloon angioplasty. Herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase (HSV-TK)/ganciclovir (GCV) and E. coli cytosine deaminase (CD)/5-fluorocytosine (5-Fc) suicide gene systems have been successfully employed in cardiovascular gene therapy, respectively. We reasoned that coexpression of both HSV-TK with CD suicide genes would lead to increased cell killing. To test this imagine, the adenoviral vectors expressing TK and/or CD genes were developed and tested on vascular smooth muscle cells. METHODS: Adenoviral vectors, including Ad-EF1alpha-CD-cytomegalovirus (CMV)-TK coexpressing both CD and TK double suicide genes, Ad-EF1alpha-CD and Ad-CMV-TK expressing CD and TK respectively, and control vector Ad-CMV-LacZ, were constructed and prepared with homologous recombination in RecA + E. coli cells. Integration and expression of CD and/or TK gene were identified by PCR and Western blot. Primary cultured VSMCs were infected at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 20 with exposure to their matching prodrugs 5-Fc and GCV. Cell mortality was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assays. Flow cytometry analysis was used to detect cell death. Apoptotic cells were analyzed using Hoechst 33342 fluorescence dye as a DNA probe. Genomic DNA cleavage of apoptotic VSMCs was tested by agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: Recombinant adenovirus expressing CD and/or TK suicide genes were successfully constructed. Both single and double suicide genes could be integrated into adenoviral genome and expressed. Cytotoxic effects of Ad-EF1alpha-CD-CMV-TK double suicide genes combined with 5-Fc and GCV were higher than those of Ad-CMV-TK and Ad-EF1alpha-CD single gene groups. The rate of cell survival was only (9 +/- 3)% in the Ad-EF1alpha-CD-CMV-TK group, but (37 +/- 3)% in the Ad-CMV-TK and (46 +/- 4)% in the Ad-EF1alpha-CD groups (P < 0.05). Flow cytometry analysis indicated that the killing mechanisms of the groups were different. Necrosis and apoptosis were involved in the mechanism of the double gene group. Based on the DNA stainability with Hoechst 33342, the apoptotic rates of VSMCs in the Ad-EF1alpha-CD-CMV-TK [(11.0 +/- 2.1)%] and Ad-CMV-TK [(12.0 +/- 2.2)%] groups were higher than those in Ad-CMV-LacZ [(1.2 +/- 0.11)%] and Ad-EF1alpha-CD [(5.0 +/- 1.8)%] groups (P < 0.05, respectively). DNA smear could be observed in both Ad-CMV-TK and Ad-EF1alpha-CD-CMV-TK groups after administration of prodrugs. CONCLUSIONS: The killing effect on rat VSMCs mediated by adenoviral CD/TK double suicide genes is superior to that of single suicide gene. The killing mechanism of recombinant adenovirus coexpressing CD/TK double suicide genes is mainly through cytotoxic effect and apoptosis.

Adenoviridae↗

Evidence for a functional role of endogenously produced somatomedinlike peptides in the regulation of DNA synthesis in cultured human fibroblasts and porcine smooth muscle cells.

Cultured porcine aortic smooth muscle cells and human fibroblasts produce somatomedinlike peptides and secrete them into the surrounding microenvironment. This production has been linked to their ability to replicate. The objective of this study was to determine if a specific anti-somatomedin-C (Sm-C) monoclonal antibody that binds the somatomedinlike peptides could inhibit replication by porcine aortic smooth muscle cells and human fibroblasts. To determine if the antibody could inhibit the effect of endogenously produced somatomedinlike peptide, increasing concentrations of antibody were co-incubated with platelet-derived growth factor, a known stimulant of somatomedinlike peptide secretion, and Sm-C-deficient platelet-poor plasma. Addition of the antibody reduced fibroblast [3H]thymidine incorporation from 35,100 +/- 500 to 10,600 +/- 700 cpm (P less than 0.001), and in smooth muscle cells from 29,600 +/- 1,800 to 10,800 +/- 1,100 cpm (P less than 0.001). Co-incubation of exogenously added Sm-C (20 ng/ml) with maximally inhibitory dilutions of antibody increased [3H]thymidine incorporation in fibroblasts from 7,800 +/- 1,000 to 18,900 +/- 800 cpm (P less than 0.01), and in smooth muscle cells from 9,800 +/- 1,200 to 17,200 +/- 1,100 cpm (P less than 0.01). Insulin, which can substitute for Sm-C as a mitogen and does not bind to the antibody, stimulated DNA synthesis when co-incubated with the antibody, thereby excluding the possibility of nonspecific cytotoxicity. These results strengthen the hypothesis that the rate of DNA synthesis of these two cell types in vitro is directly linked to their capacity to produce somatomedinlike peptides. They further support the cellular production of somatomedinlike peptides as examples of the autocrine model of growth regulation.

Animals↗