Connective tissue growth factor induces apoptosis via caspase 3 in cultured human aortic smooth muscle cells

K Hishikawa; T Nakaki; T Fujii

doi:10.1016/s0014-2999(00)00115-1

Connective tissue growth factor induces apoptosis via caspase 3 in cultured human aortic smooth muscle cells

Eur J Pharmacol. 2000 Mar 24;392(1-2):19-22. doi: 10.1016/s0014-2999(00)00115-1.

Authors

K Hishikawa¹, T Nakaki, T Fujii

Affiliation

¹ Department of Pharmacology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Kaga 2-11-1, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan. hisikawa@med.teikyo-u.ac.jp

PMID: 10748267
DOI: 10.1016/s0014-2999(00)00115-1

Abstract

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) stimulates proliferation of fibroblasts and endothelial cells, but nothing is known about its role in smooth muscle cells. In this study, the effects of recombinant human CTGF (r-hCTGF, 0.5-10 microgram/ml) on cultured human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells were investigated. r-hCTGF significantly reduced cell viability, increased apoptosis, and augmented caspase 3 activity. Moreover, r-hCTGF-induced apoptosis was significantly inhibited by an antibody to CTGF and a caspase-3 inhibitor, Z-Asp(Ome)-Glu-(Ome)Val-Asp(Ome)-FMK. These results suggest that r-hCTGF activates caspase 3 and induces apoptosis.

MeSH terms

Aorta / cytology
Aorta / drug effects
Apoptosis / drug effects*
Caspase 3
Caspases / physiology*
Cell Survival / drug effects
Cells, Cultured
Connective Tissue Growth Factor
DNA Fragmentation / drug effects
Growth Substances / pharmacology*
Humans
Immediate-Early Proteins / pharmacology*
In Situ Nick-End Labeling
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins*
Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / cytology
Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / drug effects*
Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology

Substances

CCN2 protein, human
Growth Substances
Immediate-Early Proteins
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
Recombinant Proteins
Connective Tissue Growth Factor
CASP3 protein, human
Caspase 3
Caspases