Objective: To discuss the role of sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway in PDGF-induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.
Method: Human vein VSMC were cultured in vitro. Laser confocal microscopy and Western blot were used to detect the expression of SHH pathway related proteins. The cell proliferation was evaluated by Ki-67 staining and BrdU incorporation after treatment by siRNA of Gli2 or shh pathway inhibitor cyclopamine.
Results: The results of laser confocal microscopy and Western blot showed that SHH pathway protein which including shh, Patched1 and Gli2 were activated in the PDGF-induced VSMC proliferation.BrdU incorporation assay and Ki-67 staining showed that the cell proliferation which induced by PDGF was inhibited by Gli2-siRNA and cyclopamine which can both block SHH pathway.
Conclusion: SHH pathway play an important role in PDGF-induced VSMC proliferation.