Objective: To explore the effect of neuregulin-1 (NRG1) on proliferation and migration of human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMCs).
Methods: HCASMCs were cultured in vitro. The expressions of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (ErbB2), ErbB3 and ErbB4 and the phosphorylation of these receptors in HCASMCs were detected by Western blotting. The proliferation of HCASMCs treated with different concentrations of NRG1 was examined by MTT assay, and the migration ability of HCASMCs treated with different concentrations of NRG1 was tested by Transwell(TM) assay.
Results: ErbB2, ErbB3 and ErbB4 were expressed in HCASMCs. Compared with the control group, the phosphorylation levels of three receptors increased significantly in NRG1 treatment groups. The proliferation and migration abilities of HCASMCs treated with different concentrations of NRG1 were different, and 10 ng/mL NRG1 markedly promoted the proliferation and migration of HCASMCs.
Conclusion: NRG1 can promote the proliferation and migration of HCASMCs by enhancing the phosphorylation of ErbB2, ErbB3 and ErbB4, suggesting NRG1 may have promoting effect on the angiogenesis of HCASMCs.