Poldip2 knockdown inhibits vascular smooth muscle proliferation and neointima formation by regulating the expression of PCNA and p21

Lab Invest. 2019 Mar;99(3):387-398. doi: 10.1038/s41374-018-0103-y. Epub 2018 Sep 20.

Abstract

Polymerase delta-interacting protein 2 (Poldip2) is a multi-functional protein with numerous roles in the vasculature, including the regulation of cell apoptosis and migration, as well as extracellular matrix deposition; however, its role in VSMC proliferation and neointimal formation is unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of Poldip2 in intraluminal wire-injury induced neointima formation and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro and in vivo. Poldip2 expression was observed in the intima and media of human atherosclerotic arteries, where it colocalized with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Wire injury of femoral arteries of Poldip2+/+ mice induced robust neointimal formation after 2 weeks, which was impaired in Poldip2+/‒ mice. PCNA expression was significantly reduced and expression of the cell cycle inhibitor p21 was significantly increased in wire-injured arteries of Poldip2+/‒ animals compared to wild-type controls. No difference was observed in apoptosis. Downregulation of Poldip2 in rat aortic smooth muscle cells significantly reduced serum-induced proliferation and PCNA expression, but upregulated p21 expression. Downregulation of p21 using siRNA reversed the inhibition of proliferation induced by knockdown of Poldip2. These results indicate that Poldip2 plays a critical role in the proliferation of VSMCs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Atherosclerosis / genetics
  • Atherosclerosis / metabolism
  • Atherosclerosis / pathology
  • Carrier Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / physiology*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 / metabolism*
  • Down-Regulation
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / deficiency*
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / genetics
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / metabolism
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / metabolism*
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / pathology*
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / metabolism
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / pathology
  • Neointima / metabolism*
  • Neointima / pathology
  • Neointima / prevention & control
  • Nuclear Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Nuclear Proteins / deficiency*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / metabolism*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Rats
  • Superoxides / metabolism

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • POLDIP2 protein, human
  • Poldip2 protein, rat
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • mitogenin 1 protein, mouse
  • Superoxides