Viscolin Inhibits In Vitro Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Migration and Neointimal Hyperplasia In Vivo

PLoS One. 2016 Dec 15;11(12):e0168092. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168092. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Viscolin, an extract of Viscum coloratum, has anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties against harmful stimuli. The aim of the study was to examine the anti-proliferative effects of viscolin on platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF)-treated human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) and identify the underlying mechanism responsible for these effects. Viscolin reduced the PDGF-BB-induced HASMC proliferation and migration in vitro; it also arrested HASMCs in the G0/G1 phase by decreasing the protein expression of Cyclin D1, CDK2, Cyclin E, CDK4, and p21Cip1 as detected by Western blot analysis. These effects may be mediated by reduced PDGF-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and P38, but not AKT as well as inhibition of PDGF-mediated nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 and activator protein 1 (AP-1)/c-fos activation. Furthermore, viscolin pre-treatment significantly reduced neointimal hyperplasia of an endothelial-denuded femoral artery in vivo. Taken together, viscolin attenuated PDGF-BB-induced HASMC proliferation in vitro and reduced neointimal hyperplasia in vivo. Thus, viscolin may represent a therapeutic candidate for the prevention and treatment of vascular proliferative diseases.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biphenyl Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Biphenyl Compounds / therapeutic use*
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Cycle / genetics
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Humans
  • Hyperplasia / drug therapy*
  • Hyperplasia / metabolism
  • Immunoblotting
  • In Situ Nick-End Labeling
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / cytology*
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / drug effects*
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / metabolism
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Neointima / drug therapy*
  • Neointima / metabolism
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / pharmacology
  • Propane / analogs & derivatives*
  • Propane / pharmacology
  • Propane / therapeutic use
  • Transcription Factor AP-1 / metabolism

Substances

  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • NF-kappa B
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor
  • Transcription Factor AP-1
  • viscolin
  • Propane

Grants and funding

This work was supported by grants from the National Science Council.