High-mobility group protein A1 (HMGA1), an architectural transcription factor, was found to regulate multiple gene expression in mammals. Recent studies firmly indicate an association between HMGA1 and type 2 diabetes. However, the presence and function of HMGA1 in diabetic vasculopathy has not been substantiated. in this study, we first determined the HMGA1 changes in aorta tissue of diabetic rats. In streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, a higher level of blood glucose and plasma lipids, an increase of intima-media thickness, and a significant upregulation and accumulation of HMGA1, mainly in the nucleus and around the nuclear membrane of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), were detected. In vitro, high glucose increased HMGA1 expression and promoted proliferation of VSMCs, which could be blunted by Wortmannin and LY294002, inhibitors of PI3K/Akt pathway, and specificity protein 1 (SP1) siRNA. Moreover, knockdown of HMGA1 could weaken the upregulation of cyclin D1 accompanied by high-glucose-induced HMGA1 in VSMCs. Taken together, these findings demonstrate the vital role of PI3K/Akt-SP1-HMGA1 pathway in high-glucose-induced VSMCs proliferation.
Keywords: HMGA1; diabetes mellitus; high glucose; vascular smooth muscle cell.