Mechanism of action of Profilin-1 and Fibulin-3 in vascular remodeling in hypertensive rats

J.-M. Chen, R.-R. Guo, Y. Gao, C.-X. Wang, P.-N. Yuan

Department of Cardiology (Ward II), Yan’an University Affiliated Hospital, Yan’an, P.R. China. 120895142@qq.com

---

• Cardiology

OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to investigate the expressions of Fibulin-3 and Profilin-1 in vascular remodeling and the relationship between the two factors and vascular remodeling in hypertensive rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: 45 spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and 15 healthy Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were collected. The 45 SHR were randomly divided into group A, group B, and group C. Group A was injected with Profilin-1 overexpression of adenoviral vector of pAd-Profilin-1-RES-EGFP; group B was injected with recombinant Fibulin3 protein solution; and group C was injected with normal saline. The rats in the control group were normally raised. All rats were anesthetized and dissected, and the thoracic aorta of rats was taken out at T0 (8 weeks old), T1 (12 weeks old), T2 (16 weeks old). The expressions of Fibulin-3 and Profilin-1 protein in the thoracic aorta were analyzed by Western blot. The overexpression of Profilin-1 and Fibulin-3 protein, blood pressure, and body weight were compared.
RESULTS: The expression level and systolic blood pressure of Profilin-1 protein of rats in group A were significantly higher than those in the other two groups (p<0.05). The expression level of Fibulin-3 protein of rats in group B at T2 was significantly higher than that in the other two groups (p<0.05). The thickness of vascular wall in the control group and group C at T1 and T2 was significantly lower than that of group A and group B. The vascular wall/cavity ratio of rats in group A, B, C was significantly higher than that in the control group at T1 and T2 (p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: The changes in Profilin-1 and Fibulin-3 levels may affect the occurrence and development of vascular remodeling in hypertension. Therefore, Profilin-1 and Fibulin-3 can be used as sensitive detection indices for hypertension vascular remodeling.

Free PDF Download