Conclusion
PDSS2 was downregulated in AAA and retarded the progression of VSMCs partially through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. This work explored the molecular mechanism of PDSS2 in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of AAA.
Material and methods
The AAA cell model was established by treating VSMCs with 1 μM Ang II for 24 h. The effect of Ang II on VSMC viability was detected by cell counting kit-8 assay. The role of PDSS2 on VSMC proliferation was examined using the 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine method. The influence of Ang II and PDSS2 on VSMC apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression changes of PDSS2, apoptosis-related proteins, and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B/mechanistic target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway-related proteins were detected by Western blot analysis.
Methods
The AAA cell model was established by treating VSMCs with 1 μM Ang II for 24 h. The effect of Ang II on VSMC viability was detected by cell counting kit-8 assay. The role of PDSS2 on VSMC proliferation was examined using the 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine method. The influence of Ang II and PDSS2 on VSMC apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression changes of PDSS2, apoptosis-related proteins, and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B/mechanistic target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway-related proteins were detected by Western blot analysis.
Objective
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a complex and fatal vascular disease for which specific treatments are still lacking. This study explored the effect and possible mechanisms of prenyl diphosphate synthase subunit 2 (PDSS2) on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced AAA in human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Material and
Results
After treatment with Ang II, the VSMCs showed decreased viability and increased apoptosis (P < 0.01). PDSS2 expression was low in the AAA tissues and Ang II-treated VSMCs (P < 0.01). PDSS2 promoted the proliferation and blocked the apoptosis of Ang II-treated VSMCs, and si-PDSS2 showed the opposite effect (P < 0.01). PDSS2 also decreased the levels of p-mTOR, p-AKT, and p-PI3K, which, in turn, were increased by si-PDSS2 (P < 0.01).