Cannabinoid CB1 receptor inhibition decreases vascular smooth muscle migration and proliferation

Mohanraj Rajesh, Partha Mukhopadhyay, György Haskó, Pál Pacher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

55 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Vascular smooth muscle proliferation and migration triggered by inflammatory stimuli and chemoattractants such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) are key events in the development and progression of atherosclerosis and restenosis. Cannabinoids may modulate cell proliferation and migration in various cell types through cannabinoid receptors. Here we investigated the effects of CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant (SR141716A), which has recently been shown to have anti-atherosclerotic effects both in mice and humans, on PDGF-induced proliferation, migration, and signal transduction of human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMCs). PDGF induced Ras and ERK 1/2 activation, while increasing proliferation and migration of HCASMCs, which were dose dependently attenuated by CB1 antagonist, rimonabant. These findings suggest that in addition to improving plasma lipid alterations and decreasing inflammatory cell migration and inflammatory response, CB1 antagonists may exert beneficial effects in atherosclerosis and restenosis by decreasing vascular smooth muscle proliferation and migration.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1248-1252
Number of pages5
JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Volume377
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 26 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Atherosclerosis
  • Cannabinoid receptors
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Migration
  • Proliferation
  • Restenosis
  • Rimonabant
  • Vascular smooth muscle

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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