ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the molecular mechanism of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 ( DPP4) in the calcification of human vascular smooth muscle cells(HVSMCs). Methods The osteogenic differentiation of HVSMCs was induced by 200 ng/ ml DPP4 as calcification model. The differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) between DPP4 group and control group were analyzed by microarray, and the microarray results of LincRNA ENST00000540293 were validated by real-time PCR. After HVSMCs were incubated with LincRNA ENST00000540293 silencing positive reagent for 48 h, the expressions of calcification-related proteins osteoprotegerin (OPG) and bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP-2) were detected by Western blotting and the formation of calcified nodules was observed by Alizarin red staining. Results The protein expressions of OPG and BMP-2 in HVSMCs were significantly increased after DPP4 intervention (P <0.05), with the increased formation of calcified nodules. RTqPCR showed that LincRNA ENST00000540293 expression was significantly decreased in DPP4 group as compared with the control group(P<0.05). The expressions of calcification-related proteins OPG and BMP-2 were significantly increased after LincRNA ENST00000540293 silence(P<0.05). Conclusion DPP4 may promote the calcification of HVSMC through inhibiting LincRNA ENST00000540293 expression.