ABSTRACT
Myofibrillogenesis regulator-1 (MR-1) is a novel protein involved in cellular proliferation, migration, inflammatory reaction and signal transduction. However, little information is available on the relationship between MR-1 expression and the progression of atherosclerosis. Here we report atheroprotective effects of silencing MR-1 in a model of Ang II-accelerated atherosclerosis, characterized by suppression focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, and atherosclerotic lesion macrophage content. In this model, administration of the siRNA-MR-1 substantially attenuated Ang II-accelerated atherosclerosis with stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques and inhibited FAK, Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and NF-kB activation, which was associated with suppression of inflammatory factor and atherogenic gene expression in the artery. In vitro studies demonstrated similar changes in Ang II-treated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and macrophages: siRNA-MR-1 inhibited the expression levels of proinflammatory factor. These studies uncover crucial proinflammatory mechanisms of Ang II and highlight actions of silencing MR-1 to inhibit Ang II signaling, which is atheroprotective.
Subject(s)
Animals , Mice , Angiotensin II , Angiotensins , Arteries , Atherosclerosis , Cell Proliferation , Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases , Gene Expression , In Vitro Techniques , Macrophages , Muscle Development , Muscle, Smooth, Vascular , NF-kappa B , Plaque, Atherosclerotic , RNA, Small Interfering , Signal Transduction , SirolimusABSTRACT
AIM: To prepare and purify the polyclonal antibodies against human myofibrillogenesis regulator 1 (hMR-1), then to characterize the purity, titer, specificity and the availability.METHODS: Two polypeptides named peptide 1 and 2 were synthesized based on the bioinformatics analysis of the sequence of hMR-1 by using software TMHMM and DNAStar, then coupled with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) for immunization. These peptides for immunization were mixed and injected into New Zealand rabbits to prepare antibodies specifically against hMR-1. ELISA assay was used to detect the titers of the antibodies. After purification by immunoaffinity chromatography, antibodies were identified by Western blotting and immunocytofluorescent assays. Applications of the antibodies on neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were also employed.RESULTS: (1)The titers of antibodies were 1:10~5. In WB assay, a specific 17kD band was detected, corresponding to the predicted molecular weight of hMR-1; the positive fluorescent signals were distinct. (2)On the neonatal rat cardiomyocytes model, we observed a peri-nucleus location. The fluorescent signal of hMR-1 overexpression group was much stronger than that in vector control and normal control groups.CONCLUSION: All these results indicate that the antibodies obtained from poly peptides mixture immunization have either human original or rat original antigens. The antibody is available for using in Western blotting or immunofluorescent assays.