Effects of 17β-estrogen on expressions of C-reactive protein and its mRNA of vascular smooth muscle cells in rats / 浙江大学学报·医学版

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of 17β-estrogen on expressions of C-reactive protein (CRP) and its mRNA in vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunocytochemistry was used to detect CRP level in normal VSMCs. The expressions of C-reactive protein and p-ERK1/2 in Ang-II-stimulated VSMCs were evaluated with Western blot. C-reactive protein mRNA was examined with RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>17β-estrogen had no effect on cell morphology and C-reactive protein expression in normal VSMCs; however, C-reactive protein and mRNA, as well as p-ERK1/2 were decreased in Ang-II-stimulated VSMCs after 17β-estrogen treatment in a concentration-dependent manner.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>17β-estrogen may inhibit the expression of C-reactive protein and its mRNA in Ang-II-stimulated VSMCs via ERK1/2 signal transduction pathway in a concentration-dependent way.</p>