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Increased potassium concentration inhibits stimulation of vascular smooth muscle proliferation by PDGF-BB and bFGF

G Ma1, J L Mamaril, D B Young

  • 1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson 39216-4505, USA. mag@gwgate.nhlbi.nih.gov

American Journal of Hypertension
|October 21, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Elevated extracellular potassium concentration significantly inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and DNA synthesis. This finding highlights potassium

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Cellular Physiology
  • Molecular Medicine

Background:

  • Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are crucial for regulating blood vessel tone and structure.
  • Cytokines and serum growth factors stimulate VSMC proliferation, a key process in vascular diseases.
  • Extracellular potassium concentration is a critical physiological parameter influencing cell function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the in vitro effects of varying extracellular potassium concentrations on VSMC proliferation.
  • To determine the impact of physiological potassium levels on DNA synthesis stimulated by specific growth factors and serum.

Main Methods:

  • Primary swine coronary artery VSMCs were cultured in DMEM with varying potassium concentrations (3-6 mmol/L).
  • Cells were stimulated with platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), or fetal bovine serum (FBS).
  • DNA synthesis was assessed using [methyl-3H] thymidine incorporation, and proliferation was quantified over 7 days.

Main Results:

  • A significant inverse relationship was observed between potassium concentration and [methyl-3H] thymidine incorporation stimulated by PDGF-BB, bFGF, and FBS (P < .01).
  • VSMC proliferation also showed a highly significant inverse correlation with increasing potassium levels (P < .01).
  • These effects were evident within the physiological range of extracellular potassium.

Conclusions:

  • Physiological elevation of extracellular potassium concentration inhibits VSMC DNA synthesis and proliferation.
  • Potassium may play a regulatory role in processes involving VSMC growth, such as atherosclerosis and hypertension.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise molecular mechanisms underlying potassium's inhibitory effects on VSMC proliferation.

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