JAK-STAT signaling pathway in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells is activated by hypoxia

Pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMC) were divided into a normoxic group (N), 2, 8 and 12 h hypoxic groups (H2, H8 and H12) and an AG490 plus 8 h hypoxic group (AG490). The expression of JAK1, JAK2, JAK3 and TYK2 mRNA was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). STAT1 and STAT3 protein expressions were determined by Western blotting. The results showed that the levels of JAK1, JAK2 and JAK3 mRNA did not change significantly in the N group but were increased after 2 h exposure to hypoxia. JAK1, JAK2 and JAK3 mRNA expressions peaked at 8 h. It decreased at 12 h but remained above those in the N group. TYK2 mRNA was not found in either hypoxic or normal PASMC. The phospho-STAT1 and -STAT3 protein levels increased after 2 h exposure to hypoxia. They were about 2.8 and 4.1 times the N group, respectively, after 8 h. They decreased at 12 h but remained above those in the N group. AG490 inhibited phospho-STAT3 protein expression by about 25.5% at 8 h but did not block the expression of phospho-STAT1 protein. These findings suggest that hypoxia induces the expression of JAK1, JAK2, JAK3 and phospho-STAT1 and -STAT3 in PASMC. Hypoxia activates the JAKs-STATs signaling pathway, which may participate in the pathogenesis of hypoxic PASMC injury.