Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Visualization and Quantification of TGFβ/BMP/SMAD Signaling under Different Fluid Shear Stress Conditions using Proximity-Ligation-Assay
Published on: September 14, 2021
[Effect of IGF-1 on PI3K/PTEN signal pathway in vascular smooth muscle cell]
Xing-li Wu1, Ding-you Yang, Zhong-su Yang
1Institute of Geriatric Cardiology, PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.
Aim:
To investigate the cellular signal transduction pathway of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation stimulated by insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1).
Methods:
Rabbit aortic VSMCs was cultured in 3 groups. Cell proliferating ability was determined by measuring cell number and mitochondrial dehydrogenase (MD) activity (MTT assay). Wortmannin (WT), the specific inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), was used to evaluate indirectly the possible involvement of PI3K. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of phosphatase PTEN. Diphosphate action of PTEN on its specific substrate diC16PIP3 was measured by green reagent method.
Results:
IGF-1 (100 microg/L) increased cell number and MD activity by 2.8-3.8 fold. WT markedly inhibited VSMC proliferation and completely abolished the above effects of IGF-1. IGF-1 inhibited PTEN activity in a concentration-(10-100 microg/L) and time--(3 min-24 h) dependent manner (P < 0.01).
Conclusion:
IGF-1 increases VSM proliferation by increasing PI3K activity and inhibiting PTEN activity.
Insights
Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) promotes vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation by activating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and inhibiting phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). This pathway is crucial for VSMC growth.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Signaling
- Cardiovascular Research
Context:
- Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation is implicated in cardiovascular diseases.
- Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a known mitogen for VSMCs.
- Understanding the underlying signaling pathways is critical for therapeutic development.
Purpose:
- To elucidate the cellular signal transduction pathway mediating IGF-1-induced VSMC proliferation.
- To investigate the roles of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and phosphatase PTEN in this process.
Summary:
- IGF-1 significantly increased VSMC proliferation, measured by cell number and mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity.
- Inhibition of PI3K with wortmannin blocked IGF-1-induced proliferation.
- IGF-1 dose- and time-dependently inhibited PTEN activity, suggesting its involvement in the signaling cascade.
Impact:
- This study reveals that IGF-1 promotes VSMC proliferation via PI3K activation and PTEN inhibition.
- Findings provide a molecular basis for IGF-1's role in vascular remodeling.
- Identifies potential therapeutic targets for conditions involving VSMC hyperplasia.
Related Concept Videos
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
IP3/DAG Signaling Pathway
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
