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Updated: May 27, 2026
Isolation of Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells from Neonatal Mice
Published on: October 19, 2013
[Puerarin induced apoptosis of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell by mitochondrial pathway]
Xiaodan Zhang1, Fenghua Zhao, Xiumei Zhang
1Haerbin University of Commerce, Haerbin 150076, China.
Objective:
To investigate the contribution of mitochondrial pathway in the apoptosis induced by puerarin (PUE) in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells.
Method:
Cultured rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC) were intervened by high, middle and low dose of puerarin (1.5 x 10(-3), 1.5 x 10(-4), 1.5 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1)). The change of mitochondrial membrane potential was observed. Western blot detected the expression of apoptosis-related gene Caspase-9, Bax and Bcl-2 protein.
Result:
Compared with the control group, mitochondrial membrane potential significantly decreased in puerarin groups. Puerarin can enhance the expression of Caspase-9 and Bax protein, decrease the expression of Bcl-2 protein. Puerarin also has a concentration-dependent on the induction of PASMC.
Conclusion:
Puerarin can induce PASMC apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway.
Insights
Puerarin induces apoptosis in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC) by affecting the mitochondrial pathway. This study reveals puerarin
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Pharmacology
- Mitochondrial research
Context:
- Pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC) play a critical role in regulating vascular tone.
- Apoptosis of PASMC is implicated in various cardiovascular diseases.
- Puerarin is a natural compound with potential therapeutic applications.
Purpose:
- To elucidate the role of the mitochondrial pathway in puerarin-induced apoptosis of PASMC.
- To investigate the effects of puerarin on mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis-related proteins (Caspase-9, Bax, Bcl-2) in PASMC.
Summary:
- Puerarin treatment significantly decreased mitochondrial membrane potential in PASMC.
- Puerarin enhanced the expression of Caspase-9 and Bax, while decreasing Bcl-2 expression in a dose-dependent manner.
- These findings indicate that puerarin induces PASMC apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway.
Impact:
- Provides mechanistic insights into the action of puerarin.
- Highlights the potential of puerarin as a therapeutic agent targeting PASMC apoptosis.
- Contributes to understanding the mitochondrial regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell fate.
