Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 20, 2026

Isolation of Murine Coronary Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Published on: May 30, 2016
Cilostazol inhibits hyperglucose-induced vascular smooth muscle cell dysfunction by modulating the RAGE/ERK/NF-κB
Sheng-Chiang Su1,2, Yi-Jen Hung3,4,5, Chia-Luen Huang1,2
1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Background:
Increasing evidence suggests that high glucose (HG) causes abnormalities in endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cell function (VSMC) and contributes to atherosclerosis. Receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) has been linked to the pathogenesis of both the macrovascular and microvascular complications of diabetes. Cilostazol is used to treat diabetic vasculopathy by ameliorating HG-induced vascular dysfunction.
Objectives:
In this study, we investigated whether the cilostazol suppression of HG-induced VSMC dysfunction is through RAGE signaling and its possible regulation mechanism.
Method:
We investigated the effect of HG and cilostazol on RAGE signaling in A7r5 rat VSMCs. Aortic tissues of streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic mice were also collected.
Results:
Aortic tissue samples from the diabetic mice exhibited a significantly decreased RAGE expression after cilostazol treatment. HG increased RAGE, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expressions, and was accompanied with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), cell proliferation, adhesion and migration. Cilostazol significantly reversed HG-induced RAGE, ROS, downstream gene expressions and cell functions. RAGE knockdown significantly reversed the expressions of HG-induced vasculopathy related gene expressions and cell functions. Cilostazol with RAGE knockdown had additive effects on downstream ERK/NF-κB signaling pathways, gene expressions and cell functions of A7r5 rat VSMCs in HG culture.
Conclusions:
Both in vitro and in vivo experimental diabetes models showed novel signal transduction of cilostazol-mediated protection against HG-related VSMC dysfunction, and highlighted the involvement of RAGE signaling and downstream pathways.
Insights
Cilostazol protects against high glucose-induced vascular smooth muscle cell dysfunction by inhibiting Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-products (RAGE) signaling. This study reveals novel pathways for treating diabetic vasculopathy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Vascular biology
- Diabetology
Background:
- High glucose (HG) contributes to atherosclerosis by impairing endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) function.
- Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-products (RAGE) is implicated in diabetic macrovascular and microvascular complications.
- Cilostazol is a therapeutic agent for diabetic vasculopathy, known to improve HG-induced vascular dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if cilostazol's protective effects against HG-induced VSMC dysfunction involve RAGE signaling.
- To explore the regulatory mechanisms of RAGE signaling in this context.
Main Methods:
- Investigated the impact of HG and cilostazol on RAGE signaling in A7r5 rat VSMCs.
- Analyzed aortic tissues from streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice.
- Utilized RAGE knockdown to assess its role in HG-induced VSMC dysfunction.
Main Results:
- Diabetic mouse aortas showed reduced RAGE expression after cilostazol treatment.
- HG upregulated RAGE, FAK, MMP-2, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and ROS, promoting VSMC proliferation, adhesion, and migration.
- Cilostazol reversed HG-induced changes in RAGE, ROS, gene expression, and cell functions.
- RAGE knockdown mimicked cilostazol's effects, and combined treatment showed additive benefits on ERK/NF-κB pathways.
Conclusions:
- Cilostazol offers protection against HG-related VSMC dysfunction through novel signal transduction pathways.
- The study highlights the critical involvement of RAGE signaling and downstream pathways in cilostazol's therapeutic action in experimental diabetes models.
Related Concept Videos
08:24Isolation of Murine Coronary Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
07:56Isolation of Intrapulmonary Artery and Smooth Muscle Cells to Investigate Vascular Responses
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The...
07:17Measuring Proliferation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Using Click Chemistry
08:43Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation
12:00Extraction and Purification of Polyphenols from Freeze-dried Berry Powder for the Treatment of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells In Vitro

