Distinct molecular profiles in human aortic smooth muscle cells under cyclic stretch and hydrostatic pressure

Vascular smooth muscle cells are constantly subjected to cyclic stretch and hydrostatic pressure in vivo, yet the molecular responses to these stimuli remain incompletely understood. We performed transcriptome and secretome analyses to characterize the responses of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) to cyclic stretch (10%; S10) or cyclic hydrostatic pressure corresponding to normotensive (120/60 mmHg; P120) or hypertensive (180/120 mmHg; P180) conditions. Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering revealed distinct transcriptomic and secretomic profiles in P180 compared with S10 and P120. P180 also exhibited the largest number of differentially expressed genes, including several not previously linked to mechanical stress. Among these, vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor 1 (VIPR1), a regulator of vascular tone, was markedly upregulated. These distinct expression profiles induced by hypertensive hydrostatic pressure may provide insight into physiological and pathological responses in HASMCs.