Open AccessSp1 Plays an Important Role in Vascular Calcification Both In Vivo and In Vitro
Author(s) -
Zhang Xinyu,
Li Rui,
Qin Xiaoteng,
Wang Lei,
Xiao Jie,
Song Yu,
Sheng Xi,
Guo Mengqi,
Ji Xiaoping
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of the american heart association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.494
H-Index - 85
ISSN - 2047-9980
DOI - 10.1161/jaha.117.007555
Subject(s) - vascular smooth muscle , medicine , transactivation , calcification , gene silencing , apoptosis , angiogenesis , gene knockdown , cancer research , endocrinology , microbiology and biotechnology , transcription factor , biology , gene , biochemistry , smooth muscle
Background Vascular calcification and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are closely related in patients with end‐stage renal disease and diabetes mellitus. Specific protein 1 (Sp1) is a transactivation molecule that plays a crucial role in the regulation of apoptosis, fibrosis, angiogenesis, and other pathological disorders. There is evidence that specific protein 1 (Sp1) directly stimulates the transcription of bone morphogenetic protein 2 ( BMP 2) and that BMP 2 plays a key role in the calcification process in the BMP 2–expressing F9 cell model system. Here, we investigated whether Sp1 plays an important role in vascular calcification and its potential regulatory mechanism in vascular calcification. Methods and Results In this study, vascular calcification was induced in male Wistar rats by administration of nicotine (25 mg/kg) and vitamin D3 (300 000 IU/kg). These rats were randomly selected for treatment with adenovirus harboring Sp1 knockdown gene or empty virus. The mechanism of Sp1 in vascular smooth muscle cells cultured in high phosphate medium was studied. Based on our findings, the Sp1 gene silencing or inhibition improved calcium deposition, which was partly achieved by inhibiting phenotype switch, apoptosis, and matrix vesicle release of vascular smooth muscle cells. Moreover, Sp1 can activate BMP 2 transcription by binding to the Sp1‐binding element of the BMP 2 promoter. Conclusions Overall, elevated Sp1 exerts a pro‐apoptotic effect, promoting BMP 2 transcription and further accumulating vascular calcification. Proper and timely regulation of Sp1 expression may be a potential strategy for treatment of aging, end‐stage renal disease, and diabetic‐related macrovascular disease treatment.