Open Access

Exosomal STAT1 derived from high phosphorus‑stimulated vascular endothelial cells induces vascular smooth muscle cell calcification via the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway

  • Authors:
    • Zheng Qin
    • Yupei Li
    • Jiameng Li
    • Luojia Jiang
    • Zhuyun Zhang
    • Kaixi Chang
    • Qinbo Yang
    • Shanshan Chen
    • Ruoxi Liao
    • Baihai Su
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: October 21, 2022     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2022.5195
  • Article Number: 139
  • Copyright: © Qin et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Vascular calcification is commonly observed in chronic kidney disease. The mechanism of how the calcification signal from endothelial cells is transmitted to vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether exosomes from HUVECs (HUVEC‑Exos) could regulate VSMC calcification and its potential signaling pathway. HUVEC‑Exos were isolated from HUVECs under no phosphorus (NP) and high phosphorus (HP) conditions. Alizarin Red S staining and calcium (Ca) content analysis were carried out to detect calcification in VSMCs. Proteomics analysis was carried out to detect the differential expression of exosomal proteins. Protein and mRNA levels were measured by western blot analysis and reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR (RT‑qPCR). Exosomes derived from HP‑HUVECs promoted the calcification of VSMCs, as assessed by Alizarin Red S staining, alkaline phosphatase activity assays, Ca content measurements and the increased expression of runt‑related transcription factor 2 and osteopontin. Proteomic analysis detected the upregulation of STAT1 in HP‑exosomes from HUVECs (HUVEC‑Exos) compared with NP‑HUVEC‑Exos, which was also confirmed by western blot analysis and RT‑qPCR. Inhibition of STAT1 expression in VSMCs using fludarabine or knockdown of STAT1 expression using small interfering RNA alleviated the calcification of VSMCs. Furthermore, lithium chloride (Wnt activator) reversed the protective effect of STAT1 inhibition on VSMC calcification, while Dickkopf‑1 (Wnt inhibitor) exerted the opposite effect, suggesting that activation of the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway was involved in STAT1‑mediated VSMC calcification. In conclusion, the present results indicated that exosomal STAT1 derived from HP‑treated HUVECs could promote VSMC calcification, and activation of the Wnt/β‑catenin pathway may be a potential mechanism of the VSMC calcification promoted by exosomes.
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December-2022
Volume 50 Issue 6

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Qin Z, Li Y, Li J, Jiang L, Zhang Z, Chang K, Yang Q, Chen S, Liao R, Su B, Su B, et al: Exosomal STAT1 derived from high phosphorus‑stimulated vascular endothelial cells induces vascular smooth muscle cell calcification via the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway. Int J Mol Med 50: 139, 2022
APA
Qin, Z., Li, Y., Li, J., Jiang, L., Zhang, Z., Chang, K. ... Su, B. (2022). Exosomal STAT1 derived from high phosphorus‑stimulated vascular endothelial cells induces vascular smooth muscle cell calcification via the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 50, 139. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2022.5195
MLA
Qin, Z., Li, Y., Li, J., Jiang, L., Zhang, Z., Chang, K., Yang, Q., Chen, S., Liao, R., Su, B."Exosomal STAT1 derived from high phosphorus‑stimulated vascular endothelial cells induces vascular smooth muscle cell calcification via the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 50.6 (2022): 139.
Chicago
Qin, Z., Li, Y., Li, J., Jiang, L., Zhang, Z., Chang, K., Yang, Q., Chen, S., Liao, R., Su, B."Exosomal STAT1 derived from high phosphorus‑stimulated vascular endothelial cells induces vascular smooth muscle cell calcification via the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 50, no. 6 (2022): 139. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2022.5195