Differential activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases in smooth muscle cells by angiotensin II: Involvement of p22phox and reactive oxygen species

The atherogenic effect of the renin-angiotensin system can be explained, in part, by the influence of its effector, angiotensin II (Aug II), on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth. There is evidence that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a role in the atherogenesis and activation of mitogen-activating protein (MAP) kinases, which are involved in proliferation and differentiation. The study was performed to further characterize the role of ROS in Aug II-mediated MAP kinase activation and the regulation of the transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1). Rat VSMCs were stimulated with Aug II. The activities of MAP kinases were assessed by Western blot analysis or by immunocomplex kinase assay. AP-1 binding was determined by using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Rat VSMCs were treated with Aug II-activated MAP kinases, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c- Jun amino terminal kinase (JNK), p38 MAP kinase (p38 MAPK), and their downstream effector, AP-1. Interestingly, only the activation of ERK1/2, but not JNK or p38 MAPK, was tyrosine kinase, protein kinase C, and MEK1/2 dependent. Aug II also induced the rapid formation of ROS, which could be inhibited by a specific antibody as well as by antisense against the p22phox subunit of the NAD(P)H oxidase. JNK and p38 MAPK, but not ERK, activation was inhibited by an inhibitor of NAD(P)H oxidase. Antisense against p22phox also solely inhibited p38 MAPK but did not affect ERK. The results indicate that in VSMCs, Aug II activates MAP kinases and AP-1 through different pathways; the results further suggest that ROS, generated by p22phox, mediate Aug II- induced JNK and p38 MAPK activation, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.