Title:System Study of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell (VSMC) Activation-Related Signaling Pathways by Monocyte and Macrophage Cells
VOLUME: 12 ISSUE: 1
Author(s):Mohsen Khosravi, Seyed R. Hosseini-Fard and Mohammad Najafi*
Affiliation:Biochemistry Department, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Biochemistry Department, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Biochemistry Department, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran
Keywords:Atherosclerosis, network, cluster, pathway, VSMC, macrophage, monocyte.
Abstract:Background: The vessel stenosis and re-stenosis processes are mainly related to cellular
and molecular events. The vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) activation is the basic element in
these lesions. Based on monocyte and macrophage inflammatory responses and also VSMC motility, a
complex protein network is dynamically proposed between these cells. The aim of this study was to
highlight the protein communications involved in VSMC proliferation and migration signaling
pathways.
Methods: A bibliographic search was performed on finding total macrophage, monocyte and VSMC
proteomes (n=1262). The proteomes were compartmented on cellular components (Gene Ontology).
The primary protein-protein interaction (PPIs) networks were constructed after merging the VSMC
proteome with extracellular monocyte and macrophage proteins. The network clusters were
determined using STRING server and were evaluated for contributing in KEGG signaling pathways.
Results: The associations between extracellular monocyte (n=71) and macrophage (n=43) proteins
and VSMC signaling pathways were evaluated on four PPI networks. Several clusters were observed
on each network. The genes were merged in similar clusters and were the subjects for contributing in
KEGG signaling pathways.
Conclusion: The cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, focal adhesion and regulation of actin
cytoskeleton pathways were suggested to be involved in VSMC proliferation and migration by
extracellular monocyte and macrophage proteins.
