Blockade of AT1 receptor restore the migration of vascular smooth muscle cells in high sodium medium

Abstract The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that increased sodium concentration affects the migratory phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) independently of the haemodynamic factors. Cell migration was evaluated by wound‐healing assay under the following conditions: high sodium (HS, 160 mM) and control (CT, 140 mM). Cell viability was assessed by annexin V and propidium iodide labeling. Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) gene expression was analysed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. ERK1/2 phosphorylation was assessed by western blot. Exposure of VSMCs to HS reduced migration, and AT1R blockade prevented this response. HS increased COX‐2 gene expression, and COX‐2 blockade prevented the reduction in VSMC migration induced by HS. HS also increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation, and ERK1/2 inhibition recovered VSMC migration as well as blocked COX‐2 gene expression. The TXA 2 receptor blocker, but not the prostacyclin receptor blocker, prevented the HS‐induced VSMCs migration decrease. HS reduces the migration of VSMCs by increasing COX‐2 gene expression via AT1R‐ERK1/2 phosphorylation. In addition, increased COX‐2 by HS seems to modulate the reduction of VSMCs migration by the TXA 2 receptor.