Osteopontin regulates the proliferation of rat aortic smooth muscle cells in response to gingipains treatment

- Osteopontin affected the cell cycle and differentiation of the RASMCs.
- Osteopontin may play roles in the proliferation of RASMCs promoted by gingipains.
- The effects of osteopontin may be achieved through regulating the α-SMA and calponin.

ObjectiveThe present study aimed to explore the possible effects of osteopontin (OPN) in the proliferation of rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) stimulated by gingipains.MethodsThe proliferation of RASMCs in response to active gingipains treatment was evaluated by CCK-8 assay. OPN siRNA was designed, constructed and transfected into RASMCs at different concentrations. The cell cycle of RASMCs was analyzed by flow cytometry. OPN, α-SMA and calponin expression were examined by real-time PCR and western blot analysis.ResultsGingipains promoted the proliferation of RASMCs and OPN expression. With siRNA-mediated OPN expression knockdown, the cell cycle of RASMCs was blocked in the G0/G1 phase. Furthermore, the expression of specific differentiation markers, α-SMA and calponin, also decreased.ConclusionsThese results demonstrate that OPN has an impact on the proliferation and differentiation of RASMCs stimulated by gingipains.