PDGF-BB enhances monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 mRNA stability in smooth muscle cells by downregulating ribonuclease activity

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) has protean manifestations, including the regulation of growth and migration, in many cell types. We have previously reported that PDGF-BB induces the accumulation of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 mRNA in smooth muscle cells (SMC), in large part due to an increase in mRNA stability. To elucidate the mechanism by which PDGF-BB stabilizes MCP-1 mRNA, we have employed in vitro RNA gel mobility shift and decay assays. Cytoplasmic extracts from PDGF-BB-treated SMC increased the half-life of in vitro transcribed MCP-1 mRNA from ≈45 min to >2 h. PDGF-BB-inhibitable degradation was not dependent on specific regions of the MCP-1 mRNA and was equally effective on a variety of in vitro transcribed mRNAs. Angiotensin II had a similar effect on MCP-1 mRNA stability, whereas tumor necrosis factor-α and basic fibroblast growth factor did not. The PDGF-BB-inhibitable RNAse activity was active at pH 6.6 and heat stable, but was sensitive to proteinase K. Extracts from PDGF-BB- or angiotensin II-treated cells inhibited the RNAse activity of control extracts, suggesting that the effect of PDGF-BB and angiotensin II are due to activation of a soluble inhibitor of the RNAse. The effect of PDGF-BB was blocked by inhibitors of tyrosine phosphorylation, but not by inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase or mitogen-activated protein kinases. These studies provide new insights into the mechanisms by which PDGF-BB enhances mRNA accumulation.