Effects of caveolin-1 on the 17β-estradiol-mediated inhibition of VSMC proliferation induced by vascular injury

Estrogen has a protective effect on the cardiovascular system. Yet the mechanism of how estrogen inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation after vascular injury and the role of caveolin-1 in this process are not clear. To understand the protection effect of estrogen and caveolin-1, we employed a vascular balloon-injury model. Sixteen New Zealand White rabbits with or without estrogen were tested. 17β-estradiol is able to inhibit VSMC proliferation in a range from 10− 10–10− 5 mol/L, with an optimal concentration of 10− 8 mol/L. Estrogen exerted its effect through suppressing the activity of p42/44 MAPK, which can be blocked by tamoxifen. Moreover, in estrogen pretreated cells as well as in common carotid arteries of the balloon injury model, expression of caveolin-1 is enhanced compared to the estrogen-deficient group, as assessed by both western blotting and RT-PCR and morphological studies. Our results showed that the inhibition effect of estrogen in VSMCs is mediated by p42/44 MAPK. Caveolin-1 plays an important role in this protective process.