Early Growth Response Gene-1 Expression in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

We demonstrated that insulin and oxidant stress stimulate Egr-1 expression in VSMC. Insulin effects are mediated via the ERK1/2 MAP kinase pathway, whereas oxidant stress effects may be mediated via the ERK5 and p38 MAP kinase pathways. As insulin resistance is characterized by compensatory hyperinsulinemia and selective impairment of the PI 3-kinase pathway with intact signaling along the ERK1/2 MAP kinase pathway, this may have implications for accelerated atherosclerosis in insulin resistance.