Autocrine TGF-β1 Mediates Angiotensin II–Induced Proliferative Response of Cerebral Vessels In Vivo

Background Angiotensin II (Ang) has been shown to induce expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in cardiovascular cells in vitro, but the regulation of TGF-β1 by Ang has not been shown in cerebral vessels in vivo. Here, we tested the hypothesis that Ang promotes proliferative and fibrogenic responses in cerebral vessels through autocrine production and signaling of TGF-β1 by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Methods Rats were implanted with miniosmotic pumps that delivered a low dose of Ang (9 μg/kg/h subcutaneously for 4 to 28 days). To test for autocrine production and signaling of TGF-β1 by VSMC, we suppressed TGF-β1 gene expression in VSMC by infusing antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS-ODN) versus sense oligodeoxynucleotide (S-ODN) into the cisterna magna. Results Systemic infusion of Ang for 28 days caused upregulation of proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and of collagen type I in endothelium and VSMC of basilar arteries, with these changes observed as early as day 4, before the onset of hypertension. Also by day 4, significant increases in expression of TGF-β1, TGF-β receptors I and II, and phospho-Smad3 were observed in endothelial and VSMC layers, but plasma levels of TGF-β1 were unchanged. With AS-ODN, but not S-ODN, TGF-β1 was significantly reduced in VSMC but not in endothelial layers of the basilar artery, and PCNA and collagen upregulation in VSMC were essentially eliminated. Conclusions Autocrine TGF-β1 signaling in VSMC is required for Ang-induced proliferative and fibrogenic responses in cerebral vessels in vivo.