Inhibitory effect of D 1 -like dopamine receptors on neuropeptide Y-induced proliferation in vascular smooth muscle cells

Proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is thought to have a key role in the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Neuropeptide Y (NPY), norepinephrine and dopamine are sympathetic neurotransmitters. NPY has been particularly shown to stimulate proliferation of VSMCs. NPY, norepinephrine and dopamine are all sympathetic transmitters. In our previous study, we found that in the presence of the dopamine receptor, the α 1 -adrenergic receptor-mediated VSMC proliferation is reduced. We hypothesize that the activation of the D 1 -like receptor might inhibit the NPY-mediated VSMC proliferation. In our present study, we found that NPY, mainly via the Y 1 receptor, increased VSMC proliferation. This was determined by [ 3 H]-thymidine incorporation, in a concentration (10 −11 to 10 −8 m )-dependent manner. In the presence of the D 1 -like receptor agonist, fenoldopam (10 −12 to 10 −5 m ), the stimulatory effect of NPY on VSMC proliferation was reduced. The involvement of the D 1 -like receptor was confirmed when the inhibitory effect of fenoldopam was reversed in the presence of the D 1 -like receptor antagonist SCH-23390 (10 −8 m ). Moreover, the inhibitory effect of fenoldopam on NPY-mediated VSMC proliferation was also blocked in the presence of the PKA inhibitor 14–22 (10 −6 m ). Protein kinase A activator 8-(4-chlorophenylthio) adenosine-3,5-cyclic monophosphorothioate, Sp-isomer sodium salt (10 −6 m ) could simulate the stimulatory effect of fenoldopam. It indicated that the inhibitory effect of D 1 -like receptors on NPY-mediated VSMC proliferation may have an important role in the regulation of blood pressure or prevention of atherosclerosis.