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Objective <p>This study investigated whether L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor commonly used to model hypertension-associated endothelial dysfunction, can exert direct pro-atherogenic effects on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) independent of systemic hemodynamic influences.</p> Methods <p>Mouse aortic VSMCs (MOVAS) were treated with non-cytotoxic concentrations of L-NAME (50 µM) or oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL, 100&#xa0;µg/mL), which served as a positive atherogenic control. Lipid accumulation was assessed by Oil Red O staining. The expression of contractile phenotype markers (ACTA2, MYH11, and α-SMA), the synthetic phenotype marker SPP1, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) was quantified by qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence.</p> Results <p>Both L-NAME and ox-LDL treatments caused marked intracellular lipid accumulation in MOVAS cells, consistent with VSMC-derived foam cell formation. L-NAME and ox-LDL reduced the mRNA expression of contractile phenotype markers (ACTA2 and MYH11, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) and decreased α-SMA protein expression (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Conversely, both treatments increased the mRNA expression of the synthetic phenotype marker SPP1 (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) and matrix-remodeling genes MMP-2 and MMP-9 (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). These effects were directionally similar to those induced by ox-LDL.</p> Conclusion <p>L-NAME directly promotes lipid accumulation and synthetic phenotype-associated marker changes in MOVAS cells under the present in vitro conditions. Because eNOS/NOS activity, intracellular NO levels, rescue pathways, and primary VSMC validation were not assessed, these data should be interpreted as phenotypic evidence that NOS/NO pathway disruption may contribute to VSMC dysfunction rather than definitive proof of a single eNOS-dependent mechanism.</p> Clinical trial number <p>Not applicable.</p>

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L-NAME promotes foam cell formation and synthetic phenotype marker changes in vascular smooth muscle cells independent of hemodynamic effects

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月13日

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  • Huanhua Du,
  • Jia Ling,
  • Zheng Lu,
  • Yutong Liu,
  • Jinsong Yan,
  • Junli Ma,
  • Li Li,
  • Gang Chen

摘要

Objective

This study investigated whether L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor commonly used to model hypertension-associated endothelial dysfunction, can exert direct pro-atherogenic effects on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) independent of systemic hemodynamic influences.

Methods

Mouse aortic VSMCs (MOVAS) were treated with non-cytotoxic concentrations of L-NAME (50 µM) or oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL, 100 µg/mL), which served as a positive atherogenic control. Lipid accumulation was assessed by Oil Red O staining. The expression of contractile phenotype markers (ACTA2, MYH11, and α-SMA), the synthetic phenotype marker SPP1, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) was quantified by qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence.

Results

Both L-NAME and ox-LDL treatments caused marked intracellular lipid accumulation in MOVAS cells, consistent with VSMC-derived foam cell formation. L-NAME and ox-LDL reduced the mRNA expression of contractile phenotype markers (ACTA2 and MYH11, p < 0.05) and decreased α-SMA protein expression (p < 0.001). Conversely, both treatments increased the mRNA expression of the synthetic phenotype marker SPP1 (p < 0.05) and matrix-remodeling genes MMP-2 and MMP-9 (p < 0.05). These effects were directionally similar to those induced by ox-LDL.

Conclusion

L-NAME directly promotes lipid accumulation and synthetic phenotype-associated marker changes in MOVAS cells under the present in vitro conditions. Because eNOS/NOS activity, intracellular NO levels, rescue pathways, and primary VSMC validation were not assessed, these data should be interpreted as phenotypic evidence that NOS/NO pathway disruption may contribute to VSMC dysfunction rather than definitive proof of a single eNOS-dependent mechanism.

Clinical trial number

Not applicable.