Apoptosis and p53 expression changes in hypoxia cultured PASMCs

AIM: To observe apoptosis and p53 expression changes in hypoxia cultured rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). METHODS: The PASMCs were cultured primarily by tissue-culture method. The number of apoptotic cells was measured by Hoechst staining and flow cytometry. P53 expression in PASMCs was demonstrated by immunofluorescence(IF) staining and observed by confocal microscopy. RESULTS: Hoechst staining and flow cytometry showed that the number of apoptotic cells was not significantly different between control group and hypoxic 24 h group. IF staining showed that the expression intensity of p53 was increased significantly in hypoxic 24 h group than in control group. CONCLUSION: In the cultured PASMCs, hypoxia does not enhance cell apoptosis, but increases p53 expression.