Roles of NHE-1 in the proliferation and apoptosis of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the roles of Na+/H+ exchanger-1 (NHE-1) in the proliferation and apoptosis of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells in rats. METHODS: Twenty Wistar rats were randomized into control group and 3-week hypoxic group. Intracellular pH (pHi) of the smooth muscle was determined with fluorescence measurement of the pH-sensitive dye BCECF-AM, and the expression of NHE-1 mRNA was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Primary culture of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells in vitro was performed. In situ cell death detection kit (TUNEL) was used for studying the effect of specific NHE-1 inhibitor-dimethyl amiloride (DMA) on the apoptosis of muscle cells which had intracellular acidification. RESULTS: pHi value and NHE-1 mRNA expression of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells were significantly higher in the hypoxic group than in the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). DMA elevated the apoptotic ratio remarkably. The effect was enhanced when DMA concentration increased and the time prolonged. CONCLUSIONS: With the function of adjusting pHi, NHE-1 may play an important role in the proliferation and apoptosis of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells.