Study on the relation of interferon γ and nitric oxide with vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation

Objective: To study the relation of IFN γ with nitric oxide synthase (NOS), nitric oxide (NO) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) proliferation. Methods: Various concentrations of gamma interferon (IFN γ, 250～1 000 U·ml -1 ) were added to the medium of cultured rat VSMC. TdR incorporation,cell proliferation assay, quantitative RT PCR and other techniques were used to detect expression of NOS mRNA protein, production of NO in VSMC and proliferation of VSMC. Results: IFN γ could induce NOS mRNA protein expression and produce NO in VSMC, and these effects were dose dependent between 500～1 000 U·ml -1 . Meanwhile, IFN γ could significantly inhibit DNA synthesis and proliferation of VSMC. The inhibition effect was positively correlated with NO production. Conclusion: IFN γ could inhibit proliferation of VSMC by inducing expression of NOS and producing NO