TGFβ1 suppresses vascular smooth muscle cell motility by expression of N-cadherin.

Neointimal formation in atheromatous blood vessels is associated with both growth factor-induced differentiation of smooth muscle cells and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ)-signaling is well known to play a critical role in the regulation of vessel remodeling as well as in atherosclerosis and restenosis. Here, we investigated the role of TGFβ1 and N-cadherin on the differentiation and migration of human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC).

Over-expression of IGF-related peptides in stenoses of native arteriovenous fistulas in hemodialysis patients.

Introduction: Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are known to play an important role in atherogenesis. The aim of our study was to assess the local expression of IGF-related peptides in stenosed hemodialysis fistulas and compare these with their respective serum levels.

Methods: We investigated 15 stenosed vein segments of primary arteriovenous fistulas, 29 non-stenosed control vein segments from uremic patients and 15 non-stenosed control saphenous vein segments.