Everolimus (RAD001) inhibits the proliferation of rat vascular smooth muscle cells by up-regulating the activity of the p27/kip1 gene promoter.

Objective: We investigated whether the inhibitory effect of the immunosuppressant everolimus (RAD001) on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation is mediated by p27/kip1 gene promoter activity.

Methods: In this experimental study, cultured rat VSMCs were transiently transfected with a recombinant plasmid (pXp27) containing p27/kip1 gene promoter sequence and a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene. After stimulation with the mitogen platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB, 10 ng/mL) in the presence or absence of RAD001 (10 nM), the promoter activity, mRNA expression, and protein expression of p27/kip1 were examined by CAT assay, RT-PCR, and immunoblotting, respectively. Cell cycle-related changes were detected by flow cytometry. DNA synthesis was determined using 3H-TdR incorporation.

Results: Compared with the non-stimulation group, PDGF-BB stimulation induced a significant proliferative response in the VSMCs as indicated by decreased p27/kip1 gene promoter activity, decreased p27/kip1 mRNA and protein expression, increased S-phase and G2/M-phase cells, and increased DNA synthesis. RAD001 intervention increased p27/kip1 gene promoter activity 3.5-fold, promoted p27/kip1 mRNA and protein expression, increased G0-phase cells, reduced DNA synthesis, and, overall, inhibited PDGF-BB-stimulated cell proliferation.

Conclusion: RAD001 inhibits PDGF-BB-stimulated proliferation of cultured VSMCs by upregulating p27/kip1 gene promoter activity and increasing p27/kip1 mRNA and protein expression.