IL-17 stimulates migration of carotid artery vascular smooth muscle cells in an MMP-9 dependent manner via p38 MAPK and ERK1/2-dependent NF-kappaB and AP-1 activation.

Inappropriate vascular remodeling is thought to be the main cause of restenosis following angioplasty. Migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) into lumina, which is promoted by degradation of the extracellular matrix by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) plays a causal role in pathological vascular remodeling. The aim of the present research is to explore the effects of a novel cytokine, IL-17, on migration of VSMC and MMP-9 secretion. Carotid artery VSMC was isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats. Expression of MMP-9 and cell migration induced by IL-17 and its related signal pathway were detected. The results showed that IL-17-induced migration of VSMC in an MMP-9-dependent manner. IL-17-induced MMP-9 expression was via p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 dependent NF-kappaB and AP-1 activation. The present results demonstrated that IL-17 may play a role in vascular remodeling and targeting IL-17 or its specific downstream mediators is a potentially novel therapeutic pathway for attenuating the post-angioplastic restenosis.