Effects of extracellular acid stimulation on rat vascular smooth muscle cell in Gas6/Axl or PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Recent studies have indicated that extracellular acid stimulation inhibited the calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Cell apoptosis played an important role in the occurrence and development of vascular calcification. We further explored the effects of Gas6/Axl or PI3K/Akt signaling pathway on the inhibition of rat VSMCs calcification in response to extracellular acid stimulation. Our study demonstrated that a high concentration of phosphorus induced apoptosis and calcification of VSMCs, decreased expression of Axl, and reduced phosphorylation of Akt. Stimulation of extracellular acid counteracted the effects as above by increasing the expression of Axl and Akt phosphorylation and decreasing the expression of activated Caspase3, which thereby decreased cell apoptosis and calcification. Moreover, the effects can be attenuated by PI3K inhibitor. Our study proved that extracellular acid stimulation played a vital role in the inhibition of rat VSMCs calcification and apoptosis in Gas6/Axl or PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.