Effects of 17 beta-estradiol on the biosynthesis of collagen in cultured bovine aortic smooth muscle cells.

The effect of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) on the biosynthesis of collagen in cultured bovine aortic smooth muscle cells was explored. Cells treated with various concentrations of the hormone for 14 days following subcultivation were subjected to growth studies. The cultures were also evaluated for [14C]hydroxyproline formation, the presence of collagenase-susceptible protein, prolyl hydroxylase activity, and procollagen types. There were no effect of E2 on the growth of these cells. At 10(-8) M E2, the hydroxylation of proline when compared to control cultures was reduced by 25-30%; however, little difference in extractable prolyl hydroxylase activity or total [14C]proline incorporation into protein was observed. The effect on collagen synthesis appears to be dose dependent over concentrations of E2 ranging from 10(-6) to 10(-12) M when measured by collagenase susceptibility. Procollagen typing on diethylaminoethylcellulose displayed reduced amounts of procollagen type I and type III fractions as well as other collagenous components. More importantly, however, the ratio of these two procollagen types were also altered. Similar results were obtained from the medium or cell layer. It is concluded that aortic smooth muscle cells cultured in the presence of 17 beta-estradiol display a decreased production of collagen in addition to altering the ratio of type I to type III procollagen fractions produced.