Inhibition of elastin synthesis by high potassium salt is mediated by Ca2+ influx in cultured smooth muscle cells in vitro: reciprocal effects of K+ on elastin and collagen synthesis.

Elastin synthesis in cultured smooth muscle cells was inhibited by one fourth in the presence of 0.1 M K+ in the medium. The degree of inhibition paralleled the decrease in the steady-state levels of elastin mRNA. The inhibition of elastin synthesis was blocked by addition of 1 microM nifedipine, a Ca2+ antagonist. Comparable inhibition of elastin synthesis was observed by addition of A23187, a Ca2+ ionophore. In contrast, collagen synthesis and thymidine uptake were stimulated threefold and twofold respectively in the presence of 0.1 M K+ with a concomitant increase in collagen mRNA. The stimulation of collagen synthesis was also blocked by nifedipine. These results indicate that K+ modulates elastin and collagen synthesis and their gene expression reciprocally, and these effects are mediated by Ca2+ influx. Thus K+ exerts profound effects on the composition of extracellular matrices in aorta.