Chungtaejeon (CTJ) inhibits adhesion and migration of VSMC through cytoskeletal remodeling pathway

Introduction: Vascular remodeling is crucial for the progression of vascular disease such as atherosclerosis. We utilize the in vitro experimental model of atherosclerosis to elucidate the activity of Chungtaejeon (CTJ), a Korean fermented tea on adhesion and migration of human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HASMC). Materials and methods: Various in vitro assays such as cell viability, cell adhesion, Western blot, immunofluorescence, were carried out on HASMC to explore pathway associated with cytoskeletal remodeling during the progression of atherosclerosis. Results: In result, CTJ significantly inhibited adhesion of HASMC as revealed by collagen assay. Similarly, CTJ inhibited the β1-integrin protein expression as well as FAK phosphorylation. Treatment of CTJ also inhibited stress fiber formation. Likewise, adherence of cells on collagen optimally increased the expression of both RhoA and Cdc42, however, treatment of CTJ dose dependently decreased their expression. The lysophosphatidic acid stimulation of HASMC rapidly increased the level of phosphorylated forms of MLC20 within 15 min, followed by an extended level of MLC20 phosphorylation. The treatment of CTJ at a dose of 50, 100 and 250 μg/ml remarkably reduced the diphosphorylated form while decreased the level of monophosphorylated form of MLC20. Conclusions: Our results suggests that, with further validation CTJ could be a promising herbal resource for prevention of atherosclerosis.