Prorenin induces vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and hypertrophy via epidermal growth factor receptor-mediated extracellular signal-regulated kinase and Akt activation pathway

Abstract

These results reveal that prorenin directly stimulates VSMC proliferative and hypertrophic changes, dependent on the (pro)renin receptor, independent of Ang II. Furthermore, EGF receptor-mediated ERK 1/2 and Akt activation contributes to prorenin-dependent proliferative and hypertrophic effects in VSMCs.