A Receptor-Specific Function for Notch2 in Mediating Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Growth Arrest Through Cyclin-dependent Kinase Inhibitor 1B

Abstract

We propose a receptor-specific function for Notch2 in regulating Jag-1-induced p27(kip1) expression and growth arrest in VSMCs. During vascular remodeling, colocalization of Notch2 and p27(kip1) to the nonproliferating region supports a model where Notch2 activation may negatively regulate VSMC proliferation to lessen the severity of the lesion. Thus, Notch2 is a potential target for control of VSMC hyperplasia.