Abstract: Objective To investigate the expression and functional change of the transient potential vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1) channels in hypoxia-induced proliferation of human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs). Method RT-PCR , Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of TRPV1 channels in HPASMCs. Cell number was determined with a hemocytometer. Result Hypoxia upregulated gene and protein expression of TRPV1 in HPASMCs. The capability of HPASMCs proliferation was significantly increased under hypoxic condition. Capsazepine (a TRPV1 channel inhibitor) could inhibit the HPASMCs proliferation in a dose-dependence manner. Conclusion These results suggest that TRPV1 channels may be a critical pathway or mediator in hypoxia-induced the proliferation of HPASMCs.

Key words: Transient potential vanilloid receptor 1, Hypoxia, Pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells, proliferation