Novel approach to vascular injury by targeting amino acid transporter LAT1

LAT1是一种为细胞提供必需氨基酸的转运体，在大鼠主动脉平滑肌细胞(RASMC)和颈动脉都有表达。LAT1是RASMC生长和存活所必需的。动物实验表明，LAT1在颈动脉和股动脉血管损伤后新生内膜的形成中起重要作用。此外，我们正在研究LAT1在动脉粥样硬化发展和血脑屏障功能中的作用。

LAT1, a transporter providing essential amino acids into the cells, is expressed in the rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMC), and also in the carotid artery. LAT1 is necessary for the growth and survival of RASMC. Animal experiments showed that LAT1 plays an important role in the neointima formation after vascular injury in the carotid and femoral artery. Furthermore, we are investigating the role of LAT1 in the development of atherosclerosis and in the function of blood-brain barrier.