CST attenuates rat VSMC proliferation and migration mediated by Ang II via the MAPK family pathways. (A) Western blotting detected the expression levels of PCNA, α-SMA, OPN, ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, p-p38 MAPK, JNK, p-JNK, ERK5 and p-ERK5 in VSMCs (n=4). (B) CCK8 showed that 10−8 and 10−7 M CST suppressed the cell proliferation rate mediated by Ang II (n=4). (C) Transwell results showed that 10−7 M rather than 10−8 M CST inhibited Ang II-induced VSMC migration, (n=5). Scale bar: 200 µm. **P<0.01 vs. control, ***P<0.001 vs. control, #P<0.05 vs. Ang II, ##P<0.01 vs. Ang II, ###P<0.001 vs. Ang II, &P<0.05 vs. Ang II + CST 10−8 M, &&P<0.01 vs. Ang II + CST 10−8 M, &&&P<0.001 vs. Ang II + CST 10−8 M. Con, control group; Ang II, angiotensin II group; CST, cortistatin; MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase; ERK, extracellular signal-regulated kinase; JNK, c-Jun N-terminal kinase; VSMC, vascular smooth muscle cell; PCNA, proliferating cell nuclear antigen; OPN, osteopontin; α-SMA, α-smooth muscle actin; CCK8, cell counting kit-8.