Objective To investigate the mechanism of a novel angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor-associated protein （ATRAP） interfering with angiotensin II type 1 （AT1） receptor-mediated vascular smooth muscle cell （VSMC） growth and neointimal formation. Methods VSMCs isolated from thoracic aorta of adult Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were used in this study. ATRAP cDNA was subcloned into pcDNA3 vector and then transfected into VSMCs. DNA synthesis and extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK） and phospho-ERK expressions in VSMCs were assayed by measurement of 3H thymidine incorporation and Western blotting

respectively. Morphological changes were observed in the balloon injured artery with or without transfection of ATRAP cDNA using 12-week-old male SD rats. Results ATRAP overexpression in VSMCs inhibited angiotensin II（Ang II）-induced 3H thymidine incorporation 48 hours after Ang II stimulation （P<0.05）. In VSMC

Ang II stimulation increased the phosphorylation of ERK

which reached the peak around 60 minutes. The activation of phospho-ERK was significantly decreased by ATRAP （P<0.05）. Neointimal formation was markedly inhibited by ATRAP overexpression in injuried arteries. Conclusions The AT1 receptor-derived activation of ERK plays an essential role in Ang II-induced VSMC growth. The growth inhibitory effects of ATRAP might be due to interfering with AT1 receptor-mediated activation of ERK in VSMC growth and neointimal formation.