Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) differentiation from neural crest cells (NCCs) is critical for cardiovascular development, but the mechanisms remain largely unknown.

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) function in VSMC differentiation from NCCs is controversial. Therefore, we determined the role and mechanism of a TGF-β downstream signaling intermediate Smad2 in NCC differentiation to VSMCs.

By using Cre/loxP system, we generated a NCC tissue–specific Smad2 knockout mouse model and found that Smad2 deletion resulted in defective NCC differentiation to VSMCs in aortic arch arteries during embryonic development and caused vessel wall abnormality in adult carotid arteries where the VSMCs are derived from NCCs. The abnormalities included 1 layer of VSMCs missing in the media of the arteries with distorted and thinner elastic lamina, leading to a thinner vessel wall compared with wild-type vessel. Mechanistically, Smad2 interacted with myocardin-related transcription factor B (MRTFB) to regulate VSMC marker gene expression. Smad2 was required for TGF-β–induced MRTFB nuclear translocation, whereas MRTFB enhanced Smad2 binding to VSMC marker promoter. Furthermore, we found that Smad2, but not Smad3, was a progenitor-specific transcription factor mediating TGF-β–induced VSMC differentiation from NCCs. Smad2 also seemed to be involved in determining the physiological differences between NCC-derived and mesoderm-derived VSMCs.

Smad2 is an important factor in regulating progenitor-specific VSMC development and physiological differences between NCC-derived and mesoderm-derived VSMCs.