Aim: To investigate the effects of cell proliferation induced by apelin-13 via PKC-ERK1/2-Cyclins signaling pathway in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Further to find new signaling pathway of apelin-APJ. Methods: VSMCs were prepared from male Sprague-Dawley rats'thoracic aortas by the primary-explant method. Expression of p-ERK1/2, ERK1/2, CyclinD1 and CyclinE was detected by Western blot. The blockade effects of GF109203X were measured by MTT assay. Results: Apelin-13 promoted the concentration-dependent and time-dependent expression...