Moreover, AngII activated ERK1/2 but had no effect on proliferation of cultured human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) (Supplementary Fig. 1b,c), suggesting that signalling pathways other than the ERK pathway play a key role in VSMC proliferation at the early stage of AngII-induced hypertension. This evidence concerns the gene MAPK3 and hypertensive disorder.