Role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placenta-derived growth factor (PlGF) in regulating human haemopoietic cell growth

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental derived growth factor (PlGF) stimulate cell proliferation and differentiation by binding to their specific receptors, Flk-1/KDR and Flt-1 respectively. Flk-1/KDR-deficient murine embryos manifest failure of blood-island formation and vasculogenesis. The aim of this study was to directly evaluate the importance of VEGF, PlGF/Flt-1 and Flk-1/KDR receptor ligand interactions in regulating normal and malignant human haemopoiesis. Addition of VEGF and PlGF failed to enhance survival or cloning efficiency of human haemopoietic progenitors isolated from adult bone marrows, fetal livers or cord blood samples. This finding may be explained by the apparent absence of mRNA encoding Flt-1 and Flk-1/KDR receptors on stem cell rich CD34⁺ c-kit-R⁺ Rh123^low cells. Further studies revealed that Flt-1 R mRNA, but not Flk-1/KDR mRNA was first detectable in the more mature cells isolated from haemopoietic colonies. Accordingly, VEGF receptors are either absent, or expressed at very low level, on human haemopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Of interest, normal and malignant human haemopoietic cells appeared to secrete VEGF protein. However, in contrast to normal haemopoietic progenitors, VEGF co-stimulated HEL cell proliferation as well as CFU-GM colony formation from ∼15% of the chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients studied. Therefore, although VEGF appeared to have minimal effects on normal haemopoietic cell growth it would appear to drive malignant haemopoietic cell proliferation to some degree. Of more importance, however, we speculate that VEGF may play an very important role in leukaemogenesis by stimulating growth of vascular endothelium, thereby providing a sufficient blood supply to feed the growing haematological tumour.     

Fetal liver kinase 1 is a receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor and is selectively expressed in vascular endothelium.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), also known as vascular permeability factor, induces endothelial proliferation in vitro and vascular permeability in vivo. The human transmembrane c-fms-like tyrosine kinase Flt-1 has recently been identified as a VEGF receptor. Flt-1 kinase has seven immunoglobulin-like extracellular domains and a kinase insert sequence, features shared by two other human gene-encoded proteins, kinase insert domain-containing receptor (KDR) and FLT-4. In this study we show that the mouse homologue of KDR, Flk-1, is a second functional VEGF receptor. Flk-1 binds VEGF with high affinity, undergoes autophosphorylation, and mediates VEGF-dependent Ca2+ efflux in Xenopus oocytes injected with Flk-1 mRNA. We also demonstrate by in situ hybridization that Flk-1 protein expression in the mouse embryo is restricted to the vascular endothelium and the umbilical cord stroma. VEGF and its receptors Flk-1/KDR and Flt-1 may play a role in vascular development and regulation of vascular permeability.     

血管内皮细胞生长因子调动内皮祖细胞修复动脉损伤的实验研究

目的探讨血管内皮细胞生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)调动内皮祖细胞(endothelial progeni-tor cells,EPCs)修复大鼠颈总动脉损伤的作用。方法将32只大鼠切除脾脏恢复两周后随机分为两组:VEGF组和对照组,每组16只。用2F的Fogarty球囊导管损伤大鼠左颈总动脉建立动脉损伤模型。用流式细胞仪测定大鼠外周血胎儿肝脏激酶-1+(fetal liver kinase,Flk-1+)的细胞比例。动脉损伤两周后取损伤动脉段和对侧正常动脉段,采用组织学、免疫组织化学、扫描电子显微镜和图像分析技术评价各组动脉修复的效果。结果VEGF组Flk-1+的细胞比例显著高于对照组[(38.59±3.68)%vs(13.78±1.91)%,P<0.05]。两组中相同数目的外周血单个核细胞分化为EPCs的数目,VEGF组显著高于对照组[(28.25±4.23)个vs(6.88±1.34)个,P<0.05]。动脉损伤两周后,VEGF组损伤动脉的新生内膜厚度显著低于对照组[(32.38±5.58)μmvs(76.38±5.48)μm,P<0.05]。结论VEGF具有调动EPCs修复大鼠颈总动脉损伤的作用。     

Acidic fibroblast growth factor promotes vascular repair.

Intravascular injury to arteries can result in thickening of the intimal smooth muscle layer adjacent to the lumen by migration and proliferation of cells from the underlying medial smooth muscle layer accompanied by deposition of extracellular matrix. This pathological response, which decreases lumen diameter, might, in part, be the result of the access of smooth muscle cells to plasma and platelet-derived growth factors as a consequence of denudation of the overlying confluent monolayer of vascular endothelial cells. Injured rat carotid arteries were treated by i.v. administration of acidic fibroblast growth factor, a heparin-binding protein that is chemotactic and mitogenic for vascular endothelial cells. The growth factor treatment resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of intimal thickening with parallel promotion of endothelial regeneration over the injured area. Therefore, acidic fibroblast growth factor might be efficacious in the prevention of restenosis caused by intimal thickening following angioplasty in humans.     

Functions of the VEGF receptor-1 (FLT-1) in the vasculature

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a major inducer of angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. Two distinct receptors for VEGF, the tyrosine kinase receptors VEGFR-1 (Flt-1) and VEGFR-2 (Flk-1/KDR), have been identified. Transfection studies could demonstrate biological activities for the Flk-1/KDR-, but not for the Flt-1-receptor, which led to the hypothesis that Flt-1 is a decoy receptor for VEGF. However, Flt-1 is biologically active in non-endothelial cells, namely monocytes, which exclusively express this receptor. In addition, the Flt-1 ligand placenta growth factor (PlGF), which is unable to bind and activate Flk-1/KDR, elicits activities in both monocytes and endothelial cells. The implications of Flt-1 mediated monocyte transmigration through endothelial monolayers and induction of the procoagulant tissue factor on monocytes for the field of vascular medicine are discussed.     

Migration of adventitial myofibroblasts following vascular balloon injury: insights from in vivo gene transfer to rat carotid arteries

OBJECTIVES: Migration of adventitial fibroblasts, in addition to smooth muscle cell proliferation, plays a role in neointima formation following vascular injury. Previous studies have not directly addressed whether endogenous adventitial cells migrate towards the intima following balloon injury in the absence of medial dissection. We have employed an in vivo gene transfer technique to the rat carotid artery to directly label adventitial fibroblasts prior to balloon injury. METHODS: An adenoviral vector coordinating expression of nuclear targeted beta-galactosidase (AdLacZ) suspended in pluronic gel was applied to the perivascular surface of left carotid arteries of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Balloon catheter mediated vascular injury was performed on these arteries 4 days later and animals killed at 3, 7 and 14 days after injury. RESULTS: Expression of LacZ up to 14 days after application of the adenovirus was restricted only to the adventitia of uninjured arteries and absent from untransfected right carotid arteries. However, following balloon catheter injury, LacZ positive cells were observed within the medial layer of vessels by 3 days, and contributed to the population of cells within the neointima at 7-14 days. Adventitial cells in uninjured arteries did not express smooth muscle alpha-actin but after injury, LacZ positive cells migrating towards the lumen exhibited alpha-actin immunostaining, suggesting their change to a myofibroblastic phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide direct evidence that adventitial fibroblasts migrate and contribute to neointima formation after balloon injury and show that in vivo gene transfer to the adventitia results in sustained transgene expression capable of labelling migrating adventitial cells within the media and neointima of injured vessels.     

射频消融对鼠肝肿瘤血管内皮生长因子及其受体Flk-1表达的影响

目的:探讨射频消融对大鼠肝肿瘤血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)及其受体Flk-1(fetal liver kinase 1)表达的影响.方法:采用Walker-256细胞株构建大鼠肝脏种植瘤模型,肿瘤接种后9-10 d开腹,分为对照组与射频组.治疗后射频组再随机平均分为2组,分别于1,3 d处死大鼠取肝脏标本.采用Elivision法对标本免疫组化染色,根据VEGF与Flk-1在胞质内染色强度与阳性细胞数,对不同分组的肿瘤组织、癌旁组织进行半定量评分.结果:射频后1,3 d组癌旁和残留组织VEGF表达与治疗前癌旁(P=0.014,P=0.013)和肿瘤组织相比(P=0.015,P=0.013),有统计学差异,癌旁组织VEGF表达高于治疗前,而残留组织低于治疗前.射频后1 d Flk-1表达与治疗前癌旁组织相比有统计学差异(P=0.008),较治疗前增加.结论:射频对残余肿瘤细胞VEGF表达有抑制作用,但可促进癌旁组织的VEGF表达上调.射频对Flk-1的影响有待进一步研究.     

Interleukin-1 induces the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human pericardial mesothelial cells

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a mitogen for endothelial cells. We have studied the production of VEGF by human pericardial mesothelial cells. Mesothelial cells were separated by scraping the pericardial surface during cardiac surgery and cultured. When stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1α, pericardial mesothelial cells expressed VEGF mRNA and protein in concentration- and time-dependent manners. Hypoxia was also found to enhance mesothelial VEGF mRNA expression. The cells expressed mRNA for Flt-1 (VEGF receptor 1) and Flk-1 (VEGF receptor 2), and exogenous VEGF was found to have migration-promoting activity on cultured cells. We conclude that pericardial mesothelial cells express VEGF, which may serve as an autocrine growth-regulatory mechanism.     

Spatiotemporal expression of angiogenesis growth factor receptors during the revascularization of regenerating rat liver.

Regenerating liver was evaluated for the spatiotemporal expression of angiogenic growth factor receptors on endothelial cell (EC) membranes during revascularization resulting from 70% partial hepatectomy (PHx). Fractions enriched in EC membranes were examined by Western blot for angiogenic growth factor receptor expression from 1 to 14 days after PHx. Increases in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors Flt-1 and Flk-1/KDR, angiopoietin receptors Tie-1, Tie-2, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGF-Rbeta), modest increases in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R), and no increase in hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-Met) or fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGF-R) were observed in isolated membranes during EC proliferation. All receptors were tyrosine phosphorylated, and therefore activated, during peak expression. Immunofluorescence staining of regenerating liver identified populations with increased receptor expression, indicating cells receptive to ligand signaling. EGF-R was upregulated evenly throughout the sinusoidal membrane, whereas c-Met was observed on hepatocyte canaliculae, bile duct epithelium, and large vessel EC. Tie-2 and PDGF-Rbeta were increased on sinusoidal and large vessel EC, whereas Tie-1 was expressed in EC surrounding avascular hepatic islands. Flk-1/KDR was increased on large vessels with slight increases on sinusoidal EC, whereas Flt-1 was increased in arterioles, sinusoidal EC as well as in hepatocytes. Although Flt-1 was phosphorylated on isolated hepatocytes, vascular endothelial growth factor(165) (VEGF(165)) did not induce a proliferative or motogenic response. Proliferation assays on isolated EC indicated responsiveness to VEGF(165), but synergism among several growth factors including PDGF-BB was also observed. The data identify novel autocrine and paracrine interactions and indicate that each growth factor acts on a specific set of EC at specific times during revascularization of regenerating liver.     

The mechanisms of hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cell regeneration: A possible communication system associated with vascular endothelial growth factor in liver cells

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been shown to induce proliferation of sinusoidal endothelial cells in primary culture. To elucidate the mechanisms of sinusoidal endothelial cell regeneration in vivo, mRNA expression of VEGF and its receptors, flt-1 and KDR/flk-1, were studied in rat livers. Northern blot analysis revealed that VEGF-mRNA was expressed in hepatocytes immediately after isolation from normal rats. In contrast, non-parenchymal cells, including sinusoidal endothelial cells, expressed VEGF receptor-mRNA. Vascular endothelial growth factor-mRNA expression in hepatocytes was decreased during primary culture, but increased following a peak of DNA synthesis, induced by addition of epidermal growth factor or hepatocyte growth factor to the culture medium at 24 h of plating. In a 70% resected rat liver, VEGF-mRNA expression increased with a peak at 72 h after the operation, and mRNA expression of VEGF receptors between 72 and 168 h. In such a liver, mitosis was maximal in hepatocytes at 36 h and in sinusoidal endothelial cells at 96 h. Also, mRNA expression of both VEGF and its receptors was significantly increased in carbon tetrachloride-intoxicated rat liver compared with normal rat liver. Vascular endothelial growth factor expression was minimal in Kupffer cells isolated from normal rats, but marked in activated Kupffer cells and hepatic macrophages from the intoxicated rats. Vascular endothelial growth factor-mRNA expression was also increased in activated stellate cells from these rats and in the cells activated during primary culture compared with quiescent cells. We conclude that increased levels of VEGF expression in regenerating hepatocytes may contribute to the proliferation of sinusoidal endothelial cells in partially resected rat liver, probably through VEGF receptors up-regulated on the cells. Also, VEGF derived from activated Kupffer cells, hepatic macrophages and stellate cells may be involved in this proliferation in injured rat liver.     

血管内皮生长因子在脑缺血中的作用

血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)是一种重要的调节多种内皮功能的血管生长因子.脑缺血后,VEGF不仪能促进血管内皮细胞增殖和迁移,参与血管生成,增加血管通透性,而且在神经保护和神经发生等方面也起着重要作用.文章就VEGF在缺血性脑损伤中的作用进行了综述.     

胰岛素经VEGF-A/VEGFR2途径促进恒河猴视网膜血管内皮细胞的血管新生

用人胰岛素处理恒河猴视网膜血管内皮细胞系RF/6A,测定其增殖、迁移、管腔形成情况和血管内皮生长因子A(VEGF-A)及其受体(VEGFR)的表达与磷酸化.与空白对照组相比,胰岛素促进RF/6A细胞增殖、迁移和管腔形成(均P＜0.01)、促进VEGF-A mRNA的表达和蛋白的活性(均P＜0.05);促进VEGFR2 mRNA的表达和蛋白的磷酸化(均P＜0.01),而对VEGFR1 mRNA的表达影响无统计学意义(P＞0.05)     

Endoglin is overexpressed after arterial injury and is required for transforming growth factor-beta-induced inhibition of smooth muscle cell migration

Endoglin is a homodimeric membrane glycoprotein primarily expressed on endothelial cells. In association with transforming growth factor (TGF)-ss receptors I and II, it can bind TGF-beta1 and -beta3 and form a functional receptor complex. There is increasing evidence that endoglin can modulate the cellular response to TGF-beta, a factor implicated in vascular lesion formation in human and experimental models. The purpose of this study was to analyze the expression of endoglin in normal and balloon-injured porcine coronary arteries and in normal and atherosclerotic human coronary arteries and to determine its ability to mediate the effects of TGF-beta on the migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). In normal porcine coronary arteries, endoglin was of low abundance and was found primarily on endothelial cells and adventitial fibroblasts, as well as on a minority of medial SMCs. On days 3, 7, and 14 after angioplasty, endoglin was present not only on endothelial cells but also on adventitial myofibroblasts and medial SMCs of porcine coronary arteries. By day 28, few or no cells expressed endoglin. In situ hybridization revealed that endoglin mRNA expression appeared to be highest in endothelial cells on days 3, 7, and 14 days after injury and absent thereafter. With a second balloon injury, a similar pattern of endoglin protein and mRNA expression was observed. In human vascular tissue, endoglin immunolabeling was higher in endarterectomy specimens removed from diseased coronary arteries than in normal internal mammary arteries. In vitro, antisense oligonucleotides to endoglin decreased its expression and antagonized the TGF-beta-mediated inhibition of human and porcine SMC migration. In summary, upregulation of endoglin occurs during arterial repair and in established atherosclerotic plaques and may be required for modulation of SMC migration by TGF-beta.     

Neuregulin-1 attenuates neointimal formation following vascular injury and inhibits the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells

Neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) is expressed in vascular endothelial cells, and its receptors are localized to the underlying smooth muscle cells. However, the role of NRG-1 in vascular function and injury is largely unknown. First, the expression of NRG-1 and its receptors (erbB receptors) was analyzed after balloon injury to the rat carotid artery. NRG-1 and erbB expression levels were low in uninjured vessels; however, NRG-1 and erbB4 were upregulated following injury. We then examined the effect of NRG-1 on neointimal formation following balloon injury. NRG-1 was administered by tail-vein injection prior to injury and every 2 days following injury. Two weeks after injury, NRG-1-treated animals demonstrated a 50% reduction in lesion size compared with controls receiving the vehicle. To examine possible mechanisms for NRG-1 action, we examined its effects on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) function. Rat VSMC cultures were pretreated with NRG-1 for 24 h and then stimulated with platelet-derived growth factor. NRG-1 significantly decreased platelet-derived growth factor-stimulated VSMC proliferation and migration. These findings suggest that NRG-1 may be a novel therapeutic candidate for the treatment of restenosis and atherosclerosis.     

血管内皮生长因子基因转染对犬肾动脉内膜损伤后的作用

目的:观察血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)基因转染肾动脉内膜后的表达,以及对肾动脉内膜损伤后的作用。方法:利用分子生物学技术,将pcD2/VEGF121真核表达质粒及pcD2空载质粒转化大肠杆菌XL1-Blue,大量提取质粒。试验犬14只采用自身对照方法将左右肾动脉随机分为治疗侧和对照侧。行双侧肾动脉造影,将PTCA球囊送入肾动脉中段加压并拉伤动脉内膜,再将涂布pcD2/VEGF121质粒及pcD2空载质粒的球囊分别导入治疗侧及对照侧损伤段动脉加压维持5min,以使基因转染动脉内膜。分别于术后1、6及10周行肾动脉造影后将犬处死,取损伤段肾动脉,制成病理切片进行HE染色及免疫组织化学染色,观察肾动脉内膜的变化和VEGF蛋白的表达,在电镜下观察动脉内膜的超微结构变化,以判断VEGF基因对犬肾动脉损伤后的作用。结果:肾动脉造影结果显示术后6周双侧肾动脉较术前均轻度狭窄,术后10周狭窄程度更明显,但治疗侧和对照侧之间狭窄程度差异无统计学意义;HE染色显示术后6周双侧肾动脉内膜较术前均轻度增生,10周时增生程度更明显,但治疗侧和对照侧肾动脉内膜增生程度均差异无统计学意义。免疫组织化学染色显示1周时,治疗侧肾动脉内膜及平滑肌的VEGF蛋白表达量明显高于对照侧,6周时仍有差异,但其差异减小;电镜显示:与对照侧比较,术后10周治疗侧动脉内膜覆盖较完全。结论:VEGF基因转染动脉壁后可以促进损伤动脉的内膜化,但不能阻止动脉内膜的过度增生及动脉损伤后形成的狭窄。     

血管内皮生长因子调节内皮祖细胞生物学功能

目的研究血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）对体外培养骨髓源性内皮祖细胞（EPCs）数量及增殖、迁移、黏附功能的影响及机制初探。方法密度梯度离心法获取骨髓单个核细胞,FITC-荆豆凝集素I、DiI-乙酰化低密度脂蛋白荧光双染鉴定。单个核细胞培养7d后分为对照组和VEGF干预组。VEGF干预组加入不同浓度VEGF（25,50,75,100μg／L）培养48h,分别采用四氮唑溴盐比色法、改良的Boyden小室和黏附能力测定观察EPCs的增殖、迁移和黏附能力。RT—PCR法半定量检测VEGF对EPCs内皮型一氧化氮合酶（eNOS）mRNA表达的影响。硝酸还原酶法比色测定VEGF对EPCs分泌一氧化氮的影响。结果VEGF可浓度依赖性地增加EPCs数量并明显促进EPCs的黏附、迁移和增殖能力,与对照组比较差异显著。VEGF可上调EPCseNOSmRNA的表达,促进EPCs分泌一氧化氮。结论VEGF可能通过上调EPCseNOSmRNA的表达影响EPCs部分生物学功能。     

Crucial role of activin a in tubulogenesis of endothelial cells induced by vascular endothelial growth factor

The present study was conducted to elucidate the role of activin A in tubulogenesis of vascular endothelial cells. Activin A was produced in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). These cells also expressed the type I and type II activin receptors. When added to BAEC cultured in a collagen gel, activin A induced capillary formation. Activin A was as potent as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and markedly enhanced VEGF-induced tubulogenesis. To examine the role of endogenous activin A, we added follistatin, an inhibitor of activin A. Follistatin nearly completely blocked the VEGF-induced tubulogenesis, and the effect of follistatin was reproduced by transfection of the dominant-negative type II activin receptor gene. In BAEC, activin A increased the expression of VEGF and the VEGF receptors, Flt-1 and Flk-1. On the other hand, VEGF increased the production of activin A. Finally, addition of follistatin, which blocks the action of endogenous activin A, reduced the expression of Flt-1 and Flk-1. These results indicate that an autocrine factor activin A amplifies the effect of VEGF by up-regulating VEGF and its receptors. This effect of activin A is critical in the VEGF-induced tubulogenic morphogenesis in BAEC.