In-vitro evidence of autocrine secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor by endothelial cells from human placental blood vessels

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a highly specific mitogen for vascular endothelial cells, is involved in placental vascular growth and remodelling. The aim of this study was to investigate whether placental endothelial cells secrete VEGF in an autocrine manner and if this secretion is correlated with endothelial cell growth. Blood vessels, excised from the apical surface of three human placentae, were sectioned into 40 fragments per placenta and cultured in fibrin gel matrix for 27 days. Immunohistochemical detection of placental endothelial cells was performed by positive staining with anti-human factor VIII-associated antigen and negative staining with anti-human alpha-actin and desmin. To investigate the production and autocrine action of VEGF, VEGF concentrations in culture media were measured and the effect of an anti-VEGF neutralizing antibody on endothelial cell growth was observed. The results demonstrate that soluble VEGF is secreted by placental endothelial cells reaching a plateau from day 24 (68.74 +/- 7.52 pg/ml) to day 27 (67.20 +/- 6.28 pg/ml). Furthermore, VEGF concentrations in media collected on days 6, 12, 18, 21 and 27 of culture were found to be directly correlated to the sprouting parameter of endothelial cells, as calculated by image analysis on the same day ( P < 0.001, r (2) = 0.95 ). The use of 10 and 100 ng/ml of a neutralizing antibody against human VEGF suppressed cell proliferation, compared to that observed in the untreated controls, by 74.8 +/- 7.3 and 89.4 +/- 3.9% respectively. In conclusion, this study reports the first evidence of autocrine secretion of VEGF by human placental endothelial cells and demonstrates the involvement of VEGF in endothelial cell growth within a fibrin gel culture.     

Vascular factors altered in glucose-treated mesangial cells and diabetic glomeruli. Changes in vascular factors impair endothelial cell growth and matrix

We studied the effect of a high glucose (HG) environment on the vascular factors that are secreted by mesangial cells, and regulate endothelial growth and mesangial matrix deposition. To this effect, we measured the vascular factors in the glomeruli of streptozotocin-induced diabetic kidneys and in mesangial cells exposed to a HG concentration. We then transferred the media of mesangial cells previously exposed to high glucose to cultured endothelial cells to study the effects on endothelial growth, matrix formation, and in vitro capillary proliferation. In 1-week diabetic kidneys, glomerular vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-1 were inhibited by 38 and 57%, respectively, but angiopoietin-2 was increased by 318%. We found similar results in mesangial cells exposed to HG. There was a decrease of VEGF (50% by enzyme immunoassay, 27% by mRNA), decrease of angiopoietin-1 (65% by mRNA), and a much greater increase of angiopoietin-2 (280% by immunoassay, 523% by mRNA). Compared to controls, the media of mesangial cells previously exposed to HG impaired endothelial cell growth by 61%, increased extracellular matrix by 100%, and decreased capillary formation by 90%. We conclude that high ambient glucose alters the secretion of vascular factors elaborated by mesangial cells, resulting in an expansion of the endothelial cell matrix and disruption of capillary structure.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor confers a growth advantage in vitro and in vivo to stromal cells cultured from neonatal hemangiomas.

Neonatal hemangioma is a common benign proliferation of unorganized structures containing stromal and capillary endothelial cells. We tested the hypothesis that such cell proliferation might result from the release by stromal cells of endothelial cell mitogens. Stromal cells cultured from biopsies of surgically removed life-threatening hemangiomas released an endothelial cell mitogen in vitro that was indistinguishable from vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) based on independent criteria such as affinity chromatography for heparin or anti-VEGF IgG and radioreceptor assay. A functional product of the KDR gene encoding a cognate VEGF receptor was also expressed by these stromal cells. Transient transfection with antisense oligonucleotides targeted on the translation initiation codon of KDR abolished its tyrosine phosphorylation and mitogenic response of neonatal hemangioma cells to VEGF, confirming the existence of an autocrine loop of proliferation. When grafted in nude mice, these stromal cells elicited an angiogenic response that was blocked by neutralizing anti-VEGF IgG. These results might provide a clue to the importance of stromal cells in the pathogeny of neonatal hemangiomas.     

AVP-induced mitogenic responses of Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing human V1A or V1B receptors

 Arginine vasopressin (AVP) induces cell proliferation and hypertrophy; however, the human receptor subtype and the intracellular signaling pathways responsible for this mitogenic activity remain unclear. Experiments were conducted to determine which AVP receptor is linked to mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation and the mitogenic effect seen in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing human V_1A or V_1B receptors. Adding AVP to CHO cells transfected with human V_1A or V_1B cDNA significantly and concentration-dependently induced activation of MAP kinase and increased DNA synthesis, as measured by [³H]thymidine incorporation. These effects were inhibited by AVP receptor antagonists and the potency order of antagonists in vitro was similar to that observed in radioligand binding assays. These results suggest that AVP induces the MAP kinase cascade leading to cell proliferation through either human V_1A or V_1B receptors, and that these cloned, expressed AVP receptors may prove an invaluable tool for probing the physiologic and pathophysiologic effects of AVP. Received: 9 June 1998 / Received after revision: 1 September 1998 / Accepted: 4 September 1998     

VEGF受体结合抑制肽的筛选及其特性鉴定

目的　筛选能抑制VEGF与血管内皮细胞表面受体结合的VEGF模拟短肽 ,探讨小分子短肽作为血管内皮细胞生长抑制剂、肿瘤疫苗的可行性。方法　以抗 VEGF单克隆抗体分别对噬菌体随机 7肽、12肽库进行筛选。通过硝酸纤维膜斑点印迹法进行阳性克隆鉴定。用噬菌体克隆免疫小鼠检验这种短肽可否模拟VEGF的抗原决定簇诱发机体产生能与VEGF结合的抗体 ,研究小鼠抗血清、噬菌体表达的 7肽和 12肽以及人工合成 7肽对人脐静脉血管内皮细胞 (HUVEC)生长的抑制作用。结果　对肽库进行 3轮筛选后 ,噬菌体克隆具有良好的富集效果。硝酸纤维膜斑点印迹法证实阳性率达到 10 0 % ,测序结果显示噬菌体上的短肽有共同序列 :GWYYDAL、VASAVFYSALVE。这两种噬菌体短肽免疫小鼠能激发产生高效价的抗 VEGF抗体。噬菌体表达的 7肽和 12肽对HUVEC的生长有明显的抑制作用。由短肽GWYYDAL阳性克隆免疫的抗血清对VEGF诱导的内皮细胞生长起抑制作用 ,人工合成的 7肽 (GWYYDAL)呈剂量依赖性阻拮VEGF促HUVEC增殖作用。结论　从噬菌体肽库中筛选到的噬菌体短肽GWYYDAL、VASAVFYSALVE模拟了VEGF的抗原表位 ,为研究VEGF受体结合抑制肽和设计肿瘤疫苗奠定了实验基础。     

Protective effect of vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor 165 and 121 on glomerular endothelial cell injury in the rat

Vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor (VEGF/VPF) promotes the repair of injured vessels by stimulating angiogenesis. VEGF/VPF reportedly has cytoprotective activity but no study has shown the protective effect of VEGF/VPF on glomerular endothelial cells. We examined whether recombinant VEGF/VPF121 and VEGF/VPF165 isoforms could prevent injury of glomerular endothelial cells. Mild glomerular injury was induced in rats by an intravenous-injection of a limited dose of anti-Thy-1.1 antibody to obtain lesions similar to those found in the human disease. Recombinant VEGF/VPF165, VEGF/VPF121 or BSA was administered 4 h before the injection of the antibody, and once daily for 3 days. In the BSA-injected rats, mesangial cell lysis and endothelial cell injury in dilated capillary tufts were evident without endothelial cell apoptosis on days 1-4. Thereafter, cell proliferation and repair began and remodeling of the glomeruli was completed by day 28. Macrophages but not polymorphonuclear leukocytes accumulated significantly in the glomeruli on days 1-4. Treatment with VEGF/VPF isoform protected endothelial cells but not mesangial cells from destruction on day 1, and accelerated the repair of both types of cells, which was completed by day 18, 10 days earlier than that of the control animals. The results indicate that VEGF/VPF121 or VEGF/VPF165 can protect glomerular endothelial cells against injury, independent of apoptosis-inhibition activity, thereby promoting reconstruction of glomeruli. The protective effect of VEGF/VPF on endothelial cells suggests that it could provide therapeutic benefit for certain kidney diseases.     

Advanced glycation end-products increase monocyte adhesion to retinal endothelial cells through vascular endothelial growth factor-induced ICAM-1 expression: inhibitory effect of antioxidants

Accumulating evidence indicates a role for advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in the development of diabetic retinopathy. In the present study, we examined the in vitro effect of AGEs on human monocyte adhesion to bovine retinal endothelial cells (BRECs) and the molecular mechanisms involved in this effect. Treatment of cultured BRECs with AGEs led to a significant increase in monocyte adhesion and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression. These effects were inhibited by antioxidants including gliclazide and vitamins C and E. On the basis of the stimulatory effect of AGEs on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion by retinal endothelial cells, the role of this growth factor as mediator of AGE-induced monocyte adhesion to BRECs was next investigated. Incubation of BRECs with VEGF increased monocyte adhesion to these cells and enhanced ICAM-1 expression. Treatment of BRECs with an anti-VEGF antibody abrogated AGE-induced monocyte adhesion and ICAM-1 expression. Finally, incubation of BRECs with protein kinase C (PKC) and nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB inhibitors suppressed monocyte adhesion and ICAM-1 expression elicited by AGEs and VEGF. Taken together, these data indicate that AGEs increase monocyte adhesion to BRECs and that this effect is mediated through VEGF-induced ICAM-1 expression. They also demonstrate that this effect is oxidative stress-sensitive and involves PKC and NF-kappaB-dependent signaling pathways.     

E1A激活基因阻遏子促进人血管内皮细胞VEGF分泌和单层通透性增加

目的: 探讨E1A激活基因阻遏子(CREG)诱导的人血管内皮细胞(ECs)单层通透性改变中的作用及机制。方法: 用CREG过表达及CREG表达下调的ECs为模型,Transwell chamber弥散模型观察ECs单层通透性的改变; 荧光倒置显微镜观察细胞骨架肌动蛋白F-actin及黏附连接蛋白VE-cadherin在ECs中的分布和形态学改变;酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)检测ECs血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)分泌。结果: CREG过表达的ECs (EO组) 较EN组单层通透性明显增高 (P<0.05);CREG表达下调的ECs(ES组)较EN组单层通透性有所下降(P<0.05)。与EN组相比较,EO组细胞中F-actin排列紊乱,形成大量应力纤维; ES组F-actin则主要呈细丝状分布于细胞周边,中央分布较少。同时,EO组VE-cadherin在细胞周边的正常拉链状结构减少或缺失,细胞间隙增宽;而ES组VE-cadherin在细胞周边呈正常拉链状分布,细胞之间连接紧密。ELISA检测显示EO组细胞上清中VEGF分泌较EN组明显增加(P<0.05);ES组VEGF分泌较EN组减少(P<0.05)。应用VEGF中和抗体阻断后,CREG过表达引起的EO通透性增加的现象明显受到抑制。结论: CREG过表达可能通过VEGF介导的信号途径引起F-actin重构及VE-cadherin减少,使血管内皮细胞单层通透性增加。     

Culture of human umbilical vein endothelial cells on immobilized vascular endothelial growth factor

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was immobilized on substrata in photoreactive gelatin to control the adhesion and growth of vascular endothelial cells. The gelatin and VEGF were mixed in water and cast on a polystyrene dish or a silane-coated glass plate. The surface was then photoirradiated in the presence or absence of a photomask and washed. Toughness of the immobilized material was confirmed by ethanol treatment. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) grew on the immobilized VEGF but not on a nontreated surface. Growth of HUVEC increased significantly with an increase in the amount of immobilized VEGF, and the effects were inhibited by treatment with anti-VEGF antibody. Thus, immobilized VEGF specifically interacted with HUVECs to permit growth in culture. Micropatterning of HUVEC cultures was also achieved using micropattern-immobilized VEGF. This patterning technique may be useful for the formation of blood vessel networks in vitro.     

The Secretion of Endothelin-1 by Microvascular Endothelial Cells from Human Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is Inhibited by Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

Prostate growth seems to be influenced by paracrine factors like endothelin-1 (ET-1), originating from the microvascular endothelium. Recently, we reported on the first isolation and primary culture of microvascular endothelial cells (HPEC) derived from tissue of human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Therefore, direct investigation of growth factor secretion by HPEC is now possible.

BPH tissue was cut into small cubes and gently squeezed after incubation with dispase. HPEC were cultured from the resulting cell suspension after a stepwise selection by use of superparamagnetic beads coated with antibodies against endothelial specific antigens. HPEC were characterized by flow cytometry. After the incubation of HPEC either with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), or adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the secretion of ET-1 was measured by ELISA.

HPEC showed a typical endothelial morphology. They were positive for von Willebrand factor and CD31. The ET-1 secretion of HPEC was inhibited by VEGF, but was unaffected by TNF-α or ATP. Furthermore, histochemistry revealed that in vivo microvascular endothelial cells were negative for ET-1. Because of the suppression by the widespread VEGF, it is unlikely that ET-1 from the microvascular endothelium acts as a growth factor in human BPH.     

The secretion of endothelin-1 by microvascular endothelial cells from human benign prostatic hyperplasia is inhibited by vascular endothelial growth factor

Prostate growth seems to be influenced by paracrine factors like endothelin-1 (ET-1), originating from the microvascular endothelium. Recently, we reported on the first isolation and primary culture of microvascular endothelial cells (HPEC) derived from tissue of human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Therefore, direct investigation of growth factor secretion by HPEC is now possible. BPH tissue was cut into small cubes and gently squeezed after incubation with dispase. HPEC were cultured from the resulting cell suspension after a stepwise selection by use of superparamagnetic beads coated with antibodies against endothelial specific antigens. HPEC were characterized by flow cytometry. After the incubation of HPEC either with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), or adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the secretion of ET-1 was measured by ELISA. HPEC showed a typical endothelial morphology. They were positive for von Willebrand factor and CD31. The ET-1 secretion of HPEC was inhibited by VEGF, but was unaffected by TNF-alpha or ATP. Furthermore, histochemistry revealed that in vivo microvascular endothelial cells were negative for ET-1. Because of the suppression by the widespread VEGF, it is unlikely that ET-1 from the microvascular endothelium acts as a growth factor in human BPH.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor is constitutively expressed in normal human salivary glands and is secreted in the saliva of healthy individuals

The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a specific mitogen for endothelial cells, was examined in salivary glands and in normal saliva. In normal salivary glands, VEGF mRNA and protein were strongly present in acinar cells, whereas little or no VEGF was found in ductal cells. In chronically inflamed glands, VEGF protein was in addition present in ductal elements and in infiltrating mononuclear cells. No difference of VEGF expression was observed between benign and malignant salivary gland tumours. By ELISA, whole saliva of 24 healthy individuals contained up to 2·5 ng/ml (mean 1·4 ng/ml; SD 0·77 ng/ml) of VEGF, confirming the constitutive secretion of this cytokine by human salivary glands. Western blot analysis of normal saliva under non-reducing conditions detected anti-VEGF reactive protein moieties of ≈46 kD, corresponding to VEGF secreted by cells in tissue culture. Additional anti-VEGF reactive proteins of ≈60 and 90 kD were detected in the saliva of some individuals. The presence of considerable quantities of VEGF in normal human saliva suggests an important role for this cytokine in the maintenance of the homeostasis of mucous membranes, with rapid induction of neoangiogenesis by salivary VEGF helping to accelerate wound healing within the oral cavity. Moreover, salivary VEGF may permeabilize intraglandular capillaries and thus participate in the regulation of saliva production itself. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

一氧化氮在VEGF介导的内皮细胞增殖与分泌效应中的作用

目的: 探讨一氧化氮在血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)介导的血管内皮细胞增殖与分泌效应中所起的作用,了解VEGF可能的作用机制。方法:将体外培养的兔主动脉内皮细胞分成对照组、VEGF处理组和VEGF+N-硝基-L-精氨酸甲酯(L-NAME)处理组,采用四氮唑盐WST-1比色法、放免法和酶联免疫双抗体夹心法分别检测吸光值及内皮素-1和Ⅷ因子辅因子水平。结果:VEGF处理组吸光值明显高于VEGF+ L-NAME处理组,且均高于对照组(P＜0.01);VEGF处理组内皮素-1和Ⅷ因子辅因子水平明显低于VEGF+L-NAME处理组,且均低于对照组(P＜0.05和P＜0.01);提示VEGF能促进内皮细胞增殖,抑制内皮细胞分泌内皮素-1和Ⅷ因子辅因子,而L-NAME能部分拮抗VEGF的上述作用。结论:一氧化氮在VEGF促进内皮细胞增殖及抑制内皮细胞分泌内皮素 -1和Ⅷ因子辅因子中起中介作用,VEGF可能部分通过一氧化氮起作用,一氧化氮是VEGF作用机制中的一个重要信号通路。     

Hydrodynamic shear-stress-dependent retention of endothelial and endothelial progenitor cells adhered to vascular endothelial growth factor-fixed surfaces

The luminal surfaces of small-diameter artificial vascular grafts must be fully endothelialized to be nonthrombogenic following implantation. To achieve this goal, we have attempted to capture circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in situ on the luminal surfaces of implanted grafts. We examined potential receptor-ligand pairs that promote selective and tight adhesion of EPCs using a radial flow chamber comprising three regions, each containing a specific protein-bound substrate: fibronectin (FN) for integrin, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and anti-Flk-1 antibody for VEGF receptor. In the presence of shear stress, the greatest retention of endothelial cells and EPCs was observed with FN followed by VEGF and then anti-Flk-1 antibody. Regardless of the bound protein, cell adhesion increased with larger areas of cell adhesion and enhanced cell spreading; the latter was also greatest with FN followed by VEGF and then anti-Flk-1 antibody. The distribution of vinculin-a key protein in focal adhesion plaques-in adherent endothelial cells was examined using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy; FN-bound surfaces resulted in larger areas of adhesion and more focal adhesion plaques compared with surfaces bound with VEGF. On the other hand, examining these parameters relative to the area of cell adhesion revealed that VEGF-bound surfaces resulted in larger focal adhesion areas and greater fluorescence signals, both of which indicate increased resistance to shear stress. We also discuss in situ capturing of EPCs on surfaces bound with VEGF or anti-Flk-1 antibody, with the goal of creating endothelialized small-diameter vascular grafts.     

Participation of glomerular endothelial cells in the capillary repair of glomerulonephritis.

In many glomerular diseases severe injury to the mesangium may occur, leading to matrix dissolution and damage to the glomerular capillaries. Although the destruction of glomerular architecture may lead to permanent injury, in some cases spontaneous recovery occurs. The mechanisms that mediate this recovery are unknown. In this study we provide evidence for glomerular capillary repair (angiogenesis) in the adult injured glomerulus. Injection of anti-Thy 1 antibody into rats results in severe mesangiolysis with capillary ballooning, microaneurysm formation, and loss of endothelial cells in addition to mesangial cells. Although mesangial proliferation is a major response to injury, proliferation of endothelial cells also can be documented from days 2 to 14 in association with repair of the capillaries. The endothelial cell proliferation peaks on days 2 and 7, when it is seven- to ninefold greater than normal. Many of the endothelial cells display morphological features of angiogenesis. The initial wave of endothelial cell proliferation can be reduced by 40% with neutralizing anti-basic fibroblast growth factor antibodies (P < 0.001). The later glomerular endothelial cell proliferation is associated with upregulated expression of vascular permeability factor/endothelial cell growth factor (VPF/VEGF) and an increase of flk, a VPF/VEGF receptor. Although PDGF is expressed in this model, anti-PDGF antibody treatment did not affect the endothelial cell proliferative response. In summary, glomerular endothelial cells have an active role in the glomerular response to injury. Glomeruli are capable of healing microaneurysms, and the mechanism involves basic fibroblast growth factor- and VPF/VEGF-mediated endothelial proliferative responses.     

血管内皮生长因子、细胞间黏附分子1在糖尿病大鼠肾小球的表达

目的 探讨血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和细胞间黏附分子1(1CAM-1)在糖尿病肾病(DN)发生机理中的作用。方法 采用链脲佐菌素(STZ)诱发糖尿病(DM)大鼠模型，观察大鼠肾小球肥大、肾功能和24h尿蛋白改变以及用免疫组织化学和计算机图像分析技术定位、半定量检测VEGF和ICAM—1在DM大鼠肾小球的表达。结果 VEGF和ICAM—1在糖尿病大鼠肾小球中均有不同程度表达，VEGF主要分布于肾小球脏层上皮细胞的脑浆之中，ICAM—1主要分布于肾小球内皮细胞和系膜细胞的脑浆中。VEGF、ICAM-1水平与蛋白尿和肾小球肥大呈正相关关系。结论 DM大鼠肾小球VEGF和ICAM-1的升高可能参与了DN的疾病发展过程，估计是糖尿病肾病发生机理之一。     

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (VEGF-R1 [Flt-1] and VEGF-R2 [KDR/Flk-1]) in tumorlets and in neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia of the lung

Pulmonary tumorlets and neuroendocrine (NE) cell hyperplasia are part of a continuous spectrum of NE-cell hyperplasia, going from NE hyperplasia to carcinoid. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent endothelial cell mitogen that has been shown to be increased in hypoxic lung. We hypothesized that tumorlets and NE-cell hyperplasia, which occur frequently in this context, were partly responsible for VEGF secretion. Immunohistochemical analysis of VEGF and both VEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2 was performed on paraffin sections of 12 lung tissues containing tumorlets and NE-cell hyperplasia in parallel with a control group of 11 lung specimens. VEGF and its receptor expressions were compared in bronchial epithelial cells and endothelial cells in both groups. VEGF and its receptors were consistently expressed in tumorlets and in NE-cell hyperplasia. When compared with control group lungs, the staining score for VEGF in lung bearing tumorlets was significantly higher in endothelial cells, but was not different in bronchial epithelial cells. VEGF-R1 expression was significantly increased both on bronchial epithelial cells (P = 0.001) and endothelial cells (P = 0.006), and VEGF-R2 expression was significantly increased on endothelial cell (P = 0.044). There was a significant positive correlation between the level of expression of VEGF and VEGF-R1 (P = 0.04) in both control groups and lung bearing tumorlets, but there was no significant correlation between VEGF and VEGF-R2 expression (P = 0.1). We concluded that VEGF is highly expressed in localized NE cell proliferations without potential of malignancy and might participate in local development of fibrosis.     

Mesangial cell integrin αvβ8 provides glomerular endothelial cell cytoprotection by sequestering TGF-β and regulating PECAM-1

Integrins are heterodimeric receptors that regulate cell adhesion, migration, and apoptosis. Integrin αvβ8 is most abundantly expressed in kidney and brain, and its major ligand is latent transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). Kidney αvβ8 localizes to mesangial cells, which appose glomerular endothelial cells and maintain glomerular capillary structure by mechanical and poorly understood paracrine mechanisms. To establish kidney αvβ8 function, mice with homozygous Itgb8 deletion (Itgb8(-/-)) were generated on outbred and C57BL/6 congenic backgrounds. Most Itgb8(-/-) mice died in utero, and surviving Itgb8(-/-) mice failed to gain weight, and rarely survived beyond 6 weeks. A renal glomerular phenotype included azotemia and albuminuria, as well as increased platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) expression, which was surprisingly not associated with conventional functions, such as endothelial cell hyperplasia, hypertrophy, or perivascular inflammation. Itgb8(-/-) mesangial cells demonstrated reduced latent TGF-β binding, resulting in bioactive TGF-β release, which stimulated glomerular endothelial cell apoptosis. Using PECAM-1 gain and loss of function strategies, we show that PECAM-1 provides endothelial cytoprotection against mesangial cell TGF-β. These results clarify a singular mechanism of mesangial-to-endothelial cell cross-talk, whereby mesangial cell αvβ8 homeostatically arbitrates glomerular microvascular integrity by sequestering TGF-β in its latent conformation. Under pathological conditions associated with decreased mesangial cell αvβ8 expression and TGF-β secretion, compensatory PECAM-1 modulation facilitates glomerular endothelial cell survival.