花生四烯酸细胞色素P450表氧化酶在自发性高血压大鼠血压的调节中的作用

背景与目的花生四烯酸细胞色素P450（CYP）表氧化酶代谢花生四烯酸产生表氧化廿烷酸（EETs），又称为内皮源性超极化因子（EDHFs），在局部微循环的调节中起着重要作用。然而EETs在血压的调节中是否起作用还不清楚。本研究通过对成年自发性高血压大鼠导入花生四烯酸细胞色素表氧化酶基因来观察其血压变化，从而进一步明确EETs在血压调节中的作用。方法：将含人类细胞色素P450表氧化酶CYP2J2 cDNA的真核细胞表达质粒pcDNA．2J2经静脉注射（3mg／kg）人雄性成年自发性高血压大鼠，并以pcDNA3．1对照。然后用尾部血压计测量血压。并在注射后3周和4周时处死动物，检测CYP2J2在不同组织中的表达情况。结果：注射质粒后对照组血压一直无显著性变化，而pcDNA．2J2治疗组大鼠血压显著降低（P〈0．05），这一降压效应持续两周以上。Western blotting显示在实验组动物肺、肝和肾的总蛋白中通过特异性抗-CYP2J2抗体可检测出显著量的人类CYP2J2蛋白的表达。结论：本实验显示对成年自发性高血压大鼠导人人类CYP2J2基因，使CYP2J2可以在动物组织中高表达，从而引起相对持久的降压作用，这些结果提示花生四烯酸细胞色素P450表氧化酶通过产生EDHFs参与了动物血压的调节作用。     

花生四烯酸细胞色素P450代谢途径在高血压中作用的研究进展

花生四烯酸是人体必须脂肪酸之一，其代谢产物具有较强生物学活性并在众多生理病理过程中发挥着重要调节作用。其在人体内主要通过环氧化酶、脂氧化酶、细胞色素P450（CYP）三大途径进行代谢。其中，越来越多的研究表明，CYP代谢途径中其关键基因CYP通过调控经ω-羟化酶、表氧化酶作用的下游产物20羟-二十烷四烯酸及表氧一二十碳三烯酸的质／量，从而影响高血压的发生发展，并且对其分子生物学机制及遗传学的研究亦成为当前的研究焦点。本文主要对CYP途径在高血压中的作用简要做一综述。     

花生四烯酸细胞色素P450表氧化酶代谢产物环氧二十碳三烯酸生物学作用

对于花生四烯酸经细胞色素P450表氧化酶作用生成的环氧二十碳三烯酸（EETs）,最初在心血管及肾脏系统中被广泛研究,并发现EETs的舒张血管、抑制血小板的聚集、抑制血管平滑肌细胞的炎症反应及平滑肌细胞的迁移、增强纤维蛋白的溶解等作用,为预防及治疗许多心血管疾病如高血压、动脉粥样硬化等提供了新的研究方向。近来研究发现EETs具有促进机体肿瘤细胞的增殖、迁移等作用,其有可能使EET成为肿瘤治疗的新靶点。深入研究EETs的生物学作用及其作用机制,将为临床治疗某些疾病提供新的思路。     

花生四烯酸细胞色素P450酶代谢产物的生理作用

近十余年来对花生四烯酸细胞色素P450（CYP）氧化酶代谢途径及其产物的研究引起了学者们广泛的兴趣和重视，陆续发现并证实经此途径产生的花生四烯酸代谢产物有许多重要的生理和病理生理作用。     

花生四烯酸细胞色素P450表氧化酶代谢产物环氧二十碳三烯酸生物学作用

对于花生四烯酸经细胞色素P450表氧化酶作用生成的环氧二十碳三烯酸(EETs),最初在心血管及肾脏系统中被广泛研究,并发现EETs的舒张血管、抑制血小板的聚集、抑制血管平滑肌细胞的炎症反应及平滑肌细胞的迁移、增强纤维蛋白的溶解等作用,为预防及治疗许多心血管疾病如高血压、动脉粥样硬化等提供了新的研究方向。近来研究发现EETs具有促进机体肿瘤细胞的增殖、迁移等作用,其有可能使EET成为肿瘤治疗的新靶点。深入研究EETs的生物学作用及其作用机制,将为临床治疗某些疾病提供新的思路。     

细胞色素P450表氧化酶对内皮细胞凋亡及NF—κB表达的影响

目的研究细胞色素P450表氧化酶对肿瘤坏死因子诱导的内皮细胞凋亡及NF-KB活性的影响。方法在原代培养的牛主动脉内皮细胞中，分别转染细胞色素P450表氧化酶基因rAAV-2J2，rAAV-2C11，rAAV—F87V两周后，用肿瘤坏死因子（TNF-d）（10ng／ml）和放线菌素D（ActD）（5ng／ml）诱导凋亡，通过DNA ladder观察细胞凋亡，同时ELISA法测定NF-κB的活性。结果与对照组相比，转染细胞色素P450表氧化酶基因后能抑制内皮细胞的凋亡，同时诱导细胞凋亡后，转染CYP450各基因组NF-KB中P65的活性较对照组明显降低。结论细胞色素P450表氧化酶能明显的抑制肿瘤坏死因子诱导的内皮细胞凋亡，并通过抑制NF-κB的核转位发挥抗凋亡作用。     

花生四烯酸细胞色素P450代谢途径在心力衰竭中作用的研究进展

<正>花生四烯酸是人体必需脂肪酸之一,其代谢产物具有较强的生物学活性,并在众多生理及病理过程中发挥重要调节作用。花生四烯酸在人体内主要通过环氧化酶(cyclooxygenases,COXs)、脂氧化酶(lipoxygenases,LOXs)及细胞色素P450(cytochrome P450,CYP450)3大途径进行代谢,其中花生四烯酸经CYP450途径产生环氧二十碳三烯酸     

转染细胞色素P450表氧化酶基因对TNF-α损伤大鼠内皮依赖性血管舒张反应的保护作用及机制研究

目的研究过度表达表氧化酶基因,增加内源性EETs的产生是否对TNF-α损伤大鼠内皮依赖性血管舒张反应具有保护作用,并初步从对血管VCAM-1表达的影响探讨其机制。方法将携带细胞色素P450表氧化酶基因的真核表达载体pCB6质粒导入大鼠体内,2周后经静脉给予TNF-α,6 h后观察去甲肾上腺素预收缩的主动脉血管环对乙酰胆碱的舒张反应,并以western blot 检测血管中VCAM-1蛋白质的表达情况。结果 TNF-α降低了主动脉环对乙酰胆碱的舒张反应, CYP2C11、CYP2J2和CYPF87V基因转染使得这种被TNF-α降低的血管舒张反应增强。TNF-α增加了血管VCAM-1表达,CYP2C11、CYP2J2和CYPF87V基因转染使得这种被TNF-α诱导的VCAM-1表达减少。结论CYP2C11、CYP2J2和CYPF87V基因能提高了血管对舒血管物质的反应性。本研究提示,通过上调体内表氧化酶基因表达水平提高内源性EETs浓度可减轻炎症介导的血管损伤,这为研究动脉粥样硬化的防治提供了新的思路。     

细胞色素P450表氧化酶通过PI3K/AKT及ERK/MAPK途径抗内皮细胞凋亡的机制

目的:研究细胞色素P450表氧化酶对肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α诱导内皮细胞抗凋亡的机制。方法:在原代培养的牛主动脉内皮细胞(BAECs)中,分别转染细胞色素P450表氧化酶基因rAAV-F87V2周,证实其在内皮细胞中高效表达。用TNF-α(10ng/ml)和放线菌素D(ActD)(5ng/ml)诱导凋亡,流式细胞计数观察其凋亡变化,用Western blot法检测蛋白激酶B(AKT)及细胞外信号调节蛋白激酶(ERK)的磷酸化水平,用流式细胞计数的方法观察空白组及转染F87V组加入AKT抑制剂、LY294002、芹菜素及PD98059后的细胞凋亡比例。结果:与对照组比较,转染细胞色素P450表氧化酶基因后BAECs能高效表达P450表氧化酶基因F87V(P<0.05);流式计数凋亡细胞数,转染表氧化酶较对照组明显减少(P<0.05);转染CYP P450表氧化酶后,AKT及ERK的磷酸化增加;磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(PI3K)、丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)和MKK的抑制剂后转染F87V组较对照组凋亡细胞比例明显减少(P<0.05)。结论:细胞色素P450表氧化酶基因rAAV-F87V能通过MAPK(ERK1/2)与PI3K/AKT途径发挥抗凋亡作用。     

植物油降低心脏ω-6/ω-3多不饱和脂肪酸比值并改善心肌缺血再灌注的研究

目的：探讨适当增加饮食中植物油摄入,ω6/ω3多不饱和脂肪酸（polyunsaturated fatty acids,PUFAs）比例,及其对心肌缺血-再灌注（ischemia-reperfusion,I-R）时,细胞色素P450表氧化酶（cytochrome P450-enzyem） CYP2J表达及心肌损伤程度的影响.方法：C57 BL/6小鼠80只,随机分为普通饮食组及植物油组.分别以相应饮食喂养1个月后,建立心脏缺血再灌注模型,TTC染色检测心肌梗死面积.实时聚合酶链反应（PCR）及Western blot检测心肌CYP2J表达.气象色谱法检测细胞膜ω-3 PUFAs、ω-6 PUFAs及环氧二十碳三烯酸（11,12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid,EET）含量.结果：植物油组小鼠心脏ω-6/ω-3比值显著低于普通饮食组,其缺血区心肌CYP2J表达及EET含量显著高于普通饮食组,心肌梗死面积显著改善.结论：适当增加饮食中植物油摄入降低心脏ω-6/ω-3比值,改善心肌缺血再灌注时CYP2J表达,改善心肌缺血再灌注损伤.     

Leptin induces endothelial cell migration through Akt,which is inhibited by PPARgamma-ligands

Migration of endothelial cells (EC) is a key event in angiogenesis that contributes to neovascularization in diabetic vasculopathy. Leptin induces angiogenesis and is elevated in obesity and hyperinsulinemia. The antidiabetic thiazolidinediones (TZD) inhibit leptin gene expression and vascular smooth muscle cell migration through activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma). This study investigates the role of leptin in EC migration, the chemotactic signaling pathways involved, and the effects of the TZD-PPARgamma ligands troglitazone (TRO) and ciglitazone (CIG) on EC migration. We demonstrate that leptin induces EC migration. Because activation of two signaling pathways, the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)-->Akt-->eNOS and the ERK1/2 MAPK pathway, is known to be involved in cell migration, we used the pharmacological inhibitors wortmannin and PD98059 to determine if chemotactic signaling by leptin involves Akt or ERK1/2, respectively. Both wortmannin and PD98059 significantly inhibited leptin-induced migration. Treatment with the TZD-PPARgamma-ligands TRO and CIG significantly inhibited the chemotactic response toward leptin. Both PPARgamma-ligands inhibited leptin-stimulated Akt and eNOS phosphorylation, but neither attenuated ERK 1/2 activation in response to leptin. The inhibition of Akt-phosphorylation was accompanied by a PPARgamma-ligand-mediated upregulation of PTEN, a phosphatase that functions as a negative regulator of PI3K-->Akt signaling. These experiments provide the first evidence that activation of Akt and ERK 1/2 are crucial events in leptin-mediated signal transduction leading to EC migration. Moreover, inhibition of leptin-directed migration by the PPARgamma-ligands TRO and CIG through inhibition of Akt underscores their potential in the prevention of diabetes-associated complications.     

Xanthine oxidase interaction with vascular endothelial growth factor in human endothelial cell angiogenesis

OBJECTIVES: Reduced capillary density occurs early in cardiovascular diseases. Oxidant stress is implicated in endothelial apoptosis. We investigated the effects of xanthine oxidase (XO) on endothelial survival signaling: protein kinase B/Akt, its cross-talk with p38 MAPK and apoptosis pathways, and its effect on vascular tube formation in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-simulated human umbilical vein cells. METHODS: We studied primary cultured human endothelial cells from the umbilical cord. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was detected by dihydroethidium staining, cell-signaling pathways by western blots, cell survival by western blots, and nuclear chromatin and angiogenesis response by MTT proliferation assay and three-dimensional Matrigel cultures. RESULTS: Exogenous XO increased cellular ROS production and caused superoxide-dependent inhibition of Akt phosphorylation and enhancement of p38 MAPK phosphorylation in a time-and dose-dependent manner. In contrast, application of the XO inhibitor oxypurinol or allopurinol inhibited VEGF-stimulated Akt phosphorylation, indicating that endogenous XO promotes VEGF-induced endothelial cell (EC) survival signaling. Exogenous XO induced activation of caspase-3 and reduced expression of the anti-apoptosis protein Bcl-2. Exogenous XO also reduced EC viability, proliferation, and vascular tube formation by p38 MAPK-dependent, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K) reversible mechanisms; whereas VEGF promoted EC survival by PI3-K-dependent, p38 MAPK-independent effects. CONCLUSIONS: Exogenous XO activity is an important contributor to endothelial mechanisms for microvascular rarefaction, by modulation of cell survival signaling pathways; however, endogenous XO is necessary for maintaining EC survival.     

SDF-1alpha/CXCR4 decreases endothelial progenitor cells apoptosis under serum deprivation by PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway

Recent studies have demonstrated that stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha)/CXCR4 interaction regulates multiple cell signal pathways and a variety of cellular functions such as cell migration, proliferation, survival and angiogenesis. In present study, we aimed to determine the effect of SDF-1alpha on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) apoptosis induced by serum deprivation and the implication of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling in this effect. EPCs were isolated and characterized. SDF-1alpha decreased EPCs apoptosis induced by serum deprivation in a dose-dependent manner and the inhibitory effect was CXCR4 dependent as confirmed by the total abolishment by AMD3100, a CXCR4-specific peptide antagonist. SDF-1alpha treatment also significant decreased caspase-3 expression and activity. The inhibitory effect of SDF-1alpha on EPCs apoptosis was nearly completely abolished by PI3K inhibitors (either Wortmannin or LY294002) and partially abolished by NOS inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-arginine methyl ester, whereas inhibitors of MAPKs had no significant effect on this inhibitory effect. The treatment of EPCs with SDF-1alpha resulted in time-dependent Akt, eNOS, extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), p38 MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylations. These findings suggest that PI3K/Akt/eNOS activation, but not MAPKs activation, is required for the inhibitory effect of SDF-1alpha on EPCs apoptosis.     

Slit2/Robo1 signaling is involved in angiogenesis of glomerular endothelial cells exposed to a diabetic-like environment

Abnormal angiogenesis plays a pathological role in diabetic nephropathy (DN), contributing to glomerular hypertrophy and microalbuminuria. Slit2/Robo1 signaling participates in angiogenesis in some pathological contexts, but whether it is involved in glomerular abnormal angiogenesis of early DN is unclear. The present study evaluated the effects of Slit2/Robo1 signaling pathway on angiogenesis of human renal glomerular endothelial cells (HRGECs) exposed to a diabetic-like environment or recombinant Slit2-N. To remove the effect of Slit2 derived from mesangial cells, human renal mesangial cells (HRMCs) grown in high glucose (HG) medium (33 mM) were transfected with Slit2 siRNA and then the HG-HRMCs-CM with Slit2 depletion was collected after 48 h. HRGECs were cultured in the HG-HRMCs-CM or recombinant Slit2-N for 0, 6, 12, 24, or 48 h. The mRNA and protein expressions of Slit2/Robo1, PI3K/Akt and HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathways were detected by quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting, and ELISA, respectively. The CCK-8 cell proliferation assay, flow cytometry and the scratch wound-healing assay were used to assess cell proliferation, cycles, and migration, respectively. Matrigel was used to perform a tubule formation assay. Our results showed that the HG-HRMCs-CM with Slit2 depletion enhanced the activation of Slit2/Robo1, PI3K/Akt, and HIF-1α/VEGF signaling in HRGECs in time-dependent manner (0–24 h post-treatment). In addition, the HG-HRMCs-CM with Slit2 depletion significantly promoted HRGECs proliferation, migration, and tube formation. Pretreatment of HRGECs with Robo1 siRNA suppressed the activation of PI3K/Akt and HIF-1α/VEGF signaling and inhibited angiogenesis, whereas PI3K inhibitor suppressed HIF-1α/VEGF signaling, without influencing Robo1 expression. In the HRGECs treated with Slit2-N, Slit2-N time-dependently enhanced the activation of Robo1/PI3K/Akt/VEGF pathway but not HIF-1α activity, and promoted HRGECs proliferation, migration, and tube formation. The effects induced by Slit2 were also abolished by Robo1 siRNA and PI3K inhibitor. Taken together, our findings indicate that in a diabetic-like environment, in addition to mesangial cells, autocrine activation of Slit2/Robo1 signaling of HRGECs may contribute to angiogenesis of HRGECs through PI3K/Akt/VEGF pathway; therefore, Slit2/Robo1 signaling may be a potent therapeutic target for the treatment of abnormal angiogenesis in early DN and may have broad implications for the treatment of other diseases dependent on pathologic angiogenesis.     

Visfatin induces human endothelial VEGF and MMP-2/9 production via MAPK and PI3K/Akt signalling pathways: novel insights into visfatin-induced angiogenesis

AIMS: Visfatin is a novel adipokine whose plasma concentrations are altered in obesity and obesity-related disorders; these states are associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. We therefore investigated the effect of visfatin on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-9) production and the potential signalling cascades. METHODS AND RESULTS: In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), visfatin significantly and dose-dependently up-regulated gene expression and protein production of VEGF and MMPs and down-regulated expression of tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2). The gelatinolytic activity of MMPs (analysed by zymography) correlated with mRNA and western blot findings. Interestingly, visfatin significantly up-regulated VEGF receptor 2 expression. Inhibition of VEGFR2 and VEGF [by soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt1)] down-regulated visfatin-induced MMP induction. Visfatin induced dose- and time-dependent proliferation and capillary-like tube formation. Importantly, visfatin was noted to have anti-apoptotic effects. In HUVECs, visfatin dose-dependently activated PI3K/Akt (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt) and ERK(1/2) (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) pathways. The functional effects and MMP/VEGF induction were shown to be dependent on the MAPK/PI3K-Akt/VEGF signalling pathways. Inhibition of PI3K/Akt and ERK(1/2) pathways led to significant decrease of visfatin-induced MMP and VEGF production and activation, along with significant reduction in endothelial proliferation and capillary tube formation. CONCLUSION: Our data provide the first evidence of visfatin-induced endothelial VEGF and MMP production and activity. Further, we show for the first time the involvement of the MAPK and PI3K/Akt signalling pathways in mediating these actions, as well as endothelial cell proliferation. Collectively, our findings provide novel insights into visfatin-induced endothelial angiogenesis.     

Cytochrome P450 epoxygenases, soluble epoxide hydrolase, and the regulation of cardiovascular inflammation

The cytochrome P450 (CYP) epoxygenase enzymes CYP2J and CYP2C catalyze the epoxidation of arachidonic acid to epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), which are rapidly hydrolyzed to dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs) by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). It is well-established that CYP epoxygenase-derived EETs possess potent vasodilatory effects; however, the cellular effects of EETs and their regulation of various inflammatory processes have become increasingly appreciated in recent years, suggesting that the role of this pathway in the cardiovascular system extends beyond the maintenance of vascular tone. In particular, CYP epoxygenase-derived EETs inhibit endothelial activation and leukocyte adhesion via attenuation of nuclear factor-kappaB activation, inhibit hemostasis, protect against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, and promote endothelial cell survival via modulation of multiple cell signaling pathways. Thus, the CYP epoxygenase pathway is an emerging target for pharmacological manipulation to enhance the cardiovascular protective effects of EETs. This review will focus on the role of the CYP epoxygenase pathway in the regulation of cardiovascular inflammation and (1) describe the functional impact of CYP epoxygenase-derived EET biosynthesis and sEH-mediated EET hydrolysis on key inflammatory process in the cardiovascular system, (2) discuss the potential relevance of this pathway to pathogenesis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, and (3) identify areas for future research.     

Hepatocyte growth factor stimulates nitric oxide production through endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation by the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway and possibly by mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase in vascular endothelial cells.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has recently been the focus of attention due to its angiogenic effects, which are similar to those of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); because of these effects, HGF is considered to be a novel therapeutic agent against vascular disorders, including atherosclerotic angiopathies. Although nitric oxide (NO), which is derived from vascular endothelial cells (ECs), is also involved in angiogenesis, little is known regarding the interactions between HGF and NO. We therefore examined the effects of HGF on NO production as well as endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation, and investigated their mechanisms. In bovine aortic ECs, HGF induced a rapid (5 min) increase of NO production measured by diaminofluorescein-2 diacetate. Moreover, HGF rapidly (2.5 min) stimulated eNOS phosphorylation (Ser-1179) as determined by Western immunoblot analyses. Both of these effects were almost completely suppressed by the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002, and were partially suppressed by the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase 1/2 inhibitor U0126. HGF also stimulated Akt phosphorylation (Ser-473), which was completely suppressed by LY294002 and was partially suppressed by U0126. Moreover, HGF stimulated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation (Thr-202/Tyr-204), which was completely suppressed by U0126 and was partially suppressed by LY294002. Taken together, these results indicate that HGF not only phosphorylates eNOS through the PI3K/Akt pathway, but also partially through the MAPK pathway, and that these two pathways may interact. Compared with VEGF, HGF was more potent in both NO production and eNOS phosphorylation. Our study thus demonstrates a novel activity of HGF-the stimulation of NO production-which occurs via eNOS phosphorylation that may in turn be mediated by cross-talk between the PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways.     

Endothelium-derived epoxyeicosatrienoic acids and vascular function

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are epoxides of arachidonic acid generated by cytochrome P450 (CYP) epoxygenases. The activation of CYP epoxygenases in endothelial cells is an important step in the NO and prostacyclin-independent vasodilatation of several vascular beds, and EETs have been identified as an endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor. However, EETs also exert membrane potential-independent effects and modulate several signaling cascades that affect endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis. This review summarizes the role of CYP-derived EETs in endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor-mediated responses and highlights the evidence indicating that EETs are important second messengers involved in endothelial cell signaling pathways related to angiogenesis.     

Activation of sphingosine kinase-1 mediates induction of endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis by epoxyeicosatrienoic acids

AIMS: Recent evidence suggests that the epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), which are products of cytochrome P450 (CYP) epoxygenases, possess mitogenic and angiogenic effects in vascular endothelial cells. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects are not fully elucidated. Because sphingosine kinase (SK) and its product S1P play essential roles in cell growth, survival and migration, we hypothesized that SK activation by EETs may mediate some of its angiogenic effects. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied the effects of EETs on SK activity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Treatment with EETs, particularly 11,12-EET, markedly augmented SK activity in HUVECs. At the concentration of 1 micromol/L, 11,12-EET increased SK activity by 110% and the maximal effect on SK activation was observed at 20 min after 11,12-EET addition. Furthermore, inhibition of SK by a specific inhibitor, SKI-II, markedly attenuated 11,12-EET-induced EC proliferation. Importantly, 11,12-EET-induced activation of Akt kinase and transactivation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor was also inhibited by SKI-II. To investigate the isoform-specific role of SK in EET-induced angiogenesis, inhibition of SK1 by expression of dominant-negative SK1(G82D) substantially attenuated 11,12-EET-induced EC proliferation, migration, and tube formation in vitro and Matrigel plug angiogenesis in vivo. Furthermore, knockdown of SK1 expression by specific siRNA also inhibited 11,12-EET-induced EC proliferation and migration, whereas SK2 siRNA knockdown was without effect. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that SK1 is an important mediator of the 11,12-EET-induced angiogenic effects in human ECs. Thus, SK1 may represent a novel therapeutic modality for the treatment of angiogenesis-related diseases such as cancer and ischaemia.