Activation of vascular endothelial growth factor through reactive oxygen species mediates 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid-induced endothelial cell proliferation

20-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) is formed by the omega-hydroxylation of arachidonic acid by cytochrome P450 4A and 4F enzymes, and it induces angiogenic responses in vivo. To test the hypothesis that 20-HETE increases endothelial cell (EC) proliferation via vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), we studied the effects of WIT003 [20-hydroxyeicosa-5(Z),14(Z)-dienoic acid], a 20-HETE analog on human macrovascular or microvascular EC. WIT003, as well as pure 20-HETE, stimulated EC proliferation by approximately 40%. These proliferative effects were accompanied by increased VEGF expression and release that were observed as early as 4 h after 20-HETE agonist addition. This was accompanied by increased phosphorylation of the VEGF receptor 2. The proliferative effects of 20-HETE were markedly inhibited by a VEGF-neutralizing antibody. Polyethylene glycol-superoxide dismutase (PEG-SOD) markedly inhibited both the increases in VEGF expression and the proliferative effects of 20-HETE. In contrast, administration of the NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor apocynin had no effect to the proliferative response to 20-HETE. The 20-HETE agonist markedly increased superoxide formation as reflected by an increase in dihydroethidium staining of EC, and this increase was inhibited by PEG-SOD but not by apocynin. 20-HETE also increased the phosphorylation of p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in EC, whereas an inhibitor of MAPK [U0126, 1,4-diamino-2,3-dicyano-1,4-bis(2-aminophenylthio)butadiene] suppressed the proliferative and the VEGF changes but not the pro-oxidant effects of 20-HETE. These data suggest that 20-HETE stimulates superoxide formation by pathways other than apocynin-sensitive NAD(P)H oxidase, thereby activating MAPK and then enhancing VEGF synthesis that drives EC proliferation. Thus, 20-HETE may be involved in the regulation of EC functions, such as angiogenesis.     

Activation of cultured vascular endothelial cells by antiphospholipid antibodies.

Circulating antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are associated with a syndrome of thrombosis, recurrent fetal loss, and thrombocytopenia. We have demonstrated the activation of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) by IgG from patients with anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL). Incubation of HUVEC for 4 h with purified IgG (100 micrograms/ml) from patients with high-titer aCL induced a 2.3-fold increase in monocyte adhesion over that seen in HUVEC incubated with IgG's from normal subjects. The effect of aCL was not attributable to LPS contamination, Fc receptors, or immune complexes. Monocyte adhesion was not induced when the aCL were added in serum-free media but was restored by the addition of purified beta 2GP1, previously described as a necessary cofactor for aCL reactivity. Purified rabbit polyclonal IgG raised against beta 2GP1 also induced monocyte adhesion when incubated with HUVEC. Preadsorption of patient serum with cardiolipin reduced monocyte adhesion by 60%. Immunofluorescent microscopy demonstrated that endothelial cells incubated with patient IgG expressed cell adhesion molecules, including E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and intracellular adhesion molecule-1. These data support the hypothesis that aPL activate vascular endothelial cells, thereby leading to a pro-thrombotic state.     

球囊导管转导血管内皮生长因子对局部血管内皮细胞生长的影响

背景：血管内皮生长因子（Vascular endothelial growth factor，VEGF）能促进实验性动脉成形及支架置入后血管内皮迅速再生，使血栓形成减少，新生内膜厚度和管腔狭窄程度减轻。 目的：在建立动脉粥样硬化兔模型基础上，观察局部转染VEGF基因对被扩张动脉内皮形成的影响。 设计、时间及地点：随机对照动物实验，于2004—11／2006—11在华中科技科技大学同济医学院微生物实验室完成。 材料：高脂饲养建立动脉粥样硬化兔模型，20只模型兔随机分为对照和基因治疗组两组，每组10只。 方法：基因治疗缌利用球囊导管扩张左肾动脉开口上段腹主动脉并导入pcDNA3．0载体介导的hVEGF165，对照组导入空载体。 主要观察指标：术后1，2，4周MRI观察左肾动脉开口处上段被扩张腹主动脉的管腔面积。术后2，4周处死家兔取材，采用HMIAS-2000高清晰度彩色医学图文分析系统观察内膜面积，中膜面积比值，采用Ⅷ因子相关抗原免疫组织化学染色观察血管内皮细胞再生情况。 结果：利用球囊导管能成功转导pcDNA3．0／hVEGF165。基因治疗组术后2，4周管腔面积大于对照组（P〈0．05），内膜面积，中膜面积比值小于对照组（P〈0．05）；基因治疗组扩张血管内皮细胞再生在术后2周即完成，而对照组到4周才完成。 结论：转导pcDNA3．0／hVEGF165基因能够促进局部血管内皮化，明显减轻再狭窄程度及内膜增厚。     

Tumor vascular permeability factor stimulates endothelial cell growth and angiogenesis.

Vascular permeability factor (VPF) is an Mr 40-kD protein that has been purified from the conditioned medium of guinea pig line 10 tumor cells grown in vitro, and increases fluid permeability from blood vessels when injected intradermally. Addition of VPF to cultures of vascular endothelial cells in vitro unexpectedly stimulated cellular proliferation. VPF promoted the growth of new blood vessels when administered into healing rabbit bone grafts or rat corneas. The identity of the growth factor activity with VPF was established in four ways: (a) the molecular weight of the activity in preparative SDS-PAGE was the same as VPF (Mr approximately 40 kD); (b) multiple isoforms (pI greater than or equal to 8) for both VPF and the growth-promoting activity were observed; (c) a single, unique NH2-terminal amino acid sequence was obtained; (d) both growth factor and permeability-enhancing activities were immunoadsorbed using antipeptide IgG that recognized the amino terminus of VPF. Furthermore, 125I-VPF was shown to bind specifically and with high affinity to endothelial cells in vitro and could be chemically cross-linked to a high-molecular weight cell surface receptor, thus demonstrating a mechanism whereby VPF can interact directly with endothelial cells. Unlike other endothelial cell growth factors, VPF did not stimulate [3H]thymidine incorporation or promote growth of other cell types including mouse 3T3 fibroblasts or bovine smooth muscle cells. VPF, therefore, appears to be unique in its ability to specifically promote increased vascular permeability, endothelial cell growth, and angio-genesis.     

Role of vascular endothelial cell growth factor in Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome.

Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with gonadotropins is followed by Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) in some women. An unidentified capillary permeability factor from the ovary has been implicated, and vascular endothelial cell growth/permeability factor (VEGF) is a candidate protein. Follicular fluids (FF) from 80 women who received hormonal induction for infertility were studied. FFs were grouped according to oocyte production, from group I (0-7 oocytes) through group IV (23-31 oocytes). Group IV was comprised of four women with the most severe symptoms of OHSS. Endothelial cell (EC) permeability induced by the individual FF was highly correlated to oocytes produced (r2 = 0.73, P < 0.001). Group IV FF stimulated a 63+/-4% greater permeability than FF from group I patients (P < 0. 01), reversed 98% by anti-VEGF antibody. Group IV fluids contained the VEGF165 isoform and significantly greater concentrations of VEGF as compared with group I (1,105+/-87 pg/ml vs. 353+/-28 pg/ml, P < 0. 05). Significant cytoskeletal rearrangement of F-actin into stress fibers and a destruction of ZO-1 tight junction protein alignment was caused by group IV FF, mediated in part by nitric oxide. These mechanisms, which lead to increased EC permeability, were reversed by the VEGF antibody. Our results indicate that VEGF is the FF factor responsible for increased vascular permeability, thereby contributing to the pathogenesis of OHSS.     

转化生长因子β1联合血管内皮细胞生长因子体外诱导胚胎干细胞向血管内皮细胞分化

目的:观察胚胎干细胞在转化生长因子β1和血管内皮细胞生长因子体外诱导分化血管内皮细胞的能力,探讨提高诱导效率的方法。方法:实验于2004/2006在南昌大学医学院第二附属医院血液病研究所进行。实验材料:成年昆明小鼠由南昌大学医学院动物科学部提供(机构许可证号:96021),经自然交配怀孕。小鼠胚胎干细胞129×1/SvJ细胞系,购于ATCC公司。实验方法:取孕12.5～14.5d的胎鼠,制作小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞饲养层。在小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞饲养层上培养扩增胚胎干细胞。将饲养层上扩增后生长状态好的胚胎干细胞以0.25%胰酶消化,小心吹打成单个细胞悬液,以差速贴壁法将饲养层细胞去掉,按1×104L-1胚胎干细胞悬液悬滴在细胞培养皿的盖上,每滴10～20μL,不换液,3d后形成拟胚体,培养液为不含白血病抑制因子的胚胎干细胞培养液。挑选状态好的拟胚体分3组:转化生长因子β1诱导组、血管内皮细胞生长因子诱导组、转化生长因子β1 血管内皮细胞生长因子诱导组。采用RT-PCR和免疫组织化学方法证实诱导的细胞是否为内皮细胞。结果:①胚胎干细胞体外诱导生长观察:3组中拟胚体贴壁后第2天,胚体均略摊开,周围有上皮样细胞出现,第3,4天有许多卵石样细胞产生,至第6天开始出现由卵石样细胞构成的管状结构,自胚体向周围呈辐射状生长,渐呈网状,诱导时间约2周。转化生长因子β1 血管内皮细胞生长因子诱导组中产生的管样结构的拟胚体数较转化生长因子β1诱导组、血管内皮细胞生长因子诱导组多(44.67±3.88,28.17±6.08,33.00±2.68,P<0.05)。②RT-PCR法检测基因mRNA水平:3组基因表达的扩增片断分别为1086,733,265bp,与DNAmark相比较,条带位置相符。③扩增细胞的免疫组织化学染色:Ⅷ因子抗体反应显示阳性。结论:转化生长因子β1与血管内皮细胞生长因子均能诱导胚胎干细胞为内皮细胞,两者合用有可能提高诱导效率。     

The addition of endothelial cell growth factor and heparin to human umbilical vein endothelial cell cultures decreases plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is a specific and rapid inhibitor of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and urokinase. Clinical studies suggest that PAI-1 may play a crucial role in the regulation of fibrinolysis. A number of factors modulate PAI-1 activity in endothelial cell culture, and the isolation of PAI-1 cDNA now allows study of PAI-1 regulation at the mRNA level. We examined the effect of endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF) and heparin on PAI-1 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) culture. The addition of ECGF and heparin to HUVEC cultures results in a 3-10-fold decrease in the PAI-1 activity secreted into the conditioned media. This effect is mediated at the mRNA level. A decrease in PAI-1 is also seen with higher concentrations of ECGF alone, but is greatly enhanced by the addition of heparin. No significant change in tPA antigen or mRNA levels was observed.     

Glomerular endothelial cells are maintained by vascular endothelial growth factor in the adult kidney.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to maintain endothelial cells of immature vessels and is constitutively expressed in the kidney from the embryo to adult. We tested the hypothesis that VEGF activity is needed to maintain glomerular endothelial cells in the adult. Neutralizing antibody to VEGF165 was intraperitoneally administered to mice for 3 days to strongly suppress its intrinsic activity. On the fourth day, mice were sacrificed and tissues were examined by light and electron microscopies. Vascular casts of renal vessels were observed by a scanning electron microscopy. Distribution of the administered antibody and expressions of VEGF and Flk-1 were examined immunohistochemically. The suppression of endogenous VEGF activity caused swelling and vacuolation of endothelial cells and obstruction of capillaries in the glomerulus. Other tissues were not impaired significantly. The administered antibody was specifically localized to the glomerulus, and was found more predominantly in the juxta-medullary than in the cortical glomerulus. This pattern of antibody deposition was similar to that of Flk-1. VEGF expression in the glomerulus was compensatively elevated by the antibody treatment. These results show that demand for VEGF signaling in the glomerulus is much higher than in other tissues, probably to protect its endothelial cells against high tension for blood filtration. This demand may be fulfilled by enriched signaling through the Flk-1 in the glomerulus.     

uPA、VEGF和微血管密度在卵巢恶性生殖细胞肿瘤中表达及其临床意义研究

目的:探讨激酶型纤溶酶原激活物 (urokinase-type plasminogen activator,uPA)和血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)及微血管密度(microvascular density,MVD)在卵巢恶性生殖细胞肿瘤(malignant ovarian germ cell tumor,MOGCT)侵袭转移中的作用及其预后价值.方法:应用免疫组织化学方法检测43例MOGCT及10例正常卵巢组织中uPA和VEGF蛋白的表达情况,同时标记CD34肿瘤新生血管,计算MVD.结果:uPA和 VEGF的阳性表达率及MVD值在MOGCT患者不同年龄、不同病理类型、不同腹腔积液程度、有无网膜转移、有无肝转移上差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);uPA和VEGF的阳性表达率、表达强度及MVD值在不同FIGO分期、有无淋巴结转移上差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).Kaplan-Meier生存曲线显示uPA蛋白阳性表达者的生存期较阴性表达者明显缩短,uPA与MOGCT的总生存期有关(P<0.05);Cox比例风险模型分析提示,uPA蛋白表达越强、MVD值越高患者预后越差,二者可影响患者的生存期.结论:uPA,VEGF的表达及MVD值与MOGCT的侵袭转移密切相关;uPA和MVD可作为判断MOGCT的预后指标.     

真核表达载体血管内皮生长因子转染血管内皮细胞及对新生血管形成的影响

背景:血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)能与存在内皮细胞表面的特异性受体结合,刺激体内新生血管形成,但在体内半衰期极短,在移植局部难以维持足够的浓度,限制了其临床应用.目的:观察VEGF与增强绿色荧光蛋白(enhanced green fluorescent,EGFP)共表达载体转染对大鼠血管内皮细胞形成新生血管的影响.设计、时间及地点:随机分组设计、对照动物实验,于2004-09/2005-01在中国医科大学附属第一医院器官移植实验室完成.材料:30只雄性Wistar大鼠按随机数字表法分为3组,每组10只.质粒pIRES2-EGFP/VEGF165由第四军医大学提供.方法:采用层析法大量提取pIRES2-EGFPNEGF165质粒,采用阳性脂质体法进行转染,计数1×106血管内皮细胞植入雄性Wiser大鼠肾被膜下.实验组:植入转染质粒pIRES2-EGFP/VEGF165的内皮细胞:空白转染组:植入转染质粒pIRES2-EGFP的内皮细胞:对照组:植入正常大鼠血管内皮细胞.主要观察指标:①转染72 h后观察EGFP及VEGF表达情况.②流式细胞仪检测转染效率.③植入后14 d苏木精-伊红染色观察植入血管内皮细胞处组织形态学变化.结果:30只大鼠均进入结果分析.①荧光显微镜下实验组内皮细胞有特异性的EGFP表达.②流式细胞仪分析转染效率为13.06%.③实验组血管内皮细胞胞核和胞浆中均有VEGF表达.反转录-聚合酶链反应显示实验组大鼠血管内皮细胞中有人源化VEGF165基因在mRNA水平表达.④移植后14 d.实验组大鼠肾被膜下可见成团的新生毛细血管网形成,而对照组及空白转染组虽血管内皮细胞仍存活,但未形成明显血窦.结论:转染VEGF基因是促进内皮细胞早期(14d内)形成新生血管的有效途径.     

A hydrophobic gelatin fiber sheet promotes secretion of endogenous vascular endothelial growth factor and stimulates angiogenesis

In tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, the formation of vascular beds is an effective method to supply oxygen and nutrients to implanted cells or tissues to improve their survival and promote normal cellular functions. Various types of angiogenic materials have been developed by incorporating growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor, in biocompatible materials. However, these exogenous growth factors suffer from instability and inactivation under physiological conditions. In this study, we designed a novel angiogenic electrospun fiber sheet (C16-FS) composed of Alaska pollock-derived gelatin (ApGltn) modified with hexadecyl (C16) groups to induce localized and sustained angiogenesis without growth factors. C16-FS was thermally crosslinked to enhance its stability. We demonstrated that C16-FS swells in phosphate-buffered saline for over 24 h and resists degradation. Laser doppler perfusion imaging showed that C16-FS induced increased blood perfusion when implanted subcutaneously in rats compared with unmodified ApGltn-fiber sheets (Org-FS) and the sham control. Furthermore, angiogenesis was sustained for up to 7 days following implantation. Immunohistochemical studies revealed elevated nuclear factor-κB and CD31 levels around the C16-FS implantation site compared with the Org-FS implantation site and the control incision site. These results demonstrate that C16-FS is a promising angiogenic material to promote the formation of vascular beds for cell and tissue transplantation without the need for growth factors.

In vivo long-term growth factor-free angiogenesis by LPS-mimicking C16-modified gelatin based electrospun fiber sheet.     

VEGF对白血病树突状细胞诱导CTL杀伤活性的影响

目的观察血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)对白血病树突状细胞(DC)激活的CTL体外杀伤活性的影响。方法K562白血病细胞经5μmol/L VEGF反义寡核苷酸作用24 h后诱导生成DC。流式细胞术检测DC特征性表型(CD40、CD86、HLA-DR和CD83)的表达,MTT法检测DC激发的细胞毒T淋巴细胞(CTL)对靶细胞的杀伤活性。ELISA法检测DC上清中IL-12的表达。结果与正常K562诱生的DC(K562-DC)相比,K562经反义寡核苷酸下调VEGF表达后培养出具有典型特征的DC(AS-K562-DC),它不仅高表达DC免疫表型,而且激活的CTL对K562细胞具有更强的杀伤效应,同时具有更强的IL-12分泌能力(P均<0.05)。结论抑制白血病细胞VEGF表达,能够促进白血病源DC的分化和成熟,激活的CTL在体外具有更强的抗白血病效应。     

血管内皮生长因子及血管内皮生长因子受体-2在肾脏疾病中的研究新进展

血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)是一种内皮细胞的特殊生长因子,可以促进内皮细胞的增生、分化和生存,还可以提高血管的通透性,促进血管的形成。血管内皮生长因子受体-2(VEGFR-2),是VEGF的特异性受体,VEGF/VEGFR-2信号系统的激活是刺激血管内皮细胞的主要机制。本文首先对VEGF及VEGFR进行概述,其次介绍VEGF/VEGFR-2肾脏的旁分泌和自分泌机制。最后,对VEGF/VEGFR-2在各种肾脏疾病中的表达及其作用以及靶向VEGF/VEGFR-2信号通路对新药的研发和临床应用进行综述。     

uPA、MMP-2和VEGF在原发性肝细胞癌中的表达

目的 进一步探讨尿激酶型纤溶酶原激活物(uPA)、明胶酶A(NMP-2)和血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)在肝细胞癌(HCC)中的表达及与侵袭转移和预后的关系.方法 采用免疫组化方法检测36例无转移无复发、22例侵袭转移和22例复发的HCC癌组织中的uPA、MMP-2和VEGF表达.结果 uPA、MMP-2和VEGF在侵袭转移组和复发组HCC的表达显著高于无转移无复发组(P<0.01),而前两组的表达之间无差异(P>0.05).uPA、NNP-2和VEGF在上述3组中的表达存在正相关性.结论 uPA、MMP-2和VEGF可作为判断HCC不良预后的分子标记物,它们在HCC中发挥协同的促转移复发作用.     

血管内皮细胞生长因子和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子体外联合诱导外周血单个核细胞定向分化为血管内皮细胞

目的:在体外培养的条件下,应用血管内皮细胞生长因子和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子联合诱导人外周血单个核细胞向血管内皮细胞分化,解决组织工程血管化的种子细胞来源问题。方法:实验于2005-11/2006-05在安徽省立医院中心实验室完成。①血管内皮细胞生长因子(Pepro Tech公司,批号090310);碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(Pepro Tech公司,批号0704CY081);人淋巴细胞分离液Ficoll-paque(天津灏洋生物制品科技有限公司);PE标记的CD31,鼠抗人vWF单克隆抗体(BD Biosciences公司);FITC标记的兔抗鼠IgG(北京中杉金桥公司)。②无菌条件下取健康人外周血20mL,肝素抗凝,Hanks液双倍稀释,按1∶2置于淋巴细胞分离液上层,离心后提取分液层与上层交界部位呈混浊的灰白色层,即为单个核细胞层。③取离心后的细胞,向DMEM-F12培养基中分别加入含体积分数为0.2的胎牛血清、10μg/L血管内皮细胞生长因子、10μg/L碱性成纤维细胞生长因子。以不含血管内皮细胞生长因子和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子诱导剂的DMEM-F12培养基作为空白对照。吹打均匀并计数,按1×1010L-1接种于25cm2培养瓶中,于37℃、体积分数为0.05的CO2饱和湿度培养箱中培养,第3天更换培养基,去除未贴壁的细胞,以后每2d换液1次。④倒置相差显微镜下观察细胞单层排列是否呈"铺路石"样结构。运用流式细胞术检测诱导后的细胞表达CD31和vWF情况。透射电镜观察细胞的超微结构。结果:①诱导分化后细胞形态学变化:经血管内皮细胞生长因子和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子诱导后的细胞形态上呈典型的"铺路石"样外观,经历从小圆→梭形→扁平细胞的过程,符合内皮细胞的演变过程。②诱导分化后细胞的表面标志鉴定:诱导分化20d,贴壁细胞中62.5%表达CD31,58.2%表达vWF,54.3%表达CD31/vWF。③培养细胞的超微结构观察:透射电镜下细胞胞浆内可见特征性W-P小体。结论:外周血单个核细胞在血管内皮细胞生长因子和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子体外联合诱导下,可分化为血管内皮细胞。