VEGF-C regulates lymphangiogenesis and capillary stability by regulation of PDGF-B

2009 ◽  
Vol 297 (5) ◽  
pp. H1685-H1696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitsuho Onimaru ◽  
Yoshikazu Yonemitsu ◽  
Takaaki Fujii ◽  
Mitsugu Tanii ◽  
Toshiaki Nakano ◽  
...  

Emerging evidence indicates that the tight communication between vascular endothelial cells and mural cells using platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB is essential for capillary stabilization during the angiogenic process. However, little is known about the related regulator that determines PDGF-BB expression. Using murine models of therapeutic neovascularization, we here show that a typical lymphangiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C, is an essential regulator determining PDGF-BB expression for vascular stabilization via a paracrine mode of action. The blockade of VEGF type 3 receptor (VEGFR3) using neutralizing antibody AFL-4 abrogated FGF-2-mediated limb salvage and blood flow recovery in severely ischemic hindlimb. Interestingly, inhibition of VEGFR3 activity not only diminished lymphangiogenesis, but induced marked dilatation of capillary vessels, showing mural cell dissociation. In these mice, VEGF-C and PDGF-B were upregulated in the later phase after induced ischemia, on day 7, when exogenous FGF-2 expression had already declined, and blockade of VEGFR3 or PDGF-BB activities diminished PDGF-B or VEGF-C expression, respectively. These results clearly indicate that VEGF-C is a critical mediator, not only for lymphangiogenesis, but also for capillary stabilization, the essential molecular mechanism of communication between endothelial cells and mural cells during neovascularization.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (4) ◽  
pp. 1260-1266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanako Kobayashi ◽  
Laura M. DeBusk ◽  
Yael O. Babichev ◽  
Daniel J. Dumont ◽  
Pengnian Charles Lin

Abstract Communication between endothelial cells (ECs) and mural cells is critical in vascular maturation. Genetic studies suggest that angiopoietin/Tie2 signaling may play a role in the recruitment of pericytes or smooth muscle cells (SMCs) during vascular maturation. However, the molecular mechanism is unclear. We used microarray technology to analyze genes regulated by angiopoietin-1 (Ang1), an agonist ligand for Tie2, in endothelial cells (ECs). We observed that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a mediator of mural cell motility, was up-regulated by Ang1 stimulation. We confirmed this finding by Northern blot and Western blot analyses in cultured vascular endothelial cells. Furthermore, stimulation of ECs with Ang1 increased SMC migration toward endothelial cells in a coculture assay. Addition of a neutralizing anti-HGF antibody inhibited Ang1-induced SMC recruitment, indicating that the induction of SMC migration by Ang1 was caused by the increase of HGF. Interestingly, Ang2, an antagonist ligand of Tie2, inhibited Ang1-induced HGF production and Ang1-induced SMC migration. Finally, we showed that deletion of Tie2 in transgenic mouse reduced HGF production. Collectively, our data reveal a novel mechanism of Ang/Tie2 signaling in regulating vascular maturation and suggest that a delicate balance between Ang1 and Ang2 is critical in this process.


Reproduction ◽  
2001 ◽  
pp. 875-881 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Sugino ◽  
S Kashida ◽  
S Takiguchi ◽  
A Karube-Harada ◽  
H Kato

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors, the fms-like tyrosine kinase (flt-1) and kinase insert domain-containing region (KDR), in corpora lutea obtained at different stages of the oestrous cycle and during pregnancy in rats. Immunohistochemistry revealed that both flt-1 and KDR were localized in luteal cells in addition to vascular endothelial cells, and that the intensity of staining was stronger in pregnant rats than in cyclic rats. Rats undergoing hypophysectomy-hysterectomy on day 12 of pregnancy were treated with oestradiol until day 15 of pregnancy to determine whether oestradiol is involved in expression of flt-1 and KDR mRNA in the corpus luteum during mid-pregnancy. The flt-1 and KDR mRNA contents in the corpus luteum were decreased significantly by hypophysectomy-hysterectomy, and these decreases recovered significantly after oestradiol treatment. Changes in the mass of the corpus luteum and serum progesterone concentrations paralleled the changes in expression of flt-1 and KDR mRNA. Developmental studies indicated that flt-1 and KDR mRNA contents in the corpus luteum were constant until day 15 of pregnancy but decreased significantly on day 21 of pregnancy. In conclusion, both flt-1 and KDR were expressed in luteal cells in addition to vascular endothelial cells, and expression was upregulated by oestradiol during mid-pregnancy. flt-1 and KDR may play a role in development of the corpus luteum and in production of progesterone during mid-pregnancy in rats.


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