MicroRNA-199a Protects Diabetic Retinopathy Under Streptozotocin Conditions by Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)

Inflammatory stress and angiogenesis participate in diabetic retinopathy. miR-199α could inhibit the elevation of wound angiogenesis by suppressing TNF-α and NF-κB pathway. The mechanism of miR-199a in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced cell damage was assessed by ELLISA kit, western blotting, real-time RT-PCR. Reactive oxygen Species (ROS) was measured by flow cytometry. The over expression of miR-199a decreased the STZ-stimulated oxidative stress, inflammatory response, as well as VEGF expression. In conclusion, our results validated that overexpression of miR-199a protects RMECs from STZ-induced inflammation, oxidative stress and angiogenesis by targeting, at least partly, the VEGF signaling.

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Pulmonary Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Sepsis

Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine ◽

10.5858/2003-127-0331-peoveg ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 127 (3) ◽

pp. 331-335 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Michael Tsokos ◽

Thomas Pufe ◽

Friedrich Paulsen ◽

Sven Anders ◽

Rolf Mentlein

Keyword(s):

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽

Growth Factor ◽

Alveolar Macrophages ◽

Sepsis Group ◽

Normal Lung ◽

Vascular Endothelial ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Vegf Expression ◽

Endothelial Growth Factor

Abstract Context.—Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an angiogenic and chemotactic peptide, is abundantly expressed in normal lung tissue, especially in alveolar and bronchial epithelium, glandular cells of the bronchi, and activated alveolar macrophages. Objective.—To investigate the role of VEGF in progressively impaired lung function as the major complication and cause of death in septic patients. Materials and Methods.—We evaluated pulmonary VEGF expression in lung autopsy material from septic patients who had been cared for by intensive care medicine using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and immunohistochemical methods. Results.—Compared with expression in nonseptic control individuals (n = 10), pulmonary VEGF expression as determined by ELISA was significantly (P < .001) decreased in septic patients (n = 8). As monitored by RT-PCR, mRNA for the 2 splice variants, VEGF121 and VEGF165, and for VEGFR-2/KDR were expressed in both groups, the yields being lower in the sepsis group. Samples from septic patients lacked or showed only sparse immunoreaction on bronchial and alveolar epithelium, whereas this reaction was strong in all control samples. However, alveolar macrophages were similarly immunopositive in both groups. Conclusions.—The precise underlying mechanisms for the distinctly different expression of pulmonary VEGF in septic patients and nonseptic control individuals are not clear at present. Particularly the role of VEGF in the development of sepsis-induced lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome in mechanically ventilated patients suffering from severe sepsis remains to be clarified.

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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Diabetic Retinopathy: Role of Oxidative Stress

Current Drug Targets ◽

10.2174/1389450054021981 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 511-524 ◽

Cited By ~ 136

Author(s):

Ruth Caldwell ◽

Manuela Bartoli ◽

M. Behzadian ◽

Azza El-Remessy ◽

Mohamed Al-Shabrawey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽

Diabetic Retinopathy ◽

Growth Factor ◽

Vascular Endothelial ◽

Endothelial Growth Factor

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Triamcinolone acetonide combined with aminoguanidine inhibits inflammation and oxidative stress, improves vascular endothelial and retinal function and reduces VEGF expression in diabetic retinopathy patients

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine ◽

10.3892/etm.2020.8478 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Kai Xu ◽

Hanliang Qian ◽

Meibo Zou

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Diabetic Retinopathy ◽

Triamcinolone Acetonide ◽

Retinal Function ◽

Vascular Endothelial ◽

Vegf Expression ◽

And Oxidative Stress

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Lisosan G Protects the Retina from Neurovascular Damage in Experimental Diabetic Retinopathy

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu10121932 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 1932 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Rosario Amato ◽

Maria Grazia Rossino ◽

Maurizio Cammalleri ◽

Filippo Locri ◽

Laura Pucci ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetic Retinopathy ◽

Cell Types ◽

Vascular Endothelial ◽

Vegf Expression ◽

Blood Retinal Barrier ◽

Protective Actions ◽

Retinal Explants ◽

Endothelial Growth Factor ◽

Different Cell Types ◽

Neurovascular Damage

Lisosan G (LG), a fermented powder obtained from whole grains, is a recognized antioxidant compound that improves the bioactivity and survival of different cell types. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether LG ameliorates both the neural and the vascular damage characterizing early stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR). The effects of LG were studied in cultured explants of mouse retinas challenged with oxidative stress (OS) or in retinas of streptozotocin (STZ)-treated rats. Apoptosis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, OS markers, blood-retinal barrier (BRB) integrity, and inflammation were assessed, while retinal function was evaluated with electroretinogram (ERG). LG extensively inhibited apoptosis, VEGF expression, and OS both in retinal explants and in STZ rats. In addition, STZ rats treated with LG displayed an almost total BRB integrity, reduced levels of inflammatory markers and a partially restored visual function as evaluated with ERG. In summary, we demonstrated that LG exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that exert powerful protective actions against neural and vascular defects characteristic of DR. Therefore, LG-containing foods or supplements may be considered to implement DR treatments.

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The Effect of HRE-Regulated VEGF Expression and Transfection on Neural Stem Cells in Rats

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology ◽

10.3389/fcell.2020.580824 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Bo Dou ◽

Xiangrong Zheng ◽

Danfeng Tan ◽

Xixi Yin

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Neural Stem Cells ◽

Target Cells ◽

Vascular Endothelial ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Vegf Gene ◽

Vegf Expression ◽

Vegf Mrna ◽

Endothelial Growth Factor ◽

Vegf Protein

In this study, we analyzed neural stem cells transfected with the HRE-VEGF gene in groups experiencing different periods of hypoxia. The results of RT-PCR showed that the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA gradually increased with the prolonged period of hypoxia (p < 0.05). The results from the western-blot test showed that expression of the VEGF protein increased with as the period of hypoxia increased (p < 0.05). The results of MTT combined with Elisa reagent showed that with the prolonged period of hypoxia, the secretion of VEGF protein increased, and that the proliferation of target cells and neural stem cells was better promoted (p < 0.05). These results imply that HRE can safely and effectively regulate VEGF expression. By controlling the period of hypoxia, we can increase the expression level, and limit it in more safe values to avoid the possibility of cancer caused by the over-enhancement of proliferation of target cells due to the overexpression of the VEGF protein.

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Cigarette Smoke Extract Increases Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Production via TLR4/ROS/MAPKs/NF-kappaB Pathway in Nasal Fibroblast

American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy ◽

10.2500/ajra.2017.31.4415 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 78-84 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Jae-Min Shin ◽

Joo-Hoo Park ◽

Hwee-Jin Kim ◽

Il-Ho Park ◽

Heung-Man Lee

Keyword(s):

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽

Growth Factor ◽

Cigarette Smoke ◽

Cigarette Smoke Extract ◽

Expression Level ◽

Vascular Endothelial ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Vegf Expression ◽

Nf Kappab ◽

Endothelial Growth Factor

Purpose Cigarette smoke is a complex mixture of various chemical compounds, including free radicals and highly toxic compounds. Cigarette smoke exposure has been shown to be associated with chronic rhinosinusitis and tissue remodeling in upper airway. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the cytokines with a crucial role in tissue remodeling of airway. The aims of this study were to determine the effects of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on VEGF expression and to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of CSE in nasal fibroblasts. Methods Nasal fibroblasts were stimulated with CSE. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by 3-(4,5- dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay. The expression level of VEGF was measured using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression level of TLR4 were determined by RT-PCR. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) for TLR4 was transfected to suppress TLR4 expression. Activation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was analyzed by using dichlorodihydro-fluorescein diacetate assay. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and NF-kappaB activations were determined by using western blot and/or luciferase assay. Results CSE had no significant cytotoxic effect in nasal fibroblast up to 5%. CSE significantly increased both VEGF mRNA and protein expression dose-dependently. The down-regulation of TLR4 transcription by siRNA treatment suppressed CSE-induced expressions of both TLR4 and VEGF. Pretreatment with ROS scavengers, specific inhibitors of each MAPK, and NF-kappaB inhibitor significantly decreased CSE-induced VEGF expression. Conclusions CSE has a stimulatory effect on VEGF expression through the TLR4, ROS, MAPK, and NF-kappaB signaling pathway in nasal fibroblasts.

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Relationship between Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Levels and Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy and Other Biomarkers

Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1155/2020/8480193 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Nakhleh E. Abu-Yaghi ◽

Nafez M. Abu Tarboush ◽

Ala M. Abojaradeh ◽

Amal S. Al-Akily ◽

Esra’a M. Abdo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽

Diabetic Retinopathy ◽

Growth Factor ◽

Glycosylated Hemoglobin ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Vascular Endothelial ◽

Endothelial Growth Factor ◽

Dm Type 2

Aim. This study aims to measure serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in a sample of Jordanian patients and to determine their relationship with the different stages of diabetic retinopathy. It also explores the correlation between VEGF concentrations and different biochemical and demographic findings. Materials and Methods. A total of 167 adults participated in the study. Participants were divided into two main categories: patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) type 2 without diabetic retinopathy (DR) (N = 62) and patients with DM type 2 affected by DR (N = 105). DR patients were further subclassified into nonproliferative (N = 41) and proliferative (N = 64). Basic laboratory tests were measured to correlate with VEGF levels. Irisin, a hormone linked to diabetic retinopathy was also measured and correlated with VEGF. Results. Serum VEGF was found to positively correlate with the severity of diabetic retinopathy. The means of VEGF serum concentrations were 60 pg/mL for controls, 133 pg/mL for nonproliferative DR patients, and 229 pg/mL for proliferative DR patients. We found a significant positive correlation with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and a significant negative correlation with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, age, and irisin. Conclusion. In this cohort of Jordanian diabetics, serum VEGF concentrations strongly correlated with the presence and stages of diabetic retinopathy, suggesting it as an appropriate indicator for diabetic retinopathy early detection and management in this society. VEGF levels also significantly correlated with HbA1c, HDL, and irisin levels. Further studies are encouraged to explore these relationships in other ethnic groups and with different diabetic complications.

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