Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)–C signaling through FLT-4 (VEGFR-3) mediates leukemic cell proliferation, survival, and resistance to chemotherapy

Blood ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 99 (6) ◽  
pp. 2179-2184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Dias ◽  
Margaret Choy ◽  
Kari Alitalo ◽  
Shahin Rafii
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Proinflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Mutant Form ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

Abstract Similar to solid tumors, growth of leukemias may also be angiogenesis dependent. Furthermore, tyrosine kinase receptors specific to endothelial cells are expressed on certain subsets of leukemias. We have previously demonstrated the existence of a VEGF/VEGFR-2 autocrine loop on leukemic cells that supports their growth and migration. Here, we demonstrate that in response to leukemia-derived proangiogenic and proinflammatory cytokines such as basic fibroblast growth factor and IL-1, endothelial cells release increasing amounts of another vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family member, VEGF-C. In turn, interaction of VEGF-C with its receptor VEGFR-3 (FLT-4) promotes leukemia survival and proliferation. We demonstrate in 2 cell lines and 5 FLT-4+ leukemias that VEGF-C and a mutant form of the molecule that lacks the KDR-binding motif induce receptor phosphorylation, leukemia proliferation, and increased survival, as determined by increased Bcl-2/Bax ratios. Moreover, VEGF-C protected leukemic cells from the apoptotic effects of 3 chemotherapeutic agents. Because most leukemic cells release proangiogenic as well as proinflammatory cytokines, our data suggest that the generation of a novel paracrine angiogenic loop involving VEGF-C and FLT-4 may promote the survival of a subset of leukemias and protect them from chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. These results identify the VEGF-C/FLT-4 pathway as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of subsets of acute leukemia.

Vascular endothelial growth factor induces protein kinase D-dependent production of proinflammatory cytokines in endothelial cells

2009 ◽  
Vol 296 (4) ◽  
pp. C821-C827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qin Hao ◽  
Linping Wang ◽  
Hua Tang
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Proinflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Proinflammatory Cytokine ◽  
Cytokine Production ◽  
Protein Kinase D ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

Emerging evidence indicates that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a critical role in host inflammatory responses in several disease states, including atherosclerosis, sepsis, and rheumatoid arthritis. In this study, we determined the effect of VEGF on endothelial induction of proinflammatory cytokines and investigated the responsible signal pathways. By using a cytokine antibody array that detects the end point protein products released from endothelial cells (ECs), we found that VEGF, via VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), predominantly induced the production of proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-6 and CXC chemokines IL-8 and growth-related oncogene-α (GRO-α) in ECs but not in leukocytes among 36 cytokines in the array. The production of these inflammatory cytokines by VEGF was much stronger than the induction of cell adhesion molecule in ECs. We further found that the cytokine production by VEGF was essentially mediated by the Gö-6976-sensitive protein kinase D (PKD) family kinases. Importantly, the VEGF-induced production of IL-6, IL-8, and GRO-α was inhibited ∼70%, 40%, or 37% by PKD1 silencing (more than 90% knockdown) with three small interference RNAs that target different PKD1 regions. Moreover, silencing PKD2 downregulated VEGFR2 and markedly inhibited the cytokine production by VEGF in ECs. Our results indicate that VEGF, via VEGFR2-PKD1 axis, induces the production of proinflammatory cytokine IL-6, IL-8, and GRO-α in ECs but not in leukocytes, which may offer new insights into the mechanism of the proinflammatory activity of VEGF.

scholarly journals Porcine ovarian cortex-derived putative stem cells can differentiate into endothelial cells in vitro

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamil Wartalski ◽  
Gabriela Gorczyca ◽  
Jerzy Wiater ◽  
Zbigniew Tabarowski ◽  
Małgorzata Duda
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Primary Component ◽  
Marker Genes ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Ovarian Cortex ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

AbstractEndothelial cells (ECs), the primary component of the vasculature, play a crucial role in neovascularization. However, the number of endogenous ECs is inadequate for both experimental purposes and clinical applications. Porcine ovarian putative stem cells (poPSCs), although not pluripotent, are characterized by great plasticity. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether poPSCs have the potential to differentiate into cells of endothelial lineage. poPSCs were immunomagnetically isolated from postnatal pig ovaries based on the presence of SSEA-4 protein. Expression of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) markers after pre-culture, both at the level of mRNA: ITGB1, THY, and ENG and corresponding protein: CD29, CD90, and CD105 were significantly higher compared to the control ovarian cortex cells. To differentiate poPSCs into ECs, inducing medium containing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), ascorbic acid, and heparin was applied. After 14 days, poPSC differentiation into ECs was confirmed by immunofluorescence staining for vascular endothelial cadherin (VECad) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2). Semi-quantitative WB analysis of these proteins confirmed their high abundance. Additionally, qRT-PCR showed that mRNA expression of corresponding marker genes: CDH5, KDR was significantly higher compared with undifferentiated poPSCs. Finally, EC functional status was confirmed by the migration test that revealed that they were capable of positive chemotaxis, while tube formation assay demonstrated their ability to develop capillary networks. In conclusion, our results provided evidence that poPSCs may constitute the MSC population in the ovary and confirmed that they might be a potential source of ECs for tissue engineering.

scholarly journals Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Induces Nestin Expression in Endothelial Cells of the Ovary via Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Signaling

Endocrinology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 149 (1) ◽  
pp. 253-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noriyuki Takahashi ◽  
Masanori T. Itoh ◽  
Bunpei Ishizuka
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽  
Growth Factor Signaling ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Nestin Expression ◽  
Capillary Endothelial Cells ◽  
Theca Interna ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

The intermediate filament protein nestin was originally found to be expressed in neuronal progenitor cells, but recent studies have shown that other cell types, including endocrine and vascular endothelial cells, express nestin. In the present study, we examined the expression and localization of nestin in the ovaries of developing, peripubertal, and adult rats. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses revealed that nestin mRNA and proteins were expressed in adult rat ovaries. Immunohistochemical analyses using adult rat ovaries showed that nestin was mainly localized to capillary endothelial cells of theca interna in follicles with more than two layers of granulosa cells and that its expression increased with follicle growth. Ontogenetically, ovarian nestin expression started at the peripubertal period when the first gonadotropin surge occurs. To test the possibility that gonadotropins induce nestin expression, prepubertal (postnatal d 21) rats were sc injected with equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and/or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). A single injection of hCG, but not eCG, was sufficient to induce nestin expression in follicles, mainly in capillary endothelial cells of theca interna. Furthermore, pretreatment with an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor prevented the induction of the nestin expression by hCG. These findings demonstrate that the endogenous LH surge induces nestin expression in capillary endothelial cells of theca interna via the vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway. Nestin may be involved in angiogenesis in growing follicles, which is followed by follicle maturation and subsequent ovulation.

scholarly journals Pro-Angiogenic Effects of Resveratrol in Brain Endothelial Cells: Nitric Oxide-Mediated Regulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Metalloproteinases

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 884-895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabricio Simão ◽  
Aline S Pagnussat ◽  
Ji Hae Seo ◽  
Deepti Navaratna ◽  
Wendy Leung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Tube Formation ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Cerebral Endothelial Cells ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

Resveratrol may be a powerful way of protecting the brain against a wide variety of stress and injury. Recently, it has been proposed that resveratrol not only reduces brain injury but also promotes recovery after stroke. But the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, we tested the hypothesis that resveratrol promotes angiogenesis in cerebral endothelial cells and dissected the signaling pathways involved. Treatment of cerebral endothelial cells with resveratrol promoted proliferation, migration, and tube formation in Matrigel assays. Consistent with these pro-angiogenic responses, resveratrol altered endothelial morphology resulting in cytoskeletal rearrangements of β-catenin and VE-cadherin. These effects of resveratrol were accompanied by activation of phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3-K)/Akt and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK)/ERK signaling pathways that led to endothelial nitric oxide synthase upregulation and increased nitric oxide (NO) levels. Subsequently, elevated NO signaling increased vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase levels. Sequential blockade of these signaling steps prevented resveratrol-induced angiogenesis in cerebral endothelial cells. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for the potential use of resveratrol as a candidate therapy to promote angiogenesis and neurovascular recovery after stroke.

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