scholarly journals Reconciling VEGF With VPF: The Importance of Increased Vascular Permeability for Stroma Formation in Tumors, Healing Wounds, and Chronic Inflammation

Author(s):  
Harold F. Dvorak

It is widely believed that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induces angiogenesis by its direct mitogenic and motogenic actions on vascular endothelial cells. However, these activities are only detected when endothelial cells are cultured at very low (0.1%) serum concentrations and would not be expected to take place at the much higher serum levels found in angiogenic sites in vivo. This conundrum can be resolved by recalling VEGF’s original function, that of an extremely potent vascular permeability factor (VPF). In vivo VPF/VEGF increases microvascular permeability such that whole plasma leaks into the tissues where it undergoes clotting by tissue factor that is expressed on tumor and host connective tissue cells to deposit fibrin and generate serum. By providing tissue support and by reprogramming the gene expression patterns of cells locally, fibrin and serum can together account for the formation of vascular connective tissue stroma. In sum, by increasing vascular permeability, VPF/VEGF triggers the “wound healing response,” setting in motion a fundamental pathophysiological process that induces the mature stroma that is found not only in healing wounds but also in solid tumors and chronic inflammatory diseases. Once initiated by increased vascular permeability, this response may be difficult to impede, perhaps contributing to the limited success of anti-VEGF therapies in treating cancer.

1993 ◽  
Vol 178 (6) ◽  
pp. 2077-2088 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Kaipainen ◽  
J Korhonen ◽  
K Pajusola ◽  
O Aprelikova ◽  
M G Persico ◽  
...  

The growth factor receptors expressed on endothelial cells are of special interest because of their potential to program endothelial cell growth and differentiation during development and neovascularization in various pathological states, such as wound healing and angiogenesis associated with tumorigenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor ([VEGF] also known as vascular permeability factor) is a potent mitogen and permeability factor, which has been suggested to play a role in embryonic and tumor angiogenesis. The newly cloned FLT4 receptor tyrosine kinase gene encodes a protein related to the VEGF receptors FLT1 and KDR/FLK-1. We have here studied the expression of FLT4 and the other two members of this receptor family in human fetal tissues by Northern and in situ hybridization. These results were also compared with the sites of expression of VEGF and the related placenta growth factor (PlGF). Our results reveal FLT4 mRNA expression in vascular endothelial cells in developing vessels of several organs. A comparison of FLT4, FLT1 and KDR/FLK-1 receptor mRNA signals shows overlapping, but distinct expression patterns in the tissues studied. Certain endothelia lack one or two of the three receptor mRNAs. These data suggest that the receptor tyrosine kinases encoded by the FLT gene family may have distinct functions in the regulation of the growth/differentiation of blood vessels.


1989 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 884-891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory R. Criscuolo ◽  
Peter I. Lelkes ◽  
Daniel Rotrosen ◽  
Edward H. Oldfield

✓ A vascular permeability factor (VPF) derived from serum-free conditioned medium of cultured human malignant gliomas (HG-VPF) has been described previously. The rapid kinetics of HG-VPF activity in an in vivo assay of vascular permeability suggests a direct action upon the vascular endothelial cell. To determine whether HG-VPF was capable of inducing a physiologically significant alteration in isolated endothelial cells, cytosolic calcium [Ca++]i was measured in vitro in these cells before and after their exposure to media containing this substance. This was accomplished by preloading cultured endothelial cells with a fluorescent intracellular Ca++ probe fura-2/AM. It was found that HG-VPF induced a rapid and transient elevation of [Ca++]i in normal endothelial cells derived from human umbilical vein, bovine adrenal medulla, bovine pulmonary artery, and rat brain. This effect was inhibited by chelating extracellular calcium [Ca++]e with ethyleneglycol-bis (β-aminoethylether)-N,N″ -tetra-acetic acid (EGTA), indicating that the HG-VPF-induced response resulted from the influx of extracellular calcium. The addition of cations that act as nonspecific calcium channel blockers (Li+, Co++, Mn++, La+++) completely inhibited VPF activity, further supporting the role of [Ca++]e influx. The HG-VPF activity was not, however, blocked by verapamil, a calcium antagonist that appears to be specific for voltage-gated calcium channels. Furthermore, exposure of endothelial cells to 120 mM [K+]e did not result in a calcium transient. Coincubation of endothelial cells with dexamethasone inhibited HG-VPF-induced rises in [Ca++]i, while having no effect upon cyclic nucleotide-induced changes in calcium. The present studies indicate that vascular extravasation induced by human glioma-derived VPF may be mediated by a direct action upon vascular endothelial cells. Furthermore, the observed dexamethasone-induced inhibition of this process suggests a specific cellular action for corticosteroids. This, together with previous observations that dexamethasone suppresses both the production of VPF by tumor cells in vitro and its permeability-inducing activity in vivo, may explain the efficacy of glucocorticoids in the treatment of neoplastic vasogenic brain edema. Finally, studies with a polycationic peptide (protamine) known to induce blood-brain barrier disruption in vivo revealed similar effects upon endothelial cytosolic calcium levels. As HG-VPF is a positively charged macromolecule, a common interaction between these substances and the negatively charged endothelial cell surface in the induction of permeability is suggested. Nonspecific cross-linking of charged groups of the endothelial glycocalyx and specific HG-VPF receptor binding are both valid mechanisms of HG-VPF-mediated calcium changes. Their potential relevance in the setting of microvascular permeability is discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun-ichi Takino ◽  
Takuma Sato ◽  
Takumi Kanetaka ◽  
Kasumi Okihara ◽  
Kentaro Nagamine ◽  
...  

AbstractAdvanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are formed by the non-enzymatic reaction of sugars and proteins. Among the AGEs, glyceraldehyde-derived toxic AGEs (TAGE) are associated with various diseases, including diabetic complications such as diabetic retinopathy (DR). The risk of developing DR is strongly associated with poor glycemic control, which causes AGE accumulation and increases AGE-induced vascular permeability. We previously reported that Ras guanyl nucleotide releasing protein 2 (RasGRP2), which activates small G proteins, may play an essential role in the cell response to toxicity when exposed to various factors. However, it is not known whether RasGRP2 prevents the adverse effects of TAGE in vascular endothelial cells. This study observed that TAGE enhanced vascular permeability by disrupting adherens junctions and tight junctions via complex signaling, such as ROS and non-ROS pathways. In particular, RasGRP2 protected adherens junction disruption, thereby suppressing vascular hyper-permeability. These results indicate that RasGRP2 is an essential protective factor of vascular permeability and may help develop novel therapeutic strategies for AGE-induced DR.


1996 ◽  
Vol 316 (3) ◽  
pp. 703-707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralf BIRKENHÄGER ◽  
Bernard SCHNEPPE ◽  
Wolfgang RÖCKL ◽  
Jörg WILTING ◽  
Herbert A. WEICH ◽  
...  

Vascular endothilial growth factor (VEGF) and placenta growth factor (PIGF) are members of a dimeric-growth-factor family with angiogenic properties. VEGF is a highly potent and specific mitogen for endothelial cells, playing a vital role in angiogenesis in vivo. The role of PIGF is less clear. We expressed the monomeric splice forms VEGF-165, VEGF-121, PIGF-1 and PlGF-2 as unfused genes in Escherichia coli using the pCYTEXP expression system. In vitro dimerization experiments revealed that both homo- and hetero-dimers can be formed from these monomeric proteins. The dimers were tested for their ability to promote capillary growth in vivo and stimulate DNA synthesis in cultured human vascular endothelial cells. Heterodimers comprising different VEGF splice forms, or combinations of VEGF/PlGF splice forms, showed mitogenic activity. The results demonstrate that four different heterodimeric growth factors are likely to have as yet uncharacterized functions in vivo.


1983 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-102
Author(s):  
D de Bono ◽  
C. Green

The interactions between human or bovine vascular endothelial cells and fibroblast-like vascular intimal spindle-shaped cells have been studied in vitro, using species-specific antibodies to identify the different components in mixed cultures. Pure cultures of endothelial cells grow as uniform, nonoverlapping monolayers, but this growth pattern is lost after the addition of spindle cells, probably because the extracellular matrix secreted by the latter causes the endothelial cells to modify the way they are attached to the substrate. The result is a network of tubular aggregates of endothelial cells in a three-dimensional ‘polylayer’ of spindle-shaped cells. On the other hand, endothelial cells added to growth-inhibited cultures of spindle-shaped cells will grow in sheets over the surface of the culture. Human endothelial cells grown in contact with spindle-shaped cells have a reduced requirement for a brain-derived endothelial growth factor. The interactions of endothelial cells and other connective tissue cells in vitro may be relevant to the mechanisms of endothelial growth and blood vessel formation in vivo, and emphasize the potential importance of extracellular matrix in controlling endothelial cell behaviour.


2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gillian R. Milne ◽  
Timothy M. Palmer ◽  
Stephen J. Yarwood

Chronic inflammatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis, are a major cause of death and disability in the developed world. In this respect, although cholesterol obviously plays a predominant role in atherosclerosis, targeting inflammation at lesion sites may be just as important. Indeed, elevated IL-6 (interleukin 6) levels are as strongly associated with coronary heart disease as increased cholesterol. We have been investigating novel cAMP-regulated pathways that combat the action of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and leptin, in the VECs (vascular endothelial cells) of the circulatory system. In this respect, we have begun to unravel new molecular mechanisms by which the cAMP/Epac1 (exchange protein directly activated by cAMP 1)/Rap1 pathway can initiate a rigorous programme of protective anti-inflammatory responses in VECs. Central to this is the coupling of cAMP elevation to the mobilization of two C/EBP (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein) family transcription factors, resulting in the induction of the SOCS3 (suppressor of cytokine signalling 3) gene, which attenuates pro-inflammatory cytokine signalling in VECs. These novel ‘protective’ mechanisms of cAMP action will inform the development of the next generation of pharmaceuticals specifically designed to combat endothelial inflammation associated with cardiovascular disease.


2002 ◽  
Vol 87 (06) ◽  
pp. 1069-1074 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Matsuno ◽  
Mikio Hayashi ◽  
Koji Horibuchi ◽  
Kiyotaka Okada ◽  
Hideharu Fukao ◽  
...  

SummaryThe effect of monosodium[2-(6-hydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yloxy]acetate dihydrate (JTV-926) on fibrinolysis was investigated in vitro and in vivo. JTV-926 released tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) from human vascular endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. The thrombolytic effect of JTV-926 was studied using three animal thrombosis models; a photo-irradiation-induced mouse carotid artery thrombosis model, a photo-irradiation-induced rat femoral artery thrombosis model and a thrombin-induced rat venous thrombosis model. In the mouse thrombosis model, t-PA deficient mice (t-PA−/−mice) and their wild-type (t-PA+/+) were used. JTV-926 was injected as a bolus 30 min after the interruption of blood flow by an occlusion thrombi. Blood flow was continuously monitored for 180 min after intravenous administration of JTV-926 (1 mg/kg). Although the recanalization rate of the occluded artery was 37.5% in t-PA +/+ mice with the vehicle control, it increased to 75% in t-PA+/+ mice after JTV-926 administration. However, when JTV-926 was administrated in t-PA−/−mice, vascular recanalization was not observed in any arteries. In the photo-irradiation-induced rat femoral artery thrombosis model, intra-duodenal administration of JTV-926 induced thrombolysis. Moreover, in the thrombin-induced rat venous thrombosis model, the dose-dependent thrombolysis was also observed by oral administration of JTV-926. It was suggested that JTV-926 revealed a sufficient thrombolytic effect through the absorption from the intestine. Thus, a newly synthesized compound, JTV-926 induced t-PA release from vascular endothelial cells and effective thrombolysis in vivo.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document