scholarly journals Galectin-3 Enhances Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A Receptor 2 Activity in the Presence of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

Author(s):  
Issahy Cano ◽  
Zhengping Hu ◽  
Dina B. AbuSamra ◽  
Magali Saint-Geniez ◽  
Yin Shan Eric Ng ◽  
...  

Galectin-3 (Gal3) is a carbohydrate-binding protein reported to promote angiogenesis by influencing vascular endothelial growth factor-A receptor 2 (VEGFR2) signal transduction. Here we evaluated whether the ability of Gal3 to function as an angiogenic factor involved vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). To address this possibility we used human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRECs) to determine whether exogenous Gal3 requires VEGF to activate VEGFR2 signaling and if Gal3 is required for VEGF to activate VEGFR2. VEGFR2 phosphorylation and HREC migration assays, following either VEGF neutralization with ranibizumab or Gal3 silencing, revealed that VEGF endogenously produced by the HRECs was essential for the effect of exogenous Gal3 on VEGFR2 activation and cell migration, and that VEGF-induced VEGFR2 activation was not dependent on Gal3 in HRECs. Gal3 depletion led to no reduction in VEGF-induced cell function. Since Gal3 has been suggested to be a potential therapeutic target for VEGFR2-mediated angiogenesis, it is crucial to define the possible Gal3-mediated VEGFR2 signal transduction mechanism to aid the development of efficacious therapeutic strategies.

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 253
Author(s):  
Xi Guo ◽  
Hong Yi ◽  
Tin Chiu Li ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
Huilin Wang ◽  
...  

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a well-known angiogenic factor that plays a critical role in various physiological and pathological processes. VEGF also contributes to the process of embryo implantation by enhancing embryo development, improving endometrial receptivity, and facilitating the interactions between the developing embryo and the endometrium. There is a correlation between the alteration of VEGF expression and reproductive failure, including recurrent implantation failure (RIF) and recurrent miscarriage (RM). In order to clarify the role of VEGF in embryo implantation, we reviewed recent literature concerning the expression and function of VEGF in the reproductive system around the time of embryo implantation and we provide a summary of the findings reported so far. We also explored the effects and the possible underlying mechanisms of action of VEGF in embryo implantation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Iman S. Naga ◽  
Amel Abdel Fattah Kamel ◽  
Said Ahmed Ooda ◽  
Hadeer Muhammad Fath Elbab ◽  
Rania Mohamed El-Sharkawy

Abstract Background Hepatitis C virus infection is a global health challenge with Egypt being one of the highly affected countries. IL-10 has been suggested as a suitable marker to assess necroinflammation and to monitor the progression of liver damage. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic factor playing a central role in many physiological as well as pathological processes. Several factors can be predictive of the response to treatment and achievement of SVR; some of which are host-related, and others are virus-related. The gene expression of IL-10 and VEGF have multiple effects for treatment response. The aim of the present work was to study the effect of treatment with directly acting agents (DAA) on the expression of VEGF and IL-10 genes in chronic hepatitis C virus-infected Egyptian genotype-4a patients. Twenty-five HCV subjects where evaluated for IL-10 and VEGF gene expression before and after treatment with DAA. Results IL-10 expression was downregulated in 92% of the cases. VEGF expression was heterogeneous showing spreading of values along a wide range with 64% of the cases being downregulated. Conclusion DAAs do not completely reverse the immunological imprints established upon chronic HCV infection.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maisarah Jalalonmuhali ◽  
Tengku Ain Fathlun Tengku Kamalden ◽  
Nurul 'Ain Sham Ismail ◽  
See Yen Yong ◽  
Wei Ting Teo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Aims Intravenous (IV) anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) is a potent anti-angiogenic factor for the treatment of solid tumours. While, intravitreal anti-VEGF injection is used in the treatment for macular and retinal diseases. The effects of IV anti-VEGF agents are well documented to cause hypertension, renal impairment and proteinuria. However only few reports showed the significance of intravitreal anti-VEGF injection causing minimal change disease (MCD) and acute kidney injury (AKI). Hence, this study is to determine the outcome of renal function following intravitreal anti-VEGF injection. Method This is a prospective, cross sectional study recruiting patients from ophthalmology day-care operation theatre that were scheduled for intravitreal anti-VEGF injection in University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). On the day of the injection of anti-VEGF, patients’ demographic data (age, gender, medical background, medications), blood pressure, height, weight and investigations for serum creatinine and urine protein creatinine ratio (PCR) were collected. Following these, they will receive the intravitreal anti-VEGF as per schedule. All these patients were given a follow-up within 72hours to reassess blood pressure, serum creatinine and urine PCR. Results A total of 90 patients were recruited. However, 15 patients were subsequently excluded as there was no repeated serum creatinine at 72-hours post treatment. Their mean age was 67.25 ± 10.41. Among all, 3 patients had significance increased in serum creatinine (4%) with significance changed of urine PCR post treatment. Table 1 showed baseline parameters prior to treatment and table 2 was post treatment parameters. Higher serum creatinine and proteinuria pre intravitreal anti-VEGF were identified to have higher OR of 1.018 (95% CI 1.001-1.035) (p=0.043) and OR 1.004 (1.000-1.007) (p=0.025) respectively among those who developed AKI. In assessing the association between higher pre-treatment creatinine and proteinuria (independent variable) and development of AKI (dependent variable) estimated by logistic regression with no AKI as a reference group we found that there were no significance. Conclusion Following intravitreal anti-VEGF administration, there were no significant changes in blood pressure. However, 4% from our cohort had AKI and worsening proteinuria at 72 hours post treatment. These patients had higher serum creatinine and proteinuria prior to treatment. However, our study is underpowered to establish the relationship between intravitreal anti-VEGF and development of AKI. Further study with larger sample size and longer-term outcome is needed.


Blood ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 90 (9) ◽  
pp. 3507-3515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian-Feng Wang ◽  
Ramesh K. Ganju ◽  
Zhong-Ying Liu ◽  
Hava Avraham ◽  
Shalom Avraham ◽  
...  

Abstract We have recently identified a novel ligand of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family termed VEGF-related protein (VRP), which specifically binds to the FLT4 receptor. To characterize the signaling events after VRP engagement of its cognate receptor in hematopoietic cells, a population of human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells, termed HEL-JW, expressing high levels of FLT4 receptor was isolated. Stimulation of HEL-JW cells with VRP alone and in combination with the c-kit ligand/stem cell factor increased cell growth. VRP induced tyrosine phosphorylation of various proteins, including the FLT4 receptor. Further characterization of these tyrosine phosphorylated molecules revealed that Shc, Grb2, and SOS form a complex with the activated FLT4 receptor. HEL-JW cells also expressed RAFTK, a recently identified member of the focal adhesion kinase family. RAFTK was phosphorylated and activated upon VRP treatment, and there was an enhanced association of this kinase with the adaptor protein Grb2. Furthermore, the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), involved in growth activation and shown to mediate RAFTK signaling in other cell types, was activated by VRP stimulation. We also observed that VRP treatment of HEL-JW cells resulted in the phosphorylation of the cytoskeletal protein paxillin. This treatment resulted in an increased association of paxillin with RAFTK, which was mediated by the C-terminal region of RAFTK. These studies indicate that VRP stimulation induced the formation of a signaling complex at its activated receptor as well as activation of RAFTK. VRP-mediated activation of RAFTK may facilitate signal transduction to the cytoskeleton and downstream to the JNK pathway in FLT4-expressing blood cells.


1997 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing-Xue Zhang ◽  
Christopher J. Magovern ◽  
Charles A. Mack ◽  
Kurt T. Budenbender ◽  
Wilson Ko ◽  
...  

1998 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Lissoni ◽  
L. Fumagalli ◽  
L. Giani ◽  
F. Rovelli ◽  
G Confalonieri ◽  
...  

Neoangiogenesis has been proven to play a fundamental role in promoting cancer spread, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to represent one of the most important angiogenic factors. The present study was planned to investigate changes in VEGF secretion in cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy with IL-2, with the aim of establishing whether VEGF variations play a role in mediating the IL-2-induced control of neoplastic diseases. The study involved 14 metastatic renal cell cancer patients treated with IL-2 immunotherapy (6 million IU/day subcutaneously for 6 days/week for 4 weeks). The clinical response consisted of partial response (PR) in 3, stable disease (SD) in 6 and progressive disease (PD) in the remaining 5 patients. VEGF serum levels were measured by an enzyme immunoassay designed to determine both bound and unbound VEGF. No significant changes in VEGF mean levels occurred during IL-2 therapy. Moreover, neither in patients with PR or SD nor in those with PD did the mean serum levels of VEGF change significantly in response to IL-2. This preliminary study seems to exclude that changes in the angiogenic factor VEGF may play a role in mediating the therapeutic efficacy of IL-2 cancer immunotherapy. However, since the method of measurement used in our study was designed to detect the total amount of VEGF, it cannot be excluded that changes in the free fraction of the molecule may occur during IL-2 cancer immunotherapy.


Endocrinology ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 143 (4) ◽  
pp. 1545-1553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martine M. L. Deckers ◽  
Rutger L. van Bezooijen ◽  
Geertje van der Horst ◽  
Jakomijn Hoogendam ◽  
Chris van der Bent ◽  
...  

Abstract During bone formation and fracture healing there is a cross-talk between endothelial cells and osteoblasts. We previously showed that vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) might be an important factor in this cross-talk, as osteoblast-like cells produce this angiogenic factor in a differentiation-dependent manner. Moreover, exogenously added VEGF-A enhances osteoblast differentiation. In the present study we investigated, given the coupling between angiogenesis and bone formation, whether bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) stimulate osteoblastogenesis and angiogenesis through the production of VEGF-A. For this we used the murine preosteoblast-like cell line KS483, which forms mineralized nodules in vitro, and an angiogenesis assay comprising 17-d-old fetal mouse bone explants that have the ability to form tube-like structures in vitro. Treatment of KS483 cells with BMP-2, -4, and -6 enhanced nodule formation, osteocalcin mRNA expression, and subsequent mineralization after 18 d of culture. This was accompanied by a dose-dependent increase in VEGF-A protein levels throughout the culture period. BMP-induced osteoblast differentiation, however, was independent of VEGF-A, as blocking VEGF-A activity by a VEGF-A antibody or a VEGF receptor 2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor did not affect BMP-induced mineralization. To investigate whether BMPs stimulate angiogenesis through VEGF-A, BMPs were assayed for their angiogenic activity. Treatment of bone explants with BMPs enhanced angiogenesis. This was inhibited by soluble BMP receptor 1A or noggin. In the presence of a VEGF-A antibody, both unstimulated and BMP-stimulated angiogenesis were arrested. Conditioned media of KS483 cells treated with BMPs also induced a strong angiogenic response, which was blocked by antimouse VEGF-A but not by noggin. These effects were specific for BMPs, as TGFβ inhibited osteoblast differentiation and angiogenesis while stimulating VEGF-A production. These findings indicate that BMPs stimulate angiogenesis through the production of VEGF-A by osteoblasts. In conclusion, VEGF-A produced by osteoblasts in response to BMPs is not involved in osteoblast differentiation, but couples angiogenesis to bone formation.


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