Structure,function and signal transduction of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2

Angiogenesis, or the formation of new blood vessels out of pre-existing capillaries, is very important in many physiologic and pathologic processes, such as embryonic development, cancer, retinopathies, etc. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) plays a key role in angiogenesis. In this review, we discussed the structure, function and signal transduction of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2. Understanding these should provide important insights into how new strategies can be devised to interfere in the physiologic and pathologic processes involved in angiogensis.     

Permeability of the endothelium and partitioning of the pulmonary blood flow resistance in isolated perfused pig lungs: Effects of breed and age

The right and left lungs of 5 healthy Minipigs and of 13 healthy Landrace piglets were isolated, perfused at constant pressure and maintained in an isogravimetric state under zone III conditions (pulmonary venous pressure>alveolar pressure). By applying the double, arterial and venous, occlusion technique, the total blood flow resistance (R _t) was partitioned into four components: arterial (R _a), pre-(R _a) and post-capillary (R _v) and venous (R _v). The capillary filtration coefficient (K _f,c) was evaluated by measuring the weight gained by the lungs when the arterial and venous pressures were suddenly increased. In the youngest Landrace piglets (5 weeks old), there was an uncontrolled vasoconstriction which sometimes prevented perfusion of the lungs and induced a large increase inR _t. These high values ofR _t were decreased by tolazoline administration. The values ofR _t recorded in older pigs (12–13 weeks old) were lower in Minipigs (33.66±3.77 cmH₂O min L^–1 per 100 g of lungs;n=5) than in Landrace piglets (55.20±6.18 cmH₂O min L^–1 per 100 g;n=5). This breed difference was due to the differences inR _a andR _v. The mean values ofK _f,c were 0.193±0.015 and 0.202±0.029 ml min (cmH₂O)^–1 per 100 g of the lungs in Minipigs and Landrace piglets respectively. All these parameters were stable for the 3 hours following the equilibrium period. It was concluded that: (1) There is an age-related maturation of the control of the vasomotor tone in porcine lungs. (2) Pulmonary microvascular haemodynamics are influenced by the breed of the pigs. (3) There was no difference in theK _f,c values between both the breeds. (4) A comparison of the values reported for dogs and rabbits with our data shows that the pre- and post-capillary resistances and, to a lesser extent, the arterial and venous resistances are relatively high in pigs.     

Antisense drug targeting with VEGF mRNA designed by computer aid and inhibitory effects on K562 cell line in vitro

AIM:The effective antisense sequences targeted VEGF mRNA with computer software would be screened and designed, and effect of them on growth K562 cells and protein expression of VEGF were studied with experiments.METHODS:Seven antisense sequences were selected and synthesized, which consisted of 18-20 deoxynucleotide acid and were modified with phosphorothioate, according to principle of low free energy of overall △G₃₇ Overall. Cell growth was assayed by trypan blue dye exclusion assay and level of VEGF protien in the media was determined by ELISA.RESULTS:Six of seven sequences were capable of inhibing growth of K562 cells and downregulating the VEGF protein expression significantly, compared with Scrambed control group. It was found that there was a close correlation between low level of overall △G₃₇ and antisense effectiveness (r=0.887,P<0.01).CONCLUSION:VEGF mRNA antisense oliogdeoxynucleotides, which were designed by computer software of RNAstructure, were able to inhibit growth of K562 and its protein expression. The VEGF mRNA may be new target attached by drugs. At same time, the computer aided design is useful methods to obtain the effective antisense.     

Inhibition of K562 cell growth by antisense drug targeting with VEGF mRNA in vitro

AIM: To investigate inhibition of K562 cell growth by antisense drug targeted VEGF mRNA. METHODS: X7, 20-mer antisense sequences were selected, synthesized and modified with phosphorothioate. The drug was transfected into K562 cells in the present of lipofection. Cell growth was assayed by trypan blue dye exclusion assay and MTT. The level of VEGF protein in the media was determined by ELISA. The morphology of apoptotic cells were observed by Giemsa staining, and the propotion of apoptotic cells was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The antisense drug inhibited growth of K562 and downregulated expression of VEGF protein significantly, compared with Scrambed control group and showed dose-dependent relation. Signs of apoptosis of K562 cells were not observed. CONCLUSION: Inhibition of K562 cell proliferation, but not cells apoptosis induction is the mechanism of inhibing growth of K562 cells by antisense drug targeted VEGF mRNA. At same time, VEGF has function of promoting K562 cell proliferation, and VEGF mRNA may be a new target attached by drugs.     

The ex vivo expansion characteristic of endothelial progenitor cells

AIM: To explore the ex vivo expansion characteristics of the endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). METHODS: CD34⁺ cells were selected from umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (MNC) by MiniMACS system, expanded at the same conditions as that for total MNC, coincubation of CD34⁺ and CD34^- from the same donation for EPCs. In addition, we tested the effect of vessel endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and passage on cell differentiation, expansion kinetics and apoptosis. EPCs were determined and quantified by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. RESULTS: Coculture of CD34⁺ and CD34^-,total MNC led to a significant increase in the expansion of CD34⁺ cells compared with CD34 enrichment (P＜0.05). There was a trend toward decreased apoptosis in cultures when early passage was performed once the linear cord like structures appeared. There was no significant effect on apoptosis between with VEGF and without VEGF group (P＞0.05). These differentiated EPCs were stained positive for CD34⁺, von Willebrand factor (vWF), KDR, CD31 and incorporate acetylated low-density lipoprotein (LDL). CD34⁺ and AC133⁺cells accounted for 68.2%±6.3% (n=6) and 57.2%±9.8% (n=6) of attaching (AT) cells at day 7 of culture, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Coculture of CD34⁺ and CD34^- or culture of MNC enhances ex vivo expansion of EPCs. Early passage decreases apoptosis rate, VEGF has no significant effect on ex vivo expansion of EPCs.     

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in chronic inflammatory mucosa of lacrimal sac

AIM: To study the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in inflammatory mucosa of lacrimal sac. METHODS: Immunohistochemical S-P method was used to examine the expression of VEGF in the mocusa from 12 patients with chronic dacryocystitis and 8 volunteers. RESULTS: The positive rates of VEGF expression in different parts of the mocusa were: basal lamina: 44.3%±7.6％; surface epithelium: 16.9%±4.6％; connective tissue: 15.2%±4.9％, all normal mocusa of 8 cases were negative. There was a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01), a significant difference among each part of the chronic inflammatory mocusa of lacrimal sac. CONCLUSION: VEGF may play an important role in hyperplasia of inflammatory mucosa of lacrimal sac.     

Preliminary study of plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) during low- and high-dose radiation therapy of dogs with spontaneous tumors

High plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations are associated with radiation resistance and poor prognosis. After an exposure to ionizing radiation in cell culture an early phase and a late phase of increased VEGF have been documented. The activation was dependent on the radiation dose. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to measure baseline plasma VEGF and changes in VEGF over the course of fractionated radiation therapy in dogs with spontaneous tumors. Dogs with tumors had a significantly higher pretreatment plasma VEGF than did dogs without tumors. Immediately after irradiation no increased plasma VEGF was observed. Over the course of radiation therapy there was an increased plasma VEGF in dogs treated with low doses per fraction/high total dose, whereas plasma VEGF remained stable in dogs irradiated with high doses per fraction/low total dose. The regulatory mechanisms are very complex, and therefore the value of plasma VEGF measurements as an indirect marker of angiogenesis induced by radiotherapy is limited.     

Lipopolysaccharide and cytokines modulate leukotriene (LT)B4 and LTC4 production by porcine endometrial endothelial cells

Uterine inflammatory response is mediated by inflammatory mediators including eicosanoids and cytokines produced by immune and endometrial cells. Interactions between lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cytokines, and leukotrienes (LTs) in endothelium, important for the host defence during the inflammation, are unknown. We studied the effect of LPS, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐4 and IL‐10 on 5‐lipooxygenase (5‐LO), LTA₄ hydrolase (LTAH) and LTC₄ synthase (LTCS) mRNA and protein expression, LTB₄ and LTC₄ release from porcine endometrial endothelial cells, and cell viability. For 24 hr, cells were exposed to LPS (10 or 100 ng/ml of medium) and cytokines (each 1 or 10 ng/ml). 5‐LO mRNA/protein expression augmented after incubation with larger doses of LPS, TNF‐α, IL‐4 and IL‐10 and smaller dose of IL‐1β. Larger dose of TNF‐α, smaller doses of LPS and IL‐1β and both doses of IL‐10 increased LTAH mRNA/protein expression. LTAH protein content was up‐regulated by larger dose of LPS, but it was reduced in response to both doses of IL‐4. LTCS mRNA expression was elevated by larger doses of LPS, IL‐4 and IL‐10 or both doses of TNF‐α and IL‐1β. LTCS protein level increased after treatment with both doses of IL‐1β, IL‐4 and IL‐10, smaller dose of LPS and larger dose of TNF‐α. Both doses of LPS and larger doses of TNF‐α and IL‐10 increased LTB₄ release. LPS, IL‐1β and IL‐10 at smaller doses, or TNF‐α and IL‐4 at larger doses stimulated LTC₄ release. Smaller doses of TNF‐α and IL‐1β or both doses of IL‐4 enhanced the cell viability. This work provides new insight on the participation of LPS, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐4 and IL‐10 in LTB₄ and LTC₄ production/release from porcine endometrial endothelial cells, and the effect of above factors on these cells viability. The used cellular model gives the possibility to further establish the interactions between inflammatory mediators.     

重组人骨形态发生蛋白2复合物对犬胫骨骨折愈合中4种相关细胞因子的作用

研究重组人骨形态发生蛋白2(rhBMP-2)、碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(bFGF)、纤维蛋白凝胶(FG)与妥布霉素复合物加速骨折愈合。bFGF与rhBMP-2和妥布霉素以纤维蛋白胶为载体复合,将具有抗生素缓释系统的复合物注入犬胫骨骨折处,并做内固定,于术后第2周,采集犬胫骨骨折处样品,每隔2周采集1次,共采集4次,将每次采集的样品制成组织切片,采用免疫组织化学的方法检测4种因子,并对组织切片进行分析,用多功能真彩色细胞图象分析管理系统,分析所得数据用SPSS18.0版统计软件进行统计学分析。血管内皮细胞生长因子(VEGF)在试验组第2周表达强阳性,而对照组阳性表达较弱;前4周,试验组血小板源性生长因子(PDGF)阳性率呈上升趋势,强于对照组;前8周,试验组胰岛素样生长因子(IGF)和转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)阳性率均高于对照组。说明bFGF与rhBMP-2和妥布霉素以纤维蛋白胶为载体的复合物在骨折愈合具有中促进细胞增殖、黏附、趋化、分化,以及骨折末端血管生长和形成的作用。     

Ultrastructural impairment of islet microvascular endothelial cells in STZ-induced type 1 diabetic mice

AIM: To investigate the ultrastructural changes of islet microvascular endothelial cells in STZ-induced type 1 diabetic mice. METHODS: BALB/c mice were randomly divided into diabetic group and control group. The expression of insulin and platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31) in islet microvessels was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The ultrastructural changes of islet β cells and islet microvessels were observed under transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the number of islet β cells, ratio of β cells/α cells, average number of secretory granules in β cells and insulin expression area per islet in diabetic group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Besides, diabetic group had fewer microvessels with lower expression of CD31 (P<0.01). Mitochondria in islet microvascular endothelial cells and pericytes in diabetic group were swelling. The basement membrane of islet microvessels became thicker in diabetic group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Islet microvascular endothelial cells were impaired in type 1 diabetic mice.