Angiomotin: an angiostatin binding protein that regulates endothelial cell migration and tube formation

Angiostatin, a circulating inhibitor of angiogenesis, was identified by its ability to maintain dormancy of established metastases in vivo. In vitro, angiostatin inhibits endothelial cell migration, proliferation, and tube formation, and induces apoptosis in a cell type-specific manner. We have used a construct encoding the kringle domains 1--4 of angiostatin to screen a placenta yeast two-hybrid cDNA library for angiostatin-binding peptides. Here we report the identification of angiomotin, a novel protein that mediates angiostatin inhibition of migration and tube formation of endothelial cells. In vivo, angiomotin is expressed in the endothelial cells of capillaries as well as larger vessels of the human placenta. Upon expression of angiomotin in HeLa cells, angiomotin bound and internalized fluorescein-labeled angiostatin. Transfected angiomotin as well as endogenous angiomotin protein were localized to the leading edge of migrating endothelial cells. Expression of angiomotin in endothelial cells resulted in increased cell migration, suggesting a stimulatory role of angiomotin in cell motility. However, treatment with angiostatin inhibited migration and tube formation in angiomotin-expressing cells but not in control cells. These findings indicate that angiostatin inhibits cell migration by interfering with angiomotin activity in endothelial cells.     

The Biphasic Effects of Oxidized-Low Density Lipoprotein on the Vasculogenic Function of Endothelial Progenitor Cells

Late-outgrowth endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are stress-resistant and responsible for reparative functions in the cardiovascular system. Oxidized-LDL (oxLDL) plays a critical role in cardiovascular disease pathogenesis. However, it is largely unknown what the impacts of oxLDL are on late-outgrowth EPCs. This study aimed to investigate the concentration-related effects of oxLDL on EPC functions and related angiogenesis, in vitro and in vivo. In this study, early and late-outgrowth EPCs were generated from circulating human mononuclear cells. oxLDL may regulate EPC vasculogenic function via the lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1). Lower concentrations (5 μg/mL) of oxLDL can potentiate EPC tube formation in vitro and in vivo by activating eNOS mechanisms, which are mediated by p38 MAPK- and SAPK/JNK-related pathways. Higher concentrations of oxLDL (10-50 μg/mL) impaired EPC function via the activation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase pathways and consequent inhibition of eNOS activity, which could be reversed by anti-oxidants (diphenylene iodonium and apocynin) and gp91^phox siRNA. In conclusion, oxLDL has concentration-dependent biphasic effects on human late-outgrowth EPC tube formation in vitro and in vivo.     

The role of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) NV gene in TNF-α- and VHSV infection-mediated NF-κB activation

The role of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) NV gene in nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation was investigated. Epithelioma papulosum cyprini (EPC) cells pre-treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α showed a strong resistance against VHSV infection, but cells treated with TNF-α after VHSV infection showed no resistance, suggesting that immediate early TNF-α-mediated responses inhibit VHSV replication. Activation of NF-κB is a key step in TNF-α-mediated immunomodulatory pathways. In this study, activation of NF-κB by TNF-α exposure was inhibited in EPC cells harboring NV gene expressing vectors, indicating that the NV gene of VHSV can suppress TNF-α-mediated NF-κB activation. Furthermore, the NV gene knock-out recombinant VHSV (rVHSV-ΔNV-EGFP) induced significantly higher NF-κB activity in EPC cells than wild-type VHSV, suggesting that VHSV adopted a strategy to suppress early activation of NF-κB in host cells through and NV gene.     

CD40 ligand binds to alpha5beta1 integrin and triggers cell signaling

It was originally thought that the critical role of the CD40 ligand (CD40L) in normal and inflammatory immune responses was mainly mediated through its interaction with the classic receptor, CD40. However, data from CD40L(-/-) and CD40(-/-) mice suggest that the CD40L-induced inflammatory immune response involves at least one other receptor. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that CD40L stabilizes arterial thrombi through an alphaIIbbeta3-dependent mechanism. Here we provide evidence that soluble CD40L (sCD40L) binds to cells of the undifferentiated human monocytic U937 cell line in a CD40- and alphaIIbbeta3-independent manner. Binding of sCD40L to U937 cells was inhibited by anti-CD40L monoclonal antibody 5C8, anti-alpha5beta1 monoclonal antibody P1D6, and soluble alpha5beta1. The direct binding of sCD40L to purified alpha5beta1 was confirmed in a solid phase binding assay. Binding of sCD40L to alpha5beta1 was modulated by the form of alpha5beta1 expressed on the cell surface as the activation of alpha5beta1 by Mn(2+) or dithiothreitol resulted in the loss of sCD40L binding. Moreover, sCD40L induced the translocation of alpha5beta1 to the Triton X-100-insoluble fraction of U937 cells, the rapid activation of the MAPK pathways ERK1/2, and interleukin-8 gene expression. The binding of sCD40L to CD40 on BJAB cells, an alpha5beta1-negative B cell line, and the resulting activation of ERK1/2 was not inhibited by soluble alpha5beta1, suggesting that sCD40L can bind concomitantly to both receptors. These results document the existence of novel CD40L-dependent pathways of physiological relevance for cells expressing multiple receptors (CD40, alpha5beta1, and alphaIIbbeta3) for CD40L.     

In Vitro Characterization of Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells Isolated from Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background

The current understanding of the functional characteristics of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) is limited, especially in patients affected by cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we have analyzed the in vitro clonogenic capacity of circulating EPC, also known as endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFC), in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), in comparison to the colony forming unit-endothelial-like cells (CFU-EC) of hematopoietic/monocytic origin.

Methodology/Principal Findings

By culturing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with ACS (n = 70), CFU-EC were frequently isolated (from 77% of ACS patients), while EPC/ECFC were obtained only in a small subset (13%) of PBMC samples, all harvested between 7–14 days after the acute cardiovascular event. Notably, ex-vivo generation of EPC/ECFC was correlated to a higher in vitro release of PDGF-AA by the corresponding ACS patient PBMC. By using specific endothelial culture media, EPC/ECFC displayed in vitro expansion capacity, allowing the phenotypic and functional characterization of the cells. Indeed, after expansion, EPC/ECFC exhibited a normal diploid chromosomal setting by FISH analysis and an immunophenotype characterized by: i) uniform positivity for the expression of CD105, CD31, CD146 and Factor VIII, i) variable expression of the CD34, CD106 and CD184 markers, and iii) negativity for CD45, CD90, CD117 and CD133. Of interest, in single-cell replanting assays EPC/ECFC exhibited clonogenic expansion capacity, forming secondary colonies characterized by variable proliferation capacities.

Conclusion/Significance

Our data indicate that a careful characterization of true EPC is needed in order to design future studies in the clinical autologous setting of patients with ACS.     

Soluble form of the endothelial adhesion molecule CD146 binds preferentially CD16+ monocytes

The cell adhesion molecule CD146 is normally located at the endothelial cell-to-cell junction and colocalizes with actin cytoskeleton. The soluble form of CD146 (sCD146) has been identified in the endothelial cell supernatant and in normal human plasma, and is increased in pathologic conditions with altered endothelial function. Soluble CD146 binding to monocytes promotes their transendothelial migration, which represents a central step in the development of atherosclerotic plaque. Since peripheral blood monocytes are characterized by a phenotypic and functional heterogeneity, with different transendothelial migration capacity, we hypothesized that monocyte subsets differently bind sCD146. Based on surface CD14 and CD16 expression monocytes were distinguished by flow cytometry (FACS) into three subsets: CD14++/CD16−, CD14++/CD16+ and CD14+/CD16+. CD16+ monocytes have been found to possess higher transendothelial migration ability. FACS analysis on blood monocytes from 30 healthy subjects revealed that higher percentages of CD14++/CD16+ (median, first and third quartile: 2.26, 1.62–3.87) and of CD14+/CD16+ (2.59, 1.28–4.80) were positive for CD146 (both p < 0.01), in comparison to CD14++/CD16− (0.66, 0.47–1.01). Moreover, in vitro treatment of ficoll separated monocytes with recombinant CD146 showed that both CD16+ subsets increased their percentage of CD146-positive events compared to CD16− monocytes (p < 0.01). Soluble CD146 levels were evaluated by ELISA in plasma samples of subjects from our study group and showed a correlation with percentage of CD146-positive CD14+/CD16+ monocyte subset. In this work we have demonstrated that monocyte subsets behave differently with regard to their sCD146 binding activity; because binding of CD146 influences transendothelial migration of monocytes, modulation of monocyte-CD146 interaction may represent a potential target to limit atherosclerotic plaque development.     

3，4苯并芘对内皮祖细胞生物学功能的影响

目的研究3,4苯并芘（BaP）对人脐血来源的内皮祖细胞（EPC）生物学功能的影响。方法密度梯度离心法分离获取人脐血单个核细胞,采用贴壁培养法培养MNC中的EPC,通过Dil标记的乙酰化低密度脂蛋白（Dil-ac-LDL）摄取实验和FITC标记的植物凝集素（FITC-UEA-I lectin）结合实验鉴定细胞。消化收集第3代细胞,分别采用细胞计数试剂盒（CCK-8）、黏附能力测定实验、Transwell小室法及Matrigel体外成血管试验观察BaP对EPC增殖能力、粘附能力、迁移能力及成血管能力的影响,并检测各组细胞培养上清液SOD含量。采用单因素方差分析及LSD-t检验进行统计学分析。结果采用贴壁培养法能成功培养出EPC;与正常对照组相比,BaP呈浓度依赖性降低EPC的增殖能力{正常对照组OD（1.02±0.04）显著高于BaP各组[BaP①组OD（0.66±0.04）,BaP②组OD（0.55±0.04）,BaP③组OD（0.35±0.05）,均P〈0.01],BaP染毒组间增殖能力差异亦有统计学意义（两两比较,均P〈0.01）};与正常对照组比较,BaP呈浓度依赖性降低EPC的黏附能力{正常对照组[（117.50±17.16）个/200倍镜]显著高于BaP各组[BaP①组（80.00±14.46）个/200倍镜,BaP②组（66.00±9.06）个/200倍镜,BaP③组（49.80±10.72）个/200倍镜,均P〈0.01],BaP染毒组间黏附能力差异亦有统计学意义（两两比较,均P〈0.05）};与正常对照组相比,EPC的迁移能力亦呈BaP浓度依赖性降低{正常对照组[（46.10±4.51）个/400倍镜]显著高于BaP各组[BaP①组（35.50±4.95）个/400倍镜,BaP②组（26.80±4.08）个/400倍镜,BaP③组（19.50±2.84）个/400倍镜,均P〈0.01],BaP染毒组间迁移能力差异亦有统计学意义（两两比较,均P〈0.01）};与正常对照组比较,EPC的成血管能力亦呈BaP浓度依赖性降低{正常对照组[（33.20±3.70）个/100倍镜]显著高于BaP各组[BaP①组（22.00±3.39）个/100倍镜,BaP②组（16.20±2.59）个/100倍镜,BaP③组（10.80±2.39）个/100倍镜,均P〈0.01],BaP染毒组间成血管能力差异亦有统计学意义（两两比较,均P〈0.05）}。同时细胞培养上清液中SOD的活力也呈BaP浓度依赖性地降低{正常对照组[（22.6±2.19）U/ml]高于BaP各组[BaP①组（15.94±1.68）U/ml,BaP②组（12.5±1.58）U/ml,BaP③组（6.9±1.55）U/ml,均P〈0.01],BaP染毒组间SOD活力差异亦有统计学意义（两两比较,均P〈0.01）}。结论 BaP体外诱导显著影响EPC的多种生物学功能,其机制可能与氧化损伤有关。     

Zoledronate Attenuates Angiogenic Effects of Angiotensin II-Stimulated Endothelial Progenitor Cells via RhoA and MAPK Signaling

Background

New vessel formation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of neovascular-related diseases. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were found to contribute to neovascular-related diseases and interference with EPC neovascularization may be a novel target for these diseases. Zoledronate (Zol) was reported to exhibit anti-angiogenic effect. Basing on these evidences, we proposed that Zol may affect EPC function to exert novel anti-angiogenic effect. In this study, we therefore investigated the effects of Zol on multiple aspects of EPC function and explored the underlying mechanisms involved.

Methodology/Principal Findings

EPCs were cultured from bone marrow derived mononuclear cells. The potential effects of Zol on Angiotensin II (Ang II)-stimulated EPC proliferation, migration, adhesion, in vitro tube formation were investigated. The results showed that Ang II (1 µM) enhanced EPC migration, adhesion, in vitro tube formation but had no effect on cell proliferation. Zol (75 and 100 µM) inhibited proliferation of EPCs and 50 µM geranylgeranyol (GGOH) could reverse the decrease of EPC proliferation. We found for the first time that Zol (50–100 µM) dose dependently attenuated migration, adhesion, and in vitro tube formation of EPCs stimulated by Ang II. GGOH could reverse the attenuation of EPC function induced by Zol. However, Zol did not induce EPC apoptosis. In addition, the underlying mechanisms were determined. The results revealed that Zol markedly down-regulated active RhoA stimulated by Ang II and inhibited the phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and JNK. Moreover, RhoA silencing resulted in a notable inhibition of EPC in vitro tube formation, suggesting that RhoA suppression played a pivotal role in Zol antiangiogenic effect.

Conclusions/Significance

These findings suggested that Zol attenuated the promotion of EPC function stimulated by Ang II and exhibited novel antiangiogenic effect via RhoA and MAPK signaling. Thus, Zol may be served as a novel therapeutic agent for neovascular-related diseases treatment.     

Low-dose aspirin promotes endothelial progenitor cell migration and adhesion and prevents senescence

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a key role in restoring endothelial function and enhancing angiogenesis. However, the effects of low-dose aspirin on circulating EPCs are not well known. We investigated the effects of low-dose aspirin on EPC migration, adhesion, senescence, proliferation, apoptosis and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression. EPC migration was detected by a modified Boyden chamber assay. EPC adhesion assay was performed by counting adherent cells on fibronectin-coated culture dishes. EPC senescence was assessed by both senescence-associated-beta-galactosidase staining and DAPI staining. EPC proliferation was analyzed by MTT assay. EPC apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometric analysis. eNOS protein expression was measured by Western blotting analysis. Aspirin promoted EPC migratory and adhesive capacity at concentrations between 0.1 and 100micromol/L and prevented senescence at concentrations between 50 and 100micromol/L. Meanwhile, aspirin in a range of these concentrations did not affect EPC proliferation, apoptosis or eNOS expression. Our findings indicate that low-dose aspirin promotes migration and adhesion and delays the onset of senescence of EPCs.     

Angiopoietin-2 stimulates migration of endothelial progenitors and their interaction with endothelium

The factors controlling recruitment of endogenous and transplanted endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) to areas of neovascularization are largely unknown. In this study, we have examined the possibility that EPC migration and adhesion could be regulated by angiopoietin-2 (Ang2), a soluble ligand expressed by endothelial cells at sites of vessel remodelling and angiogenesis. We show for the first time that Ang2 causes a marked stimulation of EPC migration. This was specific for EPC as the ligand failed to affect endothelial cell migration. Ang2-stimulated EPC migration was inhibited by soluble Tie2 ectodomain. Furthermore, the ligand stimulated adhesion between EPC and endothelial monolayers.     

EGF-Induced Acetylation of Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoproteins Is Dependent on KRAS Mutational Status in Colorectal Cancer Cells

KRAS mutational status is considered a negative predictive marker of the response to anti-EGFR therapies in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. However, conflicting data exist regarding the variable response to EGFR-targeted therapy. The effects of oncogenic KRAS on downstream targets were studied in cell lines with different KRAS mutations. Cells harboring a single KRAS^G13D allele showed the most tumorigenic profile, with constitutive activation of the downstream pathway, rendering them EGF-unresponsive. Conversely, KRAS^A146T cells showed a full EGF-response in terms of signal transduction pathways, cell proliferation, migration or adhesion. Moreover, the global acetylome of CRC cells was also dependent on KRAS mutational status. Several hnRNP family members were identified within the 36 acetylated-proteins. Acetylation status is known to be involved in the modulation of EGF-response. In agreement with results presented herein, hnRNPA1 and L acetylation was induced in response to EGF in KRAS^A146T cells, whereas acetyl-hnRNPA1 and L levels remained unchanged after growth factor treatment in KRAS^G13D unresponsive cells. Our results showed that hnRNPs induced-acetylation is dependent on KRAS mutational status. Nevertheless hnRNPs acetylation might also be the point where different oncogenic pathways converge.     

High-density lipoprotein exerts vasculoprotection via endothelial progenitor cells

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) enhance endothelial cell repair, improve endothelial dysfunction and are a predictor for cardiovascular mortality. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels inversely correlate with cardiovascular events and have vasculoprotective effects. Here we postulate that HDL influences EPC biology. HDL and EPC were isolated according to standard procedures. Differentiation of mononuclear cells into DiLDL/lectin positive cells was enhanced after HDL treatment compared to vehicle. HDL was able to inhibit apoptosis (TUNEL assay, annexin V staining) while proliferation (BrdU incorporation) of early outgrowth colonies after extended cell cultivation (14 days) was increased. Flow chamber experiments revealed an improved adhesion of HDL pre-incubated EPC on human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) compared to vehicle while HDL treatment of HCAEC prevented adhesion of inflammatory cells. Flow cytometry demonstrated an up-regulation of beta2- and alpha4-integrins on HDL pre-incubated EPC. Blocking experiments revealed a unique role of beta2-integrin in EPC adhesion. Treatment of wild-type mice with recombinant HDL after endothelial denudation resulted in enhanced re-endothelialization compared to vehicle. Finally, in patients with coronary artery disease a correlation between circulating EPC and HDL concentrations was demonstrated. We provide evidence that HDL mediates important vasculoprotective action via the improvement of function of circulating EPC.     

Two components of a secreted cell number-counting factor bind to cells and have opposing effects on cAMP signal transduction in Dictyostelium

A secreted 450-kDa complex of proteins called counting factor (CF) is part of a negative feedback loop that regulates the size of the groups formed by developing Dictyostelium cells. Two components of CF are countin and CF50. Both recombinant countin and recombinant CF50 decrease group size in Dictyostelium. countin- cells have a decreased cAMP-stimulated cAMP pulse, whereas recombinant countin potentiates the cAMP pulse. We find that CF50 cells have an increased cAMP pulse, whereas recombinant CF50 decreases the cAMP pulse, suggesting that countin and CF50 have opposite effects on cAMP signal transduction. In addition, countin and CF50 have opposite effects on cAMP-stimulated Erk2 activation. However, like recombinant countin, recombinant CF50 increases cell motility. We previously found that cells bind recombinant countin with a Hill coefficient of approximately 2, a KH of 60 pm, and approximately 53 sites/cell. We find here that cells also bind 125I-recombinant CF50, with a Hill coefficient of approximately 2, a KH of approximately 15 ng/ml (490 pm), and approximately 56 sites/cell. Countin and CF50 require each other's presence to affect group size, but the presence of countin is not necessary for CF50 to bind to cells, and CF50 is not necessary for countin to bind to cells. Our working hypothesis is that a signal transduction pathway activated by countin binding to cells modulates a signal transduction pathway activated by CF50 binding to cells and vice versa and that these two pathways can be distinguished by their effects on cAMP signal transduction.     

Role of integrin-linked kinase for functional capacity of endothelial progenitor cells in patients with stable coronary artery disease

Number and function of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are down-regulated in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a signal and adaptor protein that regulates survival of mature endothelial cells and vascular development.Here we show that EPC dysfunction in patients with CAD is paralleled by down-regulation of ILK while restoration of ILK expression rescues the migratory defect of CAD-EPCs. Human EPCs transduced with dominant-negative ILK (DN-ILK) display significantly reduced expression of CD34⁺/VEGFR-2⁺, DiI-Ac-LDL uptake, and Ulex europaeus lectin binding. Mechanistically, DN-ILK-transfected EPCs are characterized by decreased proliferation, while proliferation is increased in wild-type ILK-transfected EPCs. These effects are paralleled by changes in cyclin D1 expression, colony forming units, and cytoskeletal rearrangement. Functionally, ILK is necessary and sufficient for SDF-1-triggered migration and adhesion in EPCs.These data extend current knowledge about the role of ILK in EPC biology and implicate ILK as a therapeutic target in CAD.     

Wnt5a promotes renal tubular inflammation in diabetic nephropathy by binding to CD146 through noncanonical Wnt signaling

Immune and inflammatory factors have emerged as key pathophysiological mechanisms in the progression of diabetic renal injury. Noncanonical Wnt5a signaling plays an essential role in obesity- or diabetes-induced metabolic dysfunction and inflammation, but its explicit molecular mechanisms and biological function in diabetic nephropathy (DN) remain unknown. In this study, we found that the expression of Wnt5a and CD146 in the kidney and the level of soluble form of CD146 (sCD146) in serum and urine samples were upregulated in DN patients compared to controls, and this alteration was correlated with the inflammatory process and progression of renal impairment. Blocking the activation of Wnt5a signaling with the Wnt5a antagonist Box5 prevented JNK phosphorylation and high glucose-induced inflammatory responses in db/db mice and high glucose-treated HK-2 cells. Similar effects were observed by silencing Wnt5a with small-interfering RNA (siRNA) in cultured HK-2 cells. Knockdown of CD146 blocked Wnt5a-induced expression of proinflammatory cytokines and activation of JNK, which suggests that CD146 is essential for the activation of the Wnt5a pathway. Finally, we confirmed that Wnt5a directly interacted with CD146 to activate noncanonical Wnt signaling in HK-2 cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that by directly binding to CD146, Wnt5a-induced noncanonical signaling is a contributing mechanism for renal tubular inflammation in diabetic nephropathy. The concentration of sCD146 in serum and urine could be a potential biomarker to predict renal outcomes in DN patients.Subject terms: Kidney diseases, Inflammation     

Angiomotin regulates endothelial cell-cell junctions and cell motility

We have previously identified angiomotin by its ability to bind to and mediate the anti-angiogenic properties of angiostatin. In vivo and in vitro data indicate an essential role of angiomotin in endothelial cell motility. Here we show that angiostatin binds angiomotin on the cell surface and provide evidence for a transmembrane model for the topology of both p80 and p130 angiomotin isoforms. Immunofluorescence analysis shows that angiomotin co-localized with ZO-1 in cell-cell contacts in endothelial cells in vitro and in angiogenic blood vessels of the postnatal mouse retina in vivo. Transfection of p80 as well as p130 angiomotin in Chinese hamster ovary cells resulted in junctional localization of both isoforms. Furthermore, p130 angiomotin could recruit ZO-1 to actin stress fibers. The p130 but not p80 isoform could be coprecipitated with MAGI-1b, a component of endothelial tight junctions. Paracellular permeability, as measured by diffusion of fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran, was reduced by p80 and p130 angiomotin expression with 70 and 88%, respectively, compared with control. Angiostatin did not have any effect on cell permeability but inhibited the migration of angiomotin-expressing cells in the Boyden chamber assay. We conclude that angiomotin, in addition to controlling cell motility, may play a role in the assembly of endothelial cell-cell junctions.     

Decursin inhibits vasculogenesis in early tumor progression by suppression of endothelial progenitor cell differentiation and function

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) contribute to the tumor vasculature during tumor progression. Decursin isolated from the herb Angelica gigas is known to possess potent anti‐inflammatory activities. Recently, we reported that decursin is a novel candidate for an angiogenesis inhibitor [Jung et al., 2009 ]. In this study, we investigated whether decursin regulates EPC differentiation and function to inhibit tumor vasculogenesis. We isolated AC133+ cells from human cord blood and decursin significantly decreased the number of EPC colony forming units of human cord blood‐derived AC133+ cells that produce functional EPC progenies. Decursin dose‐dependently decreased the cell number of EPC committing cells as demonstrated by EPC expansion studies. Decursin inhibited EPC differentiation from progenitor cells into spindle‐shaped EPC colonies. Additionally, decursin inhibited proliferation and migration of early EPCs isolated from mouse bone marrow. Furthermore, decursin suppressed expression of angiopoietin‐2, angiopoietin receptor Tie‐2, Flk‐1 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐2), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase in mouse BM derived EPCs in a dose‐dependent manner. Decursin suppressed tube formation ability of EPCs in collaboration with HUVEC. Decursin (4 mg/kg) inhibited tumor‐induced mobilization of circulating EPCs (CD34 + /VEGFR‐2+ cells) from bone marrow and early incorporation of Dil‐Ac‐LDL‐labeled or green fluorescent protein (GFP)+ EPCs into neovessels of xenograft Lewis lung carcinoma tumors in wild‐type‐ or bone‐marrow‐transplanted mice. Accordingly, decursin attenuated EPC‐derived endothelial cells in neovessels of Lewis lung carcinoma tumor masses grown in mice. Together, decursin likely affects EPC differentiation and function, thereby inhibiting tumor vasculogenesis in early tumorigenesis. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 1478–1487, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.