炎症促进大鼠动脉粥样硬化初期内皮功能病变机制研究

目的:观察炎症因素诱导大鼠动脉粥样硬化发病过程中对血管内皮细胞的影响。方法:实验分为单纯高脂对照组和炎症组,分别腹腔注射给予无菌医用液体石蜡和酵母多糖(Zym,20mg/kg,1次/3天)。所有大鼠均喂食含3%胆固醇的高脂饲料,共8周。透射电镜观察主动脉超微结构;应用定量PCR法测定腹主动脉组织中诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)mRNA、血管细胞粘附分子(VCAM)-1 mRNA、以及基质金属蛋白酶7(MMP7)mRNA的表达。结果:炎症组可见游走于内膜下层的平滑肌细胞和和吞噬脂质颗粒的单核细胞,单纯高脂对照组仅见内皮细胞损伤和退行性变,未见内膜下层形成泡沫细胞,AS样病变较炎症组轻。与对照组相比,炎症组动脉壁iNOS mRNA表达降低,VCAM-1 mRNA及MMP7 mRNA标大量显著升高。结论:炎症刺激能够损伤动脉血管内皮细胞,诱导炎症因子释放增加,促进动脉粥样硬化的发生。     

低氧脑水肿大鼠脑组织VEGF和AQPs基因及蛋白表达的变化

目的：探讨低氧脑水肿时血管内皮细胞生长因子（VEGF）、水通道蛋白（AQP1和AQP4）基因和蛋白表达变化,为阐明急性低氧对脑组织的损伤及低氧脑水肿的发病机制提供实验依据。方法：Wistar大鼠随机分为4个组：常氧对照组（Control）、低氧暴露4 000 m组（4 000 m）、低氧暴露6 000 m组（6 000 m）和低氧暴露8 000 m组（8 000 m）,低氧组于低压舱中模拟相应海拔高度持续暴露8 h建立低氧脑水肿模型。用干-湿重法测定脑组织水含量,常规光镜观察脑组织形态学的改变;用RT-PCR法和免疫组化法检测低氧脑水肿时大鼠脑组织VEGF、AQP1和AQP4mRNA和蛋白表达的变化。结果：①干-湿重法测定表明,低氧（≥6 000 m）暴露后,大鼠脑组织水含量明显增加（P〈0.01）。②常规光镜检测结果表明,低氧暴露4 000 m时大鼠脑神经细胞、血管内皮细胞和星形胶质细胞足突轻度肿胀,组织中出现漏出液;低氧暴露6 000 m时脑血管内皮细胞和星形胶质细胞足突肿胀加重,血管与组织间隙扩大,组织中漏出液增多;低氧暴露8 000m时脑血管内皮细胞和星形胶质细胞足突重度肿胀,血管与组织间隙进一步扩大,组织中漏出液明显增多。③低氧脑水肿时,VEGF、AQP1、AQP4mRNA表达水平增高,AQP1在内皮细胞异常表达,内皮细胞VEGF和AQP1、星形胶质细胞足突AQP4蛋白质表达水平增高。结论：低氧脑水肿时,VEGF、AQP1和AQP4表达和分布的变化可能是引起血脑屏障损伤、导致低氧脑水肿的发病机制之一。     

当归对宫内低氧新生大鼠海马神经元与神经胶质细胞的影响及其机制

目的:探讨宫内低氧对新生大鼠海马CA3区神经元与神经胶质细胞的影响及血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)在低氧后的表达与当归的干预作用。方法:将大鼠随机分为对照组、低氧组和当归组分别受孕,取新生鼠脑组织制片后做神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)mRNA、胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)mRNA、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)mRNA原位杂交。结果:当归能显著增大低氧新生鼠海马CA3区NSE mRNA和VEGF mRNA原位杂交阳性细胞IOD值,减小GFAP mRNA原位杂交阳性细胞IOD值。结论:当归注射液可增加低氧所致的新生大鼠海马CA3区神经元的数量,减弱该区神经胶质细胞的增生,其机制可能是进一步上调低氧后VEGFmRNA的表达。     

胆红素对急性肺损伤大鼠肺血管内皮细胞核因子κB,细胞间粘附分子1表达的影响

目的探讨胆红素对急性肺损伤(ALI)的对抗作用及其对肺血管内皮细胞核因子-κB和细胞间粘附分子1表达的影响.方法用雄性Wistar大鼠(200-250g)30只,随机分为正常对照组、ALI动物模型组(用内毒素制造模型)、胆红素干预组.采用原位杂交技术半定量法和免疫组织化学染色测定肺血管内皮细胞中细胞间粘附分子-1(ICAM-1)mRNA和核因子κB (NF-κB)蛋白的表达.结果 (1)ALI模型组肺血管内皮细胞ICAM-1mRNA表达和NF-κB核染色阳性细胞百分比与正常对照组比较显著升高,(P<0.001);(2)胆红素干预组ICAM-1mRNA表达和NF-κB染色阳性细胞百分比与模型组相比明显减低,(P<0.001、P<0.01),但与正常对照组比较仍较高(P<0.05).结论 ICAM-1和NF-κB在ALI显著增加,胆红素可以抑制ALI动物NF-κB和ICAM-1mRNA的表达,可能是其对抗急性肺损伤的作用机制之一.     

急性低氧和间断低氧习服对HepG2细胞内血管内皮细胞生长因子基因表达的影响

目的:观察急性低氧和间断低氧习服对人HepG2细胞内血管内皮细胞生长因子(VEGF)及转录因子低氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1α)的mRNA和蛋白含量的影响及其可能的生物学意义.方法:HepG2细胞随机分为常氧对照组,急性低氧组和间断低氧习服组.采用Northern blot和Western blot分别检测不同组别HepG2细胞内VEGF和HIF-1α mRNA表达和蛋白含量的变化.结果:急性低氧诱导HepG2细胞内VEGF和HIF-1α基因的转录,增加两种蛋白在细胞内的含量.间断低氧习服组的细胞内VEGF和HIF-1α的mRNA含量分别为常氧对照组细胞的(108.6±17.7)%和(116.74±19.8)%,与常氧对照组相比无显著差异(P＞0.05);而其蛋白表达的含量分别为对照组细胞的1.4和2.7倍,都明显低于急性低氧组细胞内两种蛋白的含量(P＜0.05).结论:HepG2细胞达到低氧习服状态后,抑制急性低氧对HepG2细胞内VEGF基因表达的促进作用,其中HIF-1α可能起着重要的调节作用.     

p38丝裂原素激活的蛋白激酶在调节低氧诱导人内皮细胞分泌血管内皮生长因子过程中的作用

血管内皮细胞中血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growthfactor,VEGF)的合成增加在促进血管新生的过程中起着非常重要的作用.然而低氧诱导VEGF分泌的细胞内信号转导机制还不是很清楚.人脐静脉内皮细胞系(ECV304)在低氧或常氧的状态下培养12～24 h后分别用实时定量PCR和Western blot的方法来检测VEGF mRNA的表达及ERK1/2和p38激酶的磷酸化水平.分泌到培养液中的VEGF蛋白用酶联免疫吸附(ELISA)的方法来检测.业已报道,ERK的抑制剂PD98059能够抑制低氧诱导的VEGF基因的表达,根据这个报道,我们发现在低氧情况下,ECV304细胞的ERK1/2磷酸化水平增高以及VEGF的合成增加等这些变化也能被PD98059所抑制.本次实验的新发现是p38激酶的激活在低氧诱导VEGF合成增加中的作用.p38激酶的抑制剂SB202190能抑制低氧诱导的VEGF合成增加.这些数据首次直接证实了p38激酶在低氧诱导人内皮细胞分泌VEGF增加过程中的作用.     

胰岛素对大鼠急性肺损伤的肺血管内皮细胞核因子-κB和细胞间粘附分子-1表达的影响

目的 探讨胰岛素对急性肺损伤(ALI)大鼠肺血管内皮细胞核因子-kB(NF-kB)和细胞问粘附分子-1(ICAM-1)表达的影响.方法 24只健康雄性SD大鼠(190-210g),随机分为正常对照组、All模型组、胰岛素干预组.观察肺组织病理形态,采用原位杂交技术半定最法和免疫组织化学染色检测肺血管内皮细胞的细胞间粘附分子-1(ICAM-1)mRNA和核因子-kB(NF-kB)蛋白的表达.结果 (1)肺病理组织学结果显示胰岛素干预组肺病变局限且程度减轻;(2)ALI模型组肺血管内皮细胞ICAM-1mRNA表达(0.456±0.018)和NF-kB核染色阳性细胞百分比(0.542±0.009)与正常对照组(0.274±0.014,0.308±0.017)比较显著升高(均P＜0.05);(3)胰岛素干预组ICAM-1mRNA表达(0.357±0.024)和NF-KB核染色阳性细胞了百分比(0.427±0.018)比模型组明显减低(均P＜0.05),但与正常对照组比较仍较高(均P＜0.05).结论 ICAM-1和NF-kB在ALI显著增加,胰岛素可以抑制NF-kB和ICAM-ImRNA的表达,可能足其对抗ALI的作用机制之一.     

2-溴乙胺抑制氨基脲敏感性胺氧化酶活性对糖尿病大鼠血管内皮的保护作用

本研究旨在观察糖尿病大鼠主动脉氨基脲敏感性胺氧化酶(semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase,SSAO)的活性变化,探讨2-溴乙胺(2-bromoethylamine,2-BEA)抑制SSAO活性对糖尿病大鼠血管内皮的保护作用。制备大鼠主动脉组织匀浆作为SSAO来源,体外应用苯甲胺作为SSAO催化底物,检测不同浓度2-BEA对主动脉SSAO活性的抑制作用。采用链脲佐菌素(streptozotocin,STZ)单次腹腔注射诱导1型糖尿病大鼠模型,将成年Sprague Dawley(SD)大鼠随机分为正常对照(NC)组、糖尿病模型(DM)组、2-BEA 5 mg/kg组、2-BEA 20 mg/kg组,每组10只,2-BEA每天腹腔注射给药,连续8周。8周末,腹主动脉采血,硝酸还原酶法测定血浆一氧化氮(nitric oxide,NO)含量,放射免疫分析法测定血浆内皮素-1(endothelin-1,ET-1)浓度,高效液相色谱法测定大鼠主动脉SSAO活性,观察主动脉形态及超微结构变化。结果显示,与NC组比,DM组大鼠主动脉SSAO活性、血浆ET-1浓度显著升高(P0.01),而血浆NO含量显著降低(P0.01);2-BEA抑制糖尿病大鼠主动脉SSAO活性,降低了血浆ET-1浓度并升高了血浆NO含量(P0.01),2-BEA 20 mg/kg组效果比5 mg/kg组更明显(P0.05),2-BEA组大鼠主动脉内皮损伤较DM组明显减轻。以上结果表明,2-BEA通过抑制主动脉SSAO活性保护糖尿病大鼠血管内皮。     

痛风患者血管内皮功能及颈动脉粥样硬化的临床研究

目的:观察痛风患者氧化应激指标与颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)的变化,探讨高尿酸引起内皮功能损伤和颈动脉粥样硬化的机制。方法:选择痛风患者123例,正常健康者116例,检测两组患者血尿酸、细胞间粘附分子1(ICAM-1)、内皮素-1(ET-1)、一氧化氮(NO)、纤溶酶原激活抑制剂-1(PAI-1)、收缩压、舒张压、空腹血糖、HDL-C、LDL-C、TC、TG等糖、脂代谢指标及颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)。分析痛风患者内皮损伤相关因子水平和颈动脉IMT的关系。结果:痛风组血清细胞间粘附分子1(ICAM-1)、内皮素-1(ET-1)、纤溶酶原激活抑制剂-1(PAI-1)水平较对照组增高,颈动脉IMT明显增厚,NO水平较对照组降低,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。血尿酸水平、ICAM-1、ET-1、PAI-1与IMT密切相关(P0.01)。结论:痛风患者较对照组存在更明显的代谢紊乱,血管内皮功能损伤,更易发生动脉粥样硬化。     

蜂花烧烫伤膏对烧伤大鼠血管内皮细胞的保护作用研究

目的:研究蜂花烧烫伤膏对烧伤大鼠血管内皮细胞的保护作用,探讨其治疗烧烫伤的作用机制。方法:热水烧伤法建立大鼠30%TBSA深Ⅱ度烧伤模型。造模成功后随机分为对照组、烧伤延迟复苏组、京万红组与蜂花烧烫伤膏组,分别立即给予相应干预,并比较烫伤后1 h、3 h、6 h、12 h、24 h和48 h的肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、内皮素(ET-1)、一氧化氮(NO)与ET-1/NO比值水平。结果:与对照组大鼠比较,烧伤延迟复苏组TNF-α、ET-1与ET-1/NO比值在伤后1 h即明显升高,12 h达高峰后逐渐下降;NO的含量在伤后1h即显著升高,6 h达高峰后逐渐下降;48h后仍与对照组有较大差异。与烧伤延迟复苏组比较,蜂花烧烫伤膏组各时相点的TNF-α、ET-1、NO和ET-1/NO比值均显著降低,但变化趋势基本一致。结论:蜂花烧烫伤膏通过降低TNF-α、ET-1和NO水平,优化ET-1/NO系统,起到保护烧伤大鼠血管内皮细胞的作用。     

Critical role of endothelial cell activation in hypoxia-induced vasoocclusion in transgenic sickle mice

Activation of vascular endothelium plays an essential role in vasoocclusion in sickle cell disease. The anti-inflammatory agents dexamethasone and adhesion molecule-blocking antibodies were used to inhibit endothelial cell activation and hypoxia-induced vasoocclusion. Transgenic sickle mice, expressing human alpha-, beta(S)-, and beta(S-Antilles)-globins, had an activated vascular endothelium in their liver, lungs, and skin, as exhibited by increased activation of NF-kappaB compared with normal mice. NF-kappaB activation increased further in the liver and skin after sickle mice were exposed to hypoxia. Sickle mice had decreases in red blood cell (RBC) velocities and developed vasoocclusions in subcutaneous venules in response to hypoxia. Dexamethasone pretreatment prevented decreases in RBC velocities and inhibited vasoocclusions and leukocyte-endothelium interactions in venules after hypoxia. Dexamethasone treatment inhibited NF-kappaB, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 expression in the liver, lungs, and skin of sickle mice after hypoxia-reoxygenation. VCAM-1 or ICAM-1 blockade with monoclonal antibodies mimicked dexamethasone by inhibiting vasoocclusion and leukocyte adhesion in sickle mice, demonstrating that endothelial cell activation and VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression are necessary for hypoxia-induced vasoocclusion in sickle mice. VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and vasoocclusion increased significantly 3 days after dexamethasone discontinuation, possibly explaining rebounds in vasoocclusive crises observed after withdrawal of glucocorticosteroids in sickle patients. We conclude that anti-inflammatory treatments that inhibit endothelial cell activation and adhesion molecule expression can inhibit vasoocclusion in sickle cell disease. Rebounds in vasoocclusive crises after dexamethasone withdrawal are caused by rebounds in endothelial cell activation.     

ESM-1 promotes adhesion between monocytes and endothelial cells under intermittent hypoxia

Intermittent hypoxia (IH), the key property of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is closely associated with endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial-cell-specific molecule-1 (ESM-1, Endocan) is a novel, reported molecule linked to endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of IH on ESM-1 expression and the role of ESM-1 in endothelial dysfunction. We found that serum concentration of ESM-1, inter-cellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) is significantly higher in patients with OSA than healthy volunteers (p < 0.01). The expression of ESM-1, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was significantly increased in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by treated IH in a time-dependent manner. HIF-1α short hairpin RNA and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) inhibitor inhibited the expression of ESM-1 in HUVECs. ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expressions were significantly enhanced under IH status, accompanied by increased monocyte–endothelial cell adhesion rate ( p < 0.001). Accordingly, ESM-1 silencing decreased the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in HUVECs, whereas ESM-1 treatment significantly enhanced ICAM-1 expression accompanied by increasing adhesion ability. ESM-1 is significantly upregulated by the HIF-1α/VEGF pathway under IH in endothelial cells, playing a critical role in enhancing adhesion between monocytes and endothelial cells, which might be a potential target for IH-induced endothelial dysfunction.     

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor expression kinetics in macrophage-derived foam cells

Macrophage-derived foam cells seem to play an important role during inflammatory response of atherosclerosis, in which the overexpression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are associated with the early and later pathological changes in foam cell formation. In this study, we investigated the expression kinetics of ICAM-1 and VEGF in macrophage-derived foam cells. The foam cell model was established through incubating the human monocyte line (U937 cells) with oxidized-low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). Up-regulated expressions of ICAM-1 and VEGF were analyzed in protein and mRNA levels in U937 foam cells by flow cytometry, ELISA, and Northern blot. Kinetic studies showed the deferent kinds of expression curves in dose response and time course. The expression dose-kinetics demonstrated that the ICAM-1 showed the peak expression induced by ox-LDL 50 mg/L, while VEGF levels increased in a dose-dependent manner with the maximum level induced by ox-LDL 200 mg/L. Time-kinetic studies revealed that the ICAM-1 levels showed the peak expression in 12 h while VEGF expression increased in a time-dependent manner with the maximum level in 48 h. These results proved that both ICAM-1 and VEGF expressions were enhanced in the macrophage-derived foam cells, but ICAM-1 expression increased earlier than the up-regulation of VEGF; low dose of ox-LDL mainly up regulated ICAM-1 expression, while high dose mainly increased the VEGF expression.     

Effect of astroglial cells on hypoxia-induced permeability in PBMEC cells

An in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier (BBB),consisting of porcine brain-derived microvascular endothelial cells(PBMEC), was used to evaluate the effect of astrocytes in theBBB disruption during hypoxia. Hypoxia-induced hyperpermeability wasdecreased significantly in a coculture model of astroglia cells, either astrocytes or C6 glioma cells, with PBMEC and, to the same extent, whenglia cell-conditioned medium was used. Corresponding to effects onhypoxia-induced hyperpermeability, astrocyte- and C6 cell-conditioned medium diminished hypoxia-induced vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) mRNA and protein expression, which recently was shown to beresponsible for hypoxia-induced permeability changes in vitro. Theeffect on hypoxia-induced hyperpermeability and VEGF expression wasspecific for astroglia cells because conditioned medium from bovinesmooth muscle cells (BSMC) did not show any effect. Immunocytochemistryrevealed that 24 h of hypoxia disrupted the continuity of thetight junction protein, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), which lines thecytoplasmic face of intact tight junctions. These changes wereprevented when hypoxia was performed in glia cell-conditioned medium.Results suggest that astrocytes protect the BBB from hypoxia-inducedparacellular permeability changes by decreasing hypoxia-induced VEGFexpression in microvascular endothelial cells.

     

Hypoxia induces permeability in brain microvessel endothelial cells via VEGF and NO

In this study, an in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier,consisting of porcine brain-derived microvascular endothelial cells(BMEC), was used to evaluate the mechanism of hypoxia-induced hyperpermeability. We show that hypoxia-induced permeability in BMECwas completely abolished by a neutralizing antibody to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In contrast, under normoxic conditions, addition of VEGF up to 100 ng/ml did not alter monolayer barrier function. Treatment with either hypoxia or VEGF under normoxicconditions induced a twofold increase in VEGF binding sites and VEGFreceptor 1 (Flt-1) mRNA expression in BMEC. Hypoxia-induced permeability also was prevented by the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor N^G-monomethyl-L-arginine,suggesting that NO is involved in hypoxia-induced permeability changes,which was confirmed by measurements of the cGMP level. During normoxia,treatment with VEGF (5 ng/ml) increased permeability as well as cGMPcontent in the presence of several antioxidants. These results suggestthat hypoxia-induced permeability in vitro is mediated by the VEGF/VEGFreceptor system in an autocrine manner and is essentially dependent onreducing conditions stabilizing the second messenger NO as the mediatorof changes in barrier function of BMEC.     

Angiogenesis by transplantation of HIF-1 alpha modified EPCs into ischemic limbs

Hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) is a key determinant of oxygen-dependent gene regulation in angiogenesis. HIF-1 alpha overexpression may be beneficial in cell therapy of hypoxia-induced pathophysiological processes, such as ischemic heart disease. To address this issue, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) were induced to differentiate into endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), and then were transfected with either an HIF-1 alpha-expressing or a control vector and cultured under normoxia or hypoxia. Hypoxia-induced HIF-1 alpha mRNA and protein expression was increased after HIF-1 alpha transfection. This was accompanied by VEGF mRNA induction and increased VEGF secretion. Hypoxia-stimulated VEGF mRNA induction was significantly abrogated by HIF-1 alpha-specific siRNA. Functional studies showed that HIF-1 alpha overexpression further promoted hypoxia-induced EPC differentiation, proliferation and migration. The expressions of endothelial cell markers CD31, VEGFR2 (Flk-1) and eNOS as well as VEGF and NO secretions were also increased. Furthermore, in an in vivo model of hindlimb ischemia, HIF-1 alpha-transfected EPCs homed to the site of ischemia. A higher revascularization potential was also demonstrated by increased capillary density at the injury site. Our results revealed that endothelial progenitor cells ex vivo modification by hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha gene transfection is feasible and may offer significant advantages in terms of EPC expansion and treatment efficacy.     

Hypoxia-induced pulmonary endothelin-1 expression is unaltered by nitric oxide.

Nitric oxide (NO) attenuates hypoxia-induced endothelin (ET)-1 expression in cultured umbilical vein endothelial cells. We hypothesized that NO similarly attenuates hypoxia-induced increases in ET-1 expression in the lungs of intact animals and reasoned that potentially reduced ET-1 levels may contribute to the protective effects of NO against the development of pulmonary hypertension during chronic hypoxia. As expected, hypoxic exposure (24 h, 10% O(2)) increased rat lung ET-1 peptide and prepro-ET-1 mRNA levels. Contrary to our hypothesis, inhaled NO (iNO) did not attenuate hypoxia-induced increases in pulmonary ET-1 peptide or prepro-ET-1 mRNA levels. Because of this surprising finding, we also examined the effects of NO on hypoxia-induced increases in ET peptide levels in cultured cell experiments. Consistent with the results of iNO experiments, administration of the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine to cultured bovine pulmonary endothelial cells did not attenuate increases in ET peptide levels resulting from hypoxic (24 h, 3% O(2)) exposure. In additional experiments, we examined the effects of NO on the activity of a cloned ET-1 promoter fragment containing a functional hypoxia inducible factor-1 binding site in reporter gene experiments. Whereas moderate hypoxia (24 h, 3% O(2)) had no effect on ET-1 promoter activity, activity was increased by severe hypoxic (24 h, 0.5% O(2)) exposure. ET-1 promoter activity after S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine administration during severe hypoxia was greater than that in normoxic controls, although activity was reduced compared with that in hypoxic controls. These findings suggest that hypoxia-induced pulmonary ET-1 expression is unaffected by NO.     

Hypoxia down-regulates sFlt-1 (sVEGFR-1) expression in human microvascular endothelial cells by a mechanism involving mRNA alternative processing

sFlt-1 (soluble Flt-1) potently inhibits angiogenesis by binding extracellularly to VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor). In the present paper, we report that hypoxia down-regulates sFlt-1 expression in HMVECs (human microvascular endothelial cells), a constituent of microvessels where angiogenesis occurs. Hypoxia (5-1% O?) increased VEGF expression in HMVECs. In contrast, the levels of sFlt-1 mRNA and protein in HMVECs decreased significantly as the O? concentration fell, whereas mFlt-1 (membrane-bound Flt-1) mRNA and protein remained unchanged. This suggested that hypoxia selectively regulates alternative 3'-end processing of sFlt-1 pre-mRNA. We have also demonstrated that sFlt-1 overexpression in lentiviral-construct-infected HMVECs counteracted VEGF-induced endothelial cell growth. We next identified cis-elements involved in sFlt-1 mRNA processing in HMVECs using a human Flt-1 minigene and found that two non-contiguous AUUAAA sequences function as the poly(A) signal. Furthermore, we identified a cis-element in intron 13 that regulates sFlt-1 mRNA processing. Mutagenesis of the U-rich region in intron 13 caused a significant decrease in the soluble-form/membrane-form RNA ratio in the minigene-transfected HMVECs. These results suggest that decreased sFlt-1 expression due to hypoxia contributes to hypoxia-induced angiogenesis and reveals a novel mechanism regulating angiogenesis by alternative mRNA 3'-end processing.