VEGF受体功能研究进展

血管内皮生长因子受体（VEGFR）调控心血管系统的发育。VEGFR1对于造血祖细胞的招募及单核巨噬细胞的迁移是必需的;VEGFR2、VEGFR3在调控血管及淋巴管内皮细胞的功能时发挥重要作用,而现在很多研究都聚焦于阻断VEGFR信号通路以达到阻断肿瘤血管生长的目的。     

逍遥丸合六味地黄丸对原因不明月经过少子宫内膜细胞ER、VEGF和KDR表达影响

探讨逍遥丸合六味地黄丸治疗原因不明月经过少的机理.原代培养原因不明月经过少病人的子宫内膜,采用免疫细胞化学进行细胞鉴定.空白对照组,高剂量组,中剂量组,低剂量组,雌激素组.免疫蛋白质斑迹法观察子宫内膜细胞的雌激素受体(ER)、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)及其受体(KDR)表达改变.逍遥丸合六味地黄丸能增强子宫内膜细胞的ER、VGER和KDR表达.逍遥丸合六味地黄丸可能通过提高子宫内膜组织中ER、VEGF和KDR治疗原因不明月经过少.     

血管内皮生长因子受体-2所介导信号通路的研究进展

血管新生是许多生理和病理进程发生的重要机理．在生物体内,血管新生需经过多步精细调控历程,现有研究表明,血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)及其受体蛋白酪氨酸激酶,尤其是血管内皮生长因子受体-2(VEGFR-2)所介导的信号级联通路是其中关键性的调节途径．VEGF/VEGFR-2所介导的信号级联通路可以调控血管内皮细胞的增殖、迁移、存活和通透性的改变,促进血管的新生．VEGF与VEGFR-2的胞外区特异性结合后,引起受体的二聚化和自身的交互磷酸化,使胞内特定的酪氨酸残基磷酸化．下游信号蛋白可以通过其Src同源结构域-2(SH2)与VEGFR-2结合,随后激活下游的效应蛋白,调控内皮细胞的生物学活性．此外,VEGF/VEGFR-2信号通路还可以下调树突细胞(DC)的活性．对VEGF/VEGFR-2信号通路作用的深入了解,将有助于新药的研发．     

VEGF increases the proliferative capacity and eNOS/NO levels of endothelial progenitor cells through the calcineurin/NFAT signalling pathway

We have investigated whether VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) regulates the proliferative capacity and eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase)/NO (nitric oxide) pathway of EPCs (endothelial progenitor cells) by activating CaN (calcineurin)/NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T-cells) signalling. EPCs were obtained from cultured mononuclear cells isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy adults. Treatment with VEGF (50 ng/ml) potently promoted CaN enzymatic activity, activation of NFAT2, cell proliferation, eNOS protein expression and NO production. Pretreatment with cyclosporin A (10 μg/ml), a pharmacological inhibitor of CaN or 11R-VIVIT, a special inhibitor of NFAT, completely abrogated the aforementioned effects of VEGF treatment and increased apoptosis. The results indicate that VEGF treatment promotes the proliferative capacity of human EPCs by activating CaN/NFAT signalling leading to increased eNOS protein expression and NO production.     

Jumping the barrier: VE-cadherin, VEGF and other angiogenic modifiers in cancer

The endothelial barrier controls the passage of fluids, nutrients and cells through the vascular wall. This physiological function is closely related to developmental and adult angiogenesis, blood pressure control, as well as immune responses. Moreover, cancer progression is frequently characterized by disorganized and leaky blood vessels. In this context, vascular permeability drives tumour-induced angiogenesis, blood flow disturbances, inflammatory cell infiltration and tumour cell extravasation. Although various molecules have been implicated, the vascular endothelial adhesion molecule, VE-cadherin (vascular endothelial cadherin), has emerged as a critical player involved in maintaining endothelial barrier integrity and homoeostasis. Indeed, VE-cadherin coordinates the endothelial cell-cell junctions through its adhesive and signalling properties. Of note, many angiogenic and inflammatory mediators released into the tumour microenvironment influence VE-cadherin behaviour. Therefore restoring VE-cadherin function could be one very promising target for vascular normalization in cancer therapies. In this review, we will mainly focus on recent discoveries concerning the molecular mechanisms involved in modulating VE-cadherin plasticity in cancer.     

Hypoxic response elements control expression of human vascular endothelial growth factor(165) genes transferred to ischemia myocardium in vivo and in vitro

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene transfer with recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vector for ischemia heart disease therapy is being increasingly studied. However, uncontrolled long-term expression of VEGF may cause some side effects. Therefore, an attempt to develop an effective gene control system for safeguarding against such side effects should be made. Pathphysiologically, an ideal control system for VEGF gene expression is letting it respond to hypoxia. We used nine copies of hypoxic response element (HRE) to regulate expression of hVEGF(165) in the myocardium, and tried to elucidate the feasibility and safety of the application of the HIF-1-HRE system. METHODS: Cardiomyocytes of neonatal Sprague Dawley rats were cultured and incubated with rAAV-9HRE-hVEGF(165), and pig ischemic heart models were established and rAAV-9HRE-hVEGF(165) was injected into ischemia myocardium. RT-PCR, Western blot, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry were used to determine hVEGF(165) expressions of cultured cardiomyocytes and myocardium under hypoxic and reoxygenation conditions. RESULTS: The results of RT-PCR and ELISA determinations revealed that, in cultured cardiomyocytes, expressions of hVEGF(165)mRNA and protein were up-regulated under hypoxic conditions. After 4 h of reoxygenation, hVEGF(165)mNRA expression was decreased, and disappeared following 8 to 12 h of reoxygenation (P < 0.01). RT-PCR and Western blot also showed that, under myocardial ischemia, hVEGF(165) expression was increased significantly (P < 0.01). Following myocardial reperfusion, both hVEGF(165)mRNA and protein expressions were inhibited (P < 0.01). The new vessels in the reperfusion condition were decreased. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that 9HRE can effectively control hVEGF(165) gene expression in vivo and in vitro. It has feasibility for using the HIF-1-HRE system for regulation of angiogenic factor expression in ischemia heart.     

Cold-induced expression of the VEGF gene in brown adipose tissue is independent of thermogenic oxygen consumption

To examine whether cold-induced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene expression in brown adipose tissue involved generation of hypoxic oxygen levels by thermogenic processes, we cold-exposed wild-type mice, as well as uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1)-ablated mice in which no thermogenesis in brown adipocytes can be induced. Cold exposure stimulated VEGF expression in both wild-type and UCP1-ablated mice. Unexpectedly, the effect was 3-fold higher in UCP1-ablated animals, whereas cultured brown adipocytes from both genotypes responded identically to norepinephrine stimulation. These results demonstrate that generation of low oxygen levels does not contribute to cold-induced VEGF expression in brown adipose tissue, but the results are consistent with an adrenergic regulation of expression.     

乌司他丁对大鼠毛细血管渗漏综合征肺毛细血管通透性的影响

目的:观察乌司他丁(UTI)注射液对毛细血管渗漏综合征(CLS)大鼠肺毛细血管通透性及肺血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)表达的影响,探讨UTI降低CLS大鼠肺毛细血管通透性的机制。方法:雄性SD大鼠120只,随机均分为三组。其中正常对照组(C组)20只,UTI干预组(U组)40只,模型组(M组)60只。实验动物观察12小时,处死前取静脉血ELISA法测血清VEGF;处死动物后取肺组织分别行病理学检查、干湿比重法测肺含水量、伊文思兰法测肺毛细血管通透性。结果:M组血清VEGF明显高于C组和U组(P<0.05),M组肺组织损伤较重,肺含水量及组织通透性均高于C组和U组(P<0.05)。结论:UTI可降低大鼠CLS肺毛细血管通透性,其作用机制可能是通过降低血中的VEGF表达。     

Screening of human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor Flt-1 domain and study on its biological activity

Four human vascular endothelial growth factor receptor Flt-1 cDNA fragments containing extracellular domain loops 2, 1–2, 2–3 and 1–3 respectively were amplified from human placental cDNA library by PCR and used for screening ligand binding domains by yeast two-hybrid system. The result showed that, not only loop 1–3, but also the smaller fragment loop 2–3 could bind to hVEGF₁₆₅. Recombinant expression plasmids pPIC9K/Flt-1(1–3) and pPIC9K/Flt-1(2–3) were constructed and transformed toPichia. pastoris host strain GS115, cultured in flasks, and expressed under the induction of 1% methanol. The expressed product existed in supernatant in the form of soluble molecules and contained more than 60% of total protein after being induced for 4d. After being purified by CM-Sepharose FF and Sephacryl S-100 chromatography, its purity reached above 90%. Biological assayin vitro showed that the binding capacity of expressed soluble Flt-1 (2–3) to hVEGF₁₆₅ and its inhibiting effect on the proliferation of human umbilical veins endothelial cells (HUVEC) stimulated with hVEGF₁₆₅ were close to those of sFlt-1(1–3). Animal test showed that sFlt-1(2–3) could inhibit the formation of regenerate blood vessels stimulated with hVEGF₁₆₅ significantly.     

Changes in VEGF expression and DNA synthesis in hepatocytes from hepatectomized and tumour‐bearing mice

Transplanted tumours could modify the intensity and temporal distribution of the cellular proliferation in normal cell populations, and partial hepatectomy alters the serum concentrations of substances involved in cellular proliferation, leading to the compensatory liver hyperplasia. The following experiments were designed in order to study the SI (S‐phase index) and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) expression in regenerating liver (after partial hepatectomy) of adult male mice bearing a hepatocellular carcinoma, throughout one complete circadian cycle. We used adult male C3H/S‐strain mice. After an appropriate period of synchronization, the C3H/S‐histocompatible ES2a hepatocellular carcinoma was grafted into the subcutaneous tissue of each animal's flank. To determine the index of SI and VEGF expression of hepatocytes, we used immunohistochemistry. The animals were divided into two experimental groups: Group I, control, hepatectomized animals; Group II, hepatectomized tumour‐bearing animals. The statistical analysis of SI and VEGF expression was performed using Anova and Tukey as a postcomparison test. The results show that in the second group, the curve of SI changes the time points for maximum and minimum activity, and the peak of VEGF expression appears before the first group. In conclusion, in the hepatectomized mice, the increases of hepatic proliferation, measured by the SI index, may produce a rise in VEGF expression with the object of generating a vascular network for hepatic regeneration. Lastly, as we have mentioned, in hepatectomized and tumour‐bearing mice, the peak of VEGF expression appears before the one of DNA synthesis.     

匹伐他汀对Klotho基因敲除杂合子小鼠血管新生的促进作用

目的：探讨匹伐他汀对Klotho基因敲除杂合子小鼠血管新生的促进作用及其作用机制。方法：建立Klotho基因敲除杂合子小鼠（hetero kl＋／-）和同窝出生野生型小鼠（wild kl＋／＋）下肢缺血模型并分为4组：①hetero正常组;②hetero匹伐他汀组;③wild正常组;④wild匹伐他汀组。使用激光多普勒血流测定仪测定klotho（kl＋／-,kl＋／＋）小鼠投药前、下肢缺血手术后双下肢血流。免疫荧光组化SP法计数Klotho（kl＋／-,kl＋／＋）小鼠缺血肢毛细血管数。免疫酶组化直接法计数Klotho（kl＋／-,kl＋／＋）小鼠缺血肢磷酸化Akt阳性细胞数。蛋白印迹杂交方法检测Klotho（kl＋／-）小鼠缺血肢VEGF蛋白表达。结果：匹伐他汀使Klotho（kl＋／-,kl＋／＋）小鼠术后缺血肢血流恢复明显,缺血肢与非缺血肢血流面积比明显增加;匹伐他汀使Klotho（kl＋／-、kl＋／＋）小鼠缺血肢毛细血管密度增加、p-Akt阳性细胞数明显增加;匹伐他汀使Klotho（kl＋／-）缺血肢VEGF蛋白表达增强。结论：匹伐他汀有促进Klotho基因敲除杂合子小鼠血管新生的作用。其作用机制可能是通过VEGF—p—Akt—NO径路实现的。     

FOXO3 gene polymorphisms influence the risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Chinese children

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in children and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in certain genes influence risk of ALL. Although FOXO3 had been demonstrated to be involved leukemia, the role of FOXO3 polymorphisms was still not clear. In the present study, we explored the association of FOXO3 SNPs with ALL risk in Chinese children. We genotyped four polymorphisms (rs17069665 A>G, rs4945816 T>C, rs4946936 C>T, and rs9400241 A>C) of FOXO3 in 425 ALL cases and 1339 health controls. The associations were estimated by odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Further analyses were performed to explore associations of rs17069665 and rs9400241 with ALL susceptibility in terms of age, gender, immunophenotype, minimal residual disease (MRD), and other clinical characteristics. We found rs17069665 related to the increased ALL risk (OR = 1.76; 95% CI = 1.02-3.04), rs9400241 related to decreased ALL risk (OR = 0.80; 95% CI = 0.64-0.99). The effects of rs17069665 on ALL risk were more predominant in males and children < 10 years, and patients with lower rates of platelet or neutrophil. As for rs9400241, the effects were more predominant in children < 10 years, and in patients with pre B ALL, positive MRD, anemia, or hepatomegaly. In conclusion, FOXO3 gene polymorphisms influence the risk of ALL in children and might be a potential biomarker for ALL susceptibility.     

Screening of human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor Flt-1 domain and study on its biological activity

Four human vascular endothelial growth factor receptor Flt-1 cDNA fragments containing extracellular domain loops 2, 1-2, 2-3 and 1-3 respectively were amplified from human placen-tal cDNA library by PCR and used for screening ligand binding domains by yeast two-hybrid system. The result showed that, not only loop 1-3, but also the smaller fragment loop 2-3 could bind to hVEGF165. Recombinant expression plasmids pPIC9K/Flt-1(1-3) and pPIC9K/Flt-1 (2-3) were constructed and transformed to Pichia. pastoris host strain GS115, cultured in flasks, and expressed under the induction of 1 % methanol. The expressed product existed in supernatant in the form of soluble molecules and contained more than 60% of total protein after being induced for 4d. After being purified by CM-Sepharose FF and Sephacryl S-100 chromatography, its purity reached above 90%. Biological assay in vitro showed that the binding capacity of expressed soluble Flt-1 (2-3) to hVEGF165 and its inhibiting effect on the proliferation of human um     

阻断VEGF旁分泌通路抑制乳腺癌血管生成与肿瘤生长

以人乳腺癌细胞株MCF 7为研究对象 ,通过构建有义与反义血管内皮生长因子 (VEGF)基因表达质粒 ,并转染MCF 7细胞 ,建立了高与低水平表达VEGF的细胞克隆。稳定转染反义VEGF表达质粒的细胞产生和分泌VEGF的能力明显下降 ,尽管在体外培养条件下细胞的增殖速度与未经转染的对照相比不是减慢而是略有增快 ,但在体内的成瘤能力、生长速度和转移能力等却明显低于未经转染的对照细胞或稳定转染有义VEGF表达质粒高水平表达VEGF的细胞克隆。通过体内电穿孔技术介导反义VEGF12 1及可溶性VEGF受体sFlk 1表达质粒转移至荷瘤鼠肿瘤组织内 ,反义VEGF12 1及sFlk 1的表达能显著抑制肿瘤的生长。研究结果证实了VEGF旁分泌通路在诱导乳腺癌肿瘤血管生成、促进肿瘤生长和转移方面起重要作用 ,阻断VEGF旁分泌通路能有效抑制乳腺癌的生长     

Cross‐talk between the VEGF‐A and HGF signalling pathways in endothelial cells

Background information. Endothelial cells play a major role in angiogenesis, the process by which new blood vessels arise from a pre‐existing vascular bed. VEGF‐A (vascular endothelial growth factor‐A) is a key regulator of angiogenesis during both development and in adults. HGF (hepatocyte growth factor) is a pleiotropic cytokine that may promote VEGF‐A‐driven angiogenesis, although the signalling mechanisms underlying this co‐operation are not completely understood. Results. We analysed the effects of the combination of VEGF‐A and HGF on the activation of VEGFR‐2 (VEGF receptor‐2) and c‐met receptors, and on the stimulation of downstream signalling pathways in endothelial cells. We found that VEGFR‐2 and c‐met do not physically associate and do not transphosphorylate each other, suggesting that co‐operation involves signalling events more distal from receptor activation. We demonstrate that the VEGF isoform VEGF‐A₁₆₅ and HGF stimulate a similar set of MAPKs (mitogen‐activated protein kinases), although the kinetics and strengths of the activation differ depending on the growth factor and pathway. An enhanced activation of the signalling was observed when endothelial cells were stimulated by the combination of VEGF‐A₁₆₅ and HGF. Moreover, the combination of VEGF‐A and HGF results in a statistically significant synergistic activation of ERK1/2 (extracellular‐signal‐regulated kinase 1/2) and p38 kinases. We demonstrated that VEGF‐A₁₆₅ and HGF activate FAK (focal adhesion kinase) with different kinetics and stimulate the recruitment of phosphorylated FAK to different subsets of focal adhesions. VEGF‐A₁₆₅ and HGF regulate distinct morphogenic aspects of the cytoskeletal remodelling that are associated with the preferential activation of Rho or Rac respectively, and induce structurally distinct vascular‐like patterns in vitro in a Rho‐ or Rac‐dependent manner. Conclusions. Under angiogenic conditions, combining VEGF‐A with HGF can promote neovascularization by enhancing intracellular signalling and allowing more finely regulated control of the signalling molecules involved in the regulation of the cytoskeleton and cellular migration and morphogenesis.     

PEG-PEI共聚物介导VEGF165基因转染及对内皮细胞生长的影响

为了考察PEG-PEI共聚物作为基因载体介导VEGF165基因的能力,合成不同接枝量的PEG-PEI共聚物,考察共聚物的细胞毒性,同时采用PCR技术获得上下游含有HindⅢ和BamHⅠ酶切位点的目的基因VEGF165,与pEGFP-C1构建重组质粒pEGFP-VEGF165,将PEG-PEI作为基因载体,与pEGFP-VEGF165通过自组装成DNA复合物,使其转染脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVEc),测定发荧光细胞百分数获得转染率,利用ELISA、RT-PCR检测VEGF的表达,用MTT法考察VEGF165转染HUVEc后对内皮细胞生长的影响.结果显示,形成PEG-PEI共聚物后可显著降低PEI的细胞毒性.作为基因载体介导pEGFP-VEGF165转染HUVEc后,在荧光显微镜下可见强绿色荧光蛋白表达,转染率与接枝PEG的量及N/P有关,PEG-PEI(5-25-1)在N/P=30时转染率达到最大值,比PEI显著提高.转染后血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)蛋白表达及mRNA水平均有显著提高,且可有效地刺激内皮细胞增殖.研究表明,PEG-PEI共聚物可做为基因载体,有效地介导pEGFP-VEGF165基因的传递.     

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its cognate receptors in human pheochromocytomas

Pheochromocytomas are well-vascularized tumors, suggesting that a potent angiogenic factor may be involved in the mechanism of their formation. As vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent mitogen for vascular endothelial cells, here we have investigated the mRNA and protein expression of VEGF and the mRNA expression of its two receptors (Flt-1 and Flk-1/KDR) in pheochromocytomas tissue. An increase in VEGF mRNA (mainly isoforms VEGF(121) and VEGF(165)) and in VEGF protein expression were observed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively, compared to normal adrenomedullary tissue. Flk-1/KDR, and Flt-1 levels of mRNA were also increased markedly in tumors and correlated with levels of VEGF mRNA. Therefore, we speculate that upregulation of VEGF expression and its receptors might be important in the pathogenesis of pheochromocytomas.     

Transient Receptor Potential Canonical 1 (TRPC1) Channels as Regulators of Sphingolipid and VEGF Receptor Expression: IMPLICATIONS FOR THYROID CANCER CELL MIGRATION AND PROLIFERATION*

The identity of calcium channels in the thyroid is unclear. In human follicular thyroid ML-1 cancer cells, sphingolipid sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), through S1P receptors 1 and 3 (S1P₁/S1P₃), and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) stimulates migration. We show that human thyroid cells express several forms of transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels, including TRPC1. In TRPC1 knockdown (TRPC1-KD) ML-1 cells, the basal and S1P-evoked invasion and migration was attenuated. Furthermore, the expression of S1P₃ and VEGFR2 was significantly down-regulated. Transfecting wild-type ML-1 cells with a nonconducting TRPC1 mutant decreased S1P₃ and VEGFR2 expression. In TRPC1-KD cells, receptor-operated calcium entry was decreased. To investigate whether the decreased receptor expression was due to attenuated calcium entry, cells were incubated with the calcium chelator BAPTA-AM (1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid). In these cells, and in cells where calmodulin and calmodulin-dependent kinase were blocked pharmacologically, S1P₃ and VEGFR2 expression was decreased. In TRPC1-KD cells, both hypoxia-inducible factor 1α expression and the secretion and activity of MMP2 and MMP9 were attenuated, and proliferation was decreased in TRPC1-KD cells. This was due to a prolonged G₁ phase of the cell cycle, a significant increase in the expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21 and p27, and a decrease in the expression of cyclin D2, cyclin D3, and CDK6. Transfecting TRPC1 to TRPC1-KD cells rescued receptor expression, migration, and proliferation. Thus, the expression of S1P₃ and VEGFR2 is mediated by a calcium-dependent mechanism. TRPC1 has a crucial role in this process. This regulation is important for the invasion, migration, and proliferation of thyroid cancer cells.     

白黎芦醇对胃癌SGC 一7 901 细胞V EGF 表达的影响

目的：探讨白藜芦醇（resveratrol,Res）在体外对胃癌SGC-7901细胞VEGF表达的影响。方法：体外培养胃癌SGC-7901细胞,MTT法检测白藜芦醇对SGC-7901细胞的增殖抑制作用,RT—PCR方法检测VEGFmRNA表达,免疫细胞化学检测VEGF蛋白的表达。结果：白藜芦醇呈时间剂量性抑制胃癌细胞SGC7901的增殖;胃癌SGC-7901细胞高水平表达VEGF,白藜芦醇能显著降低胃癌SGC-7901细胞VEGFmRNA和蛋白表达。结论：白藜芦醇可以下调胃癌SGC-7901细胞VEGF的表达,抑制胃癌细胞的增殖。