L-asparaginase inhibits invasive and angiogenic activity and induces autophagy in ovarian cancer

Recent work identified L‐asparaginase (L‐ASP) as a putative therapeutic target for ovarian cancer. We suggest that L‐ASP, a dysregulator of glycosylation, would interrupt the local microenvironment, affecting the ovarian cancer cell—endothelial cell interaction and thus angiogenesis without cytotoxic effects. Ovarian cancer cell lines and human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC) were exposed to L‐ASP at physiologically attainable concentrations and subjected to analyses of endothelial tube formation, invasion, adhesion and the assessment of sialylated proteins involved in matrix‐associated and heterotypic cell adhesion. Marked reduction in HMVEC tube formation in vitro, HMVEC and ovarian cancer cell invasion, and heterotypic cell‐cell and cell‐matrix adhesion was observed (P < 0.05–0.0001). These effects were associated with reduced binding to ß1integrin, activation of FAK, and cell surface sialyl Lewis^X (sLe^x) expression. No reduction in HMVEC E‐selectin expression was seen consistent with the unidirectional inhibitory actions observed. L‐ASP concentrations were non‐toxic to either ovarian cancer or HMVEC lines in the time frame of the assays. However, early changes of autophagy were observed in both cell types with induction of ATG12, beclin‐1, and cleavage of LC‐3, indicating cell injury did occur. These data and the known mechanism of action of L‐ASP on glycosylation of nascent proteins suggest that L‐ASP reduces of ovarian cancer dissemination and progression through modification of its microenvironment. The reduction of ovarian cancer cell surface sLe^x inhibits interaction with HMVEC and thus HMVEC differentiation into tubes, inhibits interaction with the local matrix reducing invasive behaviour, and causes cell injury initiating autophagy in tumour and vascular cells.     

Different mechanism of LPS-induced calcium increase in human lung epithelial cell and microvascular endothelial cell: a cell culture study in a model for ARDS

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a contemporary term incorporating the historic ‘acute lung injury’ and the colloquial term ‘shock lung’. ARDS remains a serious and enigmatic human disease, causing significant mortality. The mechanisms involved at the alveolar cell/capillary endothelial interface have been explored but to date we lack clarity on the role of intracellular calcium ([Ca²⁺]i) fluxes across this interface. To explore the mechanisms of Ca²⁺ induced inflammatory reaction in epithelial cells and pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC) located at the two sides of blood-air barrier, lung epithelial A549 and HMVEC cells were treated with LPS. Our results demonstrated that LPS evoked the increase of [Ca²⁺]i, TNF-α and IL-8 in both cells types. The [Ca²⁺]i increases involved intracellular but not extracellular Ca²⁺ sources in A549, but both intracellular and extracellular Ca²⁺ sources in HMVEC cells. The effects of LPS on both cells types were completely inhibited by the combination of LPS and CaSR-targeted siRNA. Furthermore, LPS-inhibited cell proliferations were significantly reversed by the combined treatment. Therefore, LPS induced different mechanisms of [Ca²⁺]i increase during the activation of CaSR in A549 and HMVEC cells, which translates into functional outputs related to ARDS.     

Ghrelin stimulates angiogenesis in human microvascular endothelial cells: Implications beyond GH release

Ghrelin, a peptide hormone isolated from the stomach, releases growth hormone and stimulates appetite. Ghrelin is also expressed in pancreas, kidneys, cardiovascular system and in endothelial cells. The precise role of ghrelin in endothelial cell functions remains unknown. We examined the expression of ghrelin and its receptor (GHSR1) mRNAs and proteins in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC) and determined whether ghrelin affects in these cells proliferation, migration and in vitro angiogenesis; and whether MAPK/ERK2 signaling is important for the latter action. We found that ghrelin and GHSR1 are constitutively expressed in HMVEC. Treatment of HMVEC with exogenous ghrelin significantly increased in these cells proliferation, migration, in vitro angiogenesis and ERK2 phosphorylation. MEK/ERK2 inhibitor, PD 98059 abolished ghrelin-induced in vitro angiogenesis. This is the first demonstration that ghrelin and its receptor are expressed in human microvascular endothelial cells and that ghrelin stimulates HMVEC proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis through activation of ERK2 signaling.     

Cultivation of Entomopathogenic Fungi for the Search of Antibacterial Compounds

Entomopathogenic fungi are a rich source of natural bioactive compounds. To establish cultivation conditions which facilitate the production of bioactive compounds and to select good genera among entomopathogenic fungi as the producer, 47 typical entomopathogenic fungi were tested for their ability to produce antibiotic activity. Thirty-eight strains (81%) and 30 strains (64%) of these fungi produced either anti-Bacillus compounds or anti-Staphylococcus compounds, respectively, indicating that the majority of the entomopathogenic fungi tested possessed the ability to produce antibacterial compounds. Using 9 representative strains (Aschersonia sp. HF724, Beauveria bassiana HF338, Cordyceps ramosopulvinata HF746, Metarhizium anisopliae HF293, Metarhizium flavoviride HF698, Nomuraea rileyi HF588, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus HF254, Paecilomyces tenuipes HF419, and Verticillium lecanii HF238), the cultivation conditions in liquid medium were surveyed with respect to the cultivation procedure and medium composition, particularly in terms of the presence or absence of insect-derived materials. At 26 °C, M. anisopliae HF293, N. rileyi HF588, and V. lecanii HF238 strains produced clear antibiotic activity against Bacillus and Saccharomyces, but only in the presence of insect-derived materials, suggesting that the production of antibacterial/antifungal compounds by entomopathogenic fungi is triggered by the presence of insect-derived materials.     

Human microvascular endothelial cells: Coordinate induction of morphologic differentiation and twofold extension of life span

Summary Human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC) from adult adipose tissue were cultured in MCDB 131 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. Under these conditions, HMVEC from seven different donors had finite proliferative life spans ranging from 14.5 to 23.5 population doublings (PD), with a mean life span of 19 PD. Addition of 10% conditioned medium from activated human leukocyte cultures (BM Condimed^?) extended the life span of HMVEC to 31 to 41 PD, with a mean life span of 37 PD. At the end of lifespan, HMVEC cultures both with and without BM Condimed had very low labeling indices (0 to 5% [³H]thymidine labeled nuclei) and consisted of enlarged cells. However, the morphologies of the two types of HMVEC cultures were very different. Untreated HMVEC were polygonal endothelial cells that formed cobblestonelike monolayers with no cell overlapping. In contrast, BM Condimed-treated HMVEC were more elongated, less regularly shaped cells that were not strictly inhibited from overlapping. When old, these cells accumulated numerous vacuoles. The BM Condimed-treated HMVEC expressed Factor VIII antigen, which confirms their identity as endothelial cells. These cells reverted rapidly to the polygonal morphology of untreated HMVEC when they were removed from BM Condimed. Likewise, their proliferative capacity was not extended further once BM condimed was removed. These results suggest that HMVEC can exist in two distinct morphologic states in which the cells have different finite proliferative life spans. This work was supported by grants AG00947 and AG04811 from the National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD.     

Optimized medium for clonal growth of human microvascular endothelial cells with minimal serum

Summary An optimized basal nutrient medium, MCBD 131, has been developed that supports clonal growth of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC) with as little as 0.7% dialyzed fetal bovine serum (dFBS) when also supplemented with 10 ng/ml epidermal growth factor (EGF) and 1 μg/ml hydrocortisone. An extensive initial survey of available media showed that MCDB 402, a medium optimized for low-serum growth of Swiss 3T3 cells, supported the best clonal growth of HMVEC with 10% dFBS. Quantitative adjustment of the composition of MCDB 402 for improved clonal growth of HMVEC with reduced amounts of dFBS resulted in development of MCDB 131. Although many different adjustments contributed to the optimal properties of MCDB 131 for growth of HMVEC, the most unusual feature of this medium is its high magnesium concentration. A major benefit was achieved by increasing Mg²⁺ from 0.8 mM in MCDB 402 to 10.0 mM in MCDB 131. In the absence of defined supplements, MCDB 131 supports good clonal growth of HMVEC with 2% dFBS. This can be reduced to 0.7% by adding EGF and hydrocortisone, which act synergistically to improve growth with low levels of dFBS. This research was supported by grant CA 15305 from the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD.     

Microbial degradation of chitin waste for production of chitosanase and food related bioactive compounds

Ecological samples rich in microbial diversity like cow dung, legume rhizosphere, fish waste and garden soil were used for isolation of chitosan-degrading microorganisms. Selected isolates were used for production of chitosanaseand food related bioactive compounds by conversion of biowaste. Production of glucosamine (Gln), N-acetylglucosamine (NAG), chitooligosaccharides (COS), antioxidants, antibacterial compounds and prebiotics was carried out by microbial fermentation of biowaste. The highest chitosanase activity (8 U/mL) was observed in Aspergillus sp. isolated from fish market waste and it could produce Gln and NAG while Streptomyces sp. isolated from garden soil was able to produce COS along with Gln and NAG. Radical scavenging activity was observed in culture supernatants of 35% of studied isolates, and 20% isolates secreted compounds which showed positive effect on growth of Bifidobacterium. Antibacterial compounds were produced by 40% of selected isolates and culture supernatants of two microbial isolates, Streptomyces zaomyceticus C6 and one of garden soil isolates, were effective against both gram positive and negative bacteria.     

Osteoprotegerin protects endothelial cells against apoptotic cell death induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis cysteine proteinases

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a key regulator of osteoclastogenesis during the progression of periodontitis. Recent reports suggest that osteoprotegerin may also prevent arterial calcification and contribute to endothelial cell survival. To determine whether the vascular functions of osteoprotegerin are involved in periodontitis, we examined whether osteoprotegerin contributed to the survival of endothelial cells damaged by Porphyromonas gingivalis cysteine proteinases (gingipains). Gingipain proteinases cleave a broad range of host proteins, and are important virulence factors of P. gingivalis, a major causative bacterium of adult periodontitis. Human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC) were exposed to activated gingipain extracts from P. gingivalis 381, with and without pretreatment with osteoprotegerin. Cell viability was quantified by the tetrazolium (WST-8) reduction assay, and apoptosis was examined using Hoechst 33342 nuclear staining. After 16 h of treatment with activated gingipain extracts, HMVEC showed near-complete detachment from the tissue culture dish, and apoptosis was evident by 24 h. Pretreatment of HMVEC with osteoprotegerin reduced the extent of both cellular detachment and apoptotic cell death. Our results indicated that osteoprotegerin pretreatment protected HMVEC against detachment and apoptotic cell death induced by gingipain-active bacterial cell extracts. These results also suggest that osteoprotegerin may function as a survival factor for endothelial cells during periodontitis.     

Proteomic analysis of the proteins expressed by hydrogen peroxide treated cultured human dermal microvascular endothelial cells

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been traditionally regarded as toxic by-products of aerobic metabolism. However, ROS also act as intracellular signaling molecules and can mediate phenotypes in vascular endothelial cells, which may be physiological or pathological in nature. To clarify the molecular mechanisms of ROS signaling, we examined hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-responsive proteins in cultured human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC) using proteomic tools. Protein expression in HMVEC was studied after they had been exposed to low- and high-levels of H(2)O(2) for various times, and intracellular ROS production was examined by flow cytometer and UV spectrophotometer. Proteins obtained from dose- and time-dependent series were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and tentatively identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption-time of flight mass spectrometry, by matching the tryptic mass maps obtained with entries in the NCBI and Swiss-Prot protein sequence database. At least 163 proteins were changed by H(2)O(2), and 60 proteins were identified. Oxidative stress triggered dramatic change in the expression of proteins in primary microvessel endothelial cells, and their mapping to cellular process provided a view of the ubiquitous cellular changes elicited by H(2)O(2). These results could provide a framework for the understanding of the mechanisms of cellular redox homeostasis and H(2)O(2) metabolism in microendothelium environment in various biological processes as well as pathological conditions.     

Enhanced ryanodine receptor-mediated calcium leak determines reduced sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium content in chronic canine heart failure

In this study, we investigated the role of elevated sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca²⁺ leak through ryanodine receptors (RyR2s) in heart failure (HF)-related abnormalities of intracellular Ca²⁺ handling, using a canine model of chronic HF. The cytosolic Ca²⁺ transients were reduced in amplitude and slowed in duration in HF myocytes compared with control, changes paralleled by a dramatic reduction in the total SR Ca²⁺ content. Direct measurements of [Ca²⁺]_SR in both intact and permeabilized cardiac myocytes demonstrated that SR luminal [Ca²⁺] is markedly lowered in HF, suggesting that alterations in Ca²⁺ transport rather than fractional SR volume reduction accounts for the diminished Ca²⁺ release capacity of SR in HF. SR Ca²⁺ ATPase (SERCA2)-mediated SR Ca²⁺ uptake rate was not significantly altered, and Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange activity was accelerated in HF myocytes. At the same time, SR Ca²⁺ leak, measured directly as a loss of [Ca²⁺]_SR after inhibition of SERCA2 by thapsigargin, was markedly enhanced in HF myocytes. Moreover, the reduced [Ca²⁺]_SR in HF myocytes could be nearly completely restored by the RyR2 channel blocker ruthenium red. The effects of HF on cytosolic and SR luminal Ca²⁺ signals could be reasonably well mimicked by the RyR2 channel agonist caffeine. Taken together, these results suggest that RyR2-mediated SR Ca²⁺ leak is a major factor in the abnormal intracellular Ca²⁺ handling that critically contributes to the reduced SR Ca²⁺ content of failing cardiomyocytes.     

Liposome Mediated Transfer of Marker and Cytokine Genes Into Rat and Human Glioblastoma Cells in Vitro and in Vivo

Abstract

Gene transfer of Lac Z and TNF-α gene was performed in several glioblastoma cell lines in vitro (A172, F98, U373-MG, HS683, U343-MG, N31, N64, N28, N39 and N65). In comparison to the calcium phosphate precipitation technique (CPPT) the cationic liposomes were more successful measured by marker gene transfer (0.76 or 2.0%, depending on the cell line). In contrast, the amount of released human TNF-α was independed from the chosen transfer technique. Since the vector pWG29del3-hTNF contains a hormone response element it was possible to stimulate the hTNF secretion by dexamethasone up to 18 fold from a basic level of 1.1 ng/ml/24h/5×10⁵ cells. A liposomal mediated marker gene transfer (Lac Z) into a rat glio-blastoma in vivo revealed a three layer area of transfected cells around the stereotactical injection channel.     

Effect of copper ions on the ligninolytic enzyme complex and the antioxidant enzyme activity in the white-rot fungus Trametes trogii 46

White-rot fungi of the Phylum Basidiomycota are quite promising in ligninolytic enzyme production and the optimization of their synthesis is of particular significance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of enhanced concentration of copper (Cu) ions (25–1000 μg/ml) on the activity of the ligninolytic enzyme complex (laccase, Lac; lignin peroxidase, LiP; Mn-peroxidase, MnP) in Trametes trogii 4₆, as well as the changes in the antioxidant cell response. All concentrations tested reduced significantly in growth and glucose consumption. Cu ions affected the ligninolytic enzyme activity in a dose dependent manner. Concentrations in the range of 25–100 μg/ml strongly stimulated Lac production (a 5–6-fold increase compared to the control). LiP activity was also induced by Cu, with the peak value being recorded following exposure to 50 μg/ml metal ions. In contrast, the addition of Cu ions had a positive effect on MnP activity at a concentration higher than 100 μg/ml. The maximum enzyme level was achieved at 1000 μg/ml. The results obtained on superoxide dismutase and catalase activities indicated that exposure of T. trogii 4₆ mycelia to Cu ions promoted oxidative stress. Both enzyme activities were co-ordinately produced with Lac and LiP but not co-ordinately with MnP.     

Effects of basic fibroblast growth factor on human microvessel endothelial cell migration on collagen I correlates inversely with adhesion and is cell density dependent

Angiogenesis, new vessel growth from existing vessels, is critical to tissue development and healing. Much is known about the molecular and cellular elements of angiogenesis, such as the effects of growth factors and matrix molecules on proliferation and migration. However, it is not clear how these elements are coordinated to produce specific microvascular beds. To address this, the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on β1 integrin-mediated adhesion relative to migration in human microvessel endothelial cells (HMVEC) was examined. Using two assays of migration that differ in the density of cells being examined, bFGF stimulated single cell migration and reduced cell migration from a confluent monolayer on collagen I. Adhesion to collagen I of HMVEC treated at low density (2−4 × 10⁴ cells/cm²) with bFGF for 22 h was reduced, while bFGF increased cell adhesion of HMVEC treated at high density (6−8 × 10⁴ cells/cm²). Adhesion of both bFGF-treated and untreated HMVEC was mediated by the β1 integrin matrix receptor. Basic FGF treatment did not significantly alter surface expression of the β1 integrin subunit. Reduction in bFGF-mediated adhesion correlated with delayed cell spreading and altered organization of β1 integrin into substrate contacts. Thus, integrin-mediated cell adhesion in microvessel endothelial cells is sensitive to regulation by a growth factor. Furthermore, the nature of the response to this signal depends on another cell regulator, cell density. In addition, modulation of cell adhesion by a growth factor may be a central regulatory feature in controlling endothelial cell migration. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Measurement of surface potential and surface charge densities of sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes

Summary The binding of the anionic fluorescent probe 1-anilino-8-naphthalene-sulfonate (ANS^–) was used to estimate the surface potential of fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) derived from rabbit skeletal muscle. The method is based on the observation that ANS^– is an obligatory anion whose equilibrium constant for binding membranes is proportional to the electrostatic function of membrane surface potential, exp(e₀/kT, where ₀ is the membrane surface potential,e is the electronic charge, andkT has its usual meaning. The potential measured is characteristic of the ANS^– bindings of phosphatidylcholine head groups and is about one-third as large as the average surface potential predicted by the Gouy-Chapman theory. At physiological ionic strength the surface potentials, measured by ANS^–, referred to as the aqueous phase bathing the surface, were in the range –10 to –15 mV. This was observed for the outside and inside surfaces of the Ca²⁺-ATPase-rich fraction of theSR and for both surfaces of theSR fraction rich in acidic Ca²⁺ binding proteins. The inside and outside surfaces were differentiated on the basis of ANS^– binding kinetics observed in stopped-flow rapid mixing experiments. A mechanism by which changes in Ca²⁺ concentration could give rise to an electrostatic potential across the membrane and possibly result in changes in Ca²⁺ permeability.The dependence of the surface potential on the monovalent ion concentration in the medium was used together with the Gouy-Chapman theory to determine the lower limits for the surface charge density for the inside and outside surfaces of the two types ofSR. Values for the Ca²⁺-ATPase richSR fraction were between 2.9×10³ and 3.8×10³ esu/cm², (0.96×10^–6 and 1.26×10^–6 C/cm²) with no appreciable transmembrane asymmetry. A small amount of asymmetry was observed in the values for the inside and outside surfaces of the fraction rich in acidic binding proteins which were ca. 6.6×10³ and ca. 2.2×10³ esu/cm² (2.2×10^–6 and 0.73×10^–6 C/cm). The values could be accounted for by the known composition of negatively-charged phospholipids in theSR. The acidic Ca²⁺ binding proteins were shown to make at most a small contribution to the surface charge, indicating that their charge must be located at least several tens of Å from the membrane surface. The experiments gave evidence for a Donnan effect on the K⁺ distribution in the fraction rich in acidic binding proteins. This could be accounted for by the known concentration of acidic binding proteins in thisSR fraction.The equilibrium constant for ANS^– was shown to be more sensitive to changes in the divalent cation concentration than to changes in the monovalent cation concentration, as predicted by the Gouy-Chapman theory. Use of these findings together with the stopped-flow rapid mixing techniques constitutes a method for rapid and continuous monitoring of changes in ion concentrations in theSR lumen.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> propagation of North American ginseng (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Panax quinquefolius</Emphasis> L.)

North American ginseng (NAG) (Panax quinquefolius L.) is a medicinally important plant with multiple uses in the natural health product industry. As seed propagation is time-consuming because of the slow growth cycle of the plant, in vitro propagation using a bioreactor system was evaluated as an effective approach to accelerate plant production. An efficient method was developed to multiply nodal explants of NAG using liquid-culture medium and a simple temporary immersion culture vessel. The effects of plant growth regulators, phenolics, and chemical additives (activated charcoal, melatonin, polyvinylpolypyrrolidone, and ascorbic acid) were evaluated on in vitro-grown NAG plants. The highest number (12) of shoots per single node was induced in half-strength Schenk and Hildebrandt basal medium containing 2.5 mg/l kinetin, in which 81% of the cultured nodes responded. In a culture medium with 0.5 mg/l α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), roots were induced in 78% of the explants compared to 50% with a medium containing indole-3-acetic acid. All of the resulting plants appeared phenotypically normal, and 93% of the rooted plants were established in the greenhouse. Phenolic production increased significantly (P < 0.05) over a 4-wk culture period with a negative impact on growth and proliferation. Activated charcoal (AC; 50 mg/l) significantly reduced total phenolic content and was the most effective treatment for increasing shoot proliferation. Shoot production increased as the phenolic content of the cultures decreased. The most effective treatment for NAG development from cultured nodal explants in the bioreactor was 2.5 mg/l kinetin, 0.5 mg/l NAA, and 50 mg/l AC in liquid culture medium. This protocol may be useful in providing NAG tissues or plants for a range of ginseng-based natural health products.     

Effect of Cu2+, Mn2+ and aromatic compounds on the production of laccase isoforms by Coprinus comatus

Six different extracellular laccase isoforms were identified in submerged cultures of the commercially important edible mushroom, Coprinus comatus. Although laccase activity (~55 IU/L) was readily detectable in unsupplemented control cultures containing 1.6 μM Cu²⁺ after 22-day incubation, mean enzyme levels (~150–185 IU/L) were 2.7–3.4-fold higher in cultures supplemented with 0.5–3.0 mM Cu²⁺. Laccase production was also stimulated by Mn supplementation over the range 0.05–0.8 mM Mn²⁺, and the peak value of ~225 IU/L recorded after 22 days in cultures containing 0.8 mM added Mn²⁺ was 4.5-fold higher compared with unsupplemented controls. Of 12 aromatic compounds tested for their effect on laccase isozyme production by C. comatus, highest laccase levels (~188 IU/L), equivalent to a 4.4-fold increase compared with unsupplemented controls (~43 IU/L), were recorded after 22 days in cultures supplemented with 3.0 mM caffeic acid. Other aromatic compounds tested all stimulated laccase production, with peak enzyme levels 1.3–3.3-fold higher compared with unsupplemented controls. Extracellular laccase levels in cultures supplemented with optimal concentrations of Mn²⁺ and caffeic acid together were 38% and 15% lower, respectively, compared with cultures containing the separate supplements. Lac1 was the most abundant laccase isoform produced under all the conditions tested, but marked differences were observed in the production patterns of Lac2–Lac6.     

Human microvascular endothelial cells immortalized with human telomerase catalytic protein: a model for the study of in vitro angiogenesis

Human microvascular endothelial cell-1 (HMEC-1) generated by transfection with SV40 large T antigen has been the prevailing model for in vitro studies on endothelium. However, the transduction of SV40 may lead to unwanted cell behaviors which are absent in primary cells. Thus, establishing a new microvascular endothelial cell line, which is capable of maintaining inherent features of primary endothelial cells, appears to be extremely important. Here, we immortalized primary human microvascular endothelial cells (pHMECs) by engineering the human telomerase catalytic protein (hTERT) into the cells. Endothelial cell-specific markers were examined and the angiogenic responses were characterized in these cells (termed as HMVECs, for human microvascular endothelial cells). We found that VEGF receptor 2 (Flk-1/KDR), tie1, and tie2 expression is preserved in HMVEC, whereas Flk-1/KDR is absent in HMEC-1. In addition, HMVEC showed similar angiogenic responses to VEGF as HMEC-1. Furthermore, the HMVEC line was found to generate a prominent angiogenic response to periostin, a potent angiogenic factor identified recently. The data indicate that HMVEC may serve as a suitable in vitro endothelium model.     

Cilostazol and pentoxifylline decrease angiogenesis,inflammation, and fibrosis in sponge-induced intraperitoneal adhesion in mice

AimsAdhesion formation following abdominal intervention is an abnormal peritoneal healing process. Our aim was to investigate the effects of controlling adhesion development by inhibiting its key components (angiogenesis, inflammation and fibrosis) using phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors.Main methodsTwo PDE inhibitors including cilostazol a PDE3 inhibitor (40 and 400 mg/kg), and pentoxifylline (PTX), a PDE 1–5 inhibitor (50 and 500 mg/kg) were used for a period of 7 days to inhibit angiogenesis, inflammation, and fibrosis in a murine model of sponge-induced peritoneal adhesion. Angiogenesis was assessed by hemoglobin content, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels, and morphometric analysis. Accumulation of neutrophils and macrophages was determined by measuring myeloperoxidase (MPO) and N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) activities, respectively. Levels of TNF-α were also determined. Fibrosis was assessed by determining the amount of collagen in the implant; TGF-β1 levels in the implant were also measured.Key findingsOur results show that the treatments attenuated the main components of the adhesion tissue by reducing the amount of fibrovascular tissue that infiltrated the sponge matrix (wet weight). Hemoglobin content and VEGF levels were also decreased by approximately 40%. Neutrophil accumulation was unaffected by the compounds. However, NAG activity was reduced by pentoxifylline, but not by cilostazol. These compounds also decreased the levels of the pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrogenic cytokines TNF-α and TGF-β1, respectively, and collagen synthesis.SignificanceOur results suggest that cilostazol and PTX decreased the development of peritoneal adhesions in the model, which might be associated with cyclic nucleotide modulation. Therapies to intervene in these pathways may be beneficial for the prevention of these lesions.