OBJECTIVETo study the effect of insulin in different concentrations on secretion function of growth factors of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs).

METHODSADSCs were isolated from human abdominal adipose tissue and cultured. The immunophenotype and adipose induced-differentiation were identified, and the third generation cells were collected. The collected cells were assigned to 1 x 10(-8), 1 x 10(-7), 1 x 10(-6) mol/L insulin groups according to the concentration of added insulin. When cells grew into 70% confluence in conventional medium, ADSCs were cultured further in serum-free DMEM containing insulin in different concentrations for 3 days. ADSCs cultured in medium without insulin were used as control group. Secretion amount of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) of ADSCs were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effects of the supernatant fluid of ADSCs' nutrient solution on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of the cultured fibroblast were detected by MTT chromatometry and hydroxyproline chromatometry.

RESULTSThe secretion amounts of VEGF and HGF of ADSCs in 1 x 10(-8) and 1 x 10(-7) mol/L insulin groups [(471 +/- 41, 762 +/- 66 ng/L), (643 +/- 64, 930 +/- 67 ng/L), respectively] were significantly higher as compared with those in control group (286 +/- 47, 577 +/- 84 ng/L) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). No change occurred in the secretion amount of VEGF and HGF of ADSCs in 1 x l0(-6) mol/L insulin group (P > 0.05). The supernatant fluid of ADSCs' nutrient medium of 1 x 10(-8), 1 x 10(-7) mol/L insulin groups showed obvious stimulative effect on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of fibroblasts, and it was most obvious in the 1 x 10(-7) mol/L group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSInsulin in the concentrations of 1 x 10(-8) and 1 x 10(-7) mol/L can notably promote ADSCs' function of secreting VEGF and HGF.

Adipocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; secretion ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Humans ; Insulin ; pharmacology ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; secretion ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

To establish vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) as secretary biomarkers for cell growth on topographic substrates, we have evaluated the secretion and expression of these 2 factors by SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells on poly-L-lactide (PLLA) micropillar arrayed topographic substrates. We fabricated topographic substrates with UV lithography, silicon etching and polydimethylsiloxane-based replica molding, and interfaced SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells with both the topographic substrates and PLLA flat substrates. Cell morphology and spreading were examined with scanning electron microscopy. The secretion and mRNA expression of VEGF and IL-8 were evaluated with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real time qPCR, respectively, 24 hours after cell plating. We successfully achieved 4 topographic substrates with a nominal pillar diameter of 2 microm and 4 microm, and a nominal pillar spacing of 2 microm and 7 microm. We found that the secretion and mRNA expression of VEGF and/or IL-8 by SH-SY5Y cells on 2-2 microm (pillar diameter-spacing), 4-2 microm and 4-7 microm topographic substrates were upregulated in comparison to those by cells on PLLA flat substrate, 24 hours after cell plating. Furthermore, both cytokines were even more substantially upregulated on the 2-7 microm substrate than on the other 3 topographic substrates. Compared to those on PLLA flat substrate, cells on topographic substrates showed significant changes in morphology (spreading area, perimeter and roundness), and the increase in the secretion and mRNA expression of VEGF and IL-8 was accompanied with a decrease in cell spreading areas. These results provided evidence that pillar arrayed topography was an important microenvironmental factor in affecting VEGF and IL-8 expression or secretion, and VEGF and IL-8 might serve as important secretary biomarkers for growth on topographic substrates by SH-SY5Y cells.
Biomarkers ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Cellular Microenvironment ; Humans ; Interleukin-8 ; genetics ; secretion ; Neuroblastoma ; secretion ; Polyesters ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; secretion

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of lipopolysacharide (LPS) in different concentrations on the biological features and growth factor secretion power of U937 cell line.

METHODSIn vitro cultured U937 cells were stimulated by 0 (as control), 0.1, 1.0, 10.0, 50.0 and 100 micro g/ml LPS respectively for 24 hours. Thereafter, the cell proliferation ability was determined by MTT method. The cell apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometry. The changes in the contents of transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGFbeta(1)) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) of the supernatant of the cell culture were assessed by ELISA.

RESULTSApoptosis and TGFbeta(1) secretion could be induced by LPS in dose of 0.1 to 100 micro g/ml when compared with that without LPS challenge (P < 0.05 - 0.01). In detail, LPS in lower dose (0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 micro g/ml) could promote the proliferation of U937 (P < 0.05 - 0.01) but exerted no effect on VEGF secretion. In contrary, LPS in high dose (50 and 100 micro g/ml) could promote VEGF secretion (P < 0.01) but exerted no effects on the proliferation of U937 cells.

CONCLUSIONU937 cells could be activated to increase the secretion of TGFbeta(1) by LPS in optimal dose of 0.1 - 10.0 micro g/ml, but the secretion of VEGF could only be promoted by LPS in higher concentration.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; analysis ; secretion ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; U937 Cells ; drug effects ; secretion ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis ; secretion

OBJECTIVETo study the biological effects of the paracrine from ADSC after being stimulated by insulin on vascular endothelial cells.

METHODS(1) ADSC was isolated from human adipose tissue and cultured in vitro. The third generation cells were collected and divided into insulin group (I, cultured with serum-free DMEM containing 1 x 10(-7) mol/L insulin) and control group (C, cultured with serum-free DMEM) according to the random number table, with 6 slots in each group. Three days later, ADSC culture medium (ADSC-CM) was collected for determination of levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) by ELISA. (2) Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were cultured to the third generation, and they were cultured with special nutrient solution and divided into ADSC-CM with insulin stimulation group (AI), ADSC-CM without insulin stimulation group (AC), insulin group (I, with same concentration as above), blank control group (BC) according to the random number table. Three days later, proliferation of HUVEC was determined with MTT method (with expression of absorbance value). Another two samples of HUVEC were respectively divided into 4 groups as above for determination of apoptosis rate with Annexin V/FITC double-staining 12 hours after culture, and HUVEC migration with scratch adhesion test at post scratch hour (PSH) 12, 24, 36, 48. Data were processed with t test.

RESULTS(1) Compared with those in C group [(287 +/- 47), (577 +/- 84) pg/mL, respectively], the secretion levels of VEGF and HGF in I group [(643 +/- 64), (930 +/- 68) pg/mL, respectively] were significantly increased (with t value respectively 18.869, 18.475, P values all below 0.05). (2) The absorbance value of HUVEC in AI and AC groups was 0.847 +/- 0.042, 0.798 +/- 0.022, respectively, which were higher than that in I and BC groups [0.665 +/- 0.028 (with t value respectively 4.579, 3.732), 0.674 +/- 0.031 (with t value respectively 3.761, 4.073), P values all below 0.01], and that in AI group was higher than that in AC group (t = 2.576, P < 0.05). The apoptosis rates of HUVEC in AI and AC groups [(5.8 +/- 1.9)%, (9.0 +/- 2.0)%, respectively] were obviously lower as compared with that in I and BC groups [(30.4 +/- 6.0)% (with t value respectively 12.891, 10.417), (31.4 +/- 7.4)% (with t value respectively 11.474, 9.783), P values all below 0.05 ], and that in AC group was higher than that in AI group (t = 8.548, P < 0.05). The distance of migration of HUVEC in AI and AC groups were greater than that in I and BC groups at PSH 36, 48, and that in AI group was greater as compared with that in AC group (with t value respectively 4.076, 4.573, P values all below 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSParacrine from ADSC after being stimulated by insulin can promote proliferation and migration of HUVEC, and suppress its apoptosis, and it is beneficial for tissue vascularization.

Adipocytes ; cytology ; secretion ; Adipose Tissue ; cytology ; Apoptosis ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Insulin ; pharmacology ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; secretion ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDAlthough it is recognized that bronchial smooth muscle cells (BSMCs) play a key role in airway remodeling during chronic asthma, it is not well understood how BSMCs exert their inflammatory functions. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway is an important signaling pathway in chronic asthma, but its influence on secretion by BSMCs has not been well-studied. We investigated the impact of ERK1/2 signaling pathway on secretion by BSMCs in a rat model of chronic asthma in this study.

METHODSTo create a rat model of chronic asthma, Wistar rats underwent ovalbumim (OVA) injection and eight weeks of inhalation. BSMCs were isolated and cultured in vitro. Epidermal growth factor, PD98059 and ERK1/2 antisense oligonucleotide were used to explore the role of ERK1/2 signaling pathway. The expression of P-ERK1/2 (phospho-ERK1/2) in BSMCs was analyzed by Western blot and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Secretion of BSMCs was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSPhospho-ERK1/2 expression was increased in BSMCs of chronic asthmatic rats compared with the controls. PD98059 inhibited expression of phospho-ERK1/2 protein, while treatment with an antisense oligonucleotide inhibited the expression of P-ERK1/2 mRNA and protein. BSMCs obtained from the chronic asthma group secreted significantly greater quantities of growth factors (transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)), cytokines (regulated upon activation, normal T cell-expressed and secreted (RANTES) and eotaxin), and extracellular matrix (fibronectin and collagen I) compared with normal controls. Epidermal growth factor stimulated secretion in both groups, but the response of the chronic asthma group was more intense. Both PD98059 and antisense oligonucleotide suppressed secretion by BSMCs in chronic ashmatic rats. Antisense oligonucleotide reduced the level of RANTES nearly to that of normal controls, while PD98059 could not.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that ERK1/2 signaling pathway may play an important role in the augmented secretion of BSMCs in chronic asthmatic rats, and ERK1/2 antisense oligonucleotide effectively inhibits the process.

Animals ; Asthma ; metabolism ; Bronchi ; secretion ; Chemokine CCL5 ; secretion ; Chronic Disease ; Disease Models, Animal ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; physiology ; Male ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 ; physiology ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; physiology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; secretion ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; secretion ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; secretion

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of RhoA in regulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion level in breast cancer cells and in the proliferation, migration and tube formation of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) under hypoxia.

METHODSEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to examine the effect of V14RhoA plasmid transfection-induced RhoA activation and RhoA knockdown on VEGF secretion level in breast cancer MCF-7 cells under hypoxic condition. A MCF-7/HUVEC co-culture model was established to assess the effect of the changes in RhoA expressions in MCF-7 cells on HUVEC proliferation, migration, and tube formation under hypoxia.

RESULTSUnder hypoxic condition, RhoA activation promoted VEGF secretion in MCF-7 cells, and RhoA knockdown inhibited VEGF secretion. In the co-culture model, RhoA activation in the MCF-7 cells enhanced HUVEC proliferation, migration, and tube formation, and RhoA knockdown inhibited these changes.

CONCLUSIONUnder hypoxic condition, RhoA indirectly influences HUVECs to affect tumor angiogenesis by regulating VEGF level in breast cancer cells.

Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; secretion ; Humans ; Transfection ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; secretion ; rhoA GTP-Binding Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the expression of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) and its effect on VEGF expression in fibroblasts from human hypertrophic scar.

METHODSFibroblasts were isolated from hypertrophic scar of 8 patients and cultured in vitro. Then the cells were divided into three groups: (1) Cells were cultured only in DMEM containing 10% FCS in the control group; (2) Cells were transfected with empty plasmid in the empty plasmid group; (3) Cells were transfected with plasmid expressing ILKcDNA in the ILK cDNA plasmid transfection group. First, the expression of ILK and VEGF was observed by immunocytochemistry before and after ILK cDNA transfection. Second, ILK and VEGF mRNA expression was investigated by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Third, the protein expression of ILK and VEGF was detected by Western blot. Finally, the protein level of VEGF in supernatant of fibroblasts was measured by ELISA.

RESULTSBefore ILK cDNA transfection, the expression of ILK was positive and the VEGF expression was weak in cytoplasm of fibroblasts . After ILK cDNA transfection, both the expression of ILK and VEGF was enhanced. The level of VEGF mRNA was significantly higher in ILK cDNA transfection group (0.338 +/- 0.060) than that in control group (0.022 +/- 0.001) and empty plasmid group (0.028 +/- 0.005, P < 0.05). The level of VEGF protein was significantly higher in ILK cDNA transfection group (0.819 +/- 0.019) than that in control group (0.607 +/- 0.033) and empty plasmid group (0. 591 +/- 0.024, P<0. 05). Secretion of VEGF increased remarkably in ILK cDNA transfection group comparing with the other two groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSILK could up-regulate the VEGF mRNA and protein level in human scar fibroblasts. It may play an important role in the angiogenesis in hypertrophic scar.

Cells, Cultured ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Fibroblasts ; secretion ; Humans ; Plasmids ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Transfection ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

In order to investigate the effects of phenylhexyl isothiocyanate (PHI) on proliferation and apoptosis of multiple myeloma cells RPMI8226 in vitro, the RMPI8226 cells were co-cultured with PHI at various concentrations; the apoptosis of PHI-treated cells was assayed by TUNEL; the cell cycle changes of PHI-treated cells were analyzed by FCM; the mitochondrial potential changes of PHI-treated cells were detected by using a potential sensitive dye JC-1 as probe; the VEGF levels secreted from PHI-treated cells were measured by quantitative sandwich ELISA. The results showed that PHI significantly inhibited RPMI8226 cell proliferation, induced their apoptosis at low concentration (0.5 micromol/L), the inhibitory effect was related to PHI concentration. PHI-treated cells were arrested in G(0)/G(1) phase. The RPMI8226 cells showed shift from red fluorescence to green fluorescence in some concentration-dependent manner, indicating increase of mitochondrial depolarization and potential loss by 3-4-fold as compared with control, after treated RMPI8226 cells with 10 micromol/L of PHI for 48 hours, the VEGF level secreted from RMPI8226 cells significantly decreased, it was 35% of control. It is concluded that the PHI can inhibit cell proliferation, induce cell apoptosis of RMPI8226, the cell apoptosis is associated with mitochondrial depolarization and potential loss, the inhibiting VEGF secretion from RMPI8226 cells by PHI may be one of the reasons causing apoptosis. PHI may be a potential therapeutic drug for multiple myeloma.
Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Isothiocyanates ; pharmacology ; Multiple Myeloma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; secretion

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of quercetin on cell morphology and VEGF expression of acute myeloblastic leukemia cells NB4 in vitro.

METHODSThe cytomorphology of NB4 cells was assessed by Wright-stain, apoptosis rate by apoptotic marker Annexin V, and VEGF secretion level by ELISA.

RESULTSTypical apoptosis was found in NB4 cells after treatment with quercetin. Apoptotic marker Annexin V analysis showed that the apoptotic rate of NB4 cells was increased after treatment with quercetin. The secretion of VEGF of NB4 cells was significantly decreased after treatment with quercetin.

CONCLUSIONQuercetin can induce apoptosis and inhibit secretion of VEGF in NB4 leukemia cells.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; metabolism ; pathology ; Quercetin ; pharmacology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; secretion

It is well established that neural stem cells (NSCs) are not randomly distributed throughout the brain, but rather are concentrated around blood vessels. Although NSCs lie in a vascular niche, there is no direct evidence for a functional relationship between the NSCs and blood vessel component cells. It is reported that endothelial cells release soluble factors that stimulate the self-renewal of NSCs, inhibit their differentiation, and enhance their neuron production. Endothelial coculture can activate Notch to promote self-renewal. Furthermore, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a significant role in neural cells; it stimulates the growth and differentiation of astrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS). Therefore, beyond their traditional role as structural components of blood vessels, endothelial cells are not only critical component of the neural stem cell niche, but they also are able to enhance neurogenesis, possibly through the secretion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; secretion ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Humans ; Neurons ; cytology ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; physiology