The extracellular domain 2-4 loop cDNA of quail vascular endothelial growth factor receptor quek1 (qVEGFR2) was obtained from plasmid carrying qVEGFR2 by PCR. Then it was cloned into expression vector pPICZalphaA of Pichia pastoris. To construct recombinant expression plasmid pPICZalphaA-qVEGFR2, linearized pPICZalphaA-qVEGFR2 with SacI was transformed to electroporated Pichia pastoris GS115. Subsequently, positive clone was selected by PCR and its phenotype was determined. SDSPAGE and Western blot assays of culture medium from a methanol-induced expression strain demonstrated that recombinant qVEGFR2 proteins were expressed and secreted into the culture medium. These results could provide a basis for further researches on tumor protein vaccine as well as for the preparation of tumor protein vaccine with Pichia pastoris.
Animals ; Cancer Vaccines ; DNA, Complementary ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Quail ; Receptors, Neurotransmitter ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; analysis ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the apoptosis of alveolar type II cells, alterations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor (Flt1) in serum and lung and expression of VEGF mRNA in lung in pulmonary edema mice induced by phosgene.

METHODSTwenty-six BALB/C mice were randomly divided into 2 groups: control group, exposed group (13 mice in each group). Mice of exposed group were intoxicated by inhalation of phosgene 11.9 mg/L for 5 minutes. Mice of control group were treated as the same way by inhalation of air. Isolation of mice alveolus type II cells 4 h after intoxication was carried out to observe their apoptosis under electron microscope. Contents of VEGF and Flt1 in lung and serum by ELISA, and expression of VEGF mRNA were determined.

RESULTSAlveolar type II cells were identified by tannic acid staining and electron microscopy. After exposed to 11.9 mg/L of phosgene for 5 minutes, the apoptotic body in alveolus type II cells was found in exposed group. The contents of VEGF in serum and lung and Flt1 in lung of exposed mice [(134.07 +/- 120.26), (477.76 +/- 98.06), (1,2818.48 +/- 2,304.15) pg/ml] were significantly lower than those of control group [(445.57 +/- 173.30), (1,026.87 +/- 474.56), (21,976.51 +/- 7,421.01) pg/ml, P < 0.05] but the content of Flt1 in serum [(2,369.56 +/- 381.70) pg/ml] was higher than that in control group [(1,898.00 +/- 453.69) pg/ml, P < 0.05]. The expression of VEGF mRNA in pulmonary edema mice was decreased.

CONCLUSIONPhosgene can induce apoptosis of alveolar type II cells, and decrease in the content of VEGF and Flt1, and expression of VEGF mRNA in lung.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemical Warfare Agents ; toxicity ; Endothelial Growth Factors ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Phosgene ; toxicity ; Pulmonary Alveoli ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Pulmonary Edema ; chemically induced ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 ; analysis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo construct, express and identify the recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)/sflk1-IFN-gamma encoding bifunctional protein sflk1-IFN-gamma (soluble fetal liver kinase 1 and interferon-gamma).

METHODSsflk1 and IFN-gamma gene fragments were cloned by RT-PCR, and then inserted into pcDNA3.1(+) plasmid between BamHI-EcoRI and XhoI-XbaI restriction sites to form the recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)/sflk1-IFN-gamma. The recombinant sflk1-IFN-gamma transiently expressed in COS-7 cells was detected by ELISA and Western blotting. Bioactivities of sflk1-IFN-gamma fusion protein were identified by proliferation inhibition assay with H5V cells and NK activity assay.

RESULTSpcDNA3.1(+)/sflk1-IFN-gamma can be effectively expressed in COS-7 cells. Concentrations of sflk1 and IFN-gamma in culture supernatants of pcDNA3.1(+)/sflk1-IFN-gamma transfected COS-7 cells were (20.85+/-2.48) ng/ml and (1.08+/-0.09) ng/ml, respectively. Western blotting showed that the molecular weight of sflk1-IFN-gamma fusion protein was about 130 kDa, while that of sflk1 was 115 kDa. The supernatants of transfected cells significantly inhibited the proliferation of H5V cells stimulated by mouse VEGF 164 and enhanced the NK activity of splenocytes, demonstrating that sflk1-IFN-gamma fusion protein possessed the bioactivities of both sflk1 and IFN-gamma.

CONCLUSIONThe constructed plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)/sflk1-IFN-gamma can be effectively expressed in eukaryotes. The expressed sflk1-IFN-gamma fusion protein has the biological activities of both sflk1 and IFN-gamma.

Animals ; COS Cells ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Female ; Interferon-gamma ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Plasmids ; Recombinant Proteins ; analysis ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

BACKGROUNDTo better understand the possibilities of antiangiogenic tumor therapy and to assess possible side effects, we investigated the effect of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and curcumin on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in U937 and Raji cell lines and their effect on angiogenesis in a human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVECs)-derived cell line (ECV304), and also the relationship between Notch1 and VEGF. The aim of this study was to elucidate potential mechanisms controlling tumor neovascularization.

METHODSVEGF secreted by U937 and Raji cell lines was determined by ELISA. Angiogenesis was tested by network formation of endothelial cells on Matrigel. Levels of VEGF mRNA in U937 and Raji cells and Notch1 mRNA levels in EV304 cells were determined by RT-PCR.

RESULTSSecretion of VEGF by U937 and Raji cells was increased by TNF-alpha treatment and suppressed by curcumin (P < 0.01). The mRNA expression of VEGF165 and VEGF121 (containing 165 and 121 amino acid residues, respectively) were detected in any fractions. TNF-alpha augmented the expression of VEGF165 and VEGF121 mRNA and curcumin reduced the expression (P < 0.01). No networks or cords formed in control and curcumin groups. There was tube formation on matrigel in the supernatants of the Raji culture group and the supernatants groups treated by VEGF group and TNF-alpha in Raji cell. Notch1 mRNA was detected but there was no significant change in the VEGF group compared with control (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSExpressions of VEGF mRNA in U937 and Raji cells were increased by TNF-alpha and suppressed by curcumin. VEGF and TNF-alpha can induce angiogenesis, and curcumin can inhibit angiogenesis in ECV304 cells.

Cell Line ; Curcumin ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; drug effects ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Receptor, Notch1 ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology ; U937 Cells ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVE: To create a method for transfecting human vascular endothelial growth factor165 (hVEGF165) gene into bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in rats. METHODS: MSCs of Wistar rats were isolated by density gradient centrifugation and purified based on their ability of adhesion to plastic. Detections of cell surface antigens, including CD34, CD45, CD44, and SH3, were performed using flow cytometry. MSCs' potential of differentiating into osteoblast and lipoblast in vitro was tested. The vector pcDNA(3.1)-hVEGF165 was transfected into MSCs with the liposome mediated method. The expression of hVEGF165 in the transfected cells was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: The cultured MSCs were CD34-, CD45-, CD44+ , and SH+, which were differentiated into osteoblasts and lipocytes successfully. The expressed hVEGF165 in the transfected rat MSCs was demonstrated. CONCLUSION The vector pcDNA(3.1)-hVEGF165 is successfully expressed in MSCs.
Animals ; Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Hyaluronan Receptors ; analysis ; Leukocyte Common Antigens ; analysis ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Transfection ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis ; genetics

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Angiogenesis, which is a critical step in the initiation and progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), involves pro-angiogenic factors, including interleukin (IL)-8 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We investigated the role of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) in the regulation of pro-angiogenic factors in RA fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). METHODS: FLS were isolated from RA synovial tissues and stimulated with the TLR3 ligand, poly (I:C). The levels of VEGF and IL-8 in the culture supernatants were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and the mRNA levels were assessed by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The expression patterns of VEGF and IL-8 in the RA synovium and osteoarthritis (OA) synovium were compared using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The expression levels of TLR3, VEGF, and IL-8 were significantly higher in the RA synovium than in the OA synovium. VEGF and IL-8 production were increased in the culture supernatants of RA FLS stimulated with poly (I:C), and the genes for these proteins were up-regulated at the transcriptional level after poly (I:C) treatment. Treatment with inhibitors of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), i.e., pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate and parthenolide, abrogated the stimulatory effect of poly (I:C) on the production of VEGF and IL-8 in RA FLS. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the activation of TLR3 in RA FLS promotes the production of proangiogenic factors, in a process that is mediated by the NF-kappaB signaling pathway. Therefore, targeting the TLR3 pathway may be a promising approach to preventing pathologic angiogenesis in RA.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy/*etiology/metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts/metabolism ; Humans ; Interleukin-8/analysis/*biosynthesis/genetics ; NF-kappa B/physiology ; Neovascularization, Pathologic/etiology ; RNA, Messenger/analysis ; Synovial Membrane/cytology/*metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 3/analysis/*physiology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/analysis/*biosynthesis/genetics

Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein-angiopoietin-1 (COMP-Ang1) is an angiogenic factor for vascular angiogenesis. The aim was to investigate the effect of an intracavernosal injection of COMP-Ang1 on cavernosal angiogenesis in a diabetic rat model. Male Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats made up the experimental group (1 yr old) and Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats made up the control group. The experimental group was divided into vehicle only, 10 microg COMP-Ang1, and 20 microg COMP-Ang1. COMP-Ang1 was injected into the corpus cavernosum of the penis. After 4 weeks, the penile tissues of the rats were obtained for immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The immunoreactivity of PECAM-1 and VEGF was increased in the COMP-Ang1 group compared with the vehicle only group. Moreover, the expression of PECAM-1 and VEGF was notably augmented in the 20 microg Comp Ang-1 group. In the immunoblotting study, the expression of PECAM-1 and VEGF protein was significantly less in the OLEFT rats than in the control LETO rats. However, this expression was restored to control level after intracavernosal injection of COMP-Ang1. These results show that an intracavernosal injection of COMP-Ang1 enhances cavernous angiogenesis by structurally reinforcing the cavernosal endothelium.
Angiopoietin-1/genetics/*metabolism ; Animals ; Antigens, CD31/metabolism ; Blood Glucose/analysis ; Blotting, Western ; Body Weight ; Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein/genetics/*metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/*pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Neovascularization, Physiologic/*drug effects ; Penis/metabolism/pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Long-Evans ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins/biosynthesis/genetics/*pharmacology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism