Placental development requires extensive angiogenesis and the invasion of the maternal decidua by the trophoblasts. Adequate and organized interaction of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), placenta growth factors (PlGF), and their receptors are essential for a normal development and function of the placenta. In this study, we evaluated the expressions of PlGFs and their receptors, mRNAs by Northern blotting, in situ hybridization and RT-PCR in the normal and pregnancy-induced hypertensive (PIH) placentas. The expression level of PlGF-2 mRNA was lower in the PIH placentas compared to control as assessed by Northern blotting and in situ hybridization. PlGF mRNA was mainly localized to the vasculosyncytial membrane of placental villi and villous stroma. The expression of PlGF receptor-1 (PlGFR-1) was significantly increased in the PIH placentas compared to the normal ones. These results suggest that the alteration of PlGF-2 and PlGFR-1 mRNA expressions in the placenta are related to the pathogenesis of PIH.
Female ; Gene Expression ; Human ; Hypertension/*physiopathology ; In Situ Hybridization ; Placenta/*physiology ; Pre-Eclampsia/*physiopathology ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Proteins/*genetics ; RNA, Messenger/analysis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/*genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1/genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2/genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of endothelialization of bioprosthesis by transfer of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene.

METHODSBovine pericardium treated with glutaraldehyde and L-glutamic acid was positioned into the pig right atrium. pcD(2)/hVEGF(121) gene (1 mg) was transferred into the right ventricular myocardium using surgical sutures Reverse transcri ption polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) was employed to evaluate the expression of myocardial VEGF mRNA. The determination of concentrations of VEGF protein in blood from both the right atrium and peripheral vein, and histological and ultrastructural analysis of implanted bovine pericardium were completed simultaneously.

RESULTSThe concentration of VEGF derived from the right atrium in pcD(2)/hVEGF(121) group was significantly higher than that in the pcD(2) group 10 days after VEGF gene transfer (P < 0.01). The expression of myocardial VEGF mRNA in pcD(2)/hVEGF(121) group was much higher in comparison with that in the pcD(2) group. The morphological analysis demonstrated that the coverage rate of host endothelium in the pcD(2)/hVEGF(121) group was 2.6 times as fast as that in the pcD(2) group at 16 days after VEGF(121) gene transfer (P < 0.01). Entire endothelialization occurred at 30 days after VEGF gene transfer. In addition, higher expression of myocardial VEGF mRNA was still available.

CONCLUSIONSVEGF gene transfer by surgical suture can remarkably accelerate endothelialization of bioprosthesis, which may provide a new approach for inhibiting biological valve calcification and improve biocompatibility and long-term durability of the bioprosthesis.

Animals ; Bioprosthesis ; Endothelial Growth Factors ; analysis ; genetics ; Endothelium, Vascular ; physiology ; Female ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Humans ; Lymphokines ; analysis ; genetics ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Swine ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

BACKGROUNDThe mechanism of retinal neovascularization is not understood completely. Many growth factors are involved in the process of retinal neovascularization, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelium-deprived factor (PEDF), which are the representatives of angiogenic and antiangiogenic molecules respectively. Oxygen induced retinopathy (OIR) is a useful model to investigate retinal neovascularization. The present study was conducted to investigate the feasibility of small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting VEGF gene in attenuating oxygen induced retinopathy (OIR) by regulating VEGF to PEDF ratio (VEGF/PEDF).

METHODSIn vitro, cultured EOMA cells were transfected with VEGF-siRNA (psi-HI(TM)/EGFP/VEGF siRNA) and Lipofectamine(TM) 2000 for 24, 48, and 72 hours, respectively. Expression of VEGF mRNA was evaluated by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the level of VEGF protein was analyzed by Western blotting. In vivo, OIR model mice were established, the mice (C57BL/6J) received an intra-vitreal injection of 1 µl of mixture of psi-HI(TM)/EGFP/VEGF siRNA and Lipofectamine 2000. Expressions of retinal VEGF and PEDF protein were measured by Western blotting, retinal neovascularization was observed by fluorescein angiography, and quantified.

RESULTSIn vitro psi-HI(TM)/EGFP/VEGF siRNA treatment significantly reduced VEGF mRNA and protein expression. In vivo, with decreased VEGF and VEGF-PEDF ratio, significant attenuation of neovascular tufts, avascular regions, tortuous, and dilated blood vessels were observed in the interfered animals.

CONCLUSIONSVEGF plays an important role in OIR, and the transfection of VEGF-siRNA can effectively downregulate VEGF expression in vivo, accompanied by the downregulation of VEGF-PEDF ratio, and simultaneous attenuation of retinal neovascularization was also observed. These findings suggest that VEGF/PEDF may serve as a potential target in the treatment of retinal neovascularization and RNA interference targeting VEGF expression, which represents a possible therapeutic strategy.

Animals ; Eye Proteins ; analysis ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Nerve Growth Factors ; analysis ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Retinal Neovascularization ; therapy ; Serpins ; analysis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology

To study the effect of VEGF fully phosporothioated antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (VEGF-ASODN) on VEGF expression in acute monocyte leukemic cell line U937 in vitro, U937 cells were incubated with VEGF-ASODN at concentrations of 10, 20 and 30 micro mol/L or scrambled sequence as compared with negative control. The expression of VEGF mRNA was measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The expression of VEGF protein was measured by Western blot. The result showed that VEGF-ASODN had obviously inhibitive effect on expression of VEGF in U937 cell, as compared with scrambled sequence and negative control (P < 0.05). Scrambled sequence group had no significant difference compared with negative control group (P > 0.05). It is concluded that the expressions of VEGF mRNA and protein in leukemic cell line U937 are down-regulated by VEGF-ASODN.
Humans ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; U937 Cells ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of prolonged 75% oxygen exposure on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (VEGFR1 and VEGFR2) in the neonatal rat lungs and to elucidate the effects of prolonged exposure of high concentration of oxygen on lung vascular development and its relationship with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

METHODSForty eight Sprague-Dawley rat pups were randomly exposed to air (control group) and 75% oxygen (experimental group) 12 hrs after birth. The rats were sacrificed 7, 14 and 21 days after exposure and their lungs were sampled. The lung sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological evaluation. Expression of VEGF, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 protein and mRNA was detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR.

RESULTSAfter being exposed to 75% oxygen for 21 days, lung tissues had pathological changes as 'new' BPD. Expressions of VEGF protein (10.9 + or - 2.7 vs 30.8 + or - 6.4), VEGFR1 protein (5.4 + or - 1.4 vs 15.6 + or - 3.4) and VEGFR2 protein (11.3 + or - 2.6 vs 21.7 + or - 4.5) on day 21 in the experimental group decreased significantly as compared with the control group (p<0.05). The expression of VEGF mRNA (1.6 vs 3.3), VEGFR1 mRNA (0.4 vs 6.6) and VEGFR2 mRNA (0.5 vs 4.9) on day 21 in the experimental group also decreased significantly as compared with the control group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSProlonged exposure of high concentration of oxygen may cause BPD possibly by inhibiting lung vascular development in neonatal rats.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Lung ; blood supply ; Male ; Oxygen ; toxicity ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 ; analysis ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; analysis ; genetics

In order to explore the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in hematological malignancies, the expression of VEGF and its receptor was detected in HL-60 and Raji cells by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry. The results showed that VEGF-mRNA expressed in both HL-60 and Raji cells, and the mean VEGF concentrations in the cultural supernatant of both cell lines were significantly higher than that of normal peripheral blood mononuclear cell respectively. There was expression of VEGF-R (Flt-1) on the surfaces of both HL-60 and Raji cells. The research results demonstrated that VEGF-mRNA was expressed in hematopoietic malignant cell lines (HL-60 and Raji), and the corresponding protein was secreted into the extracellular microenvironment, the both cell lines expressed VEGF-R on the cell surface. VEGF affects not only vascular endothelial cells, but also leukemic and lymphoma cells themselves. It is suggested that an autocrine pathway of VEGF existed in the both cell lines other than the paracrine pathway. The autocrine pathway of VEGF works as basis of tumor invasion. In conclusion, to restrain expression of VEGF and its receptor may inhibit tumor growth, and helps to block the reciprocal loop between VEGF and endothelial cells, and decrease the tumor specialities of hyperproliferation, anti-apoptosis and invation, that may make the tumor more susceptible to chemotherapy.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; analysis ; HL-60 Cells ; chemistry ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphoma ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1

OBJECTIVEA functional VEGF-C cDNA was cloned from a patient with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of tongue in order to study the important role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C in lymphatic dissemination of malignancies in gene level.

METHODSRT-PCR was employed to clone the human VECF-C encoded cDNA from a surgical specimen of a lingual SCC patient. Then it was subcloned into plasmid vector pCRII and sequenced.

RESULTSA 1.1 kb human VEGF-C cDNA fragment was amplified from the lingual SCC. The sequencing results of the fragment demonstrated that it had 99.6% similarity with the reported human VEGF-C cDNA (representing the 559-1,611 bp according the sequence of Genbank Entry X94216).

CONCLUSIONAn encoded fragment VEGF-C cDNA was successfully cloned from a lingual SCC and provided a necessary material for further study.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Humans ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Tongue Neoplasms ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C ; genetics

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Endometriosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Microscopy, Electron ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Receptors, Steroid ; analysis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics

BACKGROUNDAfter myocardial infarction, specific growth factors promote cardiac angiogenisis, leading to a therapeutic effect. Although this effect is mediated by specific receptors in the endothelium of the cardiac microvasculature, few studies have investigated dynamic changes in their expression. We explored this phenomenon in a murine model.

METHODSWe observed the mRNA expression of receptors by specific angiogenesis gene microarray at day 3 and day 7 after infarction. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor Flk-1 was observed at the protein level at day 3 and day 7 by immunohistochemistry. The dynamic expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 (FGFR-1) mRNA in the border zone and the noninfarcted zone at day 3, day 7, day 14, and day 42 was investigated by real-time PCR. Statistical significance was analyzed with SPSS 10.0 software using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

RESULTSThree days after infarction, 9 receptors in the border zone and 7 receptors in the noninfarcted zone were down-regulated. Two receptors in the infarct edge and 5 receptors in the distant myocardium were up-regulated. However, at day 7, 11 receptors in the border zone were up-regulated, and only one was down-regulated. In the border zone, Flk-1 levels decreased at day 3 but increased significantly at day 7. Real-time PCR showed that FGFR-1 mRNA decreased markedly in the border zone at day 3 but increased afterward for at least 6 weeks. In the early stage (3 days) after infarction, the expression of receptors had decreased to some extent. However, at day 7, receptor expression was active and had moved from the distant noninfarcted zone to the border zone as a part of the acute repair process.

CONCLUSIONSelecting the proper growth factors to target receptors with protective activity, and determining appropriate therapeutic timing may be important to the success of therapeutic angiogenesis.

Animals ; Endothelium, Vascular ; metabolism ; Male ; Microcirculation ; Myocardial Infarction ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1 ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in improving ischemic stroke.

METHODSA Wistar rat model of focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion was made by filament occlusion. The rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, an EA group. EA was given at bilateral "Hegu" (LI 4) in the EA group. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA was detected with in situ hybridization and expression of angiogenin-1 (Ang-1) and endostatin proteins with immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSThe expressions of angiogenic growth factors including VEGF and Ang-1 in the EA group were significantly increased, while the expressions of endostatin was significantly decreased as compared with those in the model group (both P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEA improving ischemic stroke is carried out possibly through up-regulating the expression of angiogenic growth factors and down-regulating the expression of antiangiogenic growth factors.

Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Endostatins ; analysis ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reperfusion ; Ribonuclease, Pancreatic ; analysis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics