Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in ECV304 cells up-regulated by exogenous tissue-type plasminogen activator via extracellular regulated protein kinases signaling pathway

Abstract

Objective To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)in ECV304 cells after transfection with Ad tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) in vitro and the signaling pathway involved. Methods The expression of VEGF in ECV304 cells was detected after mixed culture with Adt-PA for24 h as group 1, and compared with that in group 2 (mixed culture with Adt-PA for48 h) and group 3 ( mixed culture with Ad for 48 h). The expression of phosphorylated extracellular regulated protein kinases (pERK) and the expression changes of VEGF after blocking phosphorylation of ERK by PD98059 were examined. Results The expression of VEGF was increased obviously in groups 1 and 2 as compared with group 3 (P ＜0. 01 ). After transfection with Adt-PA, ERK could be activated obviously in ECV304.PD98059 could decrease the expression of VEGF and pERK in ECV304 cells ( P ＜ 0. 01 ). Conclusion Exogenous t-PA can promote VEGF mRNA transcription and protein expression in ECV304 cells. ERK signaling pathway plays an important role during this up-regulation process. Key words: Tissue plasminogen activator; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Adenovirus; Extracellular regulated protein kinases