Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) does not Regulate Nitric Oxide (NO) Production by Cultured Rat Mesangial Cells (RMC) 1845

Abstract

Mesangial cells contain the enzyme inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and produce NO after exposure to cytokines. This short-lived messenger molecule is involved in the regulation of many aspects of kidney function. VEGF modulates NO production by endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells. Moreover, VEGF may contribute to vascular injury in diabetes. Human mesangial cells express the VEGF receptors and the cytokine stimulates proliferation. Therefore, we examined whether VEGF regulates NO production by cultured mesangial cells.