Matrigel-induced Tube Formation Research Articles

Ghrelin promotes angiogenesis by activating the Jagged1/Notch2/VEGF pathway in preeclampsia.

Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), has been found to be involved in the regulation of blood pressure; however, its effects in preeclampsia (PE) and the potential underlying mechanism remain poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between ghrelin and PE and reveal the possible mechanism underlying any relationship. The levels of ghrelin and VEGF in the plasma of 6 early-onset PE (EOPE), 6 late-onset PE (LOPE) and 12 healthy pregnant (HP) women were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The recombinant plasmid, pCDH-ghrelin, was designed to overexpress ghrelin in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We analyzed angiogenesis in vitro and investigated the mechanism using MTT assay, colony formation assay, transwell migration assay, Matrigel-induced tube formation assay and western blotting. Ghrelin was significantly decreased in EOPE patients (P < 0.05) but elevated in LOPE patients compared to HP groups (P > 0.05). There was a significant decrease in plasma level of VEGF in EOPE and LOPE patients compared to the controls (P < 0.05). The proliferation, migration and tube formation ability of HUVECs were enhanced after transfection with pCDH-ghrelin. Ghrelin increased VEGF by activating the Jagged1/Notch2 pathway. Our study uncovered that ghrelin has the potential to improve endothelial function by promoting angiogenesis through Jagged1/Notch2/VEGF pathway.

Fetal kidney stem cells ameliorate cisplatin induced acute renal failure and promote renal angiogenesis.

To investigate whether fetal kidney stem cells (fKSC) ameliorate cisplatin induced acute renal failure (ARF) in rats and promote renal angiogenesis. The fKSC were isolated from rat fetuses of gestation day 16 and expanded in vitro up to 3(rd) passage. They were characterized for the expression of mesenchymal and renal progenitor markers by flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry, respectively. The in vitro differentiation of fKSC towards epithelial lineage was evaluated by the treatment with specific induction medium and their angiogenic potential by matrigel induced tube formation assay. To study the effect of fKSC in ARF, fKSC labeled with PKH26 were infused in rats with cisplatin induced ARF and, the blood and renal tissues of the rats were collected at different time points. Blood biochemical parameters were studied to evaluate renal function. Renal tissues were evaluated for renal architecture, renal cell proliferation and angiogenesis by immunohistochemistry, renal cell apoptosis by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase nick-end labeling assay and early expression of angiogenic molecules viz. vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) by western blot. The fKSC expressed mesenchymal markers viz. CD29, CD44, CD73, CD90 and CD105 as well as renal progenitor markers viz. Wt1, Pax2 and Six2. They exhibited a potential to form CD31 and Von Willebrand factor expressing capillary-like structures and could be differentiated into cytokeratin (CK)18 and CK19 positive epithelial cells. Administration of fKSC in rats with ARF as compared to administration of saline alone, resulted in a significant improvement in renal function and histology on day 3 (2.33 ± 0.33 vs 3.50 ± 0.34, P < 0.05) and on day 7 (0.83 ± 0.16 vs 2.00 ± 0.25, P < 0.05). The infused PKH26 labeled fKSC were observed to engraft in damaged renal tubules and showed increased proliferation and reduced apoptosis (P < 0.05) of renal cells. The kidneys of fKSC as compared to saline treated rats had a higher capillary density on day 3 [13.30 ± 1.54 vs 7.10 ± 1.29, capillaries/high-power fields (HPF), P < 0.05], and on day 7 (21.10 ± 1.46 vs 15.00 ± 1.30, capillaries/HPF, P < 0.05). In addition, kidneys of fKSC treated rats had an up-regulation of angiogenic proteins hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, VEGF and eNOS on day 3 (P < 0.05). Our study shows that fKSC ameliorate cisplatin induced ARF in rats and promote renal angiogenesis, which may be an important therapeutic mechanism of these stem cells in the disease.

In vitro and ex vivo angiogenic effects of roxarsone on rat endothelial cells

Roxarsone, a feed additive, is being used worldwide to promote animal growth. However, the potential effect of roxarsone on angiogenesis has not been extensively characterized. We examined the ability of roxarsone to promote angiogenesis of rat endothelial cells in vitro and from rat aorta rings ex vivo. Endothelial cells from rats were exposed to 0.01–10.00μM roxarsone, 5ng/mL vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a positive control or phosphate buffer saline (PBS) as a negative control. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay, and the content of VEGF in supernatants was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting. A Matrigel-induced tube formation assay was used to evaluate the effects of roxarsone on endothelial cells. Additionally, the total number and length of microvessels sprouted from rat aortic rings were measured for ex vivo investigation of angiogenesis. Results showed that the cell viability and total number and length of capillary-like tube formations after roxarsone treatment was significantly higher than that of negative (P<0.05), with a maximum effect at 1.00μM exposure. Furthermore, the number of microvessels sprouted from aortic rings treated for 4h with 0.1–10.0μM roxarsone was significantly higher than that of PBS treatment, with a peak value of 1.0μM. These results further demonstrate the potential of roxarsone to promote angiogenesis in vitro and ex vivo.

The EYA Tyrosine Phosphatase Activity Is Pro-Angiogenic and Is Inhibited by Benzbromarone

Eyes Absents (EYA) are multifunctional proteins best known for their role in organogenesis. There is accumulating evidence that overexpression of EYAs in breast and ovarian cancers, and in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, correlates with tumor growth and increased metastasis. The EYA protein is both a transcriptional activator and a tyrosine phosphatase, and the tyrosine phosphatase activity promotes single cell motility of mammary epithelial cells. Since EYAs are expressed in vascular endothelial cells and cell motility is a critical feature of angiogenesis we investigated the role of EYAs in this process. Using RNA interference techniques we show that EYA3 depletion in human umbilical vein endothelial cells inhibits transwell migration as well as Matrigel-induced tube formation. To specifically query the role of the EYA tyrosine phosphatase activity we employed a chemical biology approach. Through an experimental screen the uricosuric agents Benzbromarone and Benzarone were found to be potent EYA inhibitors, and Benzarone in particular exhibited selectivity towards EYA versus a representative classical protein tyrosine phosphatase, PTP1B. These compounds inhibit the motility of mammary epithelial cells over-expressing EYA2 as well as the motility of endothelial cells. Furthermore, they attenuate tubulogenesis in matrigel and sprouting angiogenesis in the ex vivo aortic ring assay in a dose-dependent fashion. The anti-angiogenic effect of the inhibitors was also demonstrated in vivo, as treatment of zebrafish embryos led to significant and dose-dependent defects in the developing vasculature. Taken together our results demonstrate that the EYA tyrosine phosphatase activity is pro-angiogenic and that Benzbromarone and Benzarone are attractive candidates for repurposing as drugs for the treatment of cancer metastasis, tumor angiogenesis, and vasculopathies.

Rudhira/BCAS3 is a cytoskeletal protein that controls Cdc42 activation and directional cell migration during angiogenesis

Cell migration is a common cellular process in angiogenesis and tumor metastasis. Rudhira/BCAS3 (Breast Cancer Amplified Sequence 3) is a conserved protein expressed in the embryonic vasculature and malignant tumors. Here, we show for the first time that Rudhira plays an active role in directional cell migration. Rudhira depletion in endothelial cells inhibits Matrigel-induced tube formation and retards healing of wounded cell monolayers. We demonstrate that during wound healing, Rudhira rapidly re-localizes and promotes Cdc42 activation and recruitment to the leading edge of migrating cells. Rudhira deficient cells show impaired downstream signaling of Cdc42 leading to dramatic changes in actin organization and classic cell polarity defects such as loss of microtubule organizing center (MTOC) and Golgi re-orientation. Biochemical assays and co-localization studies show that Rudhira interacts with microtubules as well as intermediate filaments. Thus, Rudhira could control directional cell migration and angiogenesis by facilitating crosstalk between cytoskeletal elements.

Abstract 636: Role of Prostaglandin E2 in breast-cancer associated lymphangiogenesis in an in vitro system

Abstract Lymphatic metastasis is a common occurence in breast cancer. Molecular mechanisms in breast cancer-associated lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis are poorly defined. We had earlier shown that elevated cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 expression by human as well as murine breast cancer cells promotes tumor progression and metastasis by multiple mechanisms: inactivation of host anti-tumor immune cells, stimulation of tumor cell migration and tumor-associated angiogenesis. Furthermore, COX-2 was causally associated with increased VEGF-C expression/secretion in human and murine breast cancer cell lines, thus promoting tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis. VEGF-C production was partially dependent on endogenous PGE-2 mediated activation of EP4 receptors on breast cancer cells thus making EP4 a good therapeutic target. It was unclear whether tumor or host derived PGE-2 had any direct effect on lymphangiogenesis, and if so, whether EP4 receptors on lymphatic endothelial cells played any role. To address these questions, we devised an in vitro lymphangiogenesis assay using a LYVE-1 expressing rat mesenteric lymphatic endothelial cell line (RMLEC) plated on growth factor- reduced Matrigel. Endothelial tube formation by RMLEC was rapidly induced in 12-18 hours after plating on Matrigel even under serum-free conditions, whereas plating them on collagen gel even in the presence of serum did not induce any tube formation. This suggested the presence of some inducing factor(s) in the Matrigel, possibly also present in the ECM in vivo. Matrigel-induced tube formation was completely abrogated in the presence of COX 1/2 inhibitor indomethacin (10mM), COX-2 inhibitor NS-398 (15mM), and a selective EP4 antagonist CJ-042794 (2.5 mM). In each case, an additional presence of PGE2 (1 µM) or an EP4 agonist PGE-1 alcohol (1µM) completely restored the tube formation on matrigel. A similar restoration was also achieved in the presence of serum-free conditioned media (24 h culture) of a COX-2 expressing murine breast cancer cell line C3L5 that induces lymphangiogenesis in vivo. These results indicate the roles of tumor as well as host-derived PGE2 in inducing lymphangiogenesis possibly by activating COX-2/EP4 receptors on lymphatic endothelial cells. Further studies are in progress to identify the tube-inducing component(s) in the Matrigel and C3L5 cell conditioned medium. (Supported by grants from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Ontario chapter and the Ontario Institute of Cancer Research to PKL. The gift of the RMLEC from Dr Sophia Ran, Southern Illinois Univ School of Medicine is gratefully acknowledged). Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 636.

Antiangiogenic Effect of Oyster Polypeptide (OPP).

Drugs which block tumor angiogenesis will be likely effective towards inhibiting tumor growth for angiogenesis being a prerequisite for tumor growth and metastasis. Therefore, antiangiogenesis has become a promising strategy for the treatment of cancer. Investigation on both antiangiogenic effect and mechanism(s) of oyster polypeptide (OPP) were performed via experiments of chicken embryos model in vivo and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro. The methods employed in experiment were chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) angiogenesis in chicken embryos in vivo, MTT cell survival assay, flat plate scarification, transwell plates assay, matrigel-induced tube formation assay and transmission electron microscope et al. and the OPP's effects on angiogenesis was observed. Study showed that treatment with OPP resulted in significant inhibition of chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) angiogenesis in chicken embryos. MTT cell survival assay showed that treatment with OPP resulted in strong inhibition of HUVECs growth, with an IC50 of 400 mug/mL. Flat plate scarification suggested that OPP (200 mug/mL, 400 mug/mL and 800 mug/mL) distinctly inhibited HUVECs' migration (18.75%, 37.93%, 74.07% respectively, treatment for 12 h). Treatment with OPP of different concentrations (200 mug/mL, 400 mug/mL and 800 mug/mL) significantly reduced the density of the migration cells by 15.5%, 37.2% and 67.24% (P<0.05) respectively. Matrigel-induced tube formation assay showed that OPP resulted in striking inhibition of tube formation of 52.43%, 84.47% and 96.12% (P<0.01) at 200 mug/mL, 400 mug/mL and 800 mug/mL (treatment for 10 h) respectively. In addition, the apoptotic analysis by transmission electron microscope showed that OPP (400 mug/mL, treatment for 48 h) distinctly induced HUVECs' apoptosis. This study strikingly showed that OPP could inhibit angiogenesis through its effects on vascular endothelial cells directly and the inhibition of their proliferation, migration, angiogenic ability, and induction of their apoptosis might be the antiangiogenic mechanism of OPP.

Gene Expression Profiles by Microarray Analysis during Matrigel-induced Tube Formation in a Human Extravillous Trophoblast Cell line: Comparison with Endothelial Cells

Endovascular differentiation of extravillous cytotrophoblasts (EVT) during placentogenesis induces remodeling of spiral arteries that increases blood flow toward the intravillous space and is required for maintaining pregnancy. To address the molecular mechanisms involved in this differentiation, we investigated the gene expression profile during matrigel-induced tube formation in TCL1 cells, a human immortalized EVT cell line, and HUV-EC-C, human umbilical vessel endothelial cells, and compared their profiles. The numbers of genes that showed significant up-regulation (>3-fold expression at both 3 and 6 h, and/or >5-fold expression at either 3 or 6 h) during tube formation and significant down-regulation (0.33-fold expression at both 3 and 6 h, and/or less than 0.2-fold expression at either 3 or 6 h), were 969 and 659 in TCL1, respectively. In HUV-EC-C, the numbers of genes that showed significant up-regulation and down-regulation were 86 and 65, respectively. Only 73 of 1628 genes that showed significant expression changes in TCL1 were common with HUV-EC-C. The genes showing significant expression change specifically in TCL1 were associated with cellular, metabolisms, proliferation, anti-apoptosis, proteolysis adhesion, and some known to be involved in EVT differentiation or related to angiogenesis. The gene expression profile in EVT during tube formation is very different from that of endothelial cells. Further investigations based on the current data may help to elucidate mechanisms of normal and abnormal placentogenesis.

Antiproliferative and antimetastatic effects of the ethanolic extract of Phellinus igniarius (Linnearus: Fries) Quelet

Aim of this study Phellinus igniarius (Linnearus: Fries) Quelet ( Phellinus igniarius) has been used in oriental countries for treatment of various diseases including cancer. However, it is unclear how Phellinus igniarius exerts anticancer effects. Materials and methods In this study the ethanolic extract from the fruiting body of Phellinus igniarius (EEPI) was used to evaluate the antiproliferative and antimetastatic effects in human hepatocarcinoma SK-Hep-1 cells and rat heart vascular endothelial cells (RHE cells). Results We found that EEPI inhibited the proliferation of both cell lines in a dose-dependent manner, and the IC 50 values at 48 h were 72 and 103 μg/ml for SK-Hep-1 cells and RHE cells, respectively. EEPI at non- or sub-cytotoxic concentrations (25–100 μg/ml) markedly inhibited the migration and invasion of SK-Hep-1 cells. EEPI added at 25 μg/ml significantly decreased the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) (49%, p < 0.01) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (13%, p < 0.05) in SK-Hep-1 cells. EEPI at 25 μg/ml completely inhibited matrigel-induced tube formation in RHE cells. Importantly, EEPI (25 or 50 μg/ml) in combination with oxaliplatin (Oxa) or 5-flurouracil (5-FU) synergistically inhibited the proliferation of SK-Hep-1 cells. Conclusion These results demonstrate the antiproliferative and antimetastatic effects of EEPI in vitro and the potential of EEPI as an adjuvant for chemotherapy.

Anti-Angiogenic Activity of Contortrostatin, a Disintegrin from Agkistrodon Contortrix Contortrix Snake Venom

Previous work in our laboratory has shown that contortrostatin (CN), a disintegrin from southern copperhead snake venom, possess anti-angiogenic activity. In the present study we further examined the anti-angiogenic activity of CN, focusing on the mechanisms of CN inhibition of angiogenesis. CN inhibited migration and invasion, and significantly altered Matrigel-induced tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), but did not affect cell viability, or MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity. Immunocytochemistry of HUVEC revealed that CN disrupted actin cytoskeleton and altered VE-cadherin distribution at cell-cell contacts. CN downregulated focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation in adherent HUVEC. There was also significant inhibition of angiogenesis in vivo by CN as assessed by implanting Matrigel plugs in C57 mice and measuring ingrowth of blood vessels using either factor VIII staining or hemoglobin determination. In conclusion, the present findings confirm our earlier studies and demonstrate conclusively that CN possess strong anti-angiogenic activity in vitro and in vivo.

Modulation of morphological differentiation of human endothelial cells in culture by the synthetic peptide YIGSR and cytochalasin B.

Matrigel is a solubilized tissue basement membrane gel extracted from the mouse Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm sarcoma. Cultures of human endothelial cells could be induced to undergo extremely rapid morphological differentiation into capillary-like structures by Matrigel. The present study demonstrates the following: (a) Matrigel-induced tube formation by endothelial cells is laminin-dependent and, particularly, the YIGSR peptide site in the B1 chain of laminin may be necessary for endothelial cell differentiation resulting in capillary formation; (b) endothelial cells may be preprogrammed for rapid differentiation into blood vessels and do not require DNA, RNA or protein synthesis in order to undergo tube formation on Matrigel; and (c) microfilament assembly and function is important for Matrigel-induced tube formation.

In vitro model of angiogenesis using a human endothelium-derived permanent cell line: contributions of induced gene expression, G-proteins, and integrins.

The EA hy926 cell line is a continuous, clonable, human cell line that displays a number of features characteristic of vascular endothelial cells (Edgell et al., 1983). Here we report that when EA hy926 cells (EA cells) are plated on an extracellular matrix material [Matrigel], they undergo a process of morphological re-organization leading to the formation of a complex network of cord or tubelike structures. These events seem to resemble, in some respects, an in vitro process of angiogenesis. The morphological re-arrangement occurs within a 12-16 hr period and seems to require expression of new messenger RNA and protein, since it is completely blocked when actinomycin D or cycloheximide are present at the time the cells are plated on Matrigel. This is not due to overt toxicity of the drugs, since exposure of cells to actinomycin D at 2 hr or more after plating on Matrigel has little effect on the formation of the tubelike structures. The process of Matrigel-induced tube formation also apparently involves a G-protein mediated signal. Treatment of the EA cells with pertussis toxin completely blocks the process and causes the ADP-ribosylation of a 42 kD protein that is recognized by an antibody to Gi-alpha subunits. In contrast, concentrations of pertussis toxin sufficient to block tube formation have only modest effects on the adhesion or motility of EA cells on purified matrix components such as laminin or collagen IV. The process of Matrigel-induced tube formation also involves integrins since monoclonal antibodies to integrin alpha 6 or beta 1 subunits can completely block the process. The concentrations of anti-integrin antibodies needed to block tube formation are much lower than those required to block cell adhesion on purified matrix components and are sufficient to occupy less than 10% of the alpha 6 or beta 1 subunits available at the cell surface. These results suggest that integrins may be involved in this potential model of angiogenesis in processes beyond their usual role in cell adhesion. Based on these results, it seems likely that the EA hy 926 cell line will prove to be a useful model for in vitro study of angiogenic processes.