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(Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2009;29:209.)
© 2009 American Heart Association, Inc.

Cell Biology/Signaling

Early Growth Response-1 Regulates Angiopoietin-1-Induced Endothelial Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Differentiation

Nelly A. Abdel-Malak; Mahroo Mofarrahi; Dominique Mayaki; Levon M. Khachigian; Sabah N.A. Hussain

From the Critical Care Division, Department of Medicine (N.A.A.-M., M.M., D.M., S.N.A.H.), McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada; and the Centre for Vascular Research (L.M.K.), University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

Correspondence to Dr S. Hussain, Royal Victoria Hospital, Room L3.05, 687 Pine Ave West, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3A 1A1. E-mail sabah.hussain{at}muhc.mcgill.ca

Objective— Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) is an important regulator of angiogenesis in endothelial cells. It promotes migration, proliferation, and differentiation of cells, although the regulating factors involved in these processes remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated the contribution of the transcription factor early growth response-1 (Egr-1) to Ang-1-induced angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Methods and Results— Expression of Egr-1 was evaluated with real-time PCR and immunoblotting, whereas Egr-1 DNA binding activity was monitored with electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Cell migration was measured with wound healing and Boyden chamber assays, whereas cell proliferation and differentiation of cells into capillary-like tube structures were monitored with cell counting, BrdU incorporation and Matrigels. To selectively inhibit Egr-1 expression, we used both siRNA oligonucleotides and specific DNAzymes. Egr-1 mRNA expression rose approximately 9-fold within 2 hours of Ang-1 exposure and declined thereafter. Upregulation of Egr-1 expression was accompanied by an increase in nuclear mobilization and augmented DNA binding. These processes were mediated through the Erk1/2, PI-3 kinase/AKT, and mTOR pathways. Knockdown of Egr-1 expression completely abrogated Ang-1-induced endothelial migration and significantly reduced proliferation and capillary-like tube formation of HUVECs that overexpress Ang-1.

Conclusion— Ang-1 triggers significant and transient induction of Egr-1, and Egr-1 contributes to Ang-1-induced endothelial cell migration and proliferation.

Key Words: endothelial cells • angiopoietins • angiogenesis • transcription factors • cell migration