Vascular Biology |
From the National Creative Research Initiatives Center for Cardiac Regeneration and Institute of Cardiovascular Research (J.K.C., I.K., H.G.K, J.K.K., G.Y.K.) and the Departments of Nuclear Medicine (S.T.L), Pathology (M.J.C), and Internal Medicine (W.H.K), Chonbuk University Medical School, Chonju, Korea.
Correspondence to Gou Young Koh, MD, PhD, National Creative Research Initiatives Center for Cardiac Regeneration, Chonbuk National University Medical School, San 2-20, Keum-Am-Dong, Chonju, 560-180, Republic of Korea. E-mail gykoh{at}moak.chonbuk.ac.kr
| Abstract |
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Key Words: angiopoietin-1\b vascular endothelial growth factor\b vascularization
| Introduction |
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Recently, several studies have examined therapeutic angiogenesis/neovascularization with the use of growth factors as approaches to treat ischemic myocardium.5 6 7 However, a single growth factor may be insufficient for therapeutic purposes, because the development of a functional vascular system requires a cascade of growth factors, their receptors, and intracellular signals.1 2 3 Of these, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) are of particular interest because their receptors are specifically located in endothelial cells.8 9 In fact, in a mouse corneal micropocket assay, Ang1 failed to stimulate an angiogenic response when administered alone.10 However, when coadministered with VEGF, Ang1 augmented postnatal neovascularization.10 Thus, Ang1, in combination with VEGF, is a candidate for therapeutic vascularization in the treatment of ischemic myocardium.
In the present study, we examined the effect of coadministration of Ang1 and VEGF on cultured coronary artery endothelial cells and the ischemic hindlimb of rabbits. Our results indicate that a combination of Ang1 and VEGF holds promise as a means to produce therapeutic vascularization.
| Methods |
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Measurements of DNA Synthesis, Cell Number,
Migration, and Sprouting Activity
The amount of DNA was measured with PicoGreen
fluorescent reagent (Molecular Probes) as described by Singer
et al.12 Cells were
counted with a Coulter Counter System after trypsinization. Migration
and sprouting assays were performed with the use of microcarrier beads
as previously
described.13
Measurements of Plasmin, MMP-2, and
TIMP2
Measurements of plasmin, matrix metalloproteinase
(MMP)-2, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)2
in culture medium were performed as previously
described.13
Plasmids
Human Ang1 or VEGF165 cDNA was
inserted into the cytomegalovirus promoterdriven mammalian cell
expression vector, pcDNA3.1/myc-His (Invitrogen). The viral inverted
terminal repeat sequences from adeno-associated virus can increase
transgene
expression,14 so the
inserts were flanked by 2 copies of the right inverted terminal repeat
sequence of the adeno-associated virus on each side (please see
Figure I, published online at
http://atvb.ahajournals.org).
Animal Model
New Zealand White rabbits (male, mean age 12 to 14
months, 3.8 to 4.2 kg) were used for the present study. The
hindlimb ischemic model was produced according to Takeshita et
al.15 The schematic
procedures are shown (please see Figure I, published online at
http://atvb.ahajournals.org).
Intramuscular Gene Transfer
At day 10, plasmid DNAs were injected directly with a
25-gauge needle into the 3 major thigh muscles of the ischemic
hindlimb. For each rabbit, 125 µg of plasmid control (pControl, n=7),
plasmid VEGF (pVEGF, n=8), or plasmid Ang1 (pAng1, n=8) per 0.5 mL of
normal saline was injected at each of 4 sites (total, 500 µg/2.0 mL).
For combined gene transfer (n=8), 0.5 mL of normal saline containing
125 µg of pVEGF and 125 µg of pAng1 was
injected.
Selective Angiography
Selective internal iliac angiography was performed
with a hand injection of 5 mL of nonionic contrast medium at a flow
rate of 1 mL/s. Vascularization of the left thigh was quantified by the
method of Pu et
al.16
In Vivo Resting and Maximum Blood Flow
Measurements
Blood flow was measured by using a 0.014-in
Doppler guidewire (Cardiometrics) according to the methods of
Bauters et al17 at
rest and after bolus injection of 5 mg
papaverine.
Capillary Density
Tissue sections were prepared from adductor muscles
of the ischemic hindlimbs at day 40. Capillary density was
calculated by counting numbers of capillaries per 1000 myocytes after
staining the capillary endothelial alkaline phosphatase
with an indoxyl-tetrazolium.
Human VEGF and Ang1 Gene Expression in
Ischemic Skeletal Muscle
Gene expression was evaluated by reverse
transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction in the tissues of injected
areas and other tissues from 9 additional rabbits with hindlimb
ischemia killed at 3, 7, and 30 days after gene transfer (n=3
at each time point).
Statistical Analysis
Data are expressed as mean±SD. Statistical
significance was tested by t test or 1-way ANOVA
followed by the Student-Newman-Keuls test. Statistical significance was
set at P<0.05.
An expanded Methods section can be found in an online data supplement available at http://atvb.ahajournals.org.
| Results |
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Combined Treatment With Ang1 and VEGF Enhances
Migration and Sprouting in PCAECs
Placing microcarrier beads onto a confluent
monolayer of PCAECs for 2 to 3 days produces beads covered by a
confluent monolayer of cells with
25 to 30 cells per bead. When
PCAEC-bearing microcarrier beads were placed onto gelatinized plastic
dishes with control buffer for 20 hours, they yielded a basal level of
nondirectional migration (
55 to 60 cells per 10 beads,
Figure 1
; please see Figure III, published online at
http://atvb.ahajournals.org). The number of migrating cells increased
with Ang1 or VEGF stimulation in a dose-dependent manner. The migration
potency of Ang1 was less than that of VEGF. The PCAEC-bearing
microcarrier beads were embedded in 3D fibrin gels and cultured.
Daily addition of growth factors increased sprout formation in a
dose-dependent manner
(Figure 2
; please see Figure IV, published online at
http://atvb.ahajournals.org). The sprouting potency of Ang1 was
also less than that of VEGF. The doses of Ang1 (200 ng/mL) and VEGF (10
ng/mL) showing a submaximal effect on sprouting activity were used in
combination. The combination produced an enhanced effect on migration
and sprout formation
(Figures 1
and 2
; please see Figures III and IV, published
online at http://atvb.ahajournals.org).
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Combined Treatment With Ang1 and VEGF Enhances
Plasmin and MMP-2 Secretion but Suppresses TIMP2 Secretion From
PCAECs
Using the submaximal doses defined above, we assessed
the effect of the growth factors on the secretory activity of cells.
Compared with the addition of control buffer, Ang1 or VEGF produced
2.5-fold or
3.5-fold increases, respectively, in plasmin
secretion for 3 hours (please see Figure V, published online at
http://atvb.ahajournals.org). Plasmin secretion was confirmed by fibrin
zymography
(Figure 3
). Compared with cells treated with buffer alone,
culture medium from Ang1 or VEGF clearly increased the
85-kDa
fibrinolytic bands
(Figure 3
; please see Figure VI, published online at
http://atvb.ahajournals.org). Compared with the addition of control
buffer, addition of Ang1 or VEGF produced
2.0-fold or
2.8-fold
increases, respectively, in MMP-2 secretion for 3 hours (please see
Figure V, published online at http://atvb.ahajournals.org). The MMP-2
secretion was confirmed by gelatin zymography
(Figure 3
). Compared with the cells treated with buffer
alone, culture medium from Ang1 or VEGF clearly increased the
68-kDa
gelatinolytic bands (pro form of MMP-2,
Figure 3
; please see Figure VI, published online at
http://atvb.ahajournals.org). However, no marked
62-kDa
gelatinolytic bands (active form of MMP-2) were
observed from any treatment. Addition of Ang1 or VEGF suppressed the
basal secretion of TIMP2 by 45% or 49%, respectively (please see
Figure V, published online at http://atvb.ahajournals.org). Combination
treatment of Ang1 and VEGF produced an enhanced effect on the induction
of plasmin and MMP-2 secretion and on the suppression of TIMP2
secretion that was greater than the effect of either agent alone
(Figure 3
; please see Figures V and VI, published online at
http://atvb.ahajournals.org).
|
Combined Gene Transfer of Ang1 and VEGF
Enhances Angiographic Collateral Vessels in the Ischemic
Hindlimb of Rabbits
Representative angiograms were
recorded from each group at day 40. The pAng1, pVEGF, and
pAng1+pVEGF limbs contained more prominent blood vessels, particularly
corkscrew-shaped collateral vessels in the midzone region, than did the
control limbs
(Figure 4
). In all cases, more and larger vessels were noted
in the pAng1 limbs compared with the pVEGF limbs. In the limbs with
combined gene transfer, more prominent collateral vessels were formed
(Figure 4
). Quantitative assay revealed no significant
difference in angiographic vessel count at the midthigh of the
ischemic hindlimb among the groups on day 10
(Figure 5
). At day 40, angiographic vessel count in
pControl limbs had not markedly changed, whereas in pAng1, pVEGF, and
pAng1+pVEGF limbs, the angiographic vessel count increased
2.0-fold
(Figure 5
). Although there were no statistically significant
differences among the 3 groups, more vessel numbers were formed in the
order pAng1+pVEGF>pVEGF>pAng1.
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Combined Gene Transfer of Ang1 and VEGF
Enhances Blood Flow in the Ischemic Hindlimb of
Rabbits
At day 10, the resting and maximal blood flows were
similar for all groups (please see Figure VII, published online at
http://atvb.ahajournals.org). The resting blood flow was higher in
pAng1 and pVEGF compared with pControl at days 40 and 70, although
there were no statistically significant differences (please see
Figure VII, published online at http://atvb.ahajournals.org). However,
the resting blood flow in the pAng1+pVEGF group was significantly
higher than in the pControl group (please see Figure VII,
published online at http://atvb.ahajournals.org). The maximal blood
flows in pAng1, pVEGF, and pAng1+pVEGF groups were higher than in the
pControl group at days 40 and 70 (please see Figure VII, published
online at http://atvb.ahajournals.org). Notably, at day 70, the
combined group had almost same maximal blood flow and had higher
maximal blood flow than did the pAng1 group or pVEGF group alone
(please see Figure VII, published online at
http://atvb.ahajournals.org).
Single or Combined Gene Transfer of Ang1 and
VEGF Increases Capillary Density in the Ischemic Hindlimb of
Rabbits
At day 40, the number of capillaries per 1000
myocytes was greater in pAng1, pVEGF, and pAng1+pVEGF groups than in
the pControl group
(Figure 6
; please see Figure VIII, published online at
http://atvb.ahajournals.org). Notably, the combined group had a higher
capillary density than was found for the pAng1 group or pVEGF group
alone
(Figure 6
; please see Figure VIII, published online at
http://atvb.ahajournals.org).
|
Human Ang1 and Ang2 Gene Expression in
Ischemic Skeletal Muscle
The expression of exogenous human VEGF and Ang1 mRNAs
in sections of semimembranous muscles was examined at days 0, 3,
7, and 30 after gene transfer into ischemic rabbit hindlimbs.
The expression of both genes was maximal at day 3, dramatically
decreased at day 7, and not detectable at day 30 (please see Figure IX,
published online at http://atvb. ahajournals.org). Thus, the
expression of both genes was transient. In the combined gene transfer,
the 2 human mRNAs were expressed at almost equal levels at each time
point (please see Figure IX, published online at
http://atvb.ahajournals.org). No human Ang1 or VEGF mRNA was detected
in tissue samples from the distal ischemic hindlimb or sites
remote from the ischemic hindlimb, including the heart, lung,
liver, and semimembranous muscle of the contralateral limb (data not
shown).
| Discussion |
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The molecular and cellular effects of VEGF on endothelial cells are well known,5 18 whereas those of Ang1 are less well known. Ang1 has been identified as a ligand of the endothelial cellspecific Tie2 receptor.8 In vivo analyses by targeted gene inactivation have suggested that Ang1 recruits and sustains periendothelial support cells for vessel formation. In vitro experiments have shown that Ang1 has specific effects on endothelial cells: it potently induces chemotactic response,19 network formation,20 sprouting,13 21 and survival in apoptosis,20 22 but it does not have mitotic effects.8 23 The present data indicate that Ang1 is a potent factor for migration and sprouting in coronary endothelial cells and have confirmed its lack of mitotic effect. These observations are consistent with studies of Ang1 in other types of endothelial cells.13 19 21 23
To migrate and sprout in vivo, endothelial cells secrete proteinases to dissolve the adjacent extracellular matrix.24 One family of such proteinases is the MMPs. There are currently 20 known members of the MMPs. In addition, 4 members of the TIMPs have been identified to date.25 Vascular endothelial cells secrete mainly pro-MMP-2 and TIMP2.13 24 TIMP2 has a dual role in its interaction with pro-MMP2. Interaction of TIMP2 with pro-MMP-2 and membrane type MMP-1 facilitates cell surfacemediated activation, whereas interaction with active MMP-2 results in inhibition.25 Thus, an increase in the ratio of active MMP-2 to TIMP2 favors the degradation of matrix proteins to enhance vascularization. Our in vitro results indicate that Ang1 and VEGF increase pro-MMP-2 (but not active MMP-2) secretion and decrease TIMP2 secretion from coronary endothelial cells. However, our in vivo results indicate that Ang1 and VEGF produce increased vascularization through degradation of adjacent matrix proteins. Therefore, how Ang1 and VEGF are involved in increasing the ratio of active MMP-2 to TIMP2 in vivo will be examined in future studies.
The VEGF gene is already in the clinical trials for therapeutic vascularization,26 whereas the Ang1 gene is still being tested in animals.27 28 Consistent with previous reports,28 29 our results indicate that gene transfer of VEGF or Ang1 increased vascularization in the ischemic hindlimb of rabbits. Although the angiographic vessel count and capillary density after Ang1 gene transfer were less than that from VEGF gene transfer, the resting and maximal blood flows were similar between the 2 groups, possibly because thicker vessels formed in response to Ang1. Therefore, in future studies, we will examine the mechanism of how Ang1 produces new vessels in vivo. As we predicted, on the basis of the in vitro effects, our in vivo results indicated that combined gene transfer of Ang1 and VEGF produced more increased collateral circulation, resting and maximal blood flow, and capillary density. Therefore, for efficient and potent vascularization, the combined gene transfer of Ang1 and VEGF could be a valuable tool.
Although VEGF is known to be a powerful growth factor for therapeutic angiogenesis/vascularization in the ischemic hindlimb and myocardium, it has other activities that can increase the proliferation and permeability of capillary endothelial cells. These activities may produce unwanted side effects, such as tumor angiogenesis, vascular leakage, edema, and inflammation.7 30 Although Ang1 has no proliferative effect on endothelial cells, interestingly, transgenic overexpression or gene transfer of Ang1 increases vascularization.27 28 Furthermore, a recent report indicates that overexpression of VEGF in the skin produced leaky blood vessels, whereas overexpression of Ang1 produced nonleaky blood vessels.31 Importantly, the combined overexpression of Ang1 and VEGF had an additive effect on neovascularization but produced the leakage-resistant vessels typical of Ang1 overexpression.31 Moreover, systemic delivery of Ang1 by adenoviral gene delivery causes resistance to vascular leakage induced by mustard oil and VEGF in adult vessels.32 Thus, Ang1, in combination with VEGF, is a promising and safe candidate for therapeutic vascularization in the treatment of ischemic myocardium.
In summary, the present study provides further insight in the cellular mechanism of the 2 endothelial cellspecific growth factors, Ang1 and VEGF. In addition, our results indicate that a combination of Ang1 and VEGF could be better than either single growth factor for enhancing therapeutic vascularization in vivo.
| Acknowledgments |
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Received March 6, 2000; accepted August 25, 2000.
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