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ABSTRACT: Simvastatin (SIM), a drug commonly administered for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, has been recently reported to induce bone regeneration/formation. In this study, we investigated the properties of hydrogel composed of gelatin-poly(ethylene glycol)-tyramine (GPT) as an efficient SIM delivery vehicle that can trigger osteogenic differentiation. Sustained delivery of SIM was achieved through its encapsulation in an injectable, biodegradable GPT-hydrogel. Cross-linking of the gelatin-based GPT-hydrogel was induced by the reaction of horse radish peroxidase and H(2)O(2). GPT-hydrogels of three different matrix stiffness, 1,800 (GPT-hydrogel1), 5,800 (GPT-hydrogel2), and 8,400 Pa (GPT-hydrogel3) were used. The gelation/degradation time and SIM release profiles of hydrogels loaded with two different concentrations of SIM, 1 and 3 mg/ml, were also evaluated. Maximum swelling times of GPT-hydrogel1, GPT-hydrogel2, and GPT-hydrogel3 were observed to be 6, 12, and 20 days, respectively. All GPT-hydrogels showed complete degradation within 55 days. The in vitro SIM release profiles, investigated in PBS buffer (pH 7.4) at 37°C, exhibited typical biphasic release patterns with the initial burst being more rapid with GPT-hydrogel1 compared with GPT-hydrogel3. Substantial increase in matrix metalloproteinase-13, osteocalcin expression levels, and mineralization were seen in osteogenic differentiation system using MC3T3-E1 cells cultured with GPT-hydrogels loaded with SIM in a dose-dependent manner. This study demonstrated that controlled release of SIM from a biodegradable, injectable GPT-hydrogel had a promising role for long-term treatment of chronic degenerative diseases such as disc degenerative disease.
The AAPS Journal 12/2012; · 5.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Ongoing research has gradually recognized and understood the importance of adipose tissue (AT) angiogenesis as a key modulating factor of adipogenesis in the development of obesity. Previously, we carried out the first in vitro demonstration of the down-regulation of hypoxic angiogenesis during adipogenesis using cell-permeable chemical conjugates composed of antisense hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) oligonucleotide (ASO) and low-molecular weight protamine (LMWP). To further confirm the in vivo feasibility, we administered ASO-LMWP conjugates (AL) to diet-induced obese (DIO) mice by intraperitoneal injection (IP). Results showed that the AL conjugates significantly reduced the body weight, total fat tissue weight, and plasma lipid concentrations in the mice. Moreover, the AL conjugates not only decreased liver weight and hepatic triglyceride concentration but also significantly attenuated subcutaneous adipocyte cell size, which was conversely increased in the AL-untreated high-fat diet (HFD) group. Interestingly, more blood vessels were observed in the HFD group than in the lean group, indicating that blood vessel development could induce growth of the fat mass. This pattern was reversed in the AL-treated groups, which displayed a decrease in blood vessel density compared to the AL-untreated HFD group. This study presents the first in vivo evidence, in an obese mouse model, of the feasibility of achieving a biological treatment modality for obesity by blocking the angiogenic transcriptional factor HIF1α, thereby limiting angiogenesis, via the use of an adipose tissue-permeable ASO-LMWP.
Journal of Controlled Release 04/2012; 161(1):1-9. · 5.73 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Macromolecules present a remarkable potential as future therapeutics. However, their translation into clinical practice has been hampered by an inherently low bioavailability. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPP) have been recently shown to significantly improve on the bioavailability of macromolecules. Yet, the high cost associated with development and production of these peptides is a major factor hindering their rapid deployment beyond the laboratory. Here, we describe a facile and robust methodology for efficient and large-scale production of low-molecular-weight protamine-a potent CPP of great clinical potential. Our methodology is based on the immobilization of thermolysin, an enzyme catalyzing digestion of native protamine, on chemically surface-modified gels produced by silica sol-gel chemistry. Thermolysin was immobilized at extremely high matrix loading of 733 mg/g matrix and exhibited good thermal and pH stability, indicating robustness with respect to processing conditions. The mechanical properties of the silica matrix further allowed utilization of the immobilized thermolysin in both batch and packed-bed reactor systems to produce the LMWP peptide in high yields. Results presented here are of high significance as this efficient and cost-effective production of high purity LMWP could enable clinical translation of many potential macromolecular drugs.
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A 01/2012; 100(1):211-9. · 2.63 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) continue to draw considerable attention as potential diagnostic and therapeutic tools in the fight against cancer. Although many interacting forces present themselves during magnetic targeting of MNP to tumors, most theoretical considerations of this process ignore all except for the magnetic and drag forces. Our validation of a simple in vitro model against in vivo data, and subsequent reproduction of the in vitro results with a theoretical model indicated that these two forces do indeed dominate the magnetic capture of MNP. However, because nanoparticles can be subject to aggregation, and large MNP experience an increased magnetic force, the effects of surface forces on MNP stability cannot be ignored. We accounted for the aggregating surface forces simply by measuring the size of MNP retained from flow by magnetic fields, and utilized this size in the mathematical model. This presumably accounted for all particle-particle interactions, including those between magnetic dipoles. Thus, our "corrected" mathematical model provided a reasonable estimate of not only fractional MNP retention, but also predicted the regions of accumulation in a simulated capillary. Furthermore, the model was also utilized to calculate the effects of MNP size and spatial location, relative to the magnet, on targeting of MNPs to tumors. This combination of an in vitro model with a theoretical model could potentially assist with parametric evaluations of magnetic targeting, and enable rapid enhancement and optimization of magnetic targeting methodologies.
Journal of Controlled Release 02/2011; 152(1):67-75. · 5.73 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Statin is a specific inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, a rate-limiting enzyme involved in the cholesterol synthesis pathway. In addition to their long-known efficacy for lowering cholesterol, statins have also been reported to possess anabolic effects on bone. Simvastatin is reported to increase cancellous bone volume, bone formation rate, and cancellous bone compressive strength in vivo.
In this report, the effects of simvastatin on osteoprecursor cells were evaluated. The effect on cell viability was determined by MTT assay, whereas differentiation and mineralization were examined using an alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) test and alizarin red-S staining. Protein expressions related to bone formation, such as estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-α) and beta (ER-β), were evaluated by using a Western blot analysis. To assess whether the osteoinductive effect of simvastatin occurs via estrogen receptor pathway, estrogen receptor agonist (E2) and antagonists (ICI 182,780) were applied to the cultures.
Cultures grown in the presence of simvastatin exhibited an increased value for ALP activity and mineralization. The results of the Western blot analysis indicated that the addition of simvastatin up-regulated ER-α and ER-β expression with a statistically significant difference in ER-α expression. Treatment of E2 led to an increase of the ALP activity and mineralization, but addition of the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780 revealed a decrease in both values.
Based on these findings, it was concluded that simvastatin could produce positive effects on both the differentiation and mineralization of osteoprecursor cells. Our results also suggested that osteoinductive effects of simvastatin were achieved through ER pathway via the increase of ER-α expression.
Journal of Surgical Research 01/2011; 174(2):278-83. · 2.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: An interesting nanoscale interfacial phenomenon mediated by gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) was found, in that co-administration with Au-NPs enables percutaneous delivery of protein drugs. The Au-NPs with a mean size of 5 nm were revealed to be skin permeable, presumably due to the nano-bio interaction with skin lipids and the consequent induction of transient and reversible openings on the stratum corneum. Importantly, when simultaneously applied with Au-NPs, the protein drugs were also granted the ability to penetrate the skin barrier and migrate into the deep layers. This indicated that co-administration with the skin-permeable Au-NPs could mediate proteins across the skin barrier. Such co-delivery effect highlights a simple yet effective method for overcoming the skin barrier for percutaneous protein drug delivery. Employing this method, a non-invasive vaccine delivery strategy was developed, and by topically co-administrating antigens with Au-NPs, robust immune responses were elicited in the tested animals. The results provide the promise for achieving a needleless and self-administrable transcutaneous vaccination.
Biomaterials 12/2010; 31(34):9086-91. · 7.40 Impact Factor
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Ji Yeon Kim,
Eun Hyun Song,
Hyun Jung Lee,
Yeo Kyoung Oh, Yoon Shin Park,
Joo-Won Park,
Bong Jo Kim,
Dae Jin Kim,
Inkyu Lee,
Jihyun Song,
Won-Ho Kim
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ABSTRACT: Chronic ethanol consumption is known as an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes, which is characterized by impaired glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance; however, there is a great deal of controversy concerning the relationships between alcohol consumption and the development of type 2 diabetes. We investigated the effects of chronic ethanol consumption on pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and whether generated peroxynitrite participates in the impaired glucose homeostasis. Here we show that chronic ethanol feeding decreases the ability of pancreatic β-cells to mediate insulin secretion and ATP production in coordination with the decrease of glucokinase, Glut2, and insulin expression. Specific blockade of ATF3 using siRNA or C-terminally deleted ATF3(ΔC) attenuated ethanol-induced pancreatic β-cell apoptosis or dysfunction and restored the down-regulation of glucokinase (GCK), insulin, and pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 induced by ethanol. GCK inactivation and down-regulation were predominantly mediated by ethanol metabolism-generated peroxynitrite, which were suppressed by the peroxynitrite scavengers N(γ)-monomethyl-L-arginine, uric acid, and deferoxamine but not by the S-nitrosylation inhibitor DTT, indicating that tyrosine nitration is the predominant modification associated with GCK down-regulation and inactivation rather than S-nitrosylation of cysteine. Tyrosine nitration of GCK prevented its association with pBad, and GCK translocation into the mitochondria results in subsequent proteasomal degradation of GCK following ubiquitination. This study identified a novel and efficient pathway by which chronic ethanol consumption may induce GCK down-regulation and inactivation by inducing tyrosine nitration of GCK, resulting in pancreatic β-cell apoptosis and dysfunction. Peroxynitrite-induced ATF3 may also serve as a potent upstream regulator of GCK down-regulation and β-cell apoptosis.
Journal of Biological Chemistry 11/2010; 285(48):37251-62. · 4.77 Impact Factor
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Ji Yeon Kim,
Eun Hyun Song,
Hyun Jung Lee,
Yeo Kyoung Oh, Yoon Shin Park,
Joo-Won Park,
Bong Jo Kim,
Dae Jin Kim,
Inkyu Lee,
Jihyun Song,
Won-Ho Kim
[show abstract]
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ABSTRACT: Chronic ethanol consumption is known as an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes, which is characterized by impaired
glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance; however, there is a great deal of controversy concerning the relationships between
alcohol consumption and the development of type 2 diabetes. We investigated the effects of chronic ethanol consumption on
pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and whether generated peroxynitrite participates in the impaired glucose homeostasis. Here we
show that chronic ethanol feeding decreases the ability of pancreatic β-cells to mediate insulin secretion and ATP production
in coordination with the decrease of glucokinase, Glut2, and insulin expression. Specific blockade of ATF3 using siRNA or
C-terminally deleted ATF3(ΔC) attenuated ethanol-induced pancreatic β-cell apoptosis or dysfunction and restored the down-regulation
of glucokinase (GCK), insulin, and pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 induced by ethanol. GCK inactivation and down-regulation
were predominantly mediated by ethanol metabolism-generated peroxynitrite, which were suppressed by the peroxynitrite scavengers
Nγ-monomethyl-l-arginine, uric acid, and deferoxamine but not by the S-nitrosylation inhibitor DTT, indicating that tyrosine nitration is the predominant modification associated with GCK down-regulation
and inactivation rather than S-nitrosylation of cysteine. Tyrosine nitration of GCK prevented its association with pBad, and GCK translocation into the
mitochondria results in subsequent proteasomal degradation of GCK following ubiquitination. This study identified a novel
and efficient pathway by which chronic ethanol consumption may induce GCK down-regulation and inactivation by inducing tyrosine
nitration of GCK, resulting in pancreatic β-cell apoptosis and dysfunction. Peroxynitrite-induced ATF3 may also serve as a
potent upstream regulator of GCK down-regulation and β-cell apoptosis.
Journal of Biological Chemistry 11/2010; 285(48):37251-37262. · 4.77 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In order to reduce systemic toxicity and effectively deliver macromolecular drug into tumor cells, a system termed "ATTEMPTS" (antibody targeted, [protamine] triggered, electrically modified prodrug-type strategy) was developed in our laboratory. This approach was adapted from our previously reported heparin/protamine-based system for controlled delivery of protease drugs such as tissue- specific plasminogen activator (tPA). In this "ATTEMPTS" system, the cell-permeable protein drugs are synthesized by conjugating proteins to cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs). Cell penetration ability of such CPP-protein conjugates would initially be disabled, acting as a "prodrug", by forming polyelectrolyte complexes with a functionalized heparin-antibody moiety. The complexes would accumulate in tumor sites by the antibody targeting function, and then the local release of CPP-protein conjugates would be triggered by protamine. We applied this system to the macromolecular anticancer agents, such as the protein drugs (gelonin and asparaginase) as well as the polymerdrugs (polyrotaxane-doxorubicin and polyrotaxane-camptothecin). Both in vitro and preliminary in vivo studies demonstrated the regulable cell penetration behavior based on the competitive ionic interactions between CPP/heparin and heparin/protamine. Thus, this ATTEMPTS approach provides a multi-functionalized system incorporating the features of targeting, prodrug-like, triggerable release, and cell penetration ability for the delivery of macromolecular anticancer agents. A summary of our work on "ATTEMPTS" is presented in this review.
Current pharmaceutical design 07/2010; 16(21):2369-76. · 4.41 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Hypoxia is a strong modulator of angiogenesis, accelerating adipose tissue expansion, suggesting that hypoxia inducible factor 1alpha (HIF1alpha) can be a novel target for anti-obesity. We conjugated antisense-HIF1alpha-oligonucleotide (ASO) with low molecular weight protamine (LMWP), a cell-penetrating peptide, to enhance its ability to block hypoxic-angiogenesis, thereby eliciting an anti-obesity effect. Nano-sized ASO-LMWP (AS-L) conjugates enhanced cellular uptake of ASO without yielding a cytotoxic effect and protected the ASO against enzymatic attack and chemical reduction. AS-L showed enhanced intra-cellular localization compared to naked ASO and the complex of ASO with lipofectamine during hypoxic-differentiation. Consequently AS-L induced significant down-regulation of leptin and VEGF gene expressions, thereby reducing fat accumulation in the cell. This proof-of-concept study shows that AS-L produces an inhibitory effect on adipogenesis and angiogenesis during differentiation, indicating LMWP mediated ASO delivery can potentially be a safe and promising treatment for obesity.
Journal of Controlled Release 05/2010; 144(1):82-90. · 5.73 Impact Factor
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Angewandte Chemie International Edition 03/2010; 49(15):2724-7. · 13.45 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) is known to have hematoprotective effects by increasing the quiescence of hematopoietic stem cells. However, it remains to be determined if the upregulation of Ang-1 and the subsequent increase in the quiescence of hematopoietic stem cells are also involved in the dexamethasone (Dex)-mediated bone marrow protection. Here Western blotting and flow cytometric analyses demonstrate that Dex increases the levels of Ang-1 in mouse bone marrow and the quiescence of hematopoietic stem cells. Our data for the first time suggest that the increased quiescence of hematopoietic stem cells provides a novel mechanism of Dex-induced hematoprotection.
FEBS Letters 10/2008; 582(23-24):3509-14. · 3.54 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the effect of Platycodon grandiflorum extract (PGE) on lipid metabolism and FABP mRNA expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue of high fat diet-induced obese rats.
PGE was treated to investigate the inhibitory effect on the pre-adipocyte 3T3-L1 differentiation and pancreatic lipase activity. Male Sprague-Dawley rats with an average weight of 439.03 +/- 7.61 g were divided into four groups: the control groups that fed an experimental diet alone (C and H group) and PGE treatment groups that administered PGE along with a control diet or HFD at a concentration of 150 mg/kg body weight (C + PGE and H + PGE group, respectively) for 7 wk. Plasma total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerol (TG) concentrations were measured from the tail vein of rats. Adipocyte cell area was measured from subcutaneous adipose tissue and the fatty acid binding protein (FABP) mRNA expression was analyzed by northern blot analysis.
PGE treatment inhibited 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte differentiation and fat accumulation, and also decreased pancreatic lipase activity. In this experiment, PGE significantly reduced plasma TC and TG concentrations as well as body weight and subcutaneous adipose tissue weight. PGE also significantly decreased the size of subcutaneous adipocytes. Furthermore, it significantly repressed the up-regulation of FABP mRNA expression induced by a high-fat feeding in subcutaneous adipose tissue.
PGE has a plasma lipid lowering-effect and anti-obesity effect in obese rats fed a high fat diet. From these results, we can suggest the possibility that PGE can be used as a food ingredient or drug component to therapeutically control obesity.
World Journal of Gastroenterology 08/2007; 13(25):3493-9. · 2.47 Impact Factor
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Hyun Jung Lee,
Yeo Kyoung Oh,
Marie Rhee,
Joong-Yeon Lim,
Ji-Young Hwang, Yoon Shin Park,
Yongil Kwon,
Kyung-Hee Choi,
Inho Jo,
Sang Ick Park,
Bin Gao,
Won-Ho Kim
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ABSTRACT: Previously, we demonstrated that signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 1 (STAT1) plays an essential role in liver injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/D-galactosamine (D-GalN); however, the underlying mechanism involved remains unclear. Here, we showed that LPS/D-GalN administration induced secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), which mediated apoptosis synergistically. Moreover, LPS/D-GalN-induced apoptosis was associated with increased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitric oxide (NO) production, as well as elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which were all strongly inhibited by treatment with the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and an iNOS/NO inhibitor, L-NMMA. Although STAT1 activation and expression did not change significantly in TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma-cotreated cells compared with cells treated with IFN-gamma alone, the absence of STAT1 or interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) in genetic knockout mice strongly abrogated the observed effects of TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma on iNOS/NO induction, ROS production, loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (DeltaPsim), and apoptosis compared with STAT1(+/+) and IRF-1(+/+) mice. Additionally, the synergistic effects of TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma on iNOS/NO induction, ROS production, and apoptosis were significantly inhibited by overexpression of dominant negative STAT1 in contrast to overexpression of wild-type STAT1. In STAT1-deficient mice, nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation by TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma was attenuated and strongly inhibited by both NAC and L-NMMA. Moreover, the proteasome inhibitor, MG132, inhibited NF-kappaB activation and strongly inhibited iNOS/NO induction, ROS production, and loss of DeltaPsim induced by TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma, thereby inhibiting apoptosis. Interestingly, it appears peroxynitrite, which is produced by TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma, may interfere with STAT1 phosphorylation by inducing STAT1 nitration. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma synergistically potentiates iNOS/NO induction, ROS production, and loss of DeltaPsim via STAT1 overexpression, playing an important role in promoting apoptosis and liver injury induced by LPS/D-GalN.
Journal of Molecular Biology 07/2007; 369(4):967-84. · 4.00 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Protein tyrosine nitration is one of the important regulatory mechanisms in various cellular phenomena such as cell adhesion, endo/exo-cytosis of cellular materials, and signal transduction. In the present study, electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) with a linear ion-trap mass spectrometer was applied for identification of nitrated proteins and localization of the modified tyrosine residues. When angiotensin II(DRVYIHPF) was nitrated in vitro with tetranitromethane (TNM), the mass spectrum showed a shift of +45 Da which corresponded to tyrosine nitration. An additional +29 Da mass shift was also detected by ESI-MS. This differed from nitrated peptide analysis with matrix-associated laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), which showed oxygen neutral loss from the nitrated tyrosine residues upon laser irradiation. Hence the +29 Da mass shift of the nitrated peptide observed by ESI-MS suggested the introduction of an NO group for nitrosylation of tyrosine residues. To confirm this in vitro nitrosylation on the protein level, bovine serum albumin was in vitro nitrated with TNM and analyzed by ESI-MS/MS. As expected, +29 as well as +45 Da mass shifts were detected, and the +29 Da mass shift was found to correspond to the modification on tyrosine residues by NO. Although the chemical mechanism by which this occurs in ESI-MS is not clear, the +29 Da mass shift could be a new potential marker of nitrosylated peptides.
Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry 02/2007; 21(17):2797-804. · 2.79 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Bradykinin (BK) acutely increases endothelial nitric oxide (NO) production by activating endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), and this increase is in part correlated with enhanced phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of eNOS by several protein kinases and phosphatases. However, the signaling mechanisms producing this increase are still controversial. In an attempt to delineate the acute effect of BK on endothelial NO production, confluent bovine aortic endothelial cells were incubated with BK, and NO production was measured by NO-specific chemiluminescence. Significant increase in NO levels was detected as early as 1 min after BK treatment, with concomitant increase in the phosphorylation of Ser(1179) (bovine sequence) site of eNOS (eNOS-Ser(1179)). This acute effect of BK on both increases was blocked only by treatment of protein kinase A inhibitor H-89, but not by the inhibitors of calmodulin-dependent kinase II and protein kinase B, suggesting that the rapid increase in NO production by BK is mediated by the PKA-dependent phosphorylation of eNOS-Ser(1179).
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 08/2003; 306(4):981-7. · 2.48 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The angiopoietin/Tie2 system is a predominant regulator of vascular development. This vascular development appears to be controlled and completed by the coordinated actions of two vascular cells, endothelial cells and their surrounding supporting cells, smooth muscle cells, or pericytes. The role of the angiopoietin/Tie2 system has been studied, but these studies are limited mostly to endothelial cells. In this study, using bovine retinal pericytes (BRP), we investigated the effect of two known angiogenic stimuli, hypoxia and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment, on the regulation of the angiopoietin/Tie2 system. Hypoxia (2% O(2) concentration) was acquired by a hypoxia chamber. Both hypoxia and VEGF (10 ng/ml) treatment significantly increased angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) mRNA expression. This marked augmentation occurred acutely (maximal increase at 2 h) and subsequently decreased. In contrast, angiopoietin-2 (Ang2) mRNA expression was unaltered in BRP upon both treatment. Significant up-regulation of Tie2 mRNA expression was found and lasted up to 12 h. However, using bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC), we found that only Ang2 expression, but neither Ang1 nor Tie2, responded to these two angiogenic stimuli, which was consistent with many previous reports. In conclusion, our data suggest that both hypoxia and VEGF treatment differentially regulate the angiopoietin/Tie2 system in the two vascular cells and that, particularly in BRP, the regulation of Ang1, but not Ang2, and Tie2 expression may play an important role in vascular development.
Microvascular Research 04/2003; 65(2):125-31. · 2.83 Impact Factor