Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression during arterial repair in the pig.
OBJECTIVE
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is reported to be a potent and specific mitogen for endothelial cells (EC) and an inducer of angiogenesis in vivo. Originally called vascular permeability factor (VPF), VEGF also increases permeability of microvessels to circulating macromolecules. The aim of this study was to examine whether the VEGF gene was expressed in porcine arteries following denudation of EC.


METHODS
Experimental animal model with mechanical injury to large arteries.


METHODS
The right iliac artery of juvenile pigs was de-endothelialised using an inflated balloon catheter. At a number of time-points after injury, these arteries were harvested together with uninjured contralateral arteries. Sections of arteries were used for RNA analysis by Northern blots and for protein localisation studies by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
Two VEGF transcripts (2.0 kb, 4.5 kb) were markedly elevated in pig arteries soon after injury. Newly synthesised VEGF protein was located in smooth muscle cells (SMC) throughout the media of injured arteries.


CONCLUSIONS
The elevated expression of VEGF by SMC in denuded porcine arteries is evidence that this cytokine plays a role in the injury response of large arteries. Since several biological activities have been identified for VEGF, the function of this cytokine in the arterial repair process remains to be determined.
Wysocki
S J
SJ
University Department of Surgery, Fremantle Hospital, Western Australia.
Zheng
M H
MH
Smith
A
A
Norman
P E
PE
D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002199:Capillary Permeability; D002404:Catheterization; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology; D005453:Fluorescence; D015870:Gene Expression; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D013552:Swine; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors