Lipoprotein (a) induces angiogenesis on the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane.
BACKGROUND
Both lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] and angiogenesis have been shown to be associated with initiation and progression of atherosclerotic plaque. Lp(a) and two neutralizing anti-Lp(a) antibodies were investigated for their capacity to affect the vasoproliferative processes of the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), a useful model for such an investigation.


METHODS
Gelatin sponges loaded with Lp(a) alone or together with anti-Lp(a) antibodies, or with vehicle alone, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), were implanted in vivo onto the CAM at incubation day 8. Four days later, sponges and the adjacent CAM tissues were assessed for the extent of angiogenesis in terms of microvessel counts.


RESULTS
Lp(a)-loaded sponges gave significantly higher counts than those loaded with the LP(a)-anti-Lp(a) antibodies complex, which overlapped those treated with PBS. The angiogenic response was similar to that obtained with basic fibroblast growth factor, a well known angiogenic molecule.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that Lp(a) is capable of inducing angiogenesis in vivo, which might account for its ability to enhance and support atherosclerosis.
Ribatti
D
D
University of Bari Medical School, Italy.
Vacca
A
A
Giacchetta
F
F
Cesaretti
S
S
Anichini
M
M
Roncali
L
L
Damacco
F
F
D000482:Allantois / Q000098:blood supply*; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis; D002642:Chick Embryo; D002823:Chorion / Q000098:blood supply*; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000494:pharmacology; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000503:physiopathology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2