Expression and modulation of homeobox genes from cluster B in endothelial cells.
Angiogenesis is a complex phenomenon likely to be under the strict control of a group of transcription factor(s). Homeobox (HOX)-containing proteins have been identified as regulators controlling the coordinated expression of genes involved in organ development and tissue differentiation. In this study, we have demonstrated that human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) express 8 of the 10 HOX genes contained in cluster B. Treatment of HUVEC with tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), an agent known to induce morphologic changes in endothelial cells, or vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF), a proliferative and angiogenesis inducer, results in a specific time-dependent modulation of the eight HOX genes identified. Interestingly, neither basic fibroblast growth factor, an endothelial proliferative agent, nor TNP-470, a fumagillin derivative with potent antiendothelial cell proliferation properties, affected expression of these HOX genes. Specific modulation of HOX genes by differentiating agents but not by proliferative or antiproliferative molecules suggests that they could be involved in the control of the genetic program that coordinates the construction of new blood vessels.
Belotti
D
D
Metastasis Research Laboratory, University of Liege, Belgium.
Clausse
N
N
Flagiello
D
D
Alami
Y
Y
Daukandt
M
M
Deroanne
C
C
Malfoy
B
B
Boncinelli
E
E
Faiella
A
A
Castronovo
V
V
D001483:Base Sequence; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D003510:Cyclohexanes; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000494:pharmacology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D000077609:O-(Chloroacetylcarbamoyl)fumagillol; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000494:pharmacology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D014470:Umbilical Cord; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D003510:Cyclohexanes; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; D000077609:O-(Chloroacetylcarbamoyl)fumagillol