Loxosceles deserta spider venom induces the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in keratinocytes.
Evenomation by arachnids of the genus Loxosceles frequently results in disfiguring necrotic skin lesions. The cellular and molecular mechanisms which contribute to lesion development are incompletely defined but appear to involve participation of several pro-inflammatory mediators. We have recently observed that Loxosceles deserta venom induces the production of chemokines in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human pulmonary epithelial cells. In the present study we observed that Loxosceles deserta venom induces the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human keratinocytes but little in smooth muscle cells and none in pulmonary epithelial cells. A potent endothelial cell-specific mitogen, VEGF induces angiogenesis and vascular permeability in vivo. RNase protection assay data indicate that VEGF mRNA concentrations in keratinocytes are significantly increased at 2 h following venom exposure. These data suggest that keratinocyte-derived VEGF may contribute to the vasodilation, edema and erythema which occur following Loxosceles evenomation.
Desai
A
A
Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor 48109-0602, USA.
Lankford
H A
HA
Warren
J S
JS
D001011:Aorta / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013111:Spider Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D007375:Interleukin-1; D008222:Lymphokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013111:Spider Venoms; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; C055161:loxosceles venom; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases