Iron induces Bcl-2 expression in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells.
Iron is suspected to be involved in the induction and/or progression of various human tumors. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of iron on endothelial cells, keeping in mind that the homeostasis of microvessels plays a critical role in neo-angiogenesis. Applying a model of human dermal microvascular endothelial cell terminal differentiation and death induced by serum deprivation, we found that iron salts (iron chloride and ferric nitrilotriacetate) provided a survival advantage to endothelial cells. Using immunohistochemistry and Western Blot analysis, we found that the extended cellular life span induced by iron was paralleled by an increase of Bcl-2 protein expression. Taken together, these observations suggest that iron may give a survival advantage to endothelial cells and represent a novel mechanism through which iron may contribute to tumorigenesis.
Department of Dermatology; Erasme University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium. simonart@erasme.ulb.ac.be
T
T
Simonart
C
C
Degraef
P
P
Stordeur
J C
JC
Noel
R
R
Mosselmans
J P
JP
Van Vooren
D
D
Parent
J R
JR
Boelaert
M
M
Heenen
P
P
Galand
D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000166:cytology; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000166:cytology
D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D007501:Iron