An inhibitory role of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-signaling pathway in vascular endothelial growth factor-induced tissue factor expression.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is not only essential for vasculogenesis and angiogenesis but is also capable of inducing tissue factor, the prime initiator of coagulation, in endothelial cells. In this study we have analyzed the VEGF-elicited pathways involved in the induction of tissue factor in human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells. Using specific low molecular weight inhibitors we could demonstrate a crucial role of the p38 and Erk-1/2 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. In contrast, treatment with wortmannin or LY294002, inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3)-kinase, resulted in a strong enhancement of the VEGF-induced tissue factor production, indicating a negative regulatory role of the PI3-kinase on tissue factor-inducing pathways. Accordingly, transduction with constitutively active Akt led to a reduction of VEGF-induced tissue factor production. Western blot analyses using antibodies specific for phosphorylated p38 showed an enhanced activation of this MAP kinase in human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells when stimulated with VEGF in the presence of wortmannin in comparison to either agent alone. Thus, the negative regulation of the PI3-kinase pathway on endothelial tissue factor activity can be explained at least in part by a suppression of this MAP kinase-signaling pathway. This is the first demonstration of a reciprocal relationship between procoagulant activity and the PI3-kinase-Akt signaling pathway, and it reveals a novel mechanism by which tissue factor expression can be controlled in endothelial cells.
Blum
S
S
Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute for Physiological and Clinical Research, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany.
Issbrüker
K
K
Willuweit
A
A
Hehlgans
S
S
Lucerna
M
M
Mechtcheriakova
D
D
Walsh
K
K
von der Ahe
D
D
Hofer
E
E
Clauss
M
M
D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000494:pharmacology; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002469:Cell Separation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002867:Chromones / Q000494:pharmacology; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000201:enzymology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000502:physiology; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D009025:Morpholines / Q000494:pharmacology; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013925:Thromboplastin / Q000378:metabolism*; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000201:enzymology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D000077191:Wortmannin; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
D000730:Androstadienes; D002867:Chromones; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D008222:Lymphokines; D009025:Morpholines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; C085911:2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one; D013925:Thromboplastin; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D000077191:Wortmannin