title: Evidence of a leading role for VEGF in Bartonella henselae-induced endothelial cell proliferations.
abstract: Bartonella henselae causes the vasculoproliferative disorders bacillary angiomatosis (BA) and bacillary peliosis (BP). The pathomechanisms of these tumorous proliferations are unknown. Our results suggest a novel bacterial two-step pathogenicity strategy, in which the pathogen triggers growth factor production for subsequent proliferation of its own host cells. In fact, B. henselae induces host cell production of the angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), leading to proliferation of endothelial cells. The presence of B. henselae pili was associated with host cell VEGF production, as a Pil- mutant of B. henselae was unable to induce VEGF production. In turn, VEGF-stimulated endothelial cells promoted the growth of B. henselae. Immunohistochemistry for VEGF in specimens from patients with BA or BP revealed increased VEGF expression in vivo. These findings suggest a novel bacteria-dependent mechanism of tumour growth.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Eberhard- Karls-Universität, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 6, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany. volkhard.kempf@med.uni-tuebingen.de
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Kempf
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Volkmann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schaller
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Sander
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Alitalo
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Riess
authors.forename: I B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Autenrieth
mesh_terms: D016917:Angiomatosis, Bacillary / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018416:Bartonella henselae / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D002455:Cell Division; D002460:Cell Line; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D010382:Peliosis Hepatis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
chemical_list: D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors