[Effect of mycophenolic acid and dexamethasone on the angiogenic activity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effect of mycophenolic acid (MPA), metabolite of mycophenolic mofetil (MMF) in human body, and dexamethasone (Dexa) on angiogenic activity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and the mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory function of these two immunosuppressants.


METHODS
A cell line of HUVEC was cultured in collagen gel. bFGF and VEGF were added to induce the angiogenesis. MPA and Dexa were added respectively. The capillary-like structure formation was observed by microscopy. Scratch wound closure assay was performed to measure their effect on the migration activity of HUVEC. The ability of proliferation of HUVEC was determined by (3H)TdR-incorporation assay. The number of cells attached to the wall was counted by microscopy to observe the adhesion ability of HUVEC.


RESULTS
MPA and Dexa, especially the former, inhibited the angiogenesis of HUVEC in vitro. MPA inhibited the migration and proliferation ability of HUVEC significantly, and Dexa did not show similar effect. Both of the two immunosuppressants could not inhibit the adhesion function of HUVEC.


CONCLUSIONS
MPA and Dexa, especially the former, inhibit the angiogenic ability of endothelium. This effect might explain the effect of MMF in the treatment of diseases with immune mediated vasculitis.
Huang
H
H
Nanjing University School of Medicine, Research Institute of Nephrology, Nanjing 210002, China.
Liu
Z
Z
Liu
H
H
D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000166:cytology
D003907:Dexamethasone; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid