Involvement of RhoA/Rho kinase signaling in VEGF-induced endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
Growth factor-induced angiogenesis involves migration of endothelial cells (ECs) into perivascular areas and requires active remodeling of the endothelial F-actin cytoskeleton. The small GTPase RhoA previously has been implicated in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced signaling pathways, but its role has not been clarified.


RESULTS
VEGF induced the activation of RhoA and recruited RhoA to the cell membrane of human ECs. This increase in RhoA activity is necessary for the VEGF-induced reorganization of the F-actin cytoskeleton, as demonstrated by adenoviral transfection of dominant-negative RhoA. Rho kinase mediated this effect of RhoA, as was demonstrated by the use of Y-27632, a specific inhibitor of Rho kinase. Inhibition of Rho kinase prevented the VEGF-enhanced EC migration in response to mechanical wounding but had no effect on basal EC migration. Furthermore, in an in vitro model for angiogenesis, inhibition of either RhoA or Rho kinase attenuated the VEGF-mediated ingrowth of ECs in a 3-dimensional fibrin matrix.


CONCLUSIONS
VEGF-induced cytoskeletal changes in ECs require RhoA and Rho kinase, and activation of RhoA/Rho kinase signaling is involved in the VEGF-induced in vitro EC migration and angiogenesis.
van Nieuw Amerongen
Geerten P
GP
Laboratory for Physiology, Institute for Cardiovascular Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Koolwijk
Pieter
P
Versteilen
Amanda
A
van Hinsbergh
Victor W M
VW
D000577:Amides / Q000494:pharmacology; D002196:Capillaries / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000502:physiology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005337:Fibrin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D010413:Penis / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / Q000502:physiology*
D000577:Amides; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008222:Lymphokines; D011725:Pyridines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; C108830:Y 27632; D005337:Fibrin; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein