title: Inhibition of the vascular endothelial cell (VE)-specific adhesion molecule VE-cadherin blocks gonadotropin-dependent folliculogenesis and corpus luteum formation and angiogenesis.
abstract: Although it has been previously demonstrated that administration of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-2 antibodies to hypophysectomized (Hx) mice during gonadotropin-stimulated folliculogenesis and luteogenesis inhibits angiogenesis in the developing follicle and corpus luteum (CL), it is unclear which of the many components of VEGF inhibition are important for the inhibitory effects on ovarian angiogenesis. To examine whether ovarian angiogenesis can be more specifically targeted, we administered an antibody to VE-cadherin (VE-C), an interendothelial adhesion molecule, to Hx mice during gonadotropin stimulation. In tumor models and in vivo and in vitro assays, the anti-VE-C antibody E4G10 has been shown to specifically inhibit angiogenesis, but VE-C has yet to be inhibited in the context of ovarian angiogenesis. In addition to studying the effect on neovascularization in the follicular and luteal phases, we also examined the effect of E4G10 on established vessels of the CL of pregnancy. The results demonstrate that E4G10 specifically blocks neovascularization in the follicular and luteal phases, causing an inhibition of preovulatory follicle and CL development, a decrease in the vascular area, and an inhibition of function demonstrated by reduced hormone levels. However, when administered during pregnancy, unlike anti-VEGF receptor-2 antibody, E4G10 is unable to cause disruption of the established vessels of the mature CL. These data demonstrate that E4G10 causes a specific inhibition of neovascularization in the ovary without destabilizing preexisting vasculature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, PH-16, 630 West 168th Street, New York, New York 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Gary S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Nakhuda
authors.forename: Ralf C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bohlen
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Mark V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Sauer
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kitajewski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000378:metabolism*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D009929:Organ Size; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000378:metabolism; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal; D013997:Time Factors; D014599:Uterus / Q000473:pathology; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D000099152:Cadherin 5
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D015820:Cadherins; D006062:Gonadotropins; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2; D000099152:Cadherin 5