Angiopoietin-2 stimulates migration of endothelial progenitors and their interaction with endothelium.
The factors controlling recruitment of endogenous and transplanted endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) to areas of neovascularization are largely unknown. In this study, we have examined the possibility that EPC migration and adhesion could be regulated by angiopoietin-2 (Ang2), a soluble ligand expressed by endothelial cells at sites of vessel remodelling and angiogenesis. We show for the first time that Ang2 causes a marked stimulation of EPC migration. This was specific for EPC as the ligand failed to affect endothelial cell migration. Ang2-stimulated EPC migration was inhibited by soluble Tie2 ectodomain. Furthermore, the ligand stimulated adhesion between EPC and endothelial monolayers.
Gill
Kathryn A
KA
Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, RKCSB, P.O. Box 65, Leicester LE2 7LX, UK.
Brindle
Nicholas P J
NP
D042702:Angiopoietin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D042702:Angiopoietin-2