title: Tgf-beta antisense therapy increases angiogenic potential in human keratinocytes in vitro.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) has been identified as an important component of wound healing. Recent developments in molecular therapy offer exciting prospects for the modulation of wound healing, specifically those targeting TGF-beta. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of TGF-beta targeting on the expression of angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key regulator of angiogenesis, and in vitro angiogenic activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Expression of angiogenic VEGF in tissue samples from chronic dermal wounds was investigated by immunohistochemistry. The effect of TGF-beta targeting using antisense oligonucleotides on the expression of VEGF was analyzed by ELISA and RT-PCR in cultured human keratinocytes. Human endothelial cells (EC) were grown in conditioned medium produced from the treated keratinocytes. EC migration was measured using a modified Boyden chamber, EC tube formation was analyzed under the light microscope.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immunohistochemical investigation demonstrated a decreased expression of VEGF protein in tissue samples from chronic dermal wounds compared to normal human skin. Antisense TGF-beta oligonucleotide treatment upregulated VEGF secretion in vitro. Addition of conditioned medium from TGF-beta antisense-treated keratinocytes resulted in an increase of endothelial cell migration and tube formation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results demonstrate that TGF-beta antisense oligonucleotide technology may be a potential therapeutic option for stimulation of angiogenesis in chronic wounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center, BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, Plastic and Hand Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Ludwigshafen, Germany. k_riedel1@gmx.de
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Riedel
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Riedel
authors.forename: Ulrich R
authors.initials: UR
authors.lastname: Goessler
authors.forename: Günter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Germann
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sauerbier
mesh_terms: D002465:Cell Movement; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned / Q000494:pharmacology; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics; D015854:Up-Regulation; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A