title: Effects of basic fibroblast growth factor on endothelial cells under conditions of simulated microgravity.
abstract: Fibroblast growth factors interact with appropriate endothelial cell (EC) surface receptors and initiate intracellular signal cascades, which participate in modulating blood vessel growth. EC, upon exposure to basic fibroblast growth factors (bFGFs) undergo profound functional alterations, which depend on their actual sensitivity and involve gene expression and de novo protein synthesis. We investigated the effects of bFGF on signaling pathways of EA.hy926 cells in different environments. EC were cultured under normal gravity (1 g) and simulated microgravity (micro g) using a three-dimensional (3D) clinostat. Microgravity induced early and late apoptosis, extracellular matrix proteins, endothelin-1 (ET-1) and TGF-beta(1) expression. Microgravity reduced eNOS mRNA within 24 h. Moreover, a six- to eightfold higher amount of IL-6 and IL-8 was secreted within 24 h micro g. In addition, microgravity induced a duplication of NF-kappaB p50, while p65 was quadrupled. At 1 g, bFGF application (4 h) reduced ET-1, TGF-beta(1) and eNOS gene expression. After 24 h, bFGF enhanced fibronectin, VEGF, Flk-1, Flt-1, the release of IL-6, IL-8, and TGF-beta(1). Furthermore, bFGF promoted apoptosis, reduced NFkB p50, but enhanced NFkB p65. After 4 h micro g, bFGF decreased TGF-beta(1), eNOS, and ET-1 gene expression. After 24 h micro g, bFGF elevated fibronectin, Flk-1 and Flt-1 protein, and reduced IL-6 and IL-8 compared with vehicle treated micro g cultures. In micro g, bFGF enhanced NF-KappaB p50 by 50%, Bax by 25% and attenuated p65, activation of caspase-3 and annexin V-positive cells. bFGF differently changes intracellular signals in ECs depending whether it is applied under microgravity or normal gravity conditions. In microgravity, bFGF contributes to protect the EC from apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, CBF/CCM, Center of Space Medicine, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ulbrich
authors.forename: Kriss
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Westphal
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baatout
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wehland
authors.forename: Johann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: Burkhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Flick
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Infanger
authors.forename: Reinhold
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kreutz
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vadrucci
authors.forename: Marcel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Egli
authors.forename: Augusto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cogoli
authors.forename: Hanane
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Derradji
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pietsch
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grimm
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D052002:NF-kappa B p50 Subunit; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA; D014893:Weightlessness / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D052002:NF-kappa B p50 Subunit; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III