The Foxc2 transcription factor regulates angiogenesis via induction of integrin beta3 expression.
Forkhead transcription factor Foxc2 is an essential regulator of the cardiovascular system in development and disease. However, the cellular and molecular functions of Foxc2 in vascular endothelial cells are still not fully understood. Here, through gene expression profiling in endothelial cells, we identified molecules associated with cell-extracellular matrix interactions, integrin beta3 (Itgb3), integrin beta5 (Itgb5), and fibronectin, as downstream targets of Foxc2. We found that Itgb3 expression is directly regulated by Foxc2 through multiple Forkhead-binding elements within two high homology regions in the Itgb3 promoter. Because Itgb3 is known to regulate angiogenesis, we further tested whether Foxc2 is directly involved in angiogenesis by regulating Itgb3 expression by in vitro experiments. Overexpression of Foxc2 significantly enhanced endothelial cell migration and adhesion, whereas this effect was strongly inhibited by Itgb3 neutralization antibody. In accordance with these results, pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells isolated from Foxc2 heterozygous mutant mice showed a marked reduction in Itgb3 expression and cell migration. Finally, ex vivo aortic ring assay to test the sprouting and microvessel formation revealed enhanced microvessel outgrowth by Foxc2 overexpression. Conversely, microvessel outgrowth from aortas of Foxc2 heterozygous mutant mice was reduced. Taken together, these results suggest that Foxc2 directly induces Itgb3 expression and regulates angiogenesis by Itgb3-mediated endothelial cell adhesion and migration.
Hayashi
Hisaki
H
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2220 Pierce Avenue, Nashville, TN 37232-6300, USA.
Sano
Hideto
H
Seo
Seungwoon
S
Kume
Tsutomu
T
D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D002460:Cell Line; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D039641:Integrin beta Chains / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D039661:Integrin beta3 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008168:Lung / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D020218:Response Elements / Q000502:physiology*
D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D039641:Integrin beta Chains; D039661:Integrin beta3; C084344:integrin beta5; C082078:mesenchyme fork head 1 protein