title: Abrogation of TGF-beta by antisense oligonucleotides modulates expression of VEGF and increases angiogenic potential in isolated fibroblasts from radiated skin.
abstract: The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) has been identified as an important component of wound healing. Recent developments in molecular therapy offer good prospects for the modulation of wound healing, specifically those targeting TGF-beta. The aim 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 in fibroblasts isolated from radiation-induced chronic dermal wounds. The expression of angiogenic VEGF in tissue samples from radiation-induced chronic dermal wounds was investigated by immunohistochemistry and microarray technique. The effect of TGF-beta targeting using antisense oligonucleotides on the expression of VEGF in isolated fibroblasts was analyzed by ELISA and multiplex RT-PCR. Human endothelial cells (ECs) were grown in conditioned medium produced from the treated fibroblasts. EC migration was measured using a modified Boyden chamber; EC tube formation was analyzed under a light microscope. Immunohistochemical investigation and microarray analysis demonstrated a decreased expression of VEGF protein and mRNA in tissue samples from radiation-induced chronic dermal wounds compared to normal human skin. Antisense TGF-beta oligonucleotide treatment significantly up-regulated VEGF secretion in vitro. Addition of conditioned medium from TGF-beta antisense-treated fibroblasts resulted in an increase in EC cell migration and tube formation. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that TGF-beta antisense oligonucleotide technology may be a potential therapeutic option for stimulation of angiogenesis in radiation-induced dermal wounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Heidelberg, D-67071 Ludwigshafen, Germany. k_riedel1@gmx.de
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Riedel
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Koellensperger
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ryssel
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Riedel
authors.forename: U R
authors.initials: UR
authors.lastname: Goessler
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Germann
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kremer
mesh_terms: D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D002469:Cell Separation; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D016207:Cytokines; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A