Early signaling by vascular endothelial growth factor and placental growth factor in human bone marrow-derived endothelial cells is mediated by superoxide.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the role of superoxide O(2)(-) during the initiation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)- and placental growth factor (PlGF)-mediated signal transduction in bone marrow-derived endothelial cells.


METHODS
BMhTERT cells were treated with VEGF or PlGF in the presence or absence of antioxidants. The signaling pathways downstream were analyzed by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting. Superoxide and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using Superluminol or 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein fluorescence measurements.


RESULTS
We show here that VEGF and PlGF generate extracellular and intracellular O(2)(-) that regulates their downstream signaling transduction pathways. Indeed, the extracellular O(2)(-) generated treatment of endothelial cells (using hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase) was sufficient to initiate receptor phosphorylation of VEGF receptor 2. The PlGF treatment of endothelial cells increased the generation of intracellular ROS in an extracellular O(2)(-) dependent manner. Quenching of intracellular ROS by resveratrol inhibits PlGF- and VEGF-dependent induction of MAP kinase phosphorylation. Additionally, we found that the interaction of VEGF and PlGF with their specific receptors generates O(2)(-) in a cell-free system. Endothelial cells treated with VEGF stop proliferation in the presence of extracellular catalase, superoxide dismutase or peroxiredoxin IV.


CONCLUSIONS
Our studies underscore the role of O(2)(-) as a critical regulator of VEGF and PlGF signal transduction initiation in endothelial cells.
Dhar-Mascareno
Manya
M
Department of Biological Sciences, SUNY College at Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA. mascarenom@oldwestbury.edu
Mascareno
Eduardo
E
Golde
David W
DW
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D047468:Immunoprecipitation; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D010766:Phosphorylation; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D014162:Transfection; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; C000608036:PGF protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D013481:Superoxides; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases