Sushi repeat protein X-linked 2, a novel mediator of angiogenesis.
On appropriate stimuli, quiescent endothelial cells start to proliferate and form de novo blood vessels through angiogenesis. To further define molecular mechanisms accompanying the activation of endothelial cells during angiogenesis, we identified genes that were differentially regulated during this process using microarray analyses. In this work, we established a regulatory role for Sushi repeat protein X-linked 2 (Srpx2) in endothelial cell remodeling during angiogenesis. In particular, silencing of Srpx2 using small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) specifically attenuated endothelial cell migration and delayed angiogenic sprout formation. In vivo, Srpx2 expression was detected in de novo formation of blood vessels in angiogenic tissues by in situ mRNA hybridization and immunostaining. Pulldown experiments identified Srpx2 as a ligand for vascular uPAR, a key molecule involved in invasive migration of angiogenic endothelium. Immunostaining revealed coexpression of the Srpx2 and uPAR on vascular endothelium. These findings suggest that Srpx2 regulates endothelial cell migration and tube formation and provides a new target for modulating angiogenesis.
Miljkovic-Licina
Marijana
M
Department of Pathology and Immunology, Centre Médical Universitaire, Rue Michel-Servet 1, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland.
Hammel
Philippe
P
Garrido-Urbani
Sarah
S
Bradfield
Paul F
PF
Szepetowski
Pierre
P
Imhof
Beat A
BA
D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D020868:Gene Silencing; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D040081:Protein Array Analysis; D055293:Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator / Q000378:metabolism
D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D055293:Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator; C116881:SRPX2 protein, human