title: Effect of benzo[a]pyrene on the production of vascular endothelial growth factor by human eosinophilic leukemia EoL-1 cells.
abstract: Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) has been shown to affect both the development and response of T and B cells in the immune system. However, the effect of BaP on other immune cells, such as eosionophils, is unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of BaP on the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) using an in vitro eosinophilic EoL-1 cell and human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) co-culture system. EoL-1-conditioned medium was found to promote the growth of HUVEC in a time-dependent manner. The growth stimulating activity was due to the production of VEGF by the EoL-1 cells. The production of VEGF was correlated with the enhanced expression of the phosphorylated form of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (p-ERKs) and the upregulated expression of VEGF mRNA. Furthermore, BaP-induced expression of VEGF mRNA was reduced by the ERK inhibitor PD98059. Results from this study suggested that BaP might affect the growth of endothelial cells through the modulation of VEGF production by eosinophils.
authors: Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University.
authors: Jie
authors: J
authors: Gu
authors: Lai-Sheung
authors: LS
authors: Chan
authors: Chris Kong-Chu
authors: CK
authors: Wong
authors: Ngok-Shun
authors: NS
authors: Wong
authors: Chun-Kwok
authors: CK
authors: Wong
authors: Kok-Nam
authors: KN
authors: Leung
authors: Naiki K
authors: NK
authors: Mak
mesh_terms: D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D017681:Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / Q000473:pathology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D005419:Flavonoids; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; C093973:2-(2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one