Distinctive localization and opposed roles of vasohibin-1 and vasohibin-2 in the regulation of angiogenesis

Blood. 2009 May 7;113(19):4810-8. doi: 10.1182/blood-2008-07-170316. Epub 2009 Feb 9.

Abstract

We recently isolated a novel angiogenesis inhibitor, vasohibin-1, and its homologue, vasohibin-2. In this study we characterize the role of these 2 molecules in the regulation of angiogenesis. In a mouse model of subcutaneous angiogenesis, the expression of endogenous vasohibin-1 was low in proliferating ECs at the sprouting front but high in nonproliferating endothelial cells (ECs) in the termination zone. In contrast, endogenous vasohibin-2 was preferentially expressed in mononuclear cells mobilized from bone marrow that infiltrated the sprouting front. When applied exogenously, vasohibin-1 inhibited angiogenesis at the sprouting front where endogenous vasohibin-1 was scarce but did not influence vascularity in the termination zone where endogenous vasohibin-1 was enriched. Exogenous vasohibin-2 prevented the termination of angiogenesis in the termination zone and increased vascularity in this region. Angiogenesis was persistent in the termination zone in the vasohibin-1 knockout mice, whereas angiogenesis was deficient at the sprouting front in the vasohibin-2 knockout mice. Supplementation of deficient proteins normalized the abnormal patterns of angiogenesis in the vasohibin knockout mice. These results indicate that vasohibin-1 is expressed in ECs in the termination zone to halt angiogenesis, whereas vasohibin-2 is expressed in infiltrating mononuclear cells in the sprouting front to promote angiogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / genetics
  • Animals
  • Blotting, Northern
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / physiology*
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic*
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Skin / blood supply*
  • Skin / cytology
  • Skin / metabolism

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • VASH1 protein, human
  • Vash1 protein, mouse