Author(s): YUE Fei, ZHANG Guo-Ping, JIN Hui-Ming
Pages: 124-128
Year: 2006 Issue:  2
Journal: ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA SINICA
Keyword:  basic fibroblast growth factor; microvascular endothelial cell; angiogenesis; cyclooxygenase;
Abstract: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the expressions of angiogenesis-related genes in a mouse brain microvascular endothelial cell line, namely bRnd.3, using cDNA microarray. The effects of bFGF (10 ng/ml) on mRNA and protein expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an angiogenesis bystander molecule, were further investigated. cDNA microarray was employed to study the effects of bFGF on the expressions of angiogenic genes in a high throughput pattern. RT-PCR was used to study the effect of bFGF on COX-2 mRNA expression. Western blot and immunocytochemistry were utilized to study the effect of bFGF on COX-2 protein expression. The results showed that, 2 h after bFGF treatment, pro-angiogenic genes (Adamtsl, MMP-9, Ang-1, PDGF B, G-CSF, FGF16, IGF-1, etc.) were significantly upregulated, whereas anti-angiogenic genes (TIMP-2, TSP-3, etc.) were significantly downregulated. The bystander molecule in angiogenic pathway COX-2 mRNA and protein expressions were significantly upregulated after bFGF treatment. It is suggested that triggering angiogensis switch through upregulating pro-angiogenic gene and downregulating anti-angiogenic gene expression is one of the major mechanisms of bFGF-induced angiogenesis.The expression change of COX-2, as a bystander molecule, was observed after bFGF treatment in bEnd.3 cells and the significance was discussed.