Basic FGF and TGF-β differentially modulate integrin expression of human microvascular endothelial cells

• Published in: Experimental cell research Vol. 203; no. 2; pp. 499 - 503
• Main Authors: Enenstein, Judy, Waleh, Nahid S., Kramer, Randall H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Orlando, FL Elsevier Inc 01.12.1992; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cell physiology; Cells, Cultured; Endothelium, Vascular - drug effects; Endothelium, Vascular - metabolism; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 - pharmacology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Integrins - biosynthesis; Integrins - genetics; Molecular and cellular biology; Responses to growth factors, tumor promotors, other factors; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Transforming Growth Factor beta - pharmacology; Human; Cell proliferation; Binding protein; Fibroblast growth factor; Endothelial cell; Regulation(control); Integrin; Transforming growth factor; Gene expression; Growth factor
• ISSN: 0014-4827; 1090-2422
• DOI: 10.1016/0014-4827(92)90028-7

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) are known to alter the migratory and proliferative capacity of endothelial cells in vitro and to stimulate angiogenesis in vivo. One mechanism by which these cytokines induce their effects may be through the regulation of integrin adhesion receptor expression and activity. We examined the ability of these growth factors to modulate the expression of specific integrins in human microvascular endothelial cells (MEC). Immunoprecipitation of metabolically labeled MEC showed that bFGF upregulated the biosynthesis of α 2, α 5, β 1,and β 3. bFGF induced an increase in the levels of mRNA for α 2 and β 1. TGF-β increased synthesis of α 2, α 5, and β 1. These results suggest that bFGF and TGF-β selectively alter integrin profiles and influence interactions of MEC with the extracellular matrix during neovascularization. In particular, the upregulation of the collagen/laminin receptor, α 2 β 1, by bFGF may provide activated endothelial cells with an enhanced capacity to migrate through both their underlying basement membrane and the interstitial matrix.