Characterizing nanoscale changes in the activity of VEGFR-2 on glioma microvascular endothelial cell membranes using atomic force microscopy

• Published in: Experimental and therapeutic medicine Vol. 13; no. 2; pp. 483 - 488
• Main Authors: Zhou, Dexiang, Zhan, Shengquan, Zhou, Dong, Wang, Peng, Chen, Guangzhong, Qin, Kun, Lin, Xiaofeng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Greece Spandidos Publications 01.02.2017; Spandidos Publications UK Ltd; D.A. Spandidos
• Subjects: Angiogenesis; Antigens; Brain cancer; Care and treatment; Cell membranes; Diagnosis; Dosage and administration; Endothelium; Glioma; Gliomas; Health aspects; Inhibitor drugs; Kinases; Lung cancer; Membranes; Microscopy; Penicillin; Proteins; Studies; Tumors; Vascular endothelial growth factor; China; Beijing China; United States > US; Japan; bradykinin; glioma; vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2; sorafenib; atomic force microscopy; endothelial cell
• DOI: 10.3892/etm.2016.4014
• ISSN: 1792-0981

The aim of the current study was to demonstrate the distribution of VEGFR-2 on glioma microvascular endothelial cells on a nanoscale and investigate changes in VEGFR-2 activity following treatment with the VEGFR-2 inhibitor and agonist sorafenib and bradykinin, respectively. Three groups were evaluated in this study: Control glioma microvascular endothelial cells, sorafenib-treated glioma microvascular endothelial cells and bradykinin-treated glioma microvascular endothelial cells. Changes in the activity of VEGFR-2 on the glioma microvascular endothelial cell membranes following treatment with sorafenib and bradykinin were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Colloidal gold-labeled immune complexes and AFM were used to visualize the distribution of VEGFR-2 on the cell membranes. In the control group, VEGFR-2, which was observed as numerous globular structures, was evenly distributed on the cell surface membranes. The majority of the receptors were active. In the sorafenib group, only a few globular structures were observed on the cell membranes, with a density significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.01). Furthermore, compared with the control group, fewer of the receptors were active. In the bradykinin group, numerous globular structures were densely distributed on the cell membranes, with a density significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). The distribution and activity of VEGFR-2 on glioma microvascular endothelial cell membranes treated with sorafenib and bradykinin suggested that the activity of VEGFR-2 could be regulated by its inhibitor or agonist.