RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Bioavailability of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)? A role in pulmonary fibrosis?
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P3752
VO 40
IS Suppl 56
A1 Shaney Barratt
A1 Caroline Jarrett
A1 Gavin Welsh
A1 David Bates
A1 Ann Millar
YR 2012
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P3752.abstract
AB Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is both a growth factor and permeability factor, involved in tissue repair and as such, has been proposed to have a role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. VEGF is generated as multiple isoforms of two families, VEGFxxx and VEGFxxxb and mediates its effects through specific receptors, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 and co-receptors, neuropilin-1 and neuropilin-2. We hypothesised that these receptors, co-receptors and isoforms would be differentially expressed in normal versus fibrotic fibroblasts.Normal fibroblasts (NF) and fibrotic fibroblasts (FF) (from patients with proven UIP) were extracted from lung samples using the explant method. Expression of VEGFR-1, 2 and NRP1-1, NRP2 and VEGF isoforms was established at the protein level using western blotting whilst receptor expression was confirmed with immunofluorescence staining of cells in culture.Both NF and FF expressed VEGFR1 and 2, NRP-1 and 2 and VEGFxxx/xxxb isoforms. No significant differences in VEGFR-2 and NRP-1 expression between NF and FF fibroblast were detected, however both VEGFR-1 and NRP-2 were significantly reduced in FF versus NF (p<0.05, non-paired t-test).VEGF receptors, co-receptors and isoforms are expressed differentially in NF and FF. This suggests a potential role for changes in VEGF bioactivity in the development of pulmonary fibrosis.