c-Jun N-terminal kinase mediated VEGFR2 sustained phosphorylation is critical for VEGFA-induced angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo

Cell Biochem Biophys. 2012 Sep;64(1):17-27. doi: 10.1007/s12013-012-9363-0.

Abstract

c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK) is involved in the regulation of various cellular functions including cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis. However, whether JNK/SAPK directly regulates the angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) has not yet been fully elucidated. Our present study firstly demonstrated VEGFA-induced angiogenic responses including the increase of cell viability, migration, and tube formation with a concentration-dependent manner in HUVECs. Further results showed that VEGFA induced the activation of JNK/SAPK, p38 kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), while JNK/SAPK inhibitor SP600125 and specific siRNA both blocked all those angiogenic effects induced by VEGFA. Furthermore, VEGFA induced the phosphorylation of ASK1, SEK1/MKK4, MKK7, and c-Jun, which are upstream or downstream signals of JNK/SAPK. In addition, in vivo matrigel plug assay further showed that SP600125 inhibited VEGFA-induced angiogenesis. Further results showed that SP600125 and JNK/SAPK siRNA decreased VEGFA-induced VEGFR2 (Flk-1/KDR) sustained phosphorylation in HUVECs. Taken together, all these results demonstrate that JNK/SAPK regulates VEGFA-induced VEGFR2 sustained phosphorylation, which plays important roles in VEGFA-induced angiogenesis in HUVECs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anthracenes / pharmacology
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Survival
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / cytology*
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Indoles / pharmacology
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Pyrroles / pharmacology
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
  • Transfection
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / pharmacology*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / metabolism*
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Anthracenes
  • Indoles
  • Pyrroles
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • pyrazolanthrone
  • Semaxinib
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases