Notch signalling pathways mediate synovial angiogenesis in response to vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietin 2. Issue 6 (17th November 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gao, Wei; Sweeney, Catherine; Walsh, Ceara; Rooney, Peadar; McCormick, Jennifer; Veale, Douglas J; Fearon, Ursula
• Is Part Of: Annals of the rheumatic diseases. Volume 72:Issue 6(2013)
• Page Start: 1080
• Page End: 1088
• Publication Date: 2012-11-17
• Subjects: Inflammation -- Rheumatoid Arthritis -- Autoimmune Diseases; Rheumatism -- Periodicals; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2012-201978
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-4967

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: Notch signalling pathways are critical for angiogenesis and endothelial cell (EC) fate; however the mechanisms regulating these processes in the inflamed joint remain to be elucidated. Here, we examine whether Notch signalling mediates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin 2 (Ang2)-induced vascular function. Methods: Notch-1 intracellular domain (Notch-1 IC), Notch-4 IC, Delta-like-ligand 4, Hes-related transcriptional repressors-1 and 2 ( Hrt-1, Hrt-2 ) mRNA and/or protein expression was measured by Real-time PCR and/or western blot. VEGF/Ang2 induced EC function was assessed using transwell invasion chambers, matrigel tube formation assays and wound repair scratch assays ± Notch-1 siRNA or an γ-secretase inhibitor N-(N-(3, 5-Difluorophenacetyl-L-alanly))-S-phenylglycine-t-Butyl Ester (DAPT) in RA synovial explants or human microvascular EC. Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 were measured by ELISA and MMP2 and 9 by gelatine zymography. Results: Notch-1 IC and Notch-4 IC protein expressions were demonstrated in RA and psoriatic arthritis synovial biopsies, with minimal expression observed in Osteoarthritis (OA). VEGF and Ang2 induced Notch-1 IC/ Notch-4 IC protein expression in synovial explant cultures and human microvascular EC levels were further potentiated by VEGF/Ang2 stimulation in combination. Notch-1, Delta-like-ligand 4, and Hrt-2 mRNA expression were significantly induced by VEGF and Ang2 alone and in combination. Furthermore VEGF/Ang2-induced EC invasion, angiogenesis and migration were inhibited by Notch-1 siRNA or DAPT. Conditioned media from VEGF/Ang2 stimulated RA synovial explants induced EC tube formation, an effect that was inhibited by DAPT. Finally, DAPT significantly decreased VEGF/Ang2 induced IL-6, IL-8, MMP2 and 9 expressions in RA synovial explants. Conclusions: Notch-1 mediates VEGF/Ang2-induced angiogenesis and EC invasion in inflammatory arthritis.