Inhibitory effects of hypercholesterolemia and Ox-LDL on angiogenesis- like endothelial growth in rabbit aortic explants: Essential role of basic fibroblast growth factor

Chu Huang Chen, Joiner Cartwright, Zheng Li, Sherry Lou, Hai Hoang Nguyen, Antonio Gotto, Philip D. Henry

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

68 Scopus citations

Abstract

Hypercholesterolemic (HC) rabbits exhibit suppressed compensatory vascular growth after restriction of arterial supply. However, neovascularization is commonly found in atheromas containing inflammatory coils. We used an in vitro model to determine the effects of hypercholesterolemia on angiogenesis in the absence or presence of inflammatory cells. HC rabbit aortic explants (1 mm2) with or without (n=90 each) lesion-forming inflammatory cells were cultured in a collagen matrix with serum-free medium. Explant-derived endothelial cell growth was organized into capillary-like microtubes (CLM) that could be videomicroscopically quantified. CLM growth from lesion-free HC explants was significantly reduced to 13±4% of the value in explants (n=90) from normocholesterolemic (NC, n=15) rabbits (P<.001). In contrast, in lesion-containing HC explants, the matrix was invaded by foam cells, anti CLM growth was not inhibited. Immunoassayable basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF, in pg/mL) in the culture medium was significantly lower in lesion-free HC (<5) than NC explants (11±2, P<.01) or HC explants with lesions (14±3). In addition, CLM growth was reduced in NC explants incubated with oxidized LDL (ox-LDL, 50- 100 μg/mL). Exogenous bFGF (10 ng/mL) reversed the inhibitory effects of hypercholesterolemia and ox-LDL, whereas bFGF-neutralizing antibody (10μg/mL) abolished CLM growth in all groups. In cultured rabbit aortic endothelial cells, ox-LDL reduced DNA synthesis, but this inhibition was reversed by bFGF. We conclude that hypercholesterolemia and ox-LDL inhibit angiogenesis-like endothelial growth because of a suppressed availability of endogenous bFGF. Retained responsiveness to exogenous bFGF suggests that inducing bFGF expression at targeted sites may improve collateral growth in hyperlipidemic arterial disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1303-1312
Number of pages10
JournalArteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
Volume17
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 1997

Keywords

  • Angiogenesis
  • Basic fibroblast growth factor
  • Hypercholesterolemia
  • Oxidized LDL

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Inhibitory effects of hypercholesterolemia and Ox-LDL on angiogenesis- like endothelial growth in rabbit aortic explants: Essential role of basic fibroblast growth factor'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this