Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is expressed in vascular endothelium during tumor neovascularization and angioproliferative diseases. The ultimate significance of this observation is poorly understood. We have investigated the biological consequences of endothelial cell activation by endogenous bFGF in a mouse aortic endothelial cell line stably transfected with a retroviral expression vector harboring a human bFGF cDNA. Selected clones expressing M(r) 24,000, M(r) 22,000, and/or M(r) 18,000 bFGF isoforms were characterized by a transformed morphology and an increased saturation density. bFGF transfectants showed invasive behavior and sprouting activity in three- dimensional fibrin gels and formed a complex network of branching cord-like structures connecting foci of infiltrating cells when seeded on laminin-rich basement membrane matrix (Matrigel). The invasive and morphogenetic behavior was prevented by anti-bFGF antibody, revealing the autocrine modality of the process. The bi...
Basic fibroblast growth factor overexpression in endothelial cells: An autocrine mechanism for angiogenesis and angioproliferative diseases
CORALLINI, Alfredo;
1996
Abstract
Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is expressed in vascular endothelium during tumor neovascularization and angioproliferative diseases. The ultimate significance of this observation is poorly understood. We have investigated the biological consequences of endothelial cell activation by endogenous bFGF in a mouse aortic endothelial cell line stably transfected with a retroviral expression vector harboring a human bFGF cDNA. Selected clones expressing M(r) 24,000, M(r) 22,000, and/or M(r) 18,000 bFGF isoforms were characterized by a transformed morphology and an increased saturation density. bFGF transfectants showed invasive behavior and sprouting activity in three- dimensional fibrin gels and formed a complex network of branching cord-like structures connecting foci of infiltrating cells when seeded on laminin-rich basement membrane matrix (Matrigel). The invasive and morphogenetic behavior was prevented by anti-bFGF antibody, revealing the autocrine modality of the process. The bi...I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
