http://precedings.nature.com/tags/endothelial%20cells Recently posted documents tagged with 'endothelial cells' Nature Publishing Group en Nature Precedings http://precedings.nature.com/images/header_logo.gif http://precedings.nature.com http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/npre.2008.1758.1 VEGF and TGF-β1 induce angiogenesis but have opposing effects on endothelial cells. VEGF protects endothelial cells from apoptosis; TGF-β1 induces apoptosis. We have previously shown that VEGF / VEGF receptor-2 (flk-1) signaling mediates TGF-β1 induction of apoptosis. This finding raised an important question: Does this mechanism stimulate or inhibit angiogenesis? Here we report that VEGF-mediated apoptosis is required for TGF-β1 induction of angiogenesis. In vitro the apoptotic effect of TGF-β1 on endothelial cells is rapid and followed by a long period in which the cells are refractory to apoptosis induction by TGF-β1. Inhibition of VEGF / flk-1 signaling abrogates formation of vessel-like structures by TGF-β1 with an effect comparable to that of z-VAD, an apoptosis inhibitor. Similarly, genetic deficiency of VEGF abolishes TGF-β1 upregulation of endothelial cell differentiation and formation of vascular structures in embryoid bodies. In vivo TGF-β1 induces endothelial cell apoptosis as rapidly as in vitro. Inhibition of VEGF blocks TGF-β1 induction of both apoptosis and angiogenesis, an effect similar to that of z-VAD. Thus, TGF-β1 induction of angiogenesis requires rapid and transient endothelial cell apoptosis mediated by VEGF/flk-1. This novel, unexpected role of VEGF and flk-1 indicates VEGF-mediated apoptosis as a potential target to control angiogenesis. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/npre.2008.1758.1 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:16:15 UTC Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (tgf-β1) induces angiogenesis through vascular endothelial growth factor (vegf)-mediated apoptosis doi:10.1038/npre.2008.1758.1 2008-04-03 Giovanni Ferrari Nature Precedings 2008-04-03T20:16:15Z Manuscript Cancer http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/