Effects of Angiotensin II on Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression in Early Endothelial Progenitor Cells from Human Peripheral Blood

Aim To investigate the effect of angiotensin Ⅱ on vascular endothelial growth factor expression of early endothelial progenitor cells. Methods Total mononuclear cells(MNCs) were isolated from peripheral blood by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation,and then the cells were plated on fibronectin-coated culture dishes.After 7 days of culture,several groups of attached cells were incubated with angiotensin Ⅱ(to make a series of concentrations: 10-3 mol/L,10-5 mol/L,10-7 mol/L vehicle control for 24 h),angiotensin Ⅱ+valsartan,angiotensinⅡ+PD123319.The cells were observed under inverted microscope,and characterized as adherent cells double positive for DiL DL-uptake and lectin binding by direct fluorescent staining under a laser scanning confocal microscope.The early endothelial progenitor cells were further documented by demonstrating the expression of cell markers with flow cytometry.Enzyme-linked immunospecific assay(ELISA) were used to assess vascular endothelial growth factor expression. Results Our data indicated that angiotensin Ⅱ can significantly increase the vascular endothelial growth factor expression,with a maximum at 10-3 mol/L after 24 hours(P0.05);These effects can be attenuated by pre-treatment with valsartan but not PD123319. Conclusion It is suggested that angiotensin Ⅱ induces vascular endothelial growth factor protein secretion via the angiotensin Ⅱ receptor-1 but not angiotensin Ⅱ receptor-2.