Objective: Placental growth factor (PIGF) mediates angiogenesis and inflammation, and is up-regulated in early and advanced atherosclerotic lesions. But its effects on the function of vascular endothelial cells is still largely unknown. This study was designed to test the effects of PIGF on the secretion of proinflammatory cytochemokines in vascular endothelial cells.
Methods: Cultured human umibilical vein endotheial cells (HUVECs) of passages 3-5 were used. Growth-arrested HUVECs were treated with 5, 10, 25 or 50 ng/mL recombinant human PIGF (rhPLGF) for 4, 8, 24 or 48 hours. Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and P-selectin secreted from HUVECs were measured by ELISA.
Results: Treated with rhPIGF at 10-50 ng/mL for 48 h, the production of MCP-1 from the HUVECs increased significantly. Treatment with rhPIGF at 5-50 ng/mL for 4 h, the release of P-selectin from the HUVECs increased significantly. But rhPIGF (5-50 ng/mL) had no effect on sVCAM secretion.
Conclusion: Exogenous PIGF could modulate the secretion function of vascular. endothelial cells, stimulating MCP-1 and P-selectin release in HUVECs.