Ginkgolide B promotes proliferation and functional activities of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells: involvement of Akt/eNOS and MAPK/p38 signaling pathways

Eur Cell Mater. 2011 May 28:21:459-69. doi: 10.22203/ecm.v021a34.

Abstract

Bone marrow-derived, circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) contribute to neovascularization in various diseases, and represent a very interesting alternative cell source for enhancing vasculogenesis in regenerative medicine. In this study, we investigated the effects of Ginkgolide B (GB) on proliferation and differentiation of EPCs, and the involved signaling pathway in vitro. EPC proliferation, migration, adhesion and angiogenesis activities were assessed with the WST-8 assay, Transwell chamber assay, cell counting and angiogenesis kit, respectively. Apoptosis was detected with annexin V and propidium iodide staining. The protein expression of angiogenesis-related makers was detected by Western blot, and related gene expression was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that GB promoted the proliferation and endothelial gene expression, and markedly enhanced vascular endothelial growth factor-induced migration response and the capability to incorporate into the vascular networks in EPCs. GB protected EPCs from H2O2-induced cell death. GB induced the phosphorylation of eNOS, Akt and p38, which in turn promoted cell proliferation and function. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that GB, at a near medical applied dose, increases the number and functional activities of EPCs with involvement of Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/p38 signal pathways. These findings raise the intriguing possibility that GB may play an important role in the protection and revascularization of blood vessels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Adult Stem Cells / cytology
  • Adult Stem Cells / drug effects*
  • Adult Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Aged
  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Bone Marrow Cells / cytology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / drug effects*
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
  • Cadherins / genetics
  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Cell Shape
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects*
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Ginkgolides / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / pharmacology
  • Lactones / pharmacology*
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System*
  • Middle Aged
  • Necrosis
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / drug effects
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / genetics
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / metabolism
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / physiology*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Cadherins
  • Ginkgolides
  • Lactones
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • cadherin 5
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • ginkgolide B
  • NOS3 protein, human
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases