The pro-angiogenic role of hypoxia inducible factor stabilizer FG-4592 and its application in an in vivo tissue engineering chamber model

Sci Rep. 2019 Apr 15;9(1):6035. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-41924-5.

Abstract

Tissue engineering is a promising technology used as an alternative to organ/tissue transplantation which is often limited by donor shortage. The construction of large-sized engineered tissue requires a fast and sufficient vascularization process. Previous studies have shown that hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) -1α may promote the vascularization process implying that stabilized HIF-1α can be applied in the engineering of large-sized tissue. However, the toxicity and off-target effect of previously reported HIF-1α stabilizers limit their clinical application. FG-4592, a small molecule specific HIF stabilizer, was previously investigated as an anti-anemia drug in a phase-III clinical trial. Here we found that FG-4592 promoted tube formation in an in vitro model of angiogenesis by stabilizing HIF-1α and activating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). When FG-4592 immobilized fibrin gel scaffold was implanted into a subcutaneous tissue engineering chamber, the vascularization process was significantly enhanced through the similar mechanisms which was verified in vitro. We conclude that FG-4592 may serve as a pro-angiogenic molecule for the construction of large-sized engineered tissue where intensive angiogenesis is required.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / administration & dosage
  • Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Fibrin / chemistry
  • Glycine / administration & dosage
  • Glycine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Glycine / pharmacology
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / metabolism*
  • Isoquinolines / administration & dosage
  • Isoquinolines / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / drug effects*
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Tissue Engineering / methods
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inducing Agents
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • Isoquinolines
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Fibrin
  • Glycine
  • roxadustat