The epidermal growth factor-like domain of CD93 is a potent angiogenic factor

PLoS One. 2012;7(12):e51647. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051647. Epub 2012 Dec 18.

Abstract

Human CD93, an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain containing transmembrane protein, is predominantly expressed in the vascular endothelium. Studies have shown that AA4, the homolog of CD93 in mice, may mediate cell migration and angiogenesis in endothelial cells. Soluble CD93 has been detected in the plasma of healthy individuals. However, the role of soluble CD93 in the endothelium remains unclear. Recombinant soluble CD93 proteins with EGF-like domains (rCD93D123, with domains 1, 2, and 3; and rCD93D23, with domains 2 and 3) were generated to determine their functions in angiogenesis. We found that rCD93D23 was more potent than rCD93D123 in stimulating the proliferation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Production of matrix-metalloproteinase 2 increased after the HUVECs were treated with rCD93D23. Further, in a tube formation assay, rCD93D23 induced cell differentiation of HUVECs through phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase and extracellular signal-regulated kinases-1/2 signaling. Moreover, rCD93D23 promoted blood vessel formation in a Matrigel-plug assay and an oxygen-induced retinopathy model in vivo. Our findings suggest that the soluble EGF-like domain containing CD93 protein is a novel angiogenic factor acting on the endothelium.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Collagen / chemistry
  • Drug Combinations
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Laminin / chemistry
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / biosynthesis*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic
  • Oxygen / chemistry
  • Oxygen / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Proteoglycans / chemistry
  • Receptors, Complement / biosynthesis*
  • Receptors, Complement / genetics*
  • Retinal Degeneration / pathology
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Drug Combinations
  • Laminin
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Proteoglycans
  • Receptors, Complement
  • complement 1q receptor
  • matrigel
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • Collagen
  • Oxygen

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Science Council grant NSC99-2323-B-006-003 and a grant from the “Aim for the Top University Plan” of the National Cheng Kung University through the Ministry of Education, Taiwan. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.