Activation of the Thromboxane A2 Receptor by 8-Isoprostane Inhibits the Pro-Angiogenic Effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Scleroderma

J Invest Dermatol. 2015 Dec;135(12):3153-3162. doi: 10.1038/jid.2015.323. Epub 2015 Aug 19.

Abstract

The pathogenesis of scleroderma (SSc) includes components of autoimmunity, vascular dysfunction, and accumulation of extracellular matrix. 8-isoprostane, an oxidized lipid created by oxidative stress, activates the thromboxane A2 receptor (TXAR) and the Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) pathway. In this study, we determined whether the TXAR was activated by 8-isoprostane in SSc endothelial cells (ECs) and whether this pathway inhibited VEGF-induced angiogenesis. Elevated 8-isoprostane was observed in plasma and conditioned media from SSc patients. SSc-conditioned media inhibited EC tube formation, whereas addition of vitamin E, by reducing 8-isoprostane, increased tube formation. VEGF did not induce angiogenesis in SSc ECs, but vitamin E or TXAR inhibition restored its effect. The expression of TXAR, RhoA, and ROCK1/2 was elevated in SSc ECs. ROCK activity and 8-isoprostane-induced ROCK activation were significantly higher in SSc ECs, whereas VEGF had no effect. The hyper-activation of the TXAR leads to inhibition of VEGF-induced angiogenesis, as inhibition of the TXAR pathway results in a blockade of 8-isoprostane-induced ROCK activation and restoration of VEGF activity. These results suggest that the TXAR pathway has a crucial role in angiogenesis and that 8-isoprostane is not just a by-product of oxidative stress but also has a significant role in the impaired angiogenesis that characterizes SSc.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Collagen
  • Dinoprost / analogs & derivatives*
  • Dinoprost / pharmacology
  • Drug Combinations
  • Endothelial Cells / physiology
  • Female
  • Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Laminin
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic*
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Phosphorylation
  • Proteoglycans
  • Receptors, Thromboxane A2, Prostaglandin H2 / drug effects
  • Receptors, Thromboxane A2, Prostaglandin H2 / physiology*
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / physiopathology*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / pharmacology
  • rho-Associated Kinases / physiology

Substances

  • Drug Combinations
  • Laminin
  • Proteoglycans
  • Receptors, Thromboxane A2, Prostaglandin H2
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • matrigel
  • 8-epi-prostaglandin F2alpha
  • Collagen
  • Dinoprost
  • Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • rho-Associated Kinases