An antiangiogenic neurokinin-B/thromboxane A2 regulatory axis

J Cell Biol. 2006 Sep 25;174(7):1047-58. doi: 10.1083/jcb.200603152.

Abstract

Establishment of angiogenic circuits that orchestrate blood vessel development and remodeling requires an exquisite balance between the activities of pro- and antiangiogenic factors. However, the logic that permits complex signal integration by vascular endothelium is poorly understood. We demonstrate that a "neuropeptide," neurokinin-B (NK-B), reversibly inhibits endothelial cell vascular network assembly and opposes angiogenesis in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane. Disruption of endogenous NK-B signaling promoted angiogenesis. Mechanistic analyses defined a multicomponent pathway in which NK-B signaling converges upon cellular processes essential for angiogenesis. NK-B-mediated ablation of Ca2+ oscillations and elevation of 3'-5' [corrected] cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) reduced cellular proliferation, migration, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor expression and induced the antiangiogenic protein calreticulin. Whereas NK-B initiated certain responses, other activities required additional stimuli that increase cAMP. Although NK-B is a neurotransmitter/ neuromodulator and NK-B overexpression characterizes the pregnancy-associated disorder preeclampsia, NK-B had not been linked to vascular remodeling. These results establish a conserved mechanism in which NK-B instigates multiple activities that collectively oppose vascular remodeling.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • 1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine / pharmacology
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium Signaling / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Chick Embryo
  • Chorioallantoic Membrane / blood supply
  • Chorioallantoic Membrane / drug effects
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Drug Synergism
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Endothelial Cells / physiology
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / physiology
  • Neurokinin B / pharmacology
  • Neurokinin B / physiology*
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / pharmacology
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / physiology
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / physiology
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Thromboxane A2 / pharmacology
  • Thromboxane A2 / physiology*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / physiology

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Neurotransmitter Agents
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Thromboxane A2
  • Neurokinin B
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
  • Calcium
  • 1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine