The suppressive effect of tecogalan sodium on in vitro angiogenesis via the periendothelial proteolytic activities

The exact mechanisms of the angiostatic effect by tecogalan sodium (TS) remain unclear. We examined the effects of TS on in vitro angiogenic activity, proteolytic activity and proliferation of retinal vascular endothelial cells (RECs). TS markedly inhibited the in vitro angiogenic activity of RECs although the growth inhibition of RECs was small. TS apparently decreased the cell-associated urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) activity and matrix metalloprotease 1 (MMP-1) activity even in the presence of anti-bFGF IgG. Thus, the suppression of the periendothelial matrix-degrading activities related to uPA and MMP-1 is suggested to be another possible mechanism of the antiangiogenic effect of TS, besides its prevention of bFGF REC binding which has previously been reported.