Homocysteine induces vascular endothelial growth factor expression in differentiated THP-1 macrophages

Hyperhomocysteinemia has been reported to be an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis and atherothrombosis. However, the molecular mechanism by which hyperhomocysteinemia can lead to atherosclerosis and atherothrombosis has not been completely described. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been proposed to play an important role in the progression of atherosclerosis. In the present study, we hypothesized that hyperhomocysteinemia might be associated with VEGF expression in atherosclerotic lesions. We investigated VEGF mRNA expression and VEGF secretion by homocysteine (Hcy) in differentiated THP-1 macrophages. As a result, it has been revealed that VEGF mRNA was upregulated by Hcy in a dose- and time-dependent manner in THP-1 macrophages with the increase in VEGF secretion. Importantly, other sulfur compounds, such as methionine and cysteine, showed no effect on VEGF expression, indicating that homocysteine specifically induced VEGF. Our findings suggest that hyperhomocysteinemia could promote the development of atherosclerotic lesions through VEGF induction in macrophages.