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Capillary endothelial cells secrete a heparin-binding mitogen for pericytes
1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks 58202.
Journal of Cell Science
|October 1, 1992
Summary
Researchers identified a potent growth factor in retinal endothelial cells that stimulates pericyte growth. This novel mitogen, distinct from known growth factors like PDGF and FGFs, plays a key role in retinal angiogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cell Biology
- Angiogenesis Research
Background:
- Retinal microvasculature comprises pericytes and endothelial cells.
- Regulatory factors governing their growth are crucial for angiogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify growth factors regulating retinal pericyte and endothelial cell co-culture.
- Characterize the properties and effects of a novel mitogen present in conditioned endothelial cell medium.
Main Methods:
- Co-culture of retinal pericytes and endothelial cells.
- Analysis of conditioned medium (EC-FBS) using biochemical assays (dialysis, heat/acid stability, heparin-agarose chromatography).
- Comparison of EC-FBS activity with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) using cell growth stimulation and antiserum blocking assays.
Main Results:
- EC-FBS contains a potent, non-dialyzable, heat- and acid-stable mitogen for pericytes.
- The mitogen binds to heparin-agarose and elutes at ~1.0 M NaCl.
- Unlike PDGF and FGFs, EC-FBS mitogen activity is not blocked by anti-PDGF or anti-aFGF antisera.
- EC-FBS mitogen alters pericyte phenotype but does not stimulate smooth muscle cells or Balb/c 3T3 cells.
Conclusions:
- Retinal endothelial cells produce a unique mitogen that promotes pericyte growth and modulates their phenotype.
- This EC-FBS mitogen is distinct from known growth factors like PDGF and FGFs.
- The findings offer new insights into the regulation of retinal angiogenesis and pericyte biology.