COMP-Ang1, angiopoietin-1 variant protects radiation-induced bone marrow damage in C57BL/6 mice

Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) is a vasculogenic factor which is signaled through the endothelial and bone marrow cell-specific, Tie2 receptor tyrosine kinase and has potential therapeutic applications for the induction of angiogenesis, enhancing endothelial cell survival, and preventing vascular leakage. In this study, we examined whether Ang1 directly exhibits bone marrow protection after ionizing radiation (IR) using an adenoviral vector of COMP-Ang1 (Ad-COMP-Ang1). This is a variant of Ang1 by replacement of the N-terminal portion of Ang1 with short coiled-coil domains of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein-Angiopoietin 1 (COMP-Ang1) which are, long enough for oligomerization but short enough to avoid problems of aggregation and insolubility. A spleen colony assay after 4.5 Gy whole body radiation, indicated that COMP-Ang1 significantly increased the mean colony numbers. Both the decrease in bone marrow cellularity and increased TUNEL (Terminal deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Biotin-dUTP Nick End Labeling) positive cells produced by radiation in bone marrow were significantly inhibited by COMP-Ang1 transfer. The expression of the ligands of Ang1 and Tie2 receptors were increased by radiation and, the COMP-Ang1 transfer potentiated this protein expression. Pre-treatment of Ang1 could be beneficial in protecting bone marrow from damage by radiation and COMP-Ang1 may be an effective alternative to native Ang1 for therapeutic purposes.