Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor mediates angiogenesis and antiapoptosis in rat aortic endothelial...

This study explores the angiogenic and antiapoptotic activities of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PDECGF) in rat aortic endothelial cells. The effects of PDECGF on rat aortic endothelial cell (RAEC) proliferation, migration, chemotaxis, and tubule formation were investigated in vitro at various concentrations viz., 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 ng x mL(-1) on endothelial cells. Endothelial cells were induced with hypoxic stress and the antiapoptotic effects of PDECGF were analysed by cell survival assay, fluorescence microscopy, cell viability assay, and flow cytometry. The results demonstrated the angiogenic potential of PDECGF on endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. PDECGF at 16 and 32 ng x mL(-1) increased cell proliferation (>80%), induced cell migration (>4 fold), stimulated chemotaxis (>2 fold), and increased tubule formation (>3 fold) compared with the control. Studies on hypoxic stress revealed the antiapoptotic nature of PDECGF on endothelial cells. PDECGF treatment enhanced cell survival by 14%, as well as cell viability by 13%, and decreased the percentage of apoptotic cells by 13% as demonstrated by fluorescence-activated cell sorter studies (FACS). In conclusion, this study demonstrated the angiogenic and antiapoptotic potentials of PDECGF on RAEC.