Hic-5 as a regulator of endothelial cell morphology and connective tissue growth factor gene expression

The functional role of the LIM-domain protein Hic-5 was investigated in microvascular endothelial cells using a siRNA approach. Knock down of Hic-5 reduced endothelial cell spreading and impaired structural organization of the cells on basement membrane extracts. Furthermore, Hic-5 was involved in the regulation of the multifunctional protein connective tissue growth factor (CTGF, CCN2). Upon Hic-5 down-regulation, induction of CTGF by lysophosphatidic acid or colchicine was reduced. Inhibition of CTGF expression was even more pronounced in cells treated with transforming growth factor beta and inhibitors of histone deacetylases. Treatment of endothelial cells with Hic-5 siRNA reduced CTGF promoter activity. Mutation analyses of the promoter revealed transcription factors binding to the basic control element as part of the proposed Hic-5-modulated transcription complex. Further analyses showed down-regulation of Hic-5 protein upon overnight treatment with inhibitors of histone deacetylases. These data suggest that the reduced expression of Hic-5 may contribute to the anti-angiogenic effects of histone deacetylase inhibitors.