Inhibition of apelin expression switches endothelial cells from proliferative to mature state in pathological retinal angiogenesis.

ABSTRACT: The recruitment of mural cells such as pericytes to patent vessels with an endothelial lumen is a key factor for the maturation of blood vessels and the prevention of hemorrhage in pathological angiogenesis. To date, our understanding of the specific trigger underlying the transition from cell growth to the maturation phase remains incomplete. Since rapid endothelial cell growth causes pericyte loss, we hypothesized that suppression of endothelial growth factors would both promote pericyte recruitment, in addition to inhibiting pathological angiogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that targeted knockdown of apelin in endothelial cells using siRNA induced the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) through activation of Smad3, via suppression of the PI3K/Akt pathway. The conditio

SUBMITTER: Kasai A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3682100 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature