HGF Airway Over-expression Leads to Enhanced Pulmonary Vascularization without Induction of VEGF.

ABSTRACT: The hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-Met signaling pathway mediates angiogenesis. We have previously reported that airway expression of a human HGF transgene (HGF TG) produced mice that were more susceptible to lung tumorigenesis induced by 4-(methylnitrosoamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK). Here we show untreated HGF TG mice display enhanced vascularization (40 wks) and enhanced lymph vessel formation (20 wks) in the lungs compared to wild-type (WT) littermates, as ascertained by microvessel density. We profiled mRNA expression from HGF TG and WT mice for genes involved in angiogenesis. We consistently found significant decreases in expression of the VEGF family of angiogenic genes, including Vegfa, Vegfb, Vegfc, and Vegfd / Figf. Decreases were confirmed in whole

SUBMITTER: Henry C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7869858 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature