J. Plendl, C. Snyman, S. Naidoo, S. Sawant, R. Mahabeer, K.D. Bhoola
Expression of Tissue Kallikrein and Kinin Receptors in Angiogenic Microvascular Endothelial Cells
Angiogenesis is the sprouting of new capillary blood
vessels from pre-existing ones. The kinin family of
vasoactive peptides, formed by the serine protease
tissue kallikrein from its endogenous multifunctional
protein substrate kininogen, is believed to regulate the
angiogenic process. The aim of this study was to determine
the expression of tissue kallikrein and kinin receptors
in an in vitro model of angiogenesis. Microvascular
endothelial cells from the bovine mature and
regressing corpus luteum were used only if they reacted
with known endothelial cell markers. At first the
cultured endothelial cells began sprouting, and within
four weeks formed three-dimensional, capillary-like
structures. Immunolabelling for tissue prokallikrein
and the mature enzyme was intense in the angiogenic
endothelial cells derived from mature corpora lutea.
Immunoreactivity was lower in non-angiogenic endothelial
cells and least in angiogenic endothelial cultures
of the regressing corpus luteum. Additionally,
using specific antisense DIG-labelled probes, tissue
kallikrein mRNA was demonstrated in cells of the angiogenic
phenotype. Immunolabelled kinin B2 receptors,
but not kinin B1 receptors, were visualised on
angiogenic endothelial cells. Our results suggest an
important regulatory role for kinins in the multiple
steps of the angiogenic cascade that may occur in
wound healing and cancer cell growth.
Biological Chemistry, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 1431-6730
Volume: 381, 11/2000
Pages: 1103 - 1115
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