Vegf induces no-dependent hyperpermeability in coronary venules. Wu, H. Mac, Qiaobing Huang, Yuan Yuan, and Harris J. Granger. Microcirculation Research Institute and Departments of Medical Physiology and Surgery, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Temple, TX
APStracts 3:0405H, 1996.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the direct effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on microvascular permeability and its signaling mechanisms. The apparent permeability coefficient to albumin was measured in isolated coronary venules. Topical application of VEGF dose-dependently and transiently increased the albumin permeability by two- to three-fold. Inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine abolished VEGF-induced venular hyperpermeability. Furthermore, because NO exerts vasoactive effects through stimulation of guanylate cyclase (GC) and the subsequent production of cyclic GMP (cGMP), we examined the role of GC and cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) in mediation of VEGF s action. The permeability response to VEGF was measured in the presence of the selective GC inhibitor 1H-[1.2.4] oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one and the specific PKG inhibitor KT5823. Both inhibitors reduced basal permeability and prevented the hyperpermeability response to VEGF. Therefore, we suggest that VEGF modulates microvascular permeability via a signaling cascade involving NO synthesis, GC stimulation and PKG activation.

Received 9 August 1996; accepted in final form 5 September 1996.
APS Manuscript Number H729-6.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Heart Circ. Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1996 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 7 October 1996