EGFL6 promotes endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis through the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase

J Biol Chem. 2011 Jun 24;286(25):22035-46. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M110.187633. Epub 2011 Apr 29.

Abstract

Angiogenesis is required for bone development, growth, and repair. It is influenced by the local bone environment that involves cross-talks between endothelial cells and adjacent bone cells. However, data regarding factors that directly contribute to angiogenesis by bone cells remain poorly understood. Here, we report that EGFL6, a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) repeat superfamily proteins, induces angiogenesis by a paracrine mechanism in which EGFL6 is expressed in osteoblastic-like cells but promotes migration and angiogenesis of endothelial cells. Co-immunoprecipitation assays revealed that EGFL6 is secreted in culture medium as a homodimer protein. Using scratch wound healing and transwell assays, we found that conditioned medium containing EGFL6 potentiates SVEC (a simian virus 40-transformed mouse microvascular endothelial cell line) endothelial cell migration. In addition, EGFL6 promotes the endothelial cell tube-like structure formation in Matrigel assays and angiogenesis in a chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane. Furthermore, we show that EGFL6 recombinant protein induces phosphorylation of ERK in SVEC endothelial cells. Inhibition of ERK impaired EGFL6-induced ERK activation and endothelial cell migration. Together, these results demonstrate, for the first time, that osteoblastic-like cells express EGFL6 that is capable of promoting endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis via ERK activation. Thus, the EGLF6 mediates a paracrine mechanism of cross-talk between vascular endothelial cells and osteoblasts and might offer an important new target for the potential treatment of bone diseases, including osteonecrosis, osteoporosis, and fracture healing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone and Bones / blood supply
  • COS Cells
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Movement* / drug effects
  • Chick Embryo
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Chorioallantoic Membrane / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology*
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Glycoproteins / chemistry
  • Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Neoplasm Proteins / chemistry
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic* / drug effects
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology
  • Osteoblasts / cytology
  • Osteoclasts / cytology
  • Paracrine Communication / drug effects
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / genetics
  • Peptides / metabolism*
  • Protein Multimerization / drug effects
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism

Substances

  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Egfl6 protein, mouse
  • Glycoproteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Oligopeptides
  • Peptides
  • RNA, Messenger
  • arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases