Loss of osteoglycin promotes angiogenesis in limb ischaemia mouse models via modulation of vascular endothelial growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 signalling pathway

Cardiovasc Res. 2017 Jan;113(1):70-80. doi: 10.1093/cvr/cvw220. Epub 2016 Oct 23.

Abstract

Objective: Osteoglycin (OGN) has been noted for its implication in cardiovascular disease in recent studies. However, the relationship between OGN and angiogenesis remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of OGN on ischaemia-induced angiogenesis and to address the underlying mechanisms.

Methods and results: The expression of OGN was decreased in a limb ischaemia mouse model. OGN knockout (KO) mice were used to further understand the role of OGN after ischaemia. The perfusion recovery rate after femoral artery ligation was higher in OGN KO mice than in wild-type (WT) mice. The capillary density in the gastrocnemius muscle of the ischaemic limb was also higher in OGN KO mice. Moreover, ex vivo aortic ring explants from OGN KO mice exhibited stronger angiogenic sprouting than those from WT mice. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), OGN knockdown enhanced endothelial cell (EC) activation, including tube formation, proliferation, and migration. In contrast, OGN overexpression inhibited HUVEC activation. Mechanistic studies revealed that OGN associates with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and negatively regulates the interaction of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGFR2, thereby negatively modulating the activation of VEGFR2 and its downstream signalling pathways. Consistently, the pro-angiogenic effect of OGN KO was abrogated by VEGFR2 inhibition, supporting the critical role of VEGFR2 signalling in OGN-mediated regulation of angiogenic function.

Conclusions: OGN plays a critical role in negatively regulating ischaemia-induced angiogenesis by inhibiting VEGF-VEGFR2 signalling and thereby attenuating EC tube formation, proliferation, and migration. Thus, OGN may be a novel therapeutic target for ischaemic vascular diseases.

Keywords: Osteoglycin; Angiogenesis; Extracellular matrix; VEGF; VEGFR2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Hindlimb
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / deficiency*
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Ischemia / genetics
  • Ischemia / metabolism*
  • Ischemia / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Muscle, Skeletal / blood supply*
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic*
  • Phenotype
  • RNA Interference
  • Recovery of Function
  • Regional Blood Flow
  • Signal Transduction
  • Time Factors
  • Tissue Culture Techniques
  • Transfection
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • OGN protein, human
  • Ogn protein, mouse
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • KDR protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2