Thromb Haemost 2001; 86(02): 702-709
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1616107
Review Article
Schattauer GmbH

Synergistic Induction of t-PA by Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor and Localization of t-PA to Weibel-Palade Bodies in Bovine Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Michael S. Pepper
1   Department of Morphology, University Medical Center
,
Corinne Rosnoblet
2   Division of Angiology and Hemostasis, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
,
Corinne Di Sanza
1   Department of Morphology, University Medical Center
,
Egbert K. O. Kruithof
2   Division of Angiology and Hemostasis, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 05 December 2000

Accepted after resubmission 12 March 2001

Publication Date:
12 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Endothelial cell migration is stimulated by members of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) families, and is dependent on extracellular proteolytic activity provided by enzymes of the plasminogen activator (PA) system. Here we report that in bovine microvascular endothelial cells (BME cells), bFGF principally increased urokinase-type PA (u-PA) while tissue-type PA (t-PA) was increased mainly by VEGF. In bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAE cells), bFGF increased u-PA, whereas VEGF had no effect. Co-added bFGF and VEGF increased t-PA mRNA levels and enzyme activity in both cell types in a synergistic manner. Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) immunoreactivity colocalized with von Willebrand factor, a marker for Weibel-Palade bodies. Co-added bFGF and VEGF increased the number of t-PA-positive cells as well as the number of t-PA-positive granules per cell. Localization of t-PA in regulated storage granules endows endothelial cells with the potential to rapidly increase proteolytic activity in the pericellular environment.