Inhibition of fibronectin-activated migration of microvascular endothelialcells by interleukin 1 alpha, tumour necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma

The effect of interferon gamma (IFN) and the inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor or (TNF) and interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1) on micro- and macro vascular endothelial cell (EC) proliferation and migration was analysed. Wh ereas both micro- and macrovascular EC were growth-inhibited in response to the aforementioned cytokines, only microvascular EC were sensitive to TNF, IL-1 and IFN as inhibitors of fibronectin-activated cell migration. in add ition, because microvascular EC play a crucial role in angiogenesis, and th e formation of new capillaries depends upon the presence of angiogenic poly peptides, me evaluated the synthesis of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) type 1 and 2, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Hepatocyte Growth F actor (HGF) in our system. Both micro- and macrovascular EC produce large a mounts of FGF-2, which is mainly localized in the nucleus, and almost undet ectable levels of FGF-1. In addition, the two cell types synthesize notable levels of VEGF and no HGF. Whether these findings are relevant to the diff erent in vivo functions of EC residing different districts remains the focu s of additional studies. (C) 1999 Academic Press.