I-309 binds to and activates endothelial cell functions and acts as an angiogenic molecule in vivo

Several chemokines have been shown to act as angiogenic molecules or to mod ulate the activity of growth factors such as fibroblast growth factor 2 (FG F-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The detection of the CC chemokine receptor (CCR) 8 message in human umbilical vein endothelial cel ls (HUVECs) by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and RNase protection assay (RPA), prompted us to investigate the potential rol e exerted by the CC chemokine I-309, a known ligand of such receptor, in bo th in vitro and in vivo angiogenesis assays. We show here that I-309 binds to endothelial cells, stimulates chemotaxis and invasion of these cells, an d enhances HUVEC differentiation into capillary-like structures in an in vi tro Matrigel assay. Furthermore; I-309 is an inducer of angiogenesis in viv o in both the rabbit cornea and the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay (C AM), (C) 2000 by The American Society of Hematology.