Inhibitory effect of 2 '-O-benzoylcinnamaldehyde on vascular endothelial cell proliferation and migration

Purpose: To evaluate the inhibitory effect of the farnesyl transferase inhi bitor 2'-O-benzoylcinnamaldehyde (CB 2'-ph) on proliferation and migration of vascular endothelial cells. Methods: Bovine lens epithelial cells, bovin e corneal endothelial cells, bovine keratocytes, bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were trea ted with CB 2'-ph to determine its cell type specificity and antiproliferat ive effect. For inhibition of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF )- or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-induced proliferation of HUVECs , these cells were treated with various concentrations of CB 2'-ph. To asse ss the proliferation, MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetraz olium bromide) assay was used. The migration assay was also performed to de termine the effect of CB 2'-ph on HUVECs. The distance of HUVEC outgrowth w as measured from the scraped edge of a monolayer after treatment with CB 2' -ph concentrations of 0, 1.5 and 2.5 mug/ml for 24, 48 and 72 h. Results: T he CB 2'-ph had an inhibitory effect on all tested types of cell proliferat ion but only HUVEC and BAEC proliferation was specifically inhibited in a d ose-dependent manner, In addition, CB 2'-ph inhibited VEGF- or bFGF-induced proliferation and migration of HUVECs in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusi ons: These results indicate that CB 2'-ph, a farnesyl transferase inhibitor is thought to be an effective inhibitor of vascular endothelial cell proli feration and migration. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.