Autocrine VEGF maintains endothelial survival through regulation of metabolism and autophagy

Item Type:	Article
Title:	Autocrine VEGF maintains endothelial survival through regulation of metabolism and autophagy
Creators Name:	Domigan, C.K. and Warren, C.M. and Antanesian, V. and Happel, K. and Ziyad, S. and Lee, S. and Krall, A. and Duan, L. and Torres-Collado, A.X. and Castellani, L.W. and Elashoff, D. and Christofk, H.R. and van der Bliek, A.M. and Potente, M. and Iruela-Arispe, M.L.
Abstract:	Autocrine VEGF is necessary for endothelial survival, although the cellular mechanisms supporting this function are unknown. Here, we show that--even after full differentiation and maturation--continuous expression of VEGF by endothelial cells is needed to sustain vascular integrity and cellular viability. Depletion of VEGF from the endothelium results in mitochondria fragmentation and suppression of glucose metabolism, leading to increased autophagy that contributes to cell death. Gene-expression profiling showed that endothelial VEGF contributes to the regulation of cell cycle and mitochondrial gene clusters, as well as several--but not all--targets of the transcription factor FOXO1. Indeed, VEGF-deficient endothelium in vitro and in vivo showed increased levels of FOXO1 protein in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Silencing of FOXO1 in VEGF-depleted cells reversed expression profiles of several of the gene clusters that were de-regulated in VEGF knockdown, and rescued both cell death and autophagy phenotypes. Our data suggest that endothelial VEGF maintains vascular homeostasis through regulation of FOXO1 levels, thereby ensuring physiological metabolism and endothelial cell survival.
Keywords:	Vascular Biology, FOXO1, Signal Transduction, Animals, Mice
Source:	Journal of Cell Science
ISSN:	0021-9533
Publisher:	Company of Biologists
Volume:	128
Number:	12
Page Range:	2236-2248
Date:	15 June 2015
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1242/jcs.163774
External Fulltext:	View full text on PubMed Central
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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