| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
NEOPLASIA
From the Division of Hematology/Oncology, Weill Medical
College of Cornell University, New York, New York.
Similar to endothelial cells (ECs), vascular endothelial growth
factor (VEGF) induces Bcl-2 expression on VEGF receptor-positive (VEGFR+) primary leukemias and cell lines, promoting
survival. We investigated the molecular pathways activated by VEGF on
such leukemias, by performing a gene expression analysis of
VEGF-treated and untreated HL-60 leukemic cells. One gene to increase
after VEGF stimulation was heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). This was
subsequently confirmed at the protein level, on primary leukemias and
leukemic cell lines. VEGF increased the expression of Hsp90 by
interacting with KDR and activating the mitogen-activated protein
kinase cascade. In turn, Hsp90 modulated Bcl-2 expression, as shown by
a complete blockage of VEGF-induced Bcl-2 expression and binding to
Hsp90 by the Hsp90-specific inhibitor geldanamycin (GA). GA also
blocked the VEGF-induced Hsp90 binding to APAF-1 on leukemic
cells, a mechanism shown to inhibit apoptosis. Notably, VEGF blocked
the proapoptotic effects of GA, correlating with its effects at the molecular level. Earlier, we showed that in some leukemias, a VEGF/KDR
autocrine loop is essential for cell survival, whereas here we
identified the molecular correlates for such an effect. We also
demonstrate that the generation of a VEGF/VEGFR autocrine loop on
VEGFR+ cells such as ECs, also protected them from
apoptosis. Infection of ECs with adenovirus-expressing VEGF resulted in
elevated Hsp90 levels, increased Bcl-2 expression, and resistance to
serum-free or GA-induced apoptosis. In summary, we demonstrate that
Hsp90 mediates antiapoptotic and survival-promoting effects of VEGF, which may contribute to the survival advantage of VEGFR+
cells such as subsets of leukemias.
(Blood. 2002;99:2532-2540) Vascular endothelial growth factor
(VEGF165) regulates endothelial functions such as
differentiation, migration, proliferation, and survival.1
VEGF165 signals through its receptors VEGFR-1 (Flt-1) and
VEGFR-2 (Flk-1/KDR), which are mainly expressed by endothelial cells,
but also by subsets of tumor cells such as leukemias.2,3
Recent advances in the field of VEGF signaling identified the
mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway4 and also phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3) kinase5,6 as being downstream of VEGF-induced receptor activation. However, the precise molecular mechanisms of VEGF signaling, particularly those involved in cell survival, are poorly understood. In this regard, it was recently shown
that VEGF promotes survival of serum-starved endothelial cells (ECs) by
increasing the levels of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2.7,8 Overexpression of Bcl-2 on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was sufficient to prevent these cells from
apoptotic death in the absence of VEGF.8 However, the molecular pathways involved in VEGF-mediated induction of Bcl-2, contributing to cell survival, are still unknown.
Previous studies have shown that VEGF and its receptors are expressed
on a subset of leukemic cells. Earlier, we showed that VEGFR-2 (KDR) is
functional on certain VEGF-producing leukemias, resulting in a VEGF/KDR
autocrine loop, which mediates their proliferation and
survival.3 In the present study, we sought to characterize the molecular mechanisms by which VEGF increases the survival of
leukemic cells. First, we demonstrate that VEGF induces Bcl-2 expression on VEGFR+ primary leukemias and cell lines.
Next, we exploited the molecular mechanisms of such induction. For
this, we performed a gene expression analysis of HL-60 cells, treated
or untreated with VEGF, and focused on the induction of genes that
might be involved in apoptosis. One gene whose expression was
significantly increased by VEGF was heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). Because Hsps are involved in stress responses and are
also linked with resistance to apoptosis,9-11 we
hypothesized that this chaperone molecule might play an important role
in mediating the survival effects of VEGF.
Hsp90 is a highly conserved, constitutively expressed protein, which
represents about 2% to 5% of the total cellular proteins even in the
absence of stress stimulation.12 Hsp90 has been shown to
play a role in various cell regulation pathways by interacting with
different proteins such as Erb-2, MEK, and Raf-1.13 Hsp90 acts by forming an association with a partner protein and preventing its degradation or participating in its folding.14 In
addition, it was shown that an antibiotic, benzoquinone ansamycin,
geldanamycin (GA),13 selectively blocks the activities of
Hsp90, but does not interact with other members of the Hsp family. GA
binds to Hsp90, preventing the formation of the Hsp90/partner protein
complex and, therefore, resulting in the degradation of the partner
protein. Particularly in what concerns apoptosis it was recently shown that Hsp90 blocks cytochrome c-mediated oligomerization of
apoptotic protease-activating factor-1 (APAF-1) and subsequent
activation of procaspase-9, thereby inhibiting
apoptosis.11
In this study we demonstrate that VEGF induces Hsp90 expression on
VEGFR+ leukemias. On VEGF stimulation, Hsp90 binds Bcl-2
and APAF-1, an effect mediated through VEGFR-2 (KDR) and involving the
activation of the MAP kinase pathway. These actions of VEGF result in
increased resistance to apoptosis in serum-free conditions or in
response to high concentrations of GA. As suggested by its specificity, GA blocks VEGF-induced Bcl-2 and APAF-1 binding to Hsp90. Besides showing the effects of exogenous VEGF on leukemia survival, we demonstrate the generation of a VEGF/VEGFR autocrine loop on ECs results in Hsp90 up-regulation and increased resistance to serum deprivation or GA-induced apoptosis.
In summary, we identified some of the molecular events involved in the
prosurvival effects of VEGF, in both malignant (leukemia) and also
normal (EC) cells. The data shown here suggest that during leukemia
progression, VEGF, either through the generation of an autocrine loop
or acting in a paracrine fashion, may promote the survival of and
protect VEGFR+ leukemias from apoptosis.
Recombinant cytokines
Antibodies and synthetic inhibitors
Cell culture Primary leukemia samples (a total of 4, diagnosed as acute myeloid leukemia) were obtained as described previously.3 These as well as the promyelomonocytic leukemic cell line HL-60, the promonocytic cell line THP-1, and the megakaryocytic leukemic cell line HEL were used to study the effects of VEGF. Leukemic cells were cultured in RPMI (Gibco BRL, Rockville, MD) with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS), penicillin (100 U/mL), streptomycin (100 µg/mL), and Fungizone (0.25 µg/mL). For VEGFR expression analysis, cells were stained with human KDR-specific (clone 6.64) or Flt-1-specific (clone FB5) fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled monoclonal antibody (both obtained from ImClone Systems), and analyzed using a Coulter Elite Flow Cytometer, Miami, FL. HUVECs were also used in this study. These were cultured under standard endothelial culture conditions,15 and split on reaching confluency.VEGF enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay Supernatants from leukemic cultures (1 × 106 cells/mL, in serum-free conditions) were collected after 24 hours, and analyzed for the presence of VEGF using a human VEGF-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and following the manufacturer's instructions (R & D Systems). Results are shown as picograms per milliliter of VEGF in culture supernatants, and each determination was done in triplicate.RNA extraction For messenger RNA (mRNA) extraction, and before incubation with VEGF, the cells were washed and serum starved for 4 hours in RPMI alone. Cells were left untreated or treated with VEGF (50 ng/mL) and were cultured for 12 hours before RNA extraction. Total RNA was isolated from both VEGF-treated (12 hours) and untreated HL-60 cells using HighPure RNA isolation kit (Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, IN). This procedure includes DNase-I treatment of RNA samples to prevent genomic DNA contamination. Poly A+ RNA was isolated using Dynabeads Oligo (dT)25 (Dynal Biotech, Lake Success, NY), using the manufacturer's protocol. RNA quality was verified by electrophoresis on a denaturing formaldehyde-agarose gel.Gene expression analysis Gene expression analysis was performed using the Atlas Human cDNA Expression Array (Clontech, San Diego, CA). Poly A+ RNA from both samples (1 µg each) was used for complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesis. cDNA synthesis, probe labeling, purification of labeled cDNA from unincorporated 32P-labeled nucleotides, and hybridization of samples to the cDNA expression array were performed according to the manufacturer's instructions. The images of hybridization were obtained by phosphorimager (Amersham Biosciences, Sunnyvale, CA) after 5 days of exposure. Signal intensities were estimated using the ImageQuant software (Molecular Dynamics). Results show the mean signal intensities determined for the genes differentially expressed in control versus VEGF-stimulated HL-60 cells.Quantification of apoptotic cells in serum-free conditions To determine survival in serum-free conditions, HL-60 (1 × 105/mL) or ECs (1 × 105/well of a 6-well plate) were cultured in serum-free medium for 72 hours. In the case of ECs, every 24 hours the cells were collected by gentle scraping of collagenase-treated cells (Gibco BRL)s, spun down at 1000 rpm, and analyzed for the presence of apoptotic cells using the annexin V staining kit (Immunotech, Beckman Coulter, Brea, CA), following the manufacturer's instructions, and using a Coulter Elite Flow Cytometer. In the HL-60 experiments, VEGF (20 ng/mL) was added every 24 hours, alone or together with GA, to the cultures. Results are shown as the percentage of early apoptotic cells (annexin V+). Triplicates were used in all experiments, and each experiment was repeated 3 times.GA experiments Geldanamycin was obtained from Sigma Chemical and diluted in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for all the in vitro experiments. For the Western blot analysis of Bcl-2 induction following VEGF stimulation, HL-60 cells were cultured in 6-well plates (Corning Costar, Cambridge, MA), at a cell density of 1 × 106 cells/mL, in serum-free RPMI and treated with VEGF alone, 0.02 µM GA or VEGF plus GA. For survival experiments, ECs were cultured in serum-free conditions and exposed to different concentrations of GA (0.02, 0.2, or 2 µM). In the case of HL-60 cells, a higher GA dose was also used (10 µM). The percentage of apoptotic cells in each culture condition was determined by annexin V staining, as above.Protein extraction and Western blotting To detect VEGF-induced changes in protein expression, HL-60 cells were stimulated with recombinant VEGF (50 ng/mL) or PLGF (100 ng/mL) for different time points (24 hours for Bcl-2 induction; 3 hours for protein binding following VEGF stimulation), at 37°C. For experiments using the MAP kinase or the PI3 kinase inhibitors, cells were stimulated with VEGF in the presence of each specific inhibitor for the duration of the treatment. After stimulation, cells were lysed in cold RIPA buffer (50 mM Tris, 5 mM EDTA, 1% Triton X-114, 0.4% sodium cacodylate, and 150 mM NaCl), in the presence of protease inhibitors (1 mg/mL aprotinin, 10 mg/mL leupeptin, 1 mM -glycerophosphate, 1 mM sodium orthovanadate, and 1 mM
phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride). After centrifugation to remove
cell debris, supernatants (a total protein minimum of 500 ng)
were resuspended in loading buffer and subjected to sodium dodecyl
sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (7.5% gels) under reducing
conditions (in the presence of -mercaptoethanol). Proteins were
subsequently blotted onto a nitrocellulose membrane following
conventional protocols. Finally, blots were blocked in 1% bovine serum
albumin (BSA)/PBS-1% Tween 20 for 1 hour at room temperature followed by incubation with primary and secondary antibodies. Goat polyclonal anti-Hsp90 (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, CA), mouse
polyclonal antihuman Bcl-2, Bax (Oncogene Research Products,
Calbiochem), and rabbit polyclonal antihuman APAF-1 (Santa Cruz
Biotechnology) antibodies were used at a concentration of 1 µg/mL and secondary antigoat IgG-horseradish perioxidase
(HRP; for Hsp90), antimouse IgG-HRP (for Bcl-2), or antirabbit IgG-HRP
(for APAF-1) were used at 1:6000. For immunoprecipitation experiments,
total cell lysates were incubated with 1 µg/mL primary antibody and
protein-A agarose beads overnight at 4°C. Precipitated proteins were
resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enhanced
chemiluminescence (ECL) detection system and ECL film (Amersham
Pharmacia Biotech, Piscataway, NJ) were used to visualize the
presence of proteins on the nitrocellulose blots. Intensity of Western
blot bands was quantified by densitometry, using the Scion Image
software (Scion, Frederick, MD).
Adenovirus experiments Adenoviruses were kindly provided by Dr Neil Hackett (Gene Core Facility Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York). Briefly, HUVECs were infected with (10 pfu) adeno-null or adeno-VEGF, by incubating the cells with the viral preparation overnight. Cells were then washed and placed in complete endothelium medium. They were subsequently cultured in serum-free conditions or in the presence of different concentrations of GA, as above. Results show the percentage of annexin-positive cells (early apoptotic), as determined after 72 hours. Each determination was done in triplicate.Statistical analysis To detect differences between data sets, specifically for cell survival (annexin V) data, a Student t test (2-tailed) was applied in which P < .05 was considered statistically significant. Western blot results are shown as the ratio between densitometry units (band intensity) in experimental conditions versus controls (untreated cells). These values were calculated from 3 independent experiments and are shown with SDs. A ratio of 1 (along the dotted line) indicates the experimental condition had identical Western blot results to the controls. For the annexin V data, a P < .05 was considered significant.
VEGF165 promotes survival of leukemia by increasing Bcl-2 expression Given the involvement of Bcl-2 on VEGF-induced EC survival, we investigated whether it exerted a similar function on VEGFR+ leukemic cells. All leukemias and leukemic cell lines used in this study expressed either KDR or Flt-1, or both, as determined by flow cytometry (Table 1). As determined by Western blotting, on 3 primary leukemias (samples 1, 3, and 4) and on 2 cell lines (HEL and THP-1), there were also increased Bcl-2 levels after 24 hours of VEGF stimulation, whereas Bax showed modest changes over control (baseline) levels (Figure 1A). This effect was dose-dependent (shown for HL-60 cells, Figure 1B) and is consistent with an increase in survival and proliferation of VEGFR+ leukemias, seen after longer incubations with VEGF (previously shown3).
VEGF165 induces expression of Bcl-2 through VEGFR-2 (KDR) We used the HL-60 cell line as a model to investigate in detail the mechanisms by which VEGF promoted Bcl-2 expression and leukemic cell survival. First, KDR-specific (IMC-1C11) and Flt-1-specific (6.12) neutralizing monoclonal antibodies and PLGF (specific ligand for Flt-1) were used to examine the involvement of KDR and Flt-1 on VEGF-induced Bcl-2 induction (Figure 2). VEGF induced a 2.5-fold increase in Bcl-2 expression on HL-60 cells, which could be prevented by coincubation with IMC-1C11 (Figure 2). Notably, treatment of HL-60 cells with the Flt-1-specific ligand PLGF had little effect on Bcl-2 expression (Figure 2), although incubation with the Flt-1-specific monoclonal antibody (6.12) reduced the VEGF-induced increases, but to a lesser extent than IMC-1C11. The levels of the proapoptotic Bax showed little change with any of the treatment conditions, decreasing only in the presence of IMC-1C11 (Figure 2).
VEGF165 activation of serum-starved HL-60 cells leads to multiple changes in gene expression HL-60 cells were treated with VEGF for 12 hours to detect the expression of genes that could be involved in the antiapoptotic effects of VEGF. Subsequently, mRNA from treated and untreated cells was hybridized to an Atlas Human cDNA Expression Array, containing 588 known human genes. Analysis of the pattern of hybridization revealed a group of genes whose expression changed the most in response to VEGF stimulation (Table 2). Ninety genes were detected in HL-60 serum-starved cells at levels higher than background. We divided these genes into different groups, based on their level of expression related to the average level of the housekeeping genes present in the membrane (which was considered as 1.0). A difference in signal intensity of more than 2 times was considered significant and, therefore, corresponding genes were considered as differentially expressed.
We found 4 highly abundant, differentially expressed genes on
VEGF-treated HL-60 cells: prothymosin- VEGF165 induces Hsp90 in serum-starved leukemic cells As determined by the cDNA array, Hsp90 mRNA levels increased approximately 3- fold in HL-60 cells treated with VEGF. These results were confirmed at the protein level, by Western blot analysis (Figure 3A). The results show that on HL-60 cells cultured in the presence of VEGF, the expression of Hsp90 increased rapidly, reaching a maximum level after 3 to 12 hours (Figure 3A), and subsequently decreasing at later time points (last time point analyzed, 24 hours). VEGF also increased Hsp90 expression on 3 VEGFR+ primary leukemias (samples 1, 3, and 4) and 2 other leukemic cell lines used in this study (Figure 3B).
Next, using HL-60 cells as a model, we investigated whether VEGF increased Hsp90 expression by interacting with VEGFR-1 (Flt-1) or VEGFR-2 (KDR). The VEGF-induced increase in Hsp90 expression was blocked by coincubating the HL-60 cells with VEGF plus IMC-1C11, PD-98059, but not wortmanin or LY20094 (PI3 kinase inhibitors) (Figure 3C). VEGF165 induces Bcl-2 expression through Hsp90 and promotes Bcl-2 binding to Hsp90 We hypothesized Hsp90 might be involved in the signaling cascade leading to the VEGF-induced changes in Bcl-2 expression. To verify this hypothesis, we used GA, an Hsp90-specific inhibitor. GA, even at low doses, blocked the VEGF-induced Bcl-2 expression on HL-60 leukemic cells, but did not affect the constitutive expression of other proteins, such as Hsp90 itself or Bax (data for Bax levels are shown, Figure 4). Similar results were obtained for the other leukemic cell lines and primary leukemias studied (data not shown).
Next, we demonstrated that after VEGF stimulation, Hsp90 interacts
directly with Bcl-2. As shown in Figure
5, stimulation of HL-60 cells with VEGF
promoted Bcl-2 binding to Hsp90, an effect that was partially blocked
by coincubating the cells with VEGF plus GA.
VEGF165 promotes Hsp90 binding to APAF-1 As seen for Hsp90 induction and binding to Bcl-2, VEGF promoted Hsp90 binding to APAF-1, an effect that was blocked by coincubating the cells with GA (Figure 6). In addition, as shown for Hsp90 itself, APAF-1/Hsp90 binding in response to VEGF could be blocked by IMC-1C11 (data not shown). Importantly, the basal levels of APAF-1 showed little change with any of the experimental conditions (Figure 6). These results suggest that on VEGFR+ leukemic cells, VEGF, by interacting with KDR and activating the MAP kinase pathway, leads to increased Hsp90 levels and promotes binding of Hsp90 to APAF-1, which may result in apoptosis blockade.
VEGF protects HL-60 cells from apoptosis in vitro We have previously shown that subsets of leukemic cells produce VEGF and express its receptors, which results in an autocrine loop that mediates leukemia survival. Here we demonstrate that VEGF induces Hsp90, which in turn binds Bcl-2 and APAF-1, and thus may protect cells from apoptosis. Next, we showed that VEGF protected HL-60 cells from both serum-free (not shown) and GA-induced apoptosis. As seen in Figure 7, when cultured in the presence of 10 µM GA for 72 hours, HL-60 undergoes a 6-fold increase in apoptosis (measured by annexin V+ cells) when compared to control (untreated) cells. In contrast, coincubation of HL-60 cells with GA plus VEGF decreased the percentage of apoptotic HL-60 cells by 3.5-fold, to levels similar to controls (Figure 7). The reduced sensitivity of HL-60 cells to GA, seen in the presence of VEGF, supports our in vitro data demonstrating that VEGF up-regulates Hsp90 levels. Similarly, addition of VEGF protected HL-60 cells from serum-free-induced apoptosis (not shown).
Generation of a VEGF/VEGFR autocrine loop protects ECs from apoptosis in vitro Earlier, we demonstrated the generation of a VEGF/KDR autocrine loop was essential for leukemia growth in vivo.16 As shown above, addition of VEGF to VEGFR-expressing leukemic cells protects them from apoptosis in vitro. Next, we investigated whether the generation of a VEGF/VEGFR autocrine loop conferred resistance to apoptosis also on normal cells such as ECs. First, we compared the sensitivity of HUVECs to GA, in a dose-response experiment. As determined by annexin V staining of the cells in the presence of different concentrations of GA (0.02, 0.2, and 2 µM), most ECs die over a 48-hour period (Figure 8A).
The generation of a VEGF/VEGFR autocrine loop on ECs was achieved by infecting ECs with an adenovirus expressing human VEGF. Adeno-VEGF-infected ECs had higher constitutive levels of Hsp90 (Figure 8B) and Bcl-2 (not shown) and were thus 5- to 10-fold more resistant to GA-induced and serum-free-induced apoptosis than their normal, noninfected endothelial counterpart (shown for the 72-hour time point, Figure 8C, P < .05). ECs infected with adeno-null (nonmodified adenovirus) also had increased Hsp90 levels, although, relative to the controls, the increase was less profound than in the adeno-VEGF-infected ones (Figure 8B). Likewise, adeno-null infection also improved EC survival in serum-free conditions and augmented their resistance to GA-induced apoptosis, although to a lesser extent than that seen with the adeno-VEGF-infected ones. Taken together, the data shown here suggest that VEGF, either exogenous or acting in a paracrine manner, stimulates cell survival of both leukemia and ECs, by up-regulating Hsp90, Bcl-2 induction, and apoptosis inhibition. Notably, as seen in Figure 7, HL-60 cells required doses of GA that were 5-fold higher than those for ECs to die by apoptosis over a 72-hour period.
Vascular endothelial growth factor is one of the most potent proangiogenic factors. It regulates differentiation, migration, proliferation, and survival of ECs by interacting with its receptors VEGFR-1 (Flt-1) and VEGFR-2 (Flk-1/KDR). In addition, it has recently been shown that VEGF protects ECs from apoptosis, by inducing the antiapoptotic gene, Bcl-2.7 However, detailed molecular analysis of the specific pathway(s) leading to Bcl-2 induction has not been done. Furthermore, besides ECs, it was recently shown that subsets of leukemias expresses Flt-1 and KDR.2,3 Earlier, we demonstrated these receptors are functional on certain VEGF-producing leukemias, resulting in the generation of an autocrine loop that promotes their proliferation and migration.3 Previous studies have also shown VEGF protects hematopoietic cells and a leukemia cell line from chemotherapy-induced apoptosis, an effect that involved induction of MCL1.17 In the present study we investigated in detail the molecular pathways induced by VEGF on VEGFR+ leukemias, which contribute toward leukemic cell survival, by focusing on Bcl-2. As shown for ECs, VEGF induced Bcl-2 expression on both primary
leukemias and cell lines. To find the molecular pathways by which
VEGF promotes leukemia survival, we used the HL-60 cell line as a
model. We started by showing that VEGF induces Bcl-2 expression by
interacting with KDR on the cell surface. Next, we performed a cDNA
expression array analysis of VEGF-treated and nontreated HL-60 cells.
About 15% of the total number of genes included on the cDNA array were
expressed in HL-60 serum-starved cells. Considering the number of genes
represented in the gene array (588 genes), this percentage fits the
estimation that one cell type expresses 15% to 20% of the total
number of genes in the genome. As shown in Table 1, 3 of the genes
whose expression changed the most between treated and untreated cells,
were prothymosin- A plethora of information is available regarding Hsp90 and other members of the Hsp family and their importance for cell proliferation and differentiation. Furthermore, and of particular interest to the present studies, Hsps play an important role in apoptosis.9-11,14 For instance, it was recently shown that Hsp60 promotes apoptosis by accelerating the maturation of procaspase-3.20 On the other hand, Hsp70 and Hsp27 block apoptosis by binding to APAF-1 and cytochrome c, respectively, therefore preventing the maturation of caspase-9.10,21 It has also been shown that Hsp90 may prevent apoptosis by stabilizing the antiapoptotic protein RIP-114 and binding to APAF-1, preventing its oligomerization.11 Considering their involvement in the regulation of apoptosis, we investigated whether VEGF mediated its survival-promoting effects through one or more Hsps. In the cDNA array used in these studies we verified the level of expression of 5 Hsps. As mentioned above, Hsp90 was up-regulated 3-fold in leukemic cells treated with VEGF. However, using this method, there were no significant differences in the expression level of Hsp60 and Hsp27, whereas Hsp40 and Hsp70 were not detected at all. Therefore, we hypothesized that Hsp90 might be involved in the VEGF-induced up-regulation of Bcl-2 and regulation of leukemic cell survival. We demonstrate on VEGFR+ primary leukemias and cell lines that VEGF, through KDR, leads to activation of the MAP kinase cascade and results in up-regulation of Hsp90 levels. Previous studies had shown Hsp90 plays an important role in regulating VEGF-induced endothelial cell migration in vitro.22 Here, we show that Bcl-2 induction in response to VEGF is completely abrogated by cotreating cells with the Hsp90-specific antibiotic GA. Because Hsp90 stabilizes different proteins, thereby preventing their degradation, we hypothesized that, in the presence of GA, Hsp90 may fail to bind Bcl-2, and as a result Bcl-2 is rapidly degraded. In fact, coimmunoprecipitation experiments showed that, following VEGF stimulation, Bcl-2 binds Hsp90, an effect that is abrogated by GA. Similarly, VEGF not only increased Hsp90 and Bcl-2 levels but also promoted binding of Hsp90 to APAF-1, a mechanism previously shown to block apoptosis.11 Whether there is a direct interaction between Hsp90, APAF-1, and Bcl-2, leading to inhibition of apoptosis, is not established. Given that GA blocks Bcl-2 expression also on HUVECs (data not shown), the present work indicates that leukemic and endothelial cells may share common molecular pathways that mediate VEGF-induced survival, and that VEGF up-regulates Hsp90/Bcl-2 levels on both cell types. It is well established that circulating VEGF levels are increased in patients with different hematologic diseases, namely, leukemia.23 Moreover, we have shown that an autocrine VEGF/KDR loop is functional in subsets of leukemias,3 and Ferrajoli et al24 showed the level of KDR expression by circulating leukemic cells correlated with poor survival of chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients. Similarly, Fusetti et al25 demonstrated that the level of VEGF production by different leukemias determines their capacity to engraft and form tumors in vivo. Here we suggest that increases in circulating VEGF, acting in a paracrine or autocrine fashion, may in fact promote survival of subsets of leukemic cells through Hsp90 regulation. Indeed, following VEGF stimulation, HL-60 cells resisted serum-free-induced and also GA-induced apoptosis in vitro. Next, using ECs as a model of nonmalignant, VEGFR-expressing
cells, we determined whether the survival-promoting effects of VEGF
were unique to leukemias. We hypothesized that cells that produce VEGF
and express at least one of its receptors, such as some of the
leukemias described above, may have elevated Hsp90 levels and thus be
more resistant to apoptosis than the VEGFR
The present report reveals, for the first time, that Hsp90 is an important mediator of VEGF-induced cell survival, a mechanism that involves up-regulation and binding of Bcl-2 and APAF-1 to Hsp90. Whether acting in a paracrine or autocrine manner, here we demonstrated that elevated circulating VEGF levels will confer VEGFR-expressing tumor cells with greater survival potential and resistance to apoptosis. Furthermore, on VEGF-producing, VEGFR-expressing tumor cells, such as leukemias, the existence of a VEGF/VEGFR autocrine loop may result in the maintenance of Hsp90 at high levels, stabilization of Bcl-2/APAF-1, and apoptosis blockade. Whether VEGF-induced Hsp90 also leads to the stabilization or increased production of other antiapoptotic proteins, remains to be determined. It is now established that angiogenesis plays an important role in the growth of solid tumors.26 However, only recently it was suggested that angiogenesis might be critical for proliferation of liquid tumors as well.2,27 ECs may support leukemic cell growth through the release of different cytokines, and leukemic cells in turn support endothelial growth by releasing VEGF or other proangiogenic factors.2 Previously, we have shown that As2O3 causes apoptosis of human ECs, and suggested its reported antileukemic effects might involve inhibition of angiogenesis.28 In the present report, given the greater sensitivity of ECs to GA-mediated apoptosis, we hypothesize that GA may exert similar effects. The potent antitumor effects of GA, which led to its use in phase 2 and 3 trials of a variety of malignancies, may thus involve inhibition of angiogenesis, a mechanism that has not been demonstrated to date.
Submitted March 20, 2001; accepted November 19, 2001.
S.D. and S.V.S. contributed equally to this work.
S. Rafii is supported by a Translational Research Award from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) grants R01s HL-58707, HL-61849, HL-66592, HL-67839; and a Research Scholar Grant from American Cancer Society (RSG-01-091-01) and the Lupin Foundation. S.D. was supported by Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation.
The publication costs of this article were defrayed in part by page charge payment. Therefore, and solely to indicate this fact, this article is hereby marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C. section 1734.
Reprints: Shahin Rafii, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Rm C-606, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Ave, New York, NY 10021; e-mail: srafii{at}mail.med.cornell.edu.
1.
Neufeld G, Cohen T, Gengrinovitch S, Poltorak Z.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors.
FASEB J.
1999;13:9-22
2.
Fiedler W, Graeven U, Ergun S, et al.
Vascular endothelial growth factor, a possible paracrine growth factor in human acute myeloid leukemia.
Blood.
1997;89:1870-1875 3. Dias S, Hattori K, Zhu Z, et al. Autocrine stimulation of VEGFR-2 activates human leukemic cell growth and migration. J Clin Invest. 2000;106:511-521[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]. 4. Seko Y, Takahashi N, Tobe K, Ueki K, Kadowaki T, Yazaki Y. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) activates Raf-1, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, and S6 kinase (p90rsk) in cultured rat cardiac myocytes. J Cell Physiol. 1998;175:239-246[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].
5.
Thakker GD, Hajjar DP, Muller WA, Rosengart TK.
The role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in vascular endothelial growth factor signaling.
J Biol Chem.
1999;274:10002-10007
6.
Zeng H, Dvorak HF, Mukhopadhyay D.
VPF/VEGF receptor-1 down-modulates VPF/VEGF receptor-2 mediated endothelial cell proliferation, but not migration, through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase dependent pathways.
J Biol Chem.
2001;276:26969-26979
7.
Nor JE, Christensen J, Mooney DJ, Polverini PJ.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated angiogenesis is associated with enhanced endothelial cell survival and induction of Bcl-2 expression.
Am J Pathol.
1999;154:375-384
8.
Gerber HP, Dixit V, Ferrara N.
Vascular endothelial growth factor induces expression of the antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and A1 in vascular endothelial cells.
J Biol Chem.
1998;273:13313-13316 9. Gibbons NB, Watson RW, Coffey RN, Brady HP, Fitzpatrick JM. Heat-shock proteins inhibit induction of prostate cancer cell apoptosis. Prostate. 2000;45:58-65[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]. 10. Beere HM, Wolf BB, Cain K, et al. Heat-shock protein 70 inhibits apoptosis by preventing recruitment of procaspase-9 to the Apaf-1 apoptosome. Nat Cell Biol. 2000;2:469-475[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]. 11. Pandey P, Saleh A, Nakazawa A, et al. Negative regulation of cytochrome c-mediated oligomerization of apaf-1 and activation of procaspase-9 by heat shock protein 90. EMBO J. 2000;19:4310-4322[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]. 12. Pratt WB. The role of the hsp90-based chaperone system in signal transduction by nuclear receptors and receptors signaling via MAP kinase. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol. 1997;37:297-326[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].
13.
Stancato LF, Silverstein AM, Owens-Grillo JK, Chow YH, Jove R, Pratt WB.
The hsp90-binding antibiotic geldanamycin decreases Raf levels and epidermal growth factor signaling without disrupting formation of signaling complexes or reducing the specific enzymatic activity of Raf kinase.
J Biol Chem.
1997;272:4013-4020
14.
Lewis J, Devin A, Miller A, et al.
Disruption of hsp90 function results in degradation of the death domain kinase, receptor-interacting protein (RIP), and blockage of tumor necrosis factor-induced nuclear factor-kappaB activation.
J Biol Chem.
2000;275:10519-10526 15. Mohle R, Bautz F, Rafii S, Moore MA, Brugger W, Kanz L. Regulation of transendothelial migration of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1999;872:176-185[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].
16.
Dias S, Hattori K, Heissig B, et al.
Inhibition of both paracrine and autocrine VEGF/VEGFR-2 signaling pathways is essential to induce long-term remission of xenotransplanted human leukemias.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.
2001;98:10857-10862
17.
Katoh O, Takahashi T, Oguri T, et al.
Vascular endothelial growth factor inhibits apoptotic death in hematopoietic cells after exposure to chemotherapeutic drugs by inducing MCL1 acting as an antiapoptotic factor.
Cancer Res.
1998;58:5565-5569 18. Segade F, Gomez-Marquez J. Prothymosin alpha. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 1999l;31:1243-1248[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]. 19. Beinlich A, Strohmeier R, Kaufmann M, Kuhl H. Relation of cell proliferation to expression of peripheral benzodiazepine receptors in human breast cancer cell lines. Biochem Pharmacol. 2000;60:397-402[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]. 20. Xanthoudakis S, Roy S, Rasper D, et al. Hsp60 accelerates the maturation of pro-caspase-3 by upstream activator proteases during apoptosis. EMBO J. 1999;18:2049-2056[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]. 21. Bruey JM, Ducasse C, Bonniaud P, et al. Hsp27 negatively regulates cell death by interacting with cytochrome c. Nat Cell Biol. 2000;2:645-652[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].
22.
Rousseau S, Houle F, Kotanides H, et al.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-driven actin-based motility is mediated by VEGFR2 and requires concerted activation of stress-activated protein kinase 2 (SAPK2/p38) and geldanamycin-sensitive phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase.
J Biol Chem.
2000;275:10661-10672
23.
Aguayo A, Estey E, Kantarjian H, et al.
Cellular vascular endothelial growth factor is a predictor of outcome in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.
Blood.
1999;94:3717-3721
24.
Ferrajoli A, Manshouri T, Estrov Z, et al.
High levels of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 correlate with shortened survival in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Clin Cancer Res.
2001;7:795-799
25.
Fusetti L, Pruneri G, Gobbi A, et al.
Human myeloid and lymphoid malignancies in the non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency mouse model: frequency of apoptotic cells in solid tumors and efficiency and speed of engraftment correlate with vascular endothelial growth factor production.
Cancer Res.
2000;60:2527-2534 26. Folkman J. Angiogenesis and angiogenesis inhibition: an overview. EXS. 1997;79:1-8[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve].
27.
Aguayo A, Kantarjian H, Manshouri T, et al.
Angiogenesis in acute and chronic leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes.
Blood.
2000;96:2240-2245
28.
Roboz GJ, Dias S, Lam G, et al.
Arsenic trioxide induces dose- and time-dependent apoptosis of endothelium and may exert an antileukemic effect via inhibition of angiogenesis [in process citation].
Blood.
2000;96:1525-1530
© 2002 by The American Society of Hematology.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
S. Sleijfer, W. T.A. van der Graaf, and J.-Y. Blay Angiogenesis Inhibition in Non-GIST Soft Tissue Sarcomas Oncologist, November 1, 2008; 13(11): 1193 - 1200. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Laubach and A. V. Rao Current and Emerging Strategies for the Management of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in the Elderly Oncologist, October 1, 2008; 13(10): 1097 - 1108. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. Bianco, R. Rosa, V. Damiano, G. Daniele, T. Gelardi, S. Garofalo, V. Tarallo, S. De Falco, D. Melisi, R. Benelli, et al. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 Contributes to Resistance to Anti-Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Drugs in Human Cancer Cells Clin. Cancer Res., August 15, 2008; 14(16): 5069 - 5080. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Jha, J. W. Calvert, M. R. Duranski, A. Ramachandran, and D. J. Lefer Hydrogen sulfide attenuates hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury: role of antioxidant and antiapoptotic signaling Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, August 1, 2008; 295(2): H801 - H806. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Kondo, Y. Tang, E. A. Scheef, N. Sheibani, and C. M. Sorenson Attenuation of retinal endothelial cell migration and capillary morphogenesis in the absence of bcl-2 Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, June 1, 2008; 294(6): C1521 - C1530. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. Chakraborty, M. A. Koldobskiy, K. M. Sixt, K. R. Juluri, A. K. Mustafa, A. M. Snowman, D. B. van Rossum, R. L. Patterson, and S. H. Snyder From the Cover: HSP90 regulates cell survival via inositol hexakisphosphate kinase-2 PNAS, January 29, 2008; 105(4): 1134 - 1139. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F. Edlich, F. Erdmann, F. Jarczowski, M.-C. Moutty, M. Weiwad, and G. Fischer The Bcl-2 Regulator FKBP38-Calmodulin-Ca2+ Is Inhibited by Hsp90 J. Biol. Chem., May 25, 2007; 282(21): 15341 - 15348. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C.-C. Kuo, C.-M. Liang, C.-Y. Lai, and S.-M. Liang Involvement of Heat Shock Protein (Hsp)90beta but Not Hsp90{alpha} in Antiapoptotic Effect of CpG-B Oligodeoxynucleotide J. Immunol., May 15, 2007; 178(10): 6100 - 6108. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
W. Xu and L. Neckers Targeting the Molecular Chaperone Heat Shock Protein 90 Provides a Multifaceted Effect on Diverse Cell Signaling Pathways of Cancer Cells Clin. Cancer Res., March 15, 2007; 13(6): 1625 - 1629. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
I. A. Avramis, E. H. Panosyan, F. Dorey, J. S. Holcenberg, and V. I. Avramis Correlation between High Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A Serum Levels and Treatment Outcome in Patients with Standard-Risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Report from Children's Oncology Group Study CCG-1962 Clin. Cancer Res., December 1, 2006; 12(23): 6978 - 6984. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
W.-U. Kim, S. S. Kang, S.-A. Yoo, K.-H. Hong, D.-G. Bae, M.-S. Lee, S. W. Hong, C.-B. Chae, and C.-S. Cho Interaction of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor 165 with Neuropilin-1 Protects Rheumatoid Synoviocytes from Apoptotic Death by Regulating Bcl-2 Expression and Bax Translocation J. Immunol., October 15, 2006; 177(8): 5727 - 5735. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. Schmeisser, M. Christoph, A. Augstein, R. Marquetant, M. Kasper, R.C. Braun-Dullaeus, and R.H. Strasser Apoptosis of human macrophages by Flt-4 signaling: Implications for atherosclerotic plaque pathology Cardiovasc Res, September 1, 2006; 71(4): 774 - 784. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. A. Healy, P. J. Daly, N. G. Docherty, M. Murphy, J. M. Fitzpatrick, and R. W. G. Watson Heat Shock-Induced Protection of Renal Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cells from Cold Storage and Rewarming Injury J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., March 1, 2006; 17(3): 805 - 812. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. Cohen-Saidon, I. Carmi, A. Keren, and E. Razin Antiapoptotic function of Bcl-2 in mast cells is dependent on its association with heat shock protein 90beta Blood, February 15, 2006; 107(4): 1413 - 1420. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. Fragoso, T. Pereira, Y. Wu, Z. Zhu, J. Cabecadas, and S. Dias VEGFR-1 (FLT-1) activation modulates acute lymphoblastic leukemia localization and survival within the bone marrow, determining the onset of extramedullary disease Blood, February 15, 2006; 107(4): 1608 - 1616. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Y. Yamazaki, Y. Matsunaga, Y. Nakano, and T. Morita Identification of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-binding Protein in the Venom of Eastern Cottonmouth: A NEW ROLE OF SNAKE VENOM MYOTOXIC LYS49-PHOSPHOLIPASE A2 J. Biol. Chem., August 26, 2005; 280(34): 29989 - 29992. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Y. Shaked, D. Cervi, M. Neuman, L. Chen, G. Klement, C. R. Michaud, M. Haeri, B. J. Pak, R. S. Kerbel, and Y. Ben-David The splenic microenvironment is a source of proangiogenesis/inflammatory mediators accelerating the expansion of murine erythroleukemic cells Blood, June 1, 2005; 105(11): 4500 - 4507. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
X.-F. Zhu, B.-F. Xie, J.-M. Zhou, G.-K. Feng, Z.-C. Liu, X.-Y. Wei, F.-X. Zhang, M.-F. Liu, and Y.-X. Zeng Blockade of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor Signal Pathway and Antitumor Activity of ON-III (2',4'-Dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone), a Component from Chinese Herbal Medicine Mol. Pharmacol., May 1, 2005; 67(5): 1444 - 1450. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. Podar and K. C. Anderson The pathophysiologic role of VEGF in hematologic malignancies: therapeutic implications Blood, February 15, 2005; 105(4): 1383 - 1395. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Le Gouill, K. Podar, M. Amiot, T. Hideshima, D. Chauhan, K. Ishitsuka, S. Kumar, N. Raje, P. G. Richardson, J.-L. Harousseau, et al. VEGF induces Mcl-1 up-regulation and protects multiple myeloma cells against apoptosis Blood, November 1, 2004; 104(9): 2886 - 2892. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E. S. Wang, J. Teruya-Feldstein, Y. Wu, Z. Zhu, D. J. Hicklin, and M. A. S. Moore Targeting autocrine and paracrine VEGF receptor pathways inhibits human lymphoma xenografts in vivo Blood, November 1, 2004; 104(9): 2893 - 2902. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Z. F. Yang, R. T. Poon, Y. Luo, C. K. Cheung, D. W. Ho, C. M. Lo, and S. T. Fan Up-Regulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in Small-for-Size Liver Grafts Enhances Macrophage Activities through VEGF Receptor 2-Dependent Pathway J. Immunol., August 15, 2004; 173(4): 2507 - 2515. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
G. Kaur, D. Belotti, A. M. Burger, K. Fisher-Nielson, P. Borsotti, E. Riccardi, J. Thillainathan, M. Hollingshead, E. A. Sausville, and R. Giavazzi Antiangiogenic Properties of 17-(Dimethylaminoethylamino)-17-Demethoxygeldanamycin: An Orally Bioavailable Heat Shock Protein 90 Modulator Clin. Cancer Res., July 15, 2004; 10(14): 4813 - 4821. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
L. Legros, C. Bourcier, A. Jacquel, F.-X. Mahon, J.-P. Cassuto, P. Auberger, and G. Pages Imatinib mesylate (STI571) decreases the vascular endothelial growth factor plasma concentration in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia Blood, July 15, 2004; 104(2): 495 - 501. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. E. Karp, I. Gojo, R. Pili, C. D. Gocke, J. Greer, C. Guo, D. Qian, L. Morris, M. Tidwell, H. Chen, et al. Targeting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor for Relapsed and Refractory Adult Acute Myelogenous Leukemias: Therapy with Sequential 1-{beta}-D-Arabinofuranosylcytosine, Mitoxantrone, and Bevacizumab Clin. Cancer Res., June 1, 2004; 10(11): 3577 - 3585. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Fukasawa and M. Korc Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-Trap Suppresses Tumorigenicity of Multiple Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines Clin. Cancer Res., May 15, 2004; 10(10): 3327 - 3332. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. E. Lancet and J. E. Karp Farnesyltransferase inhibitors in hematologic malignancies: new horizons in therapy Blood, December 1, 2003; 102(12): 3880 - 3889. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P. Fortugno, E. Beltrami, J. Plescia, J. Fontana, D. Pradhan, P. C. Marchisio, W. C. Sessa, and D. C. Altieri Regulation of survivin function by Hsp90 PNAS, November 25, 2003; 100(24): 13791 - 13796. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
W. Fiedler, R. Mesters, H. Tinnefeld, S. Loges, P. Staib, U. Duhrsen, M. Flasshove, O. G. Ottmann, W. Jung, F. Cavalli, et al. A phase 2 clinical study of SU5416 in patients with refractory acute myeloid leukemia Blood, October 15, 2003; 102(8): 2763 - 2767. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Q. Yao, R. Nishiuchi, Q. Li, A. R. Kumar, W. A. Hudson, and J. H. Kersey FLT3 Expressing Leukemias Are Selectively Sensitive to Inhibitors of the Molecular Chaperone Heat Shock Protein 90 through Destabilization of Signal Transduction-Associated Kinases Clin. Cancer Res., October 1, 2003; 9(12): 4483 - 4493. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. C. Lev, M. Ruiz, L. Mills, E. C. McGary, J. E. Price, and M. Bar-Eli Dacarbazine Causes Transcriptional Up-Regulation of Interleukin 8 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Melanoma Cells: A Possible Escape Mechanism from Chemotherapy Mol. Cancer Ther., August 1, 2003; 2(8): 753 - 763. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
L. Haughn, R. G. Hawley, D. K. Morrison, H. von Boehmer, and D. M. Hockenbery BCL-2 and BCL-XL Restrict Lineage Choice during Hematopoietic Differentiation J. Biol. Chem., June 27, 2003; 278(27): 25158 - 25165. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
B. Larrivee, D. R. Lane, I. Pollet, P. L. Olive, R. K. Humphries, and A. Karsan Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 Induces Survival of Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells J. Biol. Chem., June 6, 2003; 278(24): 22006 - 22013. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Copyright © 2002 by American Society of Hematology Online ISSN: 1528-0020 | |||||||||