Inducer-stimulated Fas targets activated endothelium for destruction by anti-angiogenic thrombospondin-1 and pigment epithelium–derived factor

OV Volpert, T Zaichuk, W Zhou, F Reiher… - Nature medicine, 2002 - nature.com
OV Volpert, T Zaichuk, W Zhou, F Reiher, TA Ferguson, PM Stuart, M Amin, NP Bouck
Nature medicine, 2002nature.com
Natural inhibitors of angiogenesis are able to block pathological neovascularization without
harming the preexisting vasculature. Here we show that two such inhibitors, thrombospondin-
1 and pigment epithelium–derived factor, derive specificity for remodeling vessels from their
dependence on Fas/Fas ligand (FasL)-mediated apoptosis to block angiogenesis. Both
inhibitors upregulated FasL on endothelial cells. Expression of the essential partner of FasL,
Fas/CD95 receptor, was low on quiescent endothelial cells and vessels but greatly …
Abstract
Natural inhibitors of angiogenesis are able to block pathological neovascularization without harming the preexisting vasculature. Here we show that two such inhibitors, thrombospondin-1 and pigment epithelium–derived factor, derive specificity for remodeling vessels from their dependence on Fas/Fas ligand (FasL)-mediated apoptosis to block angiogenesis. Both inhibitors upregulated FasL on endothelial cells. Expression of the essential partner of FasL, Fas/CD95 receptor, was low on quiescent endothelial cells and vessels but greatly enhanced by inducers of angiogenesis, thereby specifically sensitizing the stimulated cells to apoptosis by inhibitor-generated FasL. The anti-angiogenic activity of thrombospondin-1 and pigment epithelium–derived factor both in vitro and in vivo was dependent on this dual induction of Fas and FasL and the resulting apoptosis. This example of cooperation between pro- and anti-angiogenic factors in the inhibition of angiogenesis provides one explanation for the ability of inhibitors to select remodeling capillaries for destruction.
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