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Ephrin‐A3 and Ephrin‐A4 Contribute to Microglia‐Induced Angiogenesis in Brain Endothelial Cells
Author(s) -
Li Ying,
Liu DongXin,
Li MeiYang,
Qin XiaoXue,
Fang WenGang,
Zhao WeiDong,
Chen YuHua
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the anatomical record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.678
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1932-8494
pISSN - 1932-8486
DOI - 10.1002/ar.22998
Subject(s) - angiogenesis , microglia , tumor necrosis factor alpha , ephrin , gene knockdown , downregulation and upregulation , microbiology and biotechnology , blood–brain barrier , neovascularization , chemistry , immunology , endothelial stem cell , in vitro , cancer research , biology , cell culture , central nervous system , neuroscience , signal transduction , inflammation , biochemistry , gene , genetics
The association of microglia with brain vasculature during development and the reduced brain vascular complexity in microglia‐deficient mice suggest the role of microglia in cerebrovascular angiogenesis. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. Here, using an in vitro angiogenesis model, we found the culture supernatant of BV2 microglial cells significantly enhanced capillary‐like tube formation and migration of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs). The expression of angiogenic factors, ephrin‐A3 and ephrin‐A4, were specifically upregulated in BMECs exposed to BV2‐derived culture supernatant. Knockdown of ephrin‐A3 and ephrin‐A4 in BMECs by siRNA significantly attenuated the enhanced angiogenesis and migration of BMECs induced by BV2 supernatant. Our further results indicated that the ability of BV2 supernatant to promote endothelial angiogenesis was caused by the soluble tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) released from BV2 microglial cells. Moreover, the upregulations of ephrin‐A3 and ephrin‐A4 in BMECs in response to BV2 supernatant were effectively abolished by neutralization antibody against TNF‐α and TNF receptor 1, respectively. The present study provides evidence that microglia upregulates endothelial ephrin‐A3 and ephrin‐A4 to facilitate in vitro angiogenesis of brain endothelial cells, which is mediated by microglia‐released TNF‐α. Anat Rec, 297:1908–1918, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.