The effects of VEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2 ligands on angiogenic responses and left ventricular function in mice

Aims Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and their receptors (VEGF-Rs) are among the most powerful factors regulating vascular growth. However, it has remained unknown whether stimulation of VEGF-R1, VEGF-R2 or both of the receptors produces the best angiogenic responses in myocardium. The aim of this study was to compare the VEGF-R1-specific ligand VEGF-B186, VEGF-R2-specific ligand VEGF-E and VEGF-A165, which stimulates both receptors, regarding their effects on angiogenesis and left ventricular function in mice. Methods and results High-resolution echocardiography was used to guide the closed-chest injections of adenoviral (Ad) vectors expressing VEGF-B186, VEGF-E, and VEGF-A165 into the anterior wall of the left ventricle in C57Bl/6J mice. Angiogenic and functional effects were analysed using histology, ultrasound and perfusion analyses 6 (D6) and 14 (D14) days after the Ad injection. AdVEGF-A165 induced a strong angiogenic response seen as an enlargement of myocardial capillaries whereas angiogenesis induced by AdVEGF-B186 and AdVEGF-E seemed more physiological. The increase in the capillary area was accompanied with an increase in myocardial perfusion at D6 after the gene injection. AdVEGF-A165 and AdVEGF-E induced endothelial-specific proliferation whereas AdVEGF-B186 mostly induced proliferation of cardiomyocytes. AdVEGF-A165 induced more pronounced tissue damage than AdVEGF-B186 and AdVEGF-E. Left ventricular function measured as ejection fraction did not change during the follow-up. AdVEGF-A165 increased both VEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2 protein expression whereas AdVEGF-B186 and AdVEGF-E did not affect endogenous receptor expression levels. Conclusion AdVEGF-B186 and AdVEGF-E are equally potent in inducing therapeutic angiogenesis in mouse myocardium and produce less side effects than AdVEGF-A165.