The role of AMP-activated protein kinase in endothelial VEGF signalling

Reihill, James Anthony (2009) The role of AMP-activated protein kinase in endothelial VEGF signalling. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The endothelium acts to maintain vascular homeostasis, including the regulation of vascular tone, blood fluidity and coagulation. Endothelial dysfunction, a condition largely characterised by reduced NO bioavailability, is an important feature associated with the aetiology of several pathophysiological disorders including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
AMPK is the downstream component of a protein kinase cascade important in the regulation of cellular and whole body metabolism. AMPK has been demonstrated to mediate a number of physiological responses in the endothelium, including the stimulation of eNOS phosphorylation and NO synthesis; and as such AMPK represents a therapeutic target in the dysfunctional endothelium.
VEGF has been established as the prime angiogenic molecule during development, adult physiology and pathology. VEGF stimulates NO production, proposed to be a result of phosphorylation of Ser-1177 on eNOS, a residue also phosphorylated upon AMPK activation in cultured endothelial cells. The present study, utilising HAEC as a model, provides the first demonstration that AMPK is activated by physiological concentrations of VEGF; and furthermore, partially mediates VEGF-stimulated phosphorylation of eNOS on Ser-1177 and subsequent NO production. In addition, the present investigation demonstrates that the upstream AMPK kinase CaMKK is responsible for these VEGF-mediated effects.
VEGF is known to increase intracellular calcium levels in endothelial cells via the generation of DAG and IP3. DAG increases Ca2+ influx through a family of non-selective cation channels, whereas IP3 promotes the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. High potassium-induced depolarisation, which reduces the driving force for Ca2+ entry through non-selective cation channels in endothelial cells, abolished VEGF-mediated AMPK activation, whereas the IP3 receptor blocker 2-APB was without effect. Exposure of HAEC to a DAG mimetic (OAG) also stimulated AMPK, an effect which was sensitive to the CaMKK inhibitor STO-609 and high potassium induced depolarization.
The functional effects of VEGF-stimulated AMPK were also assessed in HAEC. Ablation of AMPK abrogated VEGF-stimulated HAEC migration and proliferation, two key features of the angiogenic process. While AMPK was necessary for VEGF-stimulated endothelial cell proliferation direct activation of the kinase was insufficient to induce this process. AICAR-stimulated AMPK activation has been demonstrated to stimulate fatty acid oxidation in endothelial cells. However, exposure of HAEC to VEGF did not alter fatty acid oxidation in the present study.
Together, the current investigation suggests that a VEGF-Ca2+-CaMKK-AMPK-eNOS- NO pathway is present in HAEC, and furthermore, that AMPK is required, albeit insufficient, for the VEGF-stimulated angiogenic response.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: AMPK, VEGF, endothelium
• Subjects: Q Science > QD Chemistry; Q Science > QP Physiology
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences
• Supervisor's Name: Salt, Dr Ian
• Date of Award: 2009
• Depositing User: Mr James Reihill
• Unique ID: glathesis:2009-1129
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 09 Sep 2009
• Last Modified: 10 Dec 2012 13:34
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/1129