Local retention versus systemic release of soluble VEGF receptor-1 are mediated by heparin-binding and regulated by heparanase

Shay Sela, Shira Natanson-Yaron, Eyal Zcharia, Israel Vlodavsky, Simcha Yagel, Eli Keshet*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

75 Scopus citations

Abstract

Rationale: The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) decoy receptor soluble VEGF-R1 (sVEGF-R1) is thought to protect the cells that produce it from adverse VEGF signaling. To accomplish this role, a mechanism for pericellular retention of sVEGF-R1 is required. Local retention may also prevent the accumulation of high circulating levels of sVEGF-R1 and resulting interference with homeostatic VEGF functions in remote organs. Objective: To reveal natural storage depots of sVEGF-R1 and determine mechanisms underlying its pericellular retention. To uncover natural mechanisms regulating its systemic release. Methods and Results: We show that both the canonical and human-specific isoforms of sVEGF-R1 are strongly bound to heparin. sVEGF-R1 produced by vascular smooth muscle cells is stored in the vessel wall and can be displaced from isolated mouse aorta by heparin. Another major reservoir of sVEGF-R1 is the placenta. Heparin increases the level of sVEGF-R1 released by cultured human placental villi, and pregnant women treated with low molecular weight heparin showed markedly elevated levels of sVEGF-R1 in the circulation. Heparanase is expressed in human placenta at the same locales as sVEGF-R1, and its transgenic overexpression in mice resulted in a marked increase in the levels of circulating sVEGF-R1. Conversely, heparanase inhibition, by either a neutralizing antibody or by inhibition of its maturation, reduced the amounts of sVEGF-R1 released from human placental villi, indicating a natural role of heparanase in sVEGF-R1 release. Conclusions: Together, the findings uncover a new level of regulation governing sVEGF-R1 retention versus release and suggest that manipulations of the heparin/heparanase system could be harnessed for reducing unwarranted release of sVEGF-R1 in pathologies such as preeclampsia.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1063-1070
Number of pages8
JournalCirculation Research
Volume108
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 29 Apr 2011

Keywords

  • heparan sulfate
  • heparanase
  • preeclampsia
  • soluble VEGF-R1
  • vascular smooth muscle cell

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