Stimulation of in vitro angiogenesis by tetrahydrobiopterin in bovine aortic endothelial cells

Jpn J Pharmacol. 1999 Jun;80(2):177-80. doi: 10.1254/jjp.80.177.

Abstract

This study examined whether tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) stimulates angiogenesis by measuring the formation of tube-like structures in vascular endothelial cells. Bovine aortic endothelial cells that were cultured between two layers of collagen type I gel formed tube-like networks. Addition of BH4 or sepiapterin, a precursor of BH4 synthesis, stimulated the formation of tube-like structures. The sepiapterin-stimulated tube formation was completely inhibited by co-treatment with N-acetylserotonin, an inhibitor of sepiapterin reductase. These findings show that BH4 stimulates in vitro angiogenesis in vascular endothelial cells.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aorta / cytology
  • Aorta / drug effects
  • Aorta / physiology
  • Biopterins / analogs & derivatives*
  • Biopterins / pharmacology
  • Cattle
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiology
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / drug effects*

Substances

  • Biopterins
  • sapropterin