We have shown previously that fibrin(ogen) binds fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) and potentiates stimulation of endothelial-cell (EC) proliferation. We have now used 2 FGF-2 mutants differing only in the 5 residues constituting the binding site to characterize the importance of this interaction in angiogenesis. The nonbinding (2212) and binding (221*2) mutants stimulated EC proliferation by 2.2 Ű 0.4-fold and 2.9 Ű 0.3-fold over control, respectively, and both were similar to wild-type (wt) FGF-2 (2.5 Ű 0.3-fold). Proliferation was augmented by fibrinogen to 5.3 Ű 1.2-fold and 4.8 Ű 0.8-fold with wtFGF-2 and 221*2, whereas no augmentation occurred with 2212 and fibrinogen. Using a placental explant model in a fibrin matrix, wtFGF-2 resulted in 2.6 Ű 0.9-fold more growth over control, and 221*2 increased growth 3.3 plus or minus 0.9-fold. Vessel outgrowth with 2212 was minimal and comparable to control. Similarly, fibrinogen potentiated wtFGF-2 or 221*2-mediated angiogenesis in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane model. In a mouse Matrigel implant model, fibrinogen significantly increased angiogenesis with either wtFGF-2 or 221*2, whereas there was no augmentation with 2212. These results demonstrate that binding of FGF-2 to fibrin(ogen) mediated by the 5-residue FGF-2-fibrin(ogen) interactive site is required for augmented angiogenesis. (
IntroductionAngiogenesis is a complex process resulting in the development of new capillaries from pre-existing vessels and plays a critical role in a variety of pathologic conditions characterized by neovascularization including diabetic retinopathy, tumor growth, metastasis, and inflammatory diseases. 1 Angiogenesis is also one aspect of the response to injury that requires a coordinated interaction of the hemostatic and inflammatory systems and is regulated by cytokines and growth factors that act locally to regulate cellular proliferation and tissue repair. In this response, the activation of the hemostatic system results in platelet accumulation at the site of injury, and exposure of blood to tissue factor also leads to the formation of thrombin. Thrombin then cleaves fibrinopeptides from fibrinogen converting it to fibrin, which helps prevent blood loss and also serves as a temporary matrix to support tissue healing and remodeling. The role of fibrin in the cellular response is not passive as a structural matrix only, but rather it plays an active role through specific receptor-mediated interactions with cells of the blood and vessel wall. These result in fibrin-specific responses of endothelial cells (ECs) including adhesion and spreading, 2 proliferation, 3 protein synthesis, 4 and secretion. 5 Cytokines and growth factors are produced in response to injury and also act locally to modulate cell responses to vascular damage. Important among these are members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family that exert a variety of effects on many cells and organ systems. 6 One member of this family, FGF-2, plays an important role in vascular responses by increasing EC pr...