Walshe, Tony E.Dole, Vandana S.Maharaj, Arindel S.R.Patten, Ian S.Wagner, DenisaD'Amore, Patricia2018-03-212009Walshe, T. E., V. S. Dole, A. S.R. Maharaj, I. S. Patten, D. D. Wagner, and P. A. D’Amore. 2009. “Inhibition of VEGF or TGF-  Signaling Activates Endothelium and Increases Leukocyte Rolling.” Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology 29 (8) (May 21): 1185–1192. doi:10.1161/atvbaha.109.186742.1079-5642http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:35059706Objective Motivated by the central roles that VEGF and TGF-β play in the assembly and maintenance of the vasculature, we examined the impact of systemic VEGF or TGF-β signal inhibition on endothelial activation as detected by leukocyte-endothelial interactions. Methods and Results VEGF or TGF-β inhibition, accomplished using adenovirus expression of soluble Flt1 (Ad-sFlt1) or soluble endoglin (Ad-sEng), resulted in a significant increase in the number of leukocytes rolling along the mesenteric venous endothelium and a significant decrease in rolling velocity in Ad-sEng mice. Neutralization of VEGF or TGF-β resulted in endothelial surface expression of P-selectin and impaired peripheral vasodilatation. Neither inhibition of VEGF nor TGF-β was associated with platelet or leukocyte activation, as detected by the activation markers platelet P-selectin and the active integrin - αIIbβIII, or by leukocyte expression of L-selectin. Soluble VCAM-1 and E-selectin were increased in sEng-expressing mice, indicating higher levels of these adhesion receptors. Conclusions VEGF or TGF-β neutralization results in impaired endothelium-mediated vasodilatation and elevated expression of surface adhesion molecules, resulting in increased leukocyte adhesion. These results indicate an essential role for both VEGF and TGF-β in maintaining the endothelium in a non-activated state and have implications for therapeutic approaches that neutralize VEGF or TGF-β.en-USP-selectinTGF-βnitric oxideinflammationVEGFJournal Article2017-06-2320102018-03-2110.1161/ATVBAHA.109.186742