Effect of Prostaglandin-J ₂ on VEGF Synthesis Depends on the Induction of Heme Oxygenase-1

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an inducible enzyme that degrades heme to carbon monoxide, iron ions, and biliverdin. Its expression can be induced by 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)prostaglandin-J(2) (15d-PGJ(2)), a natural ligand of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma transcription factor. In macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells, 15d-PGJ(2) up-regulates the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a fundamental regulator of angiogenesis. Here we investigated the involvement of HO-1 in the 15d-PGJ(2)-mediated regulation of VEGF production by human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1). Resting HMEC-1 released approximately 20 pg/ml VEGF protein after 24 h of incubation. Treatment of cells with 15d-PGJ(2) (1-10 microM) significantly and dose-dependently increased the VEGF promoter activity, mRNA expression, and protein secretion. In the same cells, 15d-PGJ(2) potently induced the expression of HO-1 protein that correlated with HO-1 promoter activity. Activation of HO-1 with hemin or ectopic overexpression of HO-1 in HMEC-1 perfectly mimicked the effect of 15d-PGJ(2) and led to increased VEGF production. Importantly, the inhibition of the HO-1 pathway by tin protoporphyrin-IX significantly reduced the stimulatory effect of 15d-PGJ(2) on VEGF synthesis. Thus, we postulate that the up-regulation of VEGF expression in response to 15d-PGJ(2 )in HMEC-1 is mediated by the activation of HO-1.