Heparin-binding growth factor-1 modulation of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression. Interaction with cAMP and protein kinase C-mediated pathways.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) inhibits the tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and urokinase activation of plasminogen to plasmin, a protease of trypsin-like specificity which is involved in a number of processes, including fibrinolysis, matrix degradation and angiogenesis. Both phorbol esters and cAMP elevating compounds have been shown to modulate PAI-1 and tPA expression in endothelial cell culture. HBGF-1 (previously designated endothelial cell growth factor) stimulates endothelial cell growth in vitro and is angiogenic in vivo. We have reported that removal of HBGF-1 from human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) media results in an approximately 5-fold increase in PAI-1 mRNA levels and in PAI-1 protein secreted into the media by 20 h. Here we report the effects of HBGF-1 on the phorbol ester and cAMP modulation of HUVEC PAI-1 expression. The phorbol ester PMA induced an approximate 5-fold increase in PAI-1 mRNA levels at 4 h, which returned to base line by 20 h, with or without HBGF-1 present in the media. This increase in PAI-1 mRNA levels was mediated by an increase in PAI-1 gene transcription and was abated in the presence of cycloheximide. Treatment of cells with the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin or the phosphodiesterase inhibitor HL 725, in the presence of HBGF-1 or immediately after its withdrawal, decreased PAI-1 mRNA levels and protein secreted into the conditioned media by 20 h. However, forskolin or HL 725 addition had little or no effect on PAI-1 mRNA when added 20 h after HBGF-1 withdrawal. Both the PMA and HBGF-1 modulation of PAI-1 were abolished by treatment with the protein kinase inhibitor H-7. Treatment of HUVEC with HBGF-1 had no acute effect on intracellular inositol phosphate hydrolysis or cAMP levels. Further studies on intracellular pathways involved in HBGF-1 modulation of PAI-1 will enhance our understanding of the role these factors play in cellular proliferation and angiogenesis.