Basic fibroblast growth factor increases expression of the alpha v beta 3 integrin complex on human microvascular endothelial cells.

Modulation of the expression of the alpha v beta 3 complex on human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC) may be crucial in wound healing and angiogenesis. Therefore, we examined the influence of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor beta, and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on the expression of this complex. Stimulation of HDMEC with bFGF increased cell surface expression of both alpha v and beta 3 in a dose- and time-dependent manner associated with the development of a spindled, elongated cell morphology. Northern blot analysis of HDMEC stimulated with bFGF demonstrated a marked increase in beta 3 but not alpha v mRNA expression. Incubation of HDMEC with transforming growth factor-beta or interferon-gamma alone resulted in modest decreases in cell surface alpha v beta 3, and co-incubation of HDMEC with bFGF and transforming growth factor-beta or interferon-gamma inhibited bFGF-induced changes in cell morphology, increases in cell surface alpha v beta 3 expression, and increases in beta 3 mRNA. These data demonstrate that both growth factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines alter the expression of alpha v beta 3 on microvascular endothelial cells and that these alterations correlate with changes in cell morphology.