Direct stimulation of limbal microvessel endothelial cell proliferation and capillary formation in vitro by a corneal-derived eicosanoid.

12(R)-Hydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (12(R)-HETrE), a corneal epithelial derived inflammatory eicosanoid, elicits blood vessel growth into the avascular cornea in the classical corneal micropocket bioassay. Using an in vivo stimulated angiogenesis assay and 12(R)-HETrE as the angiogenic stimulus, we isolated a homogeneous population of rabbit limbal microvessel endothelial cells, the target for angiogenic factors in the anterior surface of ocular tissues, and analyzed the mitogenic and angiogenic potential of this eicosanoid. 12(R)-HETrE stereospecifically increased cell number by approximately 45%, an effect comparable to that of basic fibroblast growth factor (0.6 nmol/L; 10 ng/ml). This potent mitogenic response was maximal at 0.1 nmol/L. An additive effect (approximately 90% above control) on cell proliferation was observed when 12(R)-HETrE (0.1 nmol/L) and basic fibroblast growth factor (0.6 nmol/L) were added to quiescent cultures of rabbit limbal microvessel endothelial cells. We also show that 12(R)-HETrE, but not 12(S)-HETrE, induces cultured rabbit limbal microvessel endothelial cells to organize themselves as a network of branching cords reminiscent of capillaries. This effect was evident within 48 hours, maximal by 5 days of culture, and paralleled the effect observed with basic fibroblast growth factor. This study describes a novel method for testing site-directed angiogenesis in vitro and further strengthens the angiogenic properties of 12(R)-HETrE by demonstrating a direct effect on limbal microvessel endothelial cells.