G Protein α Subunit 14 Mediates Fibroblast Growth Factor 2-Induced Cellular Responses in Human Endothelial Cells

Qing yun Zou, Ying jie Zhao, Chi Zhou, Ai xia Liu, Xin qi Zhong, Qin Yan, Yan Li, Fu xian Yi, Ian M. Bird, Jing Zheng

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

During pregnancy, a tremendous increase in fetoplacental angiogenesis is associated with elevated blood flow. Aberrant fetoplacental vascular function may lead to pregnancy complications including pre-eclampsia. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) are crucial regulators of fetoplacental endothelial function. G protein α subunit 14 (GNA14), a member of Gαq/11 subfamily is involved in mediating hypertensive diseases and tumor vascularization. However, little is known about roles of GNA14 in mediating the FGF2- and VEGFA-induced fetoplacental endothelial function. Using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultured under physiological chronic low oxygen (3% O 2 ) as a cell model, we show that transfecting cells with adenovirus carrying GNA14 complementary DNA (cDNA; Ad-GNA14) increases (p < 0.05) protein expression of GNA14. GNA14 overexpression blocks (p < 0.05) FGF2-stimulated endothelial migration, whereas it enhances (p < 0.05) endothelial monolayer integrity (maximum increase of ~35% over the control at 24 hr) in response to FGF2. In contrast, GNA14 overexpression does not significantly alter VEGFA-stimulated cell migration, VEGFA-weakened cell monolayer integrity, and intracellular Ca ++ mobilization in response to adenosine triphosphate (ATP), FGF2, and VEGFA. GNA14 overexpression does not alter either FGF2- or VEGFA-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2. However, GNA14 overexpression time-dependently elevates (p < 0.05) phosphorylation of phospholipase C-β3 (PLCβ3) at S1105 in response to FGF2, but not VEGFA. These data suggest that GNA14 distinctively mediates fetoplacental endothelial cell migration and permeability in response to FGF2 and VEGFA, possibly in part by altering activation of PLCβ3 under physiological chronic low oxygen.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)10184-10195
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Cellular Physiology
Volume234
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • FGF2
  • GNA14
  • VEGFA
  • angiogenesis
  • endothelial cells

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology

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