Down-Modulation of Monocyte Transendothelial Migration and Endothelial Adhesion Molecule Expression by Fibroblast Growth Factor

Basic and acidic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF and aFGF, respectively) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) exert angiogenic actions and have a role in wound healing, inflammation, and tumor growth. Monocytes and endothelial cells are involved in these processes, but the effect of FGF and VEGF on monocyte-endothelial cell interactions has not been defined. We observed that monocyte adhesion to resting or cytokine (tumor necrosis factor-α or interleukin-1α)-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was markedly inhibited (40 to 65%) by culture (1 to 6 days) of HUVECs with aFGF or bFGF. Monocyte transendothelial migration induced by C5a and chemokines (MCP-1, SDF-1α, RANTES, MIP-1α) was also suppressed (by 50 to 75%) on bFGF-stimulated HUVECs. VEGF did not have these effects at the concentrations used (10 to 20 ng/ml), although like bFGF, it promoted HUVEC proliferation. Culture of HUVECs with bFGF and aFGF significantly down-regulated intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and E-selectin expression on resting or tumor necrosis factor-α-stimulated HUVECs, but had no influence on platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM)-1 and VE-cadherin expression. bFGF also inhibited MCP-1 production by HUVECs. The inhibitory effects of bFGF on monocyte transendothelial migration and adhesion molecule expression were reversed by SU6668, an anti-angiogenic agent and bFGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Our results suggest that bFGF and aFGF may suppress endothelial-dependent monocyte recruitment and thus have an anti-inflammatory action during angiogenesis in chronic inflammation but inhibit the immunoinflammatory tumor defense mechanism. However, SU6668 is an effective agent to prevent this down-regulatory action of bFGF on monocyte-endothelial cell interactions.