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Epidermal Growth Factor Rescues Endothelial Dysfunction in Primary Human Tissues In Vitro

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Abstract

Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, responsible for over 60 000 maternal deaths annually. Endothelial dysfunction is a central aspect to its pathophysiology, and currently, no medical therapeutic is available for its treatment. In this study, we aim to investigate the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on endothelial dysfunction using primary human tissues. We performed a number of in vitro assays that mimic the vascular endothelial dysfunction that occurs in preeclampsia. Epidermal growth factor reduced the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, a marker of endothelial dysfunction, after insult with tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) or serum from women with preeclampsia. Additionally, after TNF-α insult, EGF reduced tube disruption and the adhesion of monocytes to primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Our findings suggest that EGF reduces endothelial dysfunction in primary HUVECs. Epidermal growth factor may have potential as a novel peptide treatment for preeclampsia and other diseases where there is endothelial dysfunction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, 163 Studley Rd, Heidelberg 3084, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Roxanne Hastie BBiomed Sc, Stephen Tong MBBS, PhD, Natalie J. Hannan PhD, Fiona Brownfoot MBSS, Cannon Ping B Sci & Tu’uhevaha J. Kaitu’u-Lino PhD

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  1. Roxanne Hastie BBiomed Sc
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  2. Stephen Tong MBBS, PhD
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  3. Natalie J. Hannan PhD
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  4. Fiona Brownfoot MBSS
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  5. Cannon Ping B Sci
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  6. Tu’uhevaha J. Kaitu’u-Lino PhD
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Correspondence to Roxanne Hastie BBiomed Sc.

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Hastie, R., Tong, S., Hannan, N.J. et al. Epidermal Growth Factor Rescues Endothelial Dysfunction in Primary Human Tissues In Vitro. Reprod. Sci. 24, 1245–1252 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719116681516

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719116681516

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