Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12105/17012
Title
VEGF gene expression in adult human thymus fat: a correlative study with hypoxic induced factor and cyclooxygenase-2.
Author(s)
Date issued
2009-12-14
Language
Inglés
Document type
research article
Abstract
It is well known that the adult human thymus degenerates into fat tissue; however, it has never been considered as a potential source of angiogenic factors. Recently, we have described that this fat (TAT) produces angiogenic factors and induces human endothelial cell proliferation and migration, indicating its potential angiogenic properties. DESIGN: Adult thymus fat and subcutaneous adipose tissue specimens were obtained from 28 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, making this tissue readily available as a prime source of adipose tissue. We focused our investigation on determining VEGF gene expression and characterizing the different genes, mediators of inflammation and adipogenesis, and which are known to play a relevant role in angiogenesis regulation. RESULTS: We found that VEGF-A was the isoform most expressed in TAT. This expression was accompanied by an upregulation of HIF-1alpha, COX-2 and HO-1 proteins, and by increased HIF-1 DNA binding activity, compared to SAT. Furthermore, we observed that TAT contains a high percentage of mature adipocytes, 0.25% of macrophage cells, 15% of endothelial cells and a very low percentage of thymocyte cells, suggesting the cellular variability of TAT, which could explain the differences in gene expression observed in TAT. Subsequently, we showed that the expression of genes known as adipogenic mediators, including PPARgamma1/gamma2, FABP-4 and adiponectin was similar in both TAT and SAT. Moreover the expression of these latter genes presented a significantly positive correlation with VEGF, suggesting the potential association between VEGF and the generation of adipose tissue in adult thymus. CONCLUSION: Here we suggest that this fat has a potential angiogenic function related to ongoing adipogenesis, which substitutes immune functions within the adult thymus. The expression of VEGF seems to be associated with COX-2, HO-1 and adipogenesis related genes, suggesting the importance that this new fat has acquired in research in relation to adipogenesis and angiogenesis.
Subject
FABP4 protein, human | PPAR gamma | Protein Isoforms | VEGFA protein, human | Cyclooxygenase 2 | PTGS2 protein, human | PPAR gamma | Isoformas de Proteínas | Ciclooxigenasa 2 | Tejido adiposo | Antiinflamatorios | Marcadores Biológicos | Movimiento Celular | Ciclooxigenasa 2 | ADN | Proteínas de Unión a Ácidos Grasos | Regulación de la Expresión Génica | Hemo-Oxigenasa 1 | Hipoxia Inducible | Inflamación | Macrófagos | Unión proteica | Isoformas de proteínas | ARN Mensajero | Tejido subcutáneo | Timo | Factor A de crecimiento endotelial vascular | Adiponectina
MESH
Adipose Tissue | Adult | Aged | Anti-Inflammatory Agents | Biological Markers | Cell Movement | Cyclooxygenase 2 | Nucleic Acid Conformation | Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins | Gene Expression Regulation | Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) | Humans | Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 | Macrophages | Protein Binding | Protein Isoforms | RNA | Subcutaneous Tissue | Thymus Gland | Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A | Adiponectin
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