Expression of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C isoforms in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Vincenza Rita Lo Vasco, L. Pacini, T. Di Raimo, D. D'Arcangelo, R. Businaro

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Aims: The signalling system of phosphoinositides (PIs) is involved in a number of cell and tissue functions including membrane trafficking, ion channel activity, cell cycle, apoptosis, differentiation and cell and tissue polarity. Recently, a role in cell migration was hypothesised for PI and related molecules including the phosphoinositide-specific phospholipases C (PI-PLCs), main players in PI signalling. The expression of PI-PLCs is tissue-specific and evidence suggests that it varies under different conditions such as tumour progression or cell activation. In order to obtain a complete picture, the expression of all PI-PLC isoforms was analysed in human endothelial cells (EC). Methods: Using molecular biology methods (RT-PCR), the expression of PI-PLC isoforms was analysed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), a widely used experimental model for human EC. Results: All the PI-PLC isoforms except PI-PLC β1, PI-PLC ε and PI-PLC ζ were expressed in HUVEC. Conclusions: The growing interest in the complex cascade of events occurring in angiogenesis will provide useful insights for therapeutic strategies. The expression of PI-PLC isoforms in HUVEC is a useful tool for further studies directed to understanding their role in angiogenesis. However, although HUVEC represent a widely used experimental model for human macrovascular EC, limitations remain in that they cannot fully represent the metabolic properties and interactions of the EC distributed in the entire organism.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)911-915
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Clinical Pathology
Volume64
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2011

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine

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