The influence of propranolol on expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinases-2 from in vitro hemangioma endothelial cells

Objective To investigate the influence of propranolol on expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) from in vitro hemangioma endothelial cells, aiming to explore the mechanism of propranolol in treatment of hemangioma. Methods The hemangioma vascular endothelial cells were harvested from the specimens arising from infant with hemangioma, and cultured via tissue explants combined with trypsin digestion approach. The cxpression of the factor Ⅷ related antigen in endothelial cells was identified via immunohistochemistry assay. When cells were in the logarithmic phase, the serum-free medium was added and incubated for 48 hours for synchronization. 0.5 μmol/L and 1.0 μmol/l. concentration of propranolol was added respectively and 0μmol/L. group was set for control. The expression level of VEGF and MMP-2 were detected using RT-PCR after 24 hours incubation, meanwhile the cell apoptosis in each group was detected using flow cytometry, then further analysis the correlation between the apoptosis and expression of them. Results The apoptosis rate in 0.5μmol/L and 1.0 μmol/L group was respectively 22.42 ±0.83 and 24.36 ± 1.42 percent, compared with control (15.72± 0.59 percent), they were significantly increased ( P ＜0.01 ). While in term of VEGF mRNA expression level, they were respectively 1.02 ± 0.42 ;and 0.93 ± 0.22 in 0.5μmol/L and 1.0 μ mol/L group. Compared with the control ( 1.61 ±0.52). They decreased remarkably. Regarding to the MMP-2 mRAN expression level, they were respectively 0.77 ± 0.18 and 0.67 ± 0.27 in 0.5μmol/L and 1.0μmol/L group. In contrast to control (1.47± 0.57), they also decreased significantly. However, compared with the 0.5 μmol/L and 1.0μmol/L groups, statistical difference in both VEGF and MMP-2 was not seen (P＞0.05). Conclusions Propranolol can promote apoptosis of in vitro hemangioma vascular endothelial cells. The potential mechanism is that they can down regulate the expression of VEGF and MMP2, through which the cell apoptosis occurs. Key words: Hemangioma;  Cell culture;  Propranolol;  Vascular endothelial growth factor;  Matrix metalloproteinases 2