Apolipoprotein A1 suppresses the hypoxia-induced angiogenesis of human retinal endothelial cells by targeting PlGF

AIM: To investigate the anti-angiogenic effect of apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) on primary human retinal vascular endothelial cells (HRECs) and explore the possible mechanism. METHODS: The primary HRECs were transfected with apoA1-GFP recombinant lentiviral and were compared with cells undergoing transfection with empty lentiviral vectors. Hypoxia chambers were used to simulate the anoxic environment of cells under pathological condition. The concentrations of secreted vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cell migration ability was detected by wound healing assay. The sprouting of HRECs was determined by tube formation assay. The protein levels of extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) were measured by Western blot. RESULTS: Overexpressed apoA1 in hypoxia-induced HRECs significantly suppressed PlGF (0.67±0.10 folds, P=0.007). Overexpressed apoA1 also attenuated hypoxia-induced cell migration (0.32±0.11 folds, P<0.0001), tube formation (0.66±0.01 folds, P