Citation
- Authors: Gao, H., Chen, P., Wei, L., Xu, J., Liu, L., Zhao, Y., Hara, H., Pan, D., Li, Z., Cooper, D. K. C., Cai, Z., Mou, L.
- Year: 2017
- Journal: Xenotransplantation 24
- Applications: in vitro / DNA / jetPRIME
- Cell type: PIEC
Abstract
Cytokines play crucial roles in inflammation, but their role in xenotransplantation remains elusive. We assessed the role of several cytokines using an in vitro model of human antibody-mediated complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). Recombinant human angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) protected porcine iliac endothelial cells (PIECs) from human antibody-mediated CDC. Interestingly, human angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) had a similar protective effect on PIECs. By flow cytometry analysis, the extent of human IgM and IgG binding to PIECs did not decrease when PIECs were exposed to Ang-1/Ang-2. The mRNA level of complement regulators (CD46, CD55, CD59) was not upregulated in PIECs treated with Ang-1/Ang-2, both of which activated the PI3K/AKT pathway in PIECs. Wortmannin, which inhibits phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), suppressed Ang-1/Ang-2-induced AKT phosphorylation and consequent Ang-1/Ang-2-mediated protection of PIECs in human antibody-mediated CDC model. Moreover, dominant negative AKT also suppressed Ang-1/Ang-2-mediated protection of PIECs in this model. In conclusion, our data suggest that human Ang-1/Ang-2 induces the protection of PIECs from human antibody-mediated CDC by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway. Ang-1/Ang-2 is likely to protect porcine endothelial cells and may be beneficial in xenotransplantation research.