[Recombinant human VEGF-D induces the angiogenesis of the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane].

Vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, -3 (VEGFR-2, -3) with their corresponding signaling pathway play significant roles in the development of the embryonic vascular system and pathological lymphangiogenesis. The study was aimed to express and purify the GST-VEGF-D fusion protein, and to explore the angiogenesis effect of VEGF-D. The total RNA was extracted from human fetal lung tissue, and the mature form of VEGF-D was expanded by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), then the plasmid pGEX-5X-1/VEGF-D was reconstructed and the GST-VEGF-D fusion protein expressed in transformed E.coli BL21-DE3. The results showed that the molecular mass of this fusion protein was 38 kD and compassed more than 15% of the total bacteria proteins. The fusion protein was recognized by anti-GST and anti-VEGF-D antibodies. The soluble GST-VEGF-D fusion protein could interact with VEGFR-3/Fc and was able to stimulate the proliferation of human erythroleukemia cell line (HEL) cells. The data of chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) experiments indicated that GST-VEGF-D could induce the CAM angiogenesis. It is concluded that the GST-VEGF-D fusion protein with biological activity was successfully expressed, and which may provide an experimental model for the investigation of the VEGF-D-induced angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.