Adrenomedullin Reduces VEGF-Induced Endothelial Adhesion Molecules and Adhesiveness Through a Phosphatidylinositol 3′-Kinase Pathway

OBJECTIVE: In the initial phase of inflammation, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) can act as a proinflammatory cytokine by inducing adhesion molecules that bind leukocytes to endothelial cells. Adrenomedullin (AM) is known to act as either a proinflammatory or an anti-inflammatory agent. In this study, we examined the effects of AM on adhesion molecule expression and leukocyte adhesiveness in VEGF-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells. METHODS AND RESULTS: When stimulated with VEGF, the mRNAs of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin were dose-dependently upregulated. AM inhibited the VEGF-induced protein and mRNA expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin. Phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase inhibitor and a dominant-negative form of Akt significantly inhibited the suppressive effect of AM on VEGF-induced adhesion molecule expression. Thus, AM inhibits VEGF-stimulated ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression through a phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase/Akt pathway. AM reduced VEGF-induced endothelial adhesiveness for leukocytes. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that AM might have an anti-inflammatory role in controlling VEGF-induced adhesion molecule gene expression and adhesiveness toward leukocytes in endothelial cells.