FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
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Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an endothelium-specific secreted protein that induces vasodilation and increases endothelial release of nitric oxide (NO). NO is also reported to modulate leukocyte-endothelium interaction. Therefore, we hypothesized that VEGF might inhibit leukocyte-endothelium interaction via increased release of NO from the vascular endothelium. ⋯ We concluded that VEGF is a potent inhibitor of leukocyte-endothelium interaction, and this effect is specifically correlated to augmentation of NO release from the vascular endothelium.--Scalia, R., Booth, G., Lefer, D. J. Vascular endothelial growth factor attenuates leukocyte-endothelium interaction during acute endothelial dysfunction: essential role of endothelium-derived nitric oxide.