VEGF induces hyperpermeability by a direct action on endothelial cells

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key regulator of vasculo- and angiogenesis. Earlier studies demonstrated a permeability-increasing effect of VEGF in skin tests, leading to its other name, vascular permeability factor. We wondered whether VEGF-induced hyperpermeability was a direct effect of VEGF on endothelial cells and studied the permeability of human and porcine endothelial cell monolayers in a well-characterized in vitro system. VEGF increased the hydraulic conductivity up to 20-fold and simultaneously decreased the albumin reflection coefficient. This effect occurred after a delay of 150 min, although VEGF-induced early endothelial cell activation was verified by enhanced inositol phosphate accumulation within 5 min and increased P-selectin expression within 15 min. Platelet-derived growth factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, two endothelial cell nonspecific mitogens, also stimulated phosphatidylinositol metabolism and P-selectin expression; however, they had no effect; on endothelial permeability. The increase in intracellular cyclic nucleotide levels of human endothelial monolayers abolished VEGF-induced endothelial hyperpermeability. In summary, VEGF increased endothelial permeability by a direct action on endothelial cells. Based on the pattern of endothelial cell activation by growth factors, VEGF appears to be a unique stimulus.