DNA Micro-Array Gene Expression Profi ling of Angiogenesis in Collagen Gel Culture

We examined angiogenesis-related gene expression profiles using collagen gel culture and a DNA chip. After isolation of total RNA from cultures before and after capillary tube formation, a mouse whole-genome array study was performed. Seventy-three out of over 35,000 transcripts were expressed after capillary tube formation. The majority of genes did not show any significant differences between before and after capillary tube formation. However, there were 7 upregulated genes; tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein (Tnfαip) 2, vascular endothelial growth factor b (Vegfb), corticotropin releasing hormone receptor (Crhr) 2, vascular endothelial growth factor C (Vegfc), fi broblast growth factor (Fgf) 6, protein O-fucosyltransferase (Pofut) 1, hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha subunit (Hif-1a). Eleven down-regulated genes were identified; ras homolog gene family member B (RhoB), Fgf-2, Thrombospondin (Thbs) 1, Angiogenin (Ang) 3, guanine nucleotide binding protein alpha (Gna) 13, tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 12a (Tnfrsf12a), plasminogen (Plg), Elk3, upstream binding protein (Ubp) 1, integrin alpha V (Itgav), mitogen activated protein kinase (Mapk) 14. These up- and down-regulated genes identified in this study offer the strategies which improve the myocardial substrate during and following a myocardial infarction, such as the regrowth of functional blood vessels to the ischemic myocardium.