RT Journal Article
T1 VEGF gene expression in adult human thymus fat: a correlative study with hypoxic induced factor and cyclooxygenase-2.
A1 Tinahones, Francisco J
A1 Salas, Julian
A1 Mayas Torres, María Dolores
A1 Ruiz-Villalba, Adrián
A1 Macías-González, Manuel
A1 Garrido-Sánchez, Lourdes
A1 DeMora, Manuel
A1 Moreno-Santos, Inmaculada
A1 Bernal, Rosa
A1 Cardona Díaz, Fernando
A1 El Bekay, Rajaa
K1 FABP4 protein, human
K1 PPAR gamma
K1 Protein Isoforms
K1 VEGFA protein, human
K1 Cyclooxygenase 2
K1 PTGS2 protein, human
K1 PPAR gamma
K1 Isoformas de Proteínas
K1 Ciclooxigenasa 2
K1 Tejido adiposo
K1 Antiinflamatorios
K1 Marcadores Biológicos
K1 Movimiento Celular
K1 Ciclooxigenasa 2
K1 ADN
K1 Proteínas de Unión a Ácidos Grasos
K1 Regulación de la Expresión Génica
K1 Hemo-Oxigenasa 1
K1 Hipoxia Inducible
K1 Inflamación
K1 Macrófagos
K1 Unión proteica
K1 Isoformas de proteínas
K1 ARN Mensajero
K1 Tejido subcutáneo
K1 Timo
K1 Factor A de crecimiento endotelial vascular
K1 Adiponectina
AB It is well known that the adult human thymus degenerates into fat tissue; however, it has never been considered as a potential source of angiogenic factors. Recently, we have described that this fat (TAT) produces angiogenic factors and induces human endothelial cell proliferation and migration, indicating its potential angiogenic properties.DESIGNAdult thymus fat and subcutaneous adipose tissue specimens were obtained from 28 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, making this tissue readily available as a prime source of adipose tissue. We focused our investigation on determining VEGF gene expression and characterizing the different genes, mediators of inflammation and adipogenesis, and which are known to play a relevant role in angiogenesis regulation.RESULTSWe found that VEGF-A was the isoform most expressed in TAT. This expression was accompanied by an upregulation of HIF-1alpha, COX-2 and HO-1 proteins, and by increased HIF-1 DNA binding activity, compared to SAT. Furthermore, we observed that TAT contains a high percentage of mature adipocytes, 0.25% of macrophage cells, 15% of endothelial cells and a very low percentage of thymocyte cells, suggesting the cellular variability of TAT, which could explain the differences in gene expression observed in TAT. Subsequently, we showed that the expression of genes known as adipogenic mediators, including PPARgamma1/gamma2, FABP-4 and adiponectin was similar in both TAT and SAT. Moreover the expression of these latter genes presented a significantly positive correlation with VEGF, suggesting the potential association between VEGF and the generation of adipose tissue in adult thymus.CONCLUSIONHere we suggest that this fat has a potential angiogenic function related to ongoing adipogenesis, which substitutes immune functions within the adult thymus. The expression of VEGF seems to be associated with COX-2, HO-1 and adipogenesis related genes, suggesting the importance that this new fat has acquired in research in relation to adipogenesis and angiogenesis.
PB Public Library of Science
YR 2009
FD 2009-12-14
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10668/693
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10668/693
LA en
NO Tinahones F, Salas J, Mayas MD, Ruiz-Villalba A, Macias-Gonzalez M, Garrido-Sanchez L, et al. VEGF gene expression in adult human thymus fat: a correlative study with hypoxic induced factor and cyclooxygenase-2. PLoS ONE; 4(12):e8213
NO Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't;
DS RISalud
RD Mar 4, 2025