RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Receptor-2 Antagonists Inhibit VEGF- and Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor-Induced Angiogenesis in Vivo and in Vitro JF Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics JO J Pharmacol Exp Ther FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics SP 1073 OP 1085 VO 299 IS 3 A1 J.-C. Tille A1 J. Wood A1 S.J. Mandriota A1 C. Schnell A1 S. Ferrari A1 J. Mestan A1 Z. Zhu A1 L. Witte A1 M. S. Pepper YR 2001 UL http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/299/3/1073.abstract AB Exponential tumor growth is angiogenesis-dependent. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are potent angiogenic inducers that act synergistically in vivo and in vitro. We assessed the effect of specific inhibitors of VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-2 tyrosine kinase activity in in vivo and in vitro models of VEGF- and bFGF-induced angiogenesis. In an implant mouse model of angiogenesis, VEGFR-2 inhibitors completely blocked angiogenesis induced by VEGF, and, surprisingly, also inhibited the effect of bFGF to various extents. In vitro, VEGF- and bFGF-induced bovine microvascular and aortic endothelial (BME and BAE) cell collagen gel invasion could be blocked by the VEGFR-2 inhibitors by 100 and ∼90%, respectively. Similar results were obtained with VEGFR-1-IgG and VEGFR-3-IgG fusion proteins and with VEGFR-2 blocking antibodies. Both BME and BAE cells produce VEGF and VEGF-C, which is not modulated by bFGF. Thus, the unexpected inhibition of bFGF-induced angiogenesis by VEGFR-2 antagonists reveals a requirement for endogenous VEGF and VEGF-C in this process. These findings broaden the spectrum of mediators of angiogenesis that can be inhibited by VEGFR-2 antagonists and highlight the importance of these compounds as agents for inhibiting tumor growth sustained by both VEGF and bFGF. The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics