Ginsenoside-Rg1 mediates a hypoxia-independent upregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α to promote angiogenesis

Angiogenesis. 2011 Dec;14(4):515-22. doi: 10.1007/s10456-011-9235-z. Epub 2011 Oct 2.

Abstract

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1) is the key transcription regulator for multiple angiogenic factors and is an appealing target. Ginsenoside-Rg1, a nontoxic saponin isolated from the rhizome of Panax ginseng, exhibits potent proangiogenic activity and has the potential to be developed as a new angiotherapeutic agent. However, the mechanisms by which Rg1 promotes angiogenesis are not fully understood. Here, we show that Rg1 is an effective stimulator of HIF-1α under normal cellular oxygen conditions in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. HIF-1α steady-state mRNA was not affected by Rg1. Rather, HIF-1α protein synthesis was stimulated by Rg1. This effect was associated with constitutive activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and its effector p70 S6 kinase (p70(S6K)), but not extracellular-signal regulated kinase 1/2. We further revealed that HIF-1α induction triggered the expression of target genes, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The use of small molecule inhibitors LY294002 or rapamycin to inhibit PI3K/Akt and p70(S6K) activities, respectively, resulted in diminished HIF-1α activation and subsequent VEGF expression. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of HIF-1α suppressed Rg1-induced VEGF synthesis and angiogenic tube formation, confirming that the effect was HIF-1α specific. Similarly, the angiogenic phenotype could be reversed by inhibition of PI3K/Akt and p70(S6K). These results define a hypoxia-independent activation of HIF-1α, uncovering a novel mechanism for Rg1 that could play a major role in angiogenesis and vascular remodeling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blotting, Western
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chromones / pharmacology
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects*
  • Ginsenosides / isolation & purification
  • Ginsenosides / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / genetics
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / metabolism*
  • Morpholines / pharmacology
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / physiology*
  • Panax / chemistry*
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase / metabolism
  • RNA Interference
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Rhizome / chemistry
  • Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa / metabolism
  • Umbilical Veins / cytology
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Chromones
  • DNA Primers
  • Ginsenosides
  • HIF1A protein, human
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • Morpholines
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase
  • Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa
  • ginsenoside Rg1