Neoangiogenesis contributes to the development of hemophilic synovitis.

TitleNeoangiogenesis contributes to the development of hemophilic synovitis.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsAcharya SS, Kaplan RN, Macdonald D, Fabiyi OT, DiMichele D, Lyden D
JournalBlood
Volume117
Issue8
Pagination2484-93
Date Published2011 Feb 24
ISSN1528-0020
KeywordsCells, Cultured, Fibroblasts, Hemarthrosis, Hemophilia A, Humans, Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit, Neovascularization, Pathologic, Recurrence, Retrospective Studies, RNA, Messenger, Synovial Membrane, Synovitis, Up-Regulation, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
Abstract

Joint arthropathy secondary to recurrent hemarthroses remains a debilitating complication of hemophilia despite the use of prophylactic factor concentrates. Increased vascularity and neoangiogenesis have been implicated in the progression of musculoskeletal disorders and tumor growth. We hypothesized that de novo blood vessel formation could play a major role in the pathogenesis of hemophilic joint disease (HJD). We observed a 4-fold elevation in proangiogenic factors (vascular endothelial growth factor-A [VEGF-A], stromal cell-derived factor-1, and matrix metalloprotease-9) and proangiogenic macrophage/monocyte cells (VEGF(+)/CD68(+) and VEGFR1(+)/CD11b(+)) in the synovium and peripheral blood of HJD subjects along with significantly increased numbers of VEGFR2(+)/AC133(+) endothelial progenitor cells and CD34(+)/VEGFR1(+) hematopoietic progenitor cells. Sera from HJD subjects induced an angiogenic response in endothelial cells that was abrogated by blocking VEGF, whereas peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HJD subjects stimulated synovial cell proliferation, which was blocked by a humanized anti-VEGF antibody (bevacizumab). Human synovial cells, when incubated with HJD sera, could elicit up-regulation of HIF-1α mRNA with HIF-1α expression in the synovium of HJD subjects, implicating hypoxia in the neoangiogenesis process. Our results provide evidence of local and systemic angiogenic response in hemophilic subjects with recurrent hemarthroses suggesting a potential to develop surrogate biologic markers to identify the onset and progression of hemophilic synovitis.

DOI10.1182/blood-2010-05-284653
Alternate JournalBlood
PubMed ID21163925
PubMed Central IDPMC3317791