Fatemeh Hajighasemi - Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran

Background and Aim : Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as a cytokine, has animportant role in inflammation and angiogenesis. Angiogenesis, the new vessels generation, playsan essential role in tumor invasion and expansion. Lipopolysaccharid (LPS) is an endotoxin andmain constituent of surface membrane of gram negative bacteria. Besides LPS has an importantrole in inflammation as well as angiogenesis. In this study the effect of LPS on VEGF productionin THP۱ leukemic cells has been studied in vitro.Methods : Human leukemic monocytic THP۱cells were cultured in RPMI complete mediumhaving ۱۰% FBS. Then cells at the logarithmic growth phase were incubated with different dosesof LPS for ۲۴ hours. Afterwards the levels of VEGF in cell culture supernatants were assessedwith enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay.Results : LPS significantly augmented the VEGF production in the human leukemic THP۱monocytes in a dose-dependent manner in vitro.Conclusion : The results of current study display that the LPS up- regulates VEGF production inleukemic monocytic THP۱cells. Thus it appears that LPS might be an effective inducer / enhancerof VEGF in leukemic cells. Accordingly LPS effect on angiogenesis may be in part due to itsinducting effects on VEGF. Furthermore effect of LPS on leukemogenesis may be partly due toits boosting effects on VEGF.

THP۱ cells, LPS, VEGF