Enhanced production of vascular endothelial growth factor by human monocytic cells stimulated with endotoxin through transcription factor SP-1.

The effect of endotoxin on the regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression in human monocytic (THP-1) cells was examined. Endotoxic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli and synthetic E. coli-type lipid A (LA-15-PP) enhanced VEGF mRNA expression. LPS-induced VEGF mRNA accumulation was regulated, at least in part, at the transcriptional level. Enhancement of VEGF gene expression by LPS was shown by gel shift analysis and use of transcription factor inhibitors to be mediated via the activation of SP-1.