Effects of venoms on neutrophil respiratory burst: a major inflammatory function

Neutrophils play a pivotal role in innate immunity and in the inflammatory response. Neutrophils are very motile cells that are rapidly recruited to the inflammatory site as the body first line of defense. Their bactericidal activity is due to the release into the phagocytic vacuole, called phagosome, of several toxic molecules directed against microbes. Neutrophil stimulation induces release of this arsenal into the phagosome and induces the assembly at the membrane of subunits of the NAPDH oxidase, the enzyme responsible for the production of superoxide anion that gives rise to other reactive oxygen species (ROS), a process called respiratory burst. Altogether, they are responsible for the bactericidal activity of the neutrophils. Excessive activation of neutrophils can lead to extensive release of these toxic agents, inducing tissue injury and the inflammatory reaction. Envenomation, caused by different animal species (bees, wasps, scorpions, snakes etc.), is well known to induce a local and acute inflammatory reaction, characterized by recruitment and activation of leukocytes and the release of several inflammatory mediators, including prostaglandins and cytokines. Venoms contain several molecules such as enzymes (phospholipase A2, L-amino acid oxidase and proteases, among others) and peptides (disintegrins, mastoporan, parabutoporin etc.). These molecules are able to stimulate or inhibit ROS production by neutrophils. The present review article gives a general overview of the main neutrophil functions focusing on ROS production and summarizes how venoms and venom molecules can affect this function.(AU)

Kinetic investigations and stability studies of two Bothrops L-amino acid oxidases

L-amino acid oxidases isolated from snake venoms (SV-LAAOs) are enzymes that have great therapeutic potential and are currently being investigated as tools for developing new strategies to treat various diseases, including cancer and bacterial infections. The main objective of this study was to make a brief evaluation of the enzymatic stability of two Bothrops LAAOs, one isolated from Bothrops jararacussu (BjussuLAAO-II) and the other from Bothrops moojeni (BmooLAAO-I) venoms. Methods and results: The enzymatic activity and stability of both LAAOs were evaluated by microplate colorimetric assays, for which BjussuLAAO-II and BmooLAAO-I were incubated with different L-amino acid substrates, in the presence of different ions, and at different pH ranges and temperatures. BjussuLAAO-II and BmooLAAO-I demonstrated higher affinity for hydrophobic amino acids, such as Phe and Leu. The two enzymes showed high enzymatic activity in a wide temperature range, from 25 to 75 °C, and presented optimum pH around 7.0. Additionally, Zn2+, Al3+, Cu2+ and Ni2+ ions negatively modulated the enzymatic activity of both LAAOs. As to stability, BjussuLAAO-II and BmooLAAO-I showed high enzymatic activity for 42 days stored at 4°C in neutral pH solution. Moreover, the glycan portions of both LAAOs were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis, which revealed that BjussuLAAO-II presented two main glycan portions with relative masses of 7.78 and 8.13 CGU, while BmooLAAO-I showed three portions of 7.58, 7.94 and 8.37 CGU. Conclusions: Our results showed that, when stored properly, BjussuLAAO-II and BmooLAAO-I present enzymatic stability over a long time period, which is very important to allow the use of these enzymes in pharmacological studies of great impact in the medical field.(AU)

l-Amino acid oxidase isolated from calloselasma rhodostoma snake venom induces cytotoxicity and apoptosis in JAK2V617F-positive cell lines

BACKGROUND: Myeloproliferative neoplasms are Philadelphia chromosome-negative diseases characterized by hyperproliferation of mature myeloid cells, associated or not with the Janus kinase 2 tyrosine kinase mutation, JAK2V617F. As there is no curative therapy, researchers have been investigating new drugs to treat myeloproliferative neoplasms, including l-amino acid oxidase from Calloselasma rhodostoma snake venom (CR-LAAO), which is a toxin capable of eliciting apoptosis in several tumor cell lines. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of l-amino acid oxidase from C. rhodostoma snake venom in the apoptotic machinery of JAK2-mutated cell lines. METHODS: The HEL 92.1.7 and SET-2 cell lines were cultured with l-amino acid oxidase and catalase for 12 h at 37 °C in 5% carbon dioxide. The cell viability was assessed by the multi-table tournament method, the level of apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry, and the expression of cysteine-dependent aspartate-specific proteases and cleaved Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase were analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS: l-Amino acid oxidase from C. rhodostoma snake venom was cytotoxic to HEL 92.1.7 and SET-2 cells (50% inhibitory concentration = 0.15 µg/mL and 1.5 µg/mL, respectively) and induced apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Cell treatment with catalase mitigated the l-amino acid oxidase toxicity, indicating that hydrogen peroxide is a key component of its cytotoxic effect.The activated caspases 3 and 8 expression and cleaved PARP in HEL 92.1.7 and SET-2 cells confirmed the apoptosis activation by CR-LAAO. CONCLUSIONS: l-Amino acid oxidase from C. rhodostoma snake venom is a potential antineoplastic agent against HEL 92.1.7 and SET-2 JAK2V617F-positive cells as it activates the extrinsic apoptosis pathway.

Bothrops snake venoms and their isolated toxins, an L-amino acid oxidase and a serine protease, modulate human complement system pathways

Background Activation of the complement system plays an important role in the regulation of immune and inflammatory reactions, and contributes to inflammatory responses triggered by envenomation provoked byBothrops snakes. The present study aimed to assess whether Bothrops jararacussuand Bothrops pirajai crude venoms and their isolated toxins, namely serine protease (BjussuSP-I) and L-amino acid oxidase (BpirLAAO-I), modulate human complement system pathways.Methods Lyophilized venom and toxin samples solubilized in phosphate buffered saline were diluted in appropriate buffers to evaluate their hemolytic activity on the alternative and classical pathways of the complement system. Venom- and toxin-treated normal human serum was added to the erythrocyte suspension, and the kinetic of hemolysis was measured spectrophotometrically at 700 nm. The kinetic 96-well microassay format was used for this purpose. We determined the t ½values (time required to lyse 50 % of target erythrocytes), which were employed to calculate the percentage of inhibition of the hemolytic activity promoted by each sample concentration. To confirm complement system activation, complement-dependent human neutrophil migration was examined using the Boyden chamber model.Results At the highest concentration tested (120 μg/mL), B. jararacussu and B. pirajai crude venoms inhibited the hemolytic activity of the classical pathway (65.3 % and 72.4 %, respectively) more strongly than they suppressed the hemolytic activity of the alternative pathway (14.2 and 13.6 %, respectively). BjussuSP-I (20 μg/mL) did not affect the hemolytic activity of the classical pathway, but slightly decreased the hemolytic activity of the alternative pathway (13.4 %). BpirLAAO-I (50 μg/mL) inhibited 24.3 and 12.4 % of the hemolytic activity of the classical and alternative pathways, respectively. Normal human serum treated with B. jararacussu and B. pirajai crude venoms induced human neutrophil migration at a level similar to that induced by zymosan-activated normal human serum.Conclusion Together, the results of the kinetics of hemolysis and the neutrophil chemotaxis assay suggest that pre-activation of the complement system byB. jararacussu and B. pirajai crude venoms consumes complement components and generates the chemotactic factors C3a and C5a. The kinetic microassay described herein is useful to assess the effect of venoms and toxins on the hemolytic activity of the complement system.(AU)

Bordonein-L, a new L-amino acid oxidase from Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom: isolation, preliminary characterization and enzyme stability

Background Crotalus durissus terrificus venom (CdtV) is one of the most studied snake venoms in Brazil. Despite presenting several well known proteins, its L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO) has not been studied previously. This study aimed to isolate, characterize and evaluate the enzyme stability of bordonein-L, an LAAO from CdtV.Methods The enzyme was isolated through cation exchange, gel filtration and affinity chromatography, followed by a reversed-phase fast protein liquid chromatography to confirm its purity. Subsequently, its N-terminal amino acid sequence was determined by Edman degradation. The enzyme activity and stability were evaluated by a microplate colorimetric assay and the molecular mass was estimated by SDS-PAGE using periodic acid-Schiff staining and determined by mass spectrometry.Results The first 39 N-terminal amino acid residues exhibited high identity with other snake venom L-amino acid oxidases. Bordonein-L is a homodimer glycoprotein of approximately 101 kDa evaluated by gel filtration. Its monomer presents around 53 kDa estimated by SDS-PAGE and 58,702 Da determined by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The enzyme exhibited maximum activity at pH 7.0 and lost about 50 % of its activity after five days of storage at 4 °C. Bordonein-L's activity was higher than the control when stored in 2.8 % mannitol or 8.5 % sucrose.Conclusions This research is pioneering in its isolation, characterization and enzyme stability evaluation of an LAAO from CdtV, denominated bordonein-L. These results are important because they increase the knowledge about stabilization of LAAOs, aiming to increase their shelf life. Since the maintenance of enzymatic activity after long periods of storage is essential to enable their biotechnological use as well as their functional studies.(AU)

Bordonein-L, a new L-amino acid oxidase from Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom: isolation, preliminary characterization and enzyme stability

Background Crotalus durissus terrificus venom (CdtV) is one of the most studied snake venoms in Brazil. Despite presenting several well known proteins, its L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO) has not been studied previously. This study aimed to isolate, characterize and evaluate the enzyme stability of bordonein-L, an LAAO from CdtV.Methods The enzyme was isolated through cation exchange, gel filtration and affinity chromatography, followed by a reversed-phase fast protein liquid chromatography to confirm its purity. Subsequently, its N-terminal amino acid sequence was determined by Edman degradation. The enzyme activity and stability were evaluated by a microplate colorimetric assay and the molecular mass was estimated by SDS-PAGE using periodic acid-Schiff staining and determined by mass spectrometry.Results The first 39 N-terminal amino acid residues exhibited high identity with other snake venom L-amino acid oxidases. Bordonein-L is a homodimer glycoprotein of approximately 101 kDa evaluated by gel filtration. Its monomer presents around 53 kDa estimated by SDS-PAGE and 58,702 Da determined by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The enzyme exhibited maximum activity at pH 7.0 and lost about 50 % of its activity after five days of storage at 4 °C. Bordonein-Ls activity was higher than the control when stored in 2.8 % mannitol or 8.5 % sucrose.Conclusions This research is pioneering in its isolation, characterization and enzyme stability evaluation of an LAAO from CdtV, denominated bordonein-L. These results are important because they increase the knowledge about stabilization of LAAOs, aiming to increase their shelf life. Since the maintenance of enzymatic activity after long periods of storage is essential to enable their biotechnological use as well as their functional studies.

Bothrops snake venoms and their isolated toxins, an L-amino acid oxidase and a serine protease, modulate human complement system pathways

Background Activation of the complement system plays an important role in the regulation of immune and inflammatory reactions, and contributes to inflammatory responses triggered by envenomation provoked byBothrops snakes. The present study aimed to assess whether Bothrops jararacussuand Bothrops pirajai crude venoms and their isolated toxins, namely serine protease (BjussuSP-I) and L-amino acid oxidase (BpirLAAO-I), modulate human complement system pathways.Methods Lyophilized venom and toxin samples solubilized in phosphate buffered saline were diluted in appropriate buffers to evaluate their hemolytic activity on the alternative and classical pathways of the complement system. Venom- and toxin-treated normal human serum was added to the erythrocyte suspension, and the kinetic of hemolysis was measured spectrophotometrically at 700 nm. The kinetic 96-well microassay format was used for this purpose. We determined the t ½values (time required to lyse 50 % of target erythrocytes), which were employed to calculate the percentage of inhibition of the hemolytic activity promoted by each sample concentration. To confirm complement system activation, complement-dependent human neutrophil migration was examined using the Boyden chamber model.Results At the highest concentration tested (120 g/mL), B. jararacussu and B. pirajai crude venoms inhibited the hemolytic activity of the classical pathway (65.3 % and 72.4 %, respectively) more strongly than they suppressed the hemolytic activity of the alternative pathway (14.2 and 13.6 %, respectively). BjussuSP-I (20 g/mL) did not affect the hemolytic activity of the classical pathway, but slightly decreased the hemolytic activity of the alternative pathway (13.4 %). BpirLAAO-I (50 g/mL) inhibited 24.3 and 12.4 % of the hemolytic activity of the classical and alternative pathways, respectively. Normal human serum treated with B. jararacussu and B. pirajai crude venoms induced human neutrophil migration at a level similar to that induced by zymosan-activated normal human serum.Conclusion Together, the results of the kinetics of hemolysis and the neutrophil chemotaxis assay suggest that pre-activation of the complement system byB. jararacussu and B. pirajai crude venoms consumes complement components and generates the chemotactic factors C3a and C5a. The kinetic microassay described herein is useful to assess the effect of venoms and toxins on the hemolytic activity of the complement system.

Purification and antibacterial activities of an L-amino acid oxidase from king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) venom

Some constituents of snake venom have been found to display a variety of biological activities. The antibacterial property of snake venom, in particular, has gathered increasing scientific interest due to antibiotic resistance. In the present study, king cobra venom was screened against three strains of Staphylococcus aureus [including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)], three other species of gram-positive bacteria and six gram-negative bacteria. King cobra venom was active against all the 12 bacteria tested, and was most effective against Staphylococcus spp. (S. aureus and S. epidermidis). Subsequently, an antibacterial protein from king cobra venom was purified by gel filtration, anion exchange and heparin chromatography. Mass spectrometry analysis confirmed that the protein was king cobra L-amino acid oxidase (Oh-LAAO). SDS-PAGE showed that the protein has an estimated molecular weight of 68 kDa and 70 kDa under reducing and non-reducing conditions, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of Oh-LAAO for all the 12 bacteria were obtained using radial diffusion assay method. Oh-LAAO had the lowest MIC value of 7.5 µg/mL against S. aureus ATCC 25923 and ATCC 29213, MRSA ATCC 43300, and S. epidermidis ATCC 12228. Therefore, the LAAO enzyme from king cobra venom may be useful as an antimicrobial agent.(AU)

Bothrops pirajai snake venom L-amino acid oxidase: in vitro effects on infection of Toxoplasma gondii in human foreskin fibroblasts

The effect of an L-amino acid oxidase isolated from Bothrops pirajai snake venom (BpirLAAO-I) was investigated on infection of Toxoplasma gondii in human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF). The cytotoxic activity of BpirLAAO-I on HFF cells showed a dose-dependent toxicity with median cytotoxic dose (TD50) of 11.8 µg/mL. BpirLAAO-I induced considerable dose-dependent decrease in the T. gondii infection index under two different conditions, treatment of tachyzoites before infection or treatment of HFF cells after infection. A maximal inhibition of infection (56 percent) was found for treatment before infection, with a median inhibitory dose (ID50) at 1.83 µg/mL and selectivity index (SI) at 6.45. For treatment after infection, it was observed a maximal inhibition of infection at 65 percent, ID50 of 1.20 µg/mL and SI of 9.83. The treatment before infection was also effective to reduce intracellular parasitism up to 62 percent, although presenting higher values of ID50 (3.14 µg/mL) and lower values of SI (3.76). However, treatment after infection was not effective, suggesting that the enzyme seems to have no effect on the parasite intracellular replication for this condition. In conclusion, BpirLAAO-I was more effective to inhibit the infection of neighboring cells and consequently parasite dissemination than primary infection and parasite replication. Thus, the effect of BpirLAAO-I described herein could be taken into account for the development of new synthetic anti-parasite therapeutic agents.

Purification of an L-amino acid oxidase from Bungarus caeruleus (Indian krait) venom

Snake venoms are rich in enzymes such as phospholipase A2, proteolytic enzymes, hyaluronidases and phosphodiesterases, which are well characterized. However, L-amino acid oxidase (LAO EC.1.4.3.2) from snake venoms has not been extensively studied. A novel L-amino acid oxidase from Bungarus caeruleus venom was purified to homogeneity using a combination of ion-exchange by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and gel filtration on Sephadex® G-100 column. The purified monomer of LAO showed a molecular mass of 55 ±1 kDa estimated by SDS-PAGE. The specific activity of purified LAO was 6,230 ± 178 U/min/mg, versus 230 ± 3.0 U/min/mg for the whole desiccated venom, suggesting a 27-fold purification with a 25% yield. Optimal pH and temperature for maximum purified enzyme activity were 6.5 and 37ºC, respectively. Platelet aggregation studies show that purified LAO inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation dose-dependently at 0.01 to 0.1 µM with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.04 µM, whereas at a 0.08 µM concentration it did not induce appreciable aggregation on normal platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The purified protein catalyzed oxidative deamination of L-amino acids while the most specific substrate was L-leucine. The purified LAO oxidizes only L-forms, but not D-forms of amino acids, to produce H2O2. The enzyme is important for the purification and determination of certain amino acids and for the preparation of α-keto acids.(AU)

Ação broncodilatadora e anti-inflamatória do 1, 8-cineol em modelo experimental de asma em cobaias [manuscrito] / Bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory action of 1, 8-cineole in experimental model of asthma in guinea pigs

Dentre as doenças obstrutivas das vias aéreas, a asma envolve processos broncoconstritores e inflamatórios, ambos fisiologicamente reversíveis. O uso terapêutico do 1,8-cineol (eucaliptol) nessa disfunção vem sendo estudado nos últimos anos. Nesse estudo, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do eucaliptol na contratilidade da musculatura lisa das vias aéreas de cobaias sensibilizadas e desafiadas com antígeno, bem como estudar seus efeitos nos parâmetros fisiopatológicos das vias aéreas na fase inflamatória pós-desafio. Foram utilizados anéis de traquéia montados em câmara para órgão isolado para estudar a contratilidade. Os parâmetros inflamatórios foram estudados por meio de análise histológica, contagem das células inflamatórias, níveis de citocinas e de MPO no lavado broncoalveolar. Adicionalmente, foram verificadas as pressões inspiratória e expiratória e a freqüência respiratória desses animais, bem como o transporte mucociliar (TMC). O 1,8-cineol (6 x 10-6 a 2 x 10-2 M) induziu relaxamento concentração-dependente no tônus basal de preparações de animais naive com epitélio íntegro, cujo valor de pD2 correspondeu a 2.23 [2.10 – 2.37]. Em preparações com epitélio removido ou ainda em tecidos com o epitélio íntegro, mas na presença de L-NAME, TEA, TTX ou propranolol, não foram observadas alterações significativas da potência ou do efeito máximo (Emax) induzido por 1,8-cineol. O 1,8-cineol (6,5 x 10-6 a 6,5 x 10-3 M) foi capaz de reverter significativamente a resposta contrátil histaminérgica...

Secreção cutânea do caramujo gigante africano, Achatina fulica, como fonte de compostos anti-Leishmania / Secreção cutânea do caramujo gigante africano, Achatina fulica, como fonte de compostos anti-Leishmania

Leishmaniasis is a severe protozoan parasite disease, causing clinical symptoms from a single cutaneous ulceration to a progressive and fatal disease. The treatment is based on toxic chemotherapeutic compounds, being pentavalent antimonials the first line drugs. Natural products from Brazilian fauna, especially animal venoms and cutaneous secretions, are a rich source of novel chemical molecules which could be used as drug prototypes for the development of new therapeutics. This study describes for the first time the effective antileishmanial activity of crude cutaneous secretion from the giant African snail, Achatina fulica, and its mammalian cells citotoxicity and also its potential mode of action against Leishmania promastigotes. The crude secretion showed an 50% Effective Concentration (EC50) of 98.37 g/mL against L.(L.) chagasi promastigotes. By means of enzymatic assays, a L-amino acid oxidase (L-AAO) activity was detected in crude secretion, and the hydrogen peroxide produced by this enzyme revealed to be one of the compounds responsible for the antileishmanial effect. The use of catalase for H2O2 scavenging in Leishmania cultures incubated with crude secretion abolished 54% of parasite death. Despite a moderate toxicity of the snail cutaneous secretion on LLC-MK2 mammalian cells (EC50 of 83.25 g/mL), these promising data provided the valuable information for further c

A Leishmaniose é uma doença parasitária grave que causa desde uma única ulceração cutânea até uma doença progressiva e fatal. O tratamento é baseado em agentes quimioterápicos tóxicos, sendo indicados como fármacos de primeira escolha os antimoniais pentavalentes. Os produtos naturais derivados da fauna brasileira, especialmente venenos e secreções cutâneas de anfíbios, são fontes ricas de novas moléculas químicas, as quais podem ser utilizadas como protótipos farmacêuticos no desenvolvimento de novos fármacos. No presente trabalho, é feita a descrição inédita sobre a efetiva atividade anti-Leishmania da secreção cutânea do caramujo gigante Africano, Achatina fulica, bem como a sua citotoxicidade em células de mamíferos e seu possível mecanismo de ação contra os promastigotas. A secreção bruta apresentou Concentração Efetiva 50% de 98,37 g/mL contra promastigotas de L.(L.) chagasi. Por meio de ensaios enzimáticos, foi detectada a atividade L-aminoácido oxidase (L-AAO) na secreção bruta, e também foi demonstrado que o H2O2 gerado por esta enzima é um dos compostos responsáveis pelo efeito anti-Leishmania. O uso de catalase, para eliminar a ação do H2O2 nas culturas de Leishmania, causou a diminuição de 54% na morte dos parasitos. Apesar da ocorrência de citotoxicidade moderada da secreção bruta contra as células LLC-MK2 (CE50 de 83,25 g/mL), estes são dados promissores que pos

Avaliação dos efeitos renais e vasculares do veneno da bothrops insularis e de frações isoladas [Manuscrito] / Assessment of renal and cardiovascular effects of the venom of Bothrops insularis and isolated fractions [manuscript]

Foram investigados os efeitos do veneno da serpente Bothrops insularis e de suas frações, lectina, L-aminoácido oxidase, trombina símile e fosfolipase A2, no rim isolado e sistema vascular de rato. As frações foram purificadas a partir de uma combinação de procedimentos cromatográficos, usando colunas de HPLC de exclusão molecular, troca iônica, fase reversa e colunas de baixa pressão de afinidade. Foi utilizada a perfusão de rim isolado de rato e a solução de Krebs-Henseleit modificada (Bowman, 1970; Fonteles et al. 1998). Parâmetros selecionados da função renal foram avaliados durante as condições experimentais, com a infusão do veneno e suas frações, aos 60, 90 e 120 minutos. Os primeiros 30 minutos serviram de controle interno. No leito arterial sistêmico de rato (Ferreira, 1965) a pressão arterial foi avaliada por manômetro conectado por cânula à artéria carótida comum, e o veneno injetado na veia jugular. Os registros foram realizados a cada 10 minutos após a administração de doses crescentes do veneno, até a infusão da dose de 300μg, aos 60 minutos. Na Perfusão do leito arterial mesentérico isolado de rato (McGregor, 1965), utilizou-se a solução de Krebs-Henseleit em fluxo constante de 4mL/minuto. A pressão de perfusão foi registrada manometricamente. A avaliação estatística foi determinada por análise de variância (ANOVA) e teste de Bonferroni, com nível de significância menor de 5%. No rim, o grupo tratado com o veneno apresentou redução em todos os parâmetros avaliados, com exceção da absorção de potássio. Com a lectina a pressão de perfusão aumentou inicialmente e caiu em seguida, juntamente com o fluxo urinário e o ritmo de filtração glomerular...

Purification of L-amino acid oxidase from Naja atra venom and its effects on endothelial cells / 中国药理学通报

Aim To purify L-amino acid oxidase(LAAO) from the venom of Naja atra and study its effect on endothelial cells.Methods The NAV-LAAO was purified by ion-exchange chromatography and affinity chromatography.The MTT assay and Western blot were used to detect the viability and apoptosis of HUVEC.The tubule-forming was used to study the angiogenesis of cells.Results The NAV-LAAO was purified successfully from the venom of Naja atra.The molecular weight of NAV-LAAO was determined to be 58 ku by SDS-PAGE.NAV-LAAO effectively inhibited the growth and tubule-forming of HUVEC,and the 50% inhibitory concentration(IC50) was 21.42 mg?L-1.Compared with control,the levels of caspase-3 and caspase-8 increased in HUVEC treated with NAV-LAAO.Conclusions The NAV-LAAO is purified successfully from Naja atra venom by ion-exchange chromatography and affinity chromatography.The NAV-LAAO inhibits the growth and tubule-forming capacity of HUVEC in a dose-dependent manner.