Panax notoginseng saponins promote endothelial progenitor cell angiogenesis via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway

BackgroundDistraction osteogenesis (DO) is an effective treatment in craniomaxillofacial surgery. However, the issue of sufficient blood supply at the regeneration tissue has limited its wide application. Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine that is commonly used to treat a range of angiogenic diseases. However, the mechanisms whereby PNS alters angiogenesis in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have yet to be clarified.MethodsEPCs were identified by immunofluorescence, confirmed by their uptake of fluorescently labeled Dil-ac-LDL and FITC-UEA-1. EPCs were treated with different concentrations of PNS, and the effects of PNS on cell proliferation were measured on the optimal concentration of PNS determined. The effects of PNS on angiogenesis and migration, angiogenic cytokines mRNA expression and the proteins of the Wnt pathway were investigated. Then knocked down beta -catenin in EPCs and treated with the optimum concentrational PNS, their angiogenic potential was evaluated in tube formation and migration assays. In addition, the expression of cytokines associated with angiogenesis and Wnt/beta -catenin was then assessed via WB and RT-qPCR.ResultsWe were able to determine the optimal concentration of PNS in the promotion of cell proliferation, tube formation, and migration to be 6.25mg/L. PNS treatment increased the mRNA levels of VEGF, bFGF, VE-Cadherin, WNT3a, LRP5, beta -catenin, and TCF4. After knocked down beta -catenin expression, we found that PNS could sufficient to partially reverse the suppression of EPC angiogenesis.ConclusionsOverall, 6.25mg/L PNS can promote EPC angiogenesis via Wnt/beta -catenin signaling pathway activation.

Automated summary

The optimal concentration of 6.25mg/L PNS was determined to promote cell proliferation, tube formation, and migration. PNS can enhance EPC angiogenesis through the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.