Hydrogen sulphide and angiogenesis: mechanisms and applications

In vascular tissues, hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is mainly produced from L-cysteine by the cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE) enzyme. Recent studies show that administration of H2S to endothelial cells in culture stimulates cell proliferation, migration and tube formation. In addition, administration of H2S to chicken chorioallantoic membranes stimulates blood vessel growth and branching. Furthermore, in vivo administration of H2S to mice stimulates angiogenesis, as demonstrated in the Matrigel plug assay. Pathways involved in the angiogenic response of H2S include the PI-3K/Akt pathway, the mitogen activated protein kinase pathway, as well as ATP-sensitive potassium channels. Indirect evidence also suggests that the recently demonstrated role of H2S as an inhibitor of phosphodiesterases may play an additional role in its pro-angiogenic effect. The endogenous role of H2S in the angiogenic response has been demonstrated in the chicken chorioallantoic membranes, in endothelial cells in vitro and ex vivo. Importantly, the pro-angiogenic effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (but not of fibroblast growth factor) involves the endogenous production of H2S. The pro-angiogenic effects of H2S are also apparent in vivo: in a model of hindlimb ischaemia-induced angiogenesis, H2S induces a marked pro-angiogenic response; similarly, in a model of coronary ischaemia, H2S exerts angiogenic effects. Angiogenesis is crucial in the early stage of wound healing. Accordingly, topical administration of H2S promotes wound healing, whereas genetic ablation of CSE attenuates it. Pharmacological modulation of H2S-mediated angiogenic pathways may open the door for novel therapeutic approaches.