Pleiotropic effects of survivin in vascular endothelial cells

•The goal is to examine biological activities of Survivin in endothelial cells.•The general approach is adenovirus-mediated Survivin overexpression.•Survivin improves viability, proliferation, and migration, but inhibits apoptosis.•Functional phenotypes is associated with regulations of multiple genes by Survivin.•Survivin stimulates in vivo angiogenesis, and thus a potential therapeutic target.

ObjectiveTo assess the effects of survivin (SVV)in vascular endothelial cells.MethodsIn this study, we applied a gain-of-function approach and ectopically expressed SVV in rat aortic endothelial cells (RAECs) using a SVV-expressing adenovirus. The resulting SVV expression on the steady-state mRNA and protein level in RAECs was determined by reverse transcription quantitative PCR and Western blot, respectively. Cell viability, apoptosis, and migration were assessed in vitro by CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, and transwell assay, respectively. The effect of SVV on in vivo angiogenesis was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in nude mice. Non-infected RAECs and those infected with GFP-expressing control adenovirus were used as controls.ResultsCompared to non-infected or control adenovirus-infected RAECs in vitro, SVV-expressing cells had increased viability and migratory capability, but reduced apoptosis. In vivo, SVV-expressing RAECs were associated with a higher level of angiogenesis.ConclusionSVV is a positive regulator of endothelial cell survival and migration, and thus, stabilizes endothelial cells and stimulates angiogenesis.