Multiple signaling is involved in endostatin-mediated apoptosis in ECV 304 endothelial cells.

Apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells is associated with the regression of angiogenesis. Endostatin is a potential anti-angiogenic drug, but the effects of endostatin on apoptotic machinery in endothelial cells largely remain unclear. In the present study, human endostatin was expressed in E. Coli to induce apoptosis in endothelial cells. It was found that the expressed human endostatin specifically affected the viability of the ECV 304 in a dose-dependent manner. Endostatin induced apoptosis in these cells in a caspase-dependent manner, and endostatin-mediated apoptosis is associated with several apoptotic signaling pathways including overloading of intracellular magnesium and calcium, as well as regulation of p53 and Bcl 2 expression.