The 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid-induced angiogenesis requires Janus kinase 2-signal transducer and activator of transcription-5B-dependent expression of interleukin-8.

To understand the molecular basis underlying 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15(S)-HETE)-induced angiogenesis, we have studied the role of the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (Jak-STAT) signaling. The 15(S)-HETE stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of Jak2 in a time-dependent manner in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMVECs). Inhibition of Jak2 activation via adenovirus-mediated expression of its dominant-negative mutant attenuated 15(S)-HETE-induced HRMVEC migration and tube formation and Matrigel plug angiogenesis. Similarly, 15(S)-HETE activated tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT-5B in a time-dependent manner. Dominant-negative mutant-mediated interference of STAT-5B activation suppressed 15(S)-HETE-induced HRMVEC migration and tube formation and Matrigel plug angiogenesis. The 15(S)-HETE induced interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression in Jak2-STAT-5B-dependent manner in HRMVECs. In addition, neutralizing anti-IL-8 antibodies reduced 15(S)-HETE-induced HRMVEC migration and tube formation and Matrigel plug angiogenesis. Cloning and Transfac analysis of IL-8 promoter revealed the presence of 1 putative STAT-binding sequence at -476 nt, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed the binding of STAT-5B to this site in response to 15(S)-HETE. Mutational analysis showed that STAT binding site is essential for 15(S)-HETE-induced IL-8 promoter activity. Together, these observations suggest that 15(S)-HETE-induced angiogenesis requires Jak2-STAT-5B-dependent expression of IL-8.