Critical role of TRPC6 channels in VEGF-mediated angiogenesis.

Intracellular Ca(2+) signaling plays critical roles in VEGF-mediated angiogenesis. Transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channel 6, a Ca(2+)-permeable non-selective cation channel, can be activated by VEGF. Here, we report that TRPC6 is important for VEGF-mediated angiogenesis. Inhibition of TRPC6 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by pharmacological or genetic approaches arrested HUVECs at G2/M phase and suppressed VEGF-induced HUVEC proliferation and tube formation. Furthermore, inhibition of TRPCs abolished VEGF-, but not FGF-induced angiogenesis in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane. These results suggest that TRPC6 plays an important role in VEGF-mediated angiogenesis.