IL-11 suppress VEGFR2 expression and hampers endothelial cell wound healing

Abstract

Abstract Endothelial cells (EC) line the lumen of all blood vessels and are crucial for vascular integrity, haemeostasis and inflammation. EC are also targets for infections such as human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) that can induce vascular injury and release of various cytokines including the closely related interneukin (IL) 11 and IL-6. Here, we report a follow up study on our previous work on IL-11 and IL-6 responses to hCMV where the EC wound healing capacity and expression of relevant gene transcripts in EC treated with IL-11 or IL-6 are assessed. Treatment with IL-11, but not with IL-6, hampered the wound healing capacity and this effect may be due to suppression of VEGF signaling caused by suppression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). VEGFA levels remained unaltered. Together our data suggests that IL-11 hampers the regenerating wound healing capacity of EC and this may be due the to reduces expression of VEGFR2.