TIMP-2 Modulates VEGFR-2 Phosphorylation and Enhances Phosphodiesterase Activity in Endothelial Cells

In the present study we examine the effects of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) on the phosphorylation status of specific phosphotyrosine residues on the vascular endothelial cell growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) cytoplasmic tail and examine the effects on associated downstream signaling pathways. In order to focus on metalloproteinase-independent mechanisms, we utilized the TIMP-2 analog known as Ala+TIMP-2 that is deficient in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitory activity. Our experiments are designed to compare the effects of VEGF-A stimulation with or without Ala+TIMP-2 pretreatment, as well as basal responses in human microvascular endothelial cells. Our results show that Ala+TIMP-2 selectively alters the phosphorylation pattern of VEGFR-2 following VEGF-A stimulation and disrupts the downstream activation of PLC-γ, Ca(+2) flux, Akt, and eNOS, as well as decreasing cGMP levels. Moreover, we observed an Ala+TIMP-2-induced reduction in cGMP levels typically elevated by exogenous NO donors implicating Ala+TIMP-2 in the direct activation of an isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX)-sensitive cGMP phosphodiesterase activity. TIMP-2 suppression of endothelial mitogenesis and angiogenesis involves at least two mechanisms, one mediated by protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibition of VEGFR-2 activation and downstream signaling and a second mechanism involving direct activation of an IBMX-sensitive phosphodiesterase activity.