Tenascin‐c renders a proangiogenic phenotype in macrophage via annexin II

Tenascin‐c is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein, the expression of which relates to the progression of atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and heart failure. Annexin II acts as a cell surface receptor of tenascin‐c. This study aimed to delineate the role of tenascin‐c and annexin II in macrophages presented in atherosclerotic plaque. Animal models with atherosclerotic lesions were established using ApoE‐KO mice fed with high‐cholesterol diet. The expression of tenascin‐c and annexin II in atherosclerotic lesions was determined by qRT‐PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis. Raw 264.7 macrophages and human primary macrophages were exposed to 5, 10 and 15 μg/ml tenascin‐c for 12 hrs. Cell migration as well as the proangiogenic ability of macrophages was examined. Additionally, annexin II expression was delineated in raw 264.7 macrophages under normal condition (20% O(2)) for 12 hrs or hypoxic condition (1% O(2)) for 6–12 hrs. The expression of tenascin‐c and annexin II was markedly augmented in lesion aorta. Tenascin‐c positively regulated macrophage migration, which was dependent on the expression of annexin II in macrophages. VEGF release from macrophages and endothelial tube induction by macrophage were boosted by tenascin‐c and attenuated by annexin II blocking. Furthermore, tenascin‐c activated Akt/NF‐κB and ERK signalling through annexin II. Lastly, hypoxia conditioning remarkably facilitates annexin II expression in macrophages through hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF)‐1α but not HIF‐2α. In conclusion, tenascin‐c promoted macrophage migration and VEGF expression through annexin II, the expression of which was modulated by HIF‐1α.