Angiogenic ability of human endothelial cells was decreased following senescence induction with hydrogen peroxide: possible role of vegfr-2/akt-1 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND: Many attempts are used to discover mechanisms driving impaired angiogenesis in age-related diseases. Angiogenesis is highly regulated by different signaling pathways. Here, we investigated the angiogenesis potential of human endothelial cells (ECs) upon exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), a cellular senescent factor. RESULTS: Data showed that the wound healing rate of HUVECs decreased upon incubation with H(2)O(2) (P < 0.05). LOX activity and NO production were decreased in H(2)O(2) treated cells (P < 0.05). Expression of miR-126 and VEGFR-2 up-regulated, while expression of miR-373 and HSP-70 up = regulated in H(2)O(2) -induced cells (P < 0.05). In addition, we found that protein levels of p-Akt-1, VCAM-1, MMP-9, and IL-6 decreased in treated cells (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that H(2)O(2) reduced the angiogenic response of HUVECs in vitro, which may be due to impairment of the VEGFR-2 signaling pathway. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12860-022-00435-4.