Nicotine stimulates angiogenesis and promotes tumor growth and atherosclerosis

C Heeschen, JJ Jang, M Weis, A Pathak, S Kaji… - Nature medicine, 2001 - nature.com
C Heeschen, JJ Jang, M Weis, A Pathak, S Kaji, RS Hu, PS Tsao, FL Johnson, JP Cooke
Nature medicine, 2001nature.com
We provide anatomic and functional evidence that nicotine induces angiogenesis. We also
show that nicotine accelerates the growth of tumor and atheroma in association with
increased neovascularization. Nicotine increased endothelial-cell growth and tube formation
in vitro, and accelerated fibrovascular growth in vivo. In a mouse model of hind-limb
ischemia, nicotine increased capillary and collateral growth, and enhanced tissue perfusion.
In mouse models of lung cancer and atherosclerosis, we found that nicotine enhanced …
Abstract
We provide anatomic and functional evidence that nicotine induces angiogenesis. We also show that nicotine accelerates the growth of tumor and atheroma in association with increased neovascularization. Nicotine increased endothelial-cell growth and tube formation in vitro, and accelerated fibrovascular growth in vivo. In a mouse model of hind-limb ischemia, nicotine increased capillary and collateral growth, and enhanced tissue perfusion. In mouse models of lung cancer and atherosclerosis, we found that nicotine enhanced lesion growth in association with an increase in lesion vascularity. These effects of nicotine were mediated through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at nicotine concentrations that are pathophysiologically relevant. The endothelial production of nitric oxide, prostacyclin and vascular endothelial growth factor might have a role in these effects.
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