RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 A Prodrug of Cysteine, l-2-Oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic Acid, Regulates Vascular Permeability by Reducing Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression in Asthma JF Molecular Pharmacology JO Mol Pharmacol FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics SP 1281 OP 1290 DO 10.1124/mol.105.016055 VO 68 IS 5 A1 Lee, Kyung Sun A1 Park, Hee Sun A1 Park, Seoung Ju A1 Kim, So Ri A1 Min, Kyung Hoon A1 Jin, Sun Mi A1 Park, Kwang-Hyun A1 Kim, Uh-Hyun A1 Kim, Chan Young A1 Lee, Yong Chul YR 2005 UL http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/68/5/1281.abstract AB Inflammation of the asthmatic airway is usually accompanied by increased vascular permeability and plasma exudation. Oxidative stress plays critical roles in airway inflammation. Although reactive oxygen species (ROS) are shown to cause vascular leakage, the mechanisms by which ROS induce increased vascular permeability are not clearly understood. We have used a murine model of asthma to evaluate the effect of l-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (OTC), a prodrug of cysteine that acts as an antioxidant, more specifically in the increase of vascular permeability. These mice develop the following typical pathophysiological features of asthma in the lungs: increased numbers of inflammatory cells of the airways, airway hyper-responsiveness, increased vascular permeability, and increased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Administration of OTC markedly reduced plasma extravasation and VEGF levels in allergen-induced asthmatic lungs. We also showed that at 72 h after ovalbumin inhalation, increased levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (a transcriptional activator of VEGF) in nuclear protein extracts of lung tissues were decreased by the administration of OTC. These results indicate that OTC modulates vascular permeability by lowering VEGF expression.