Objective        To determine the effect of hypericin-photodynamic therapy (HY-PDT) on the proliferation

migration and lumen forming in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)

and investigate the underlying mechanism of HY-PDT in anti-angiogenesis.       Methods        HUVECs were incubated in the culture medium containing HY or hematoporphyrin (HP

positive c

ontrol) for 24 h in the dark

and then were irradiated by a 585 nm light at a dose of 1.0 J/cm

2

. After the treatment

the cells were incubated for an additional 24 h in the dark. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Cell scratch test was used to determine the migration of HUVECs. Matrigel assay was implemented to detect the effect of HY-PDT on lumen forming. The mRNA expression of Smad2

and the protein levels of ERK

1/2

p-ERK

1/2

and Smad2 were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting

respectively.       Results        HY-PDT inhibited the proliferation

migration and lumen forming in HUVECs. The ratio of p-ERK

1/2

/ERK

1/2

was significantly reduced in HUVECs following HY-PDT (P0.01). Additionally

HY-PDT remarkably decreased the mRNA and protein expression levels of Smad2 (P0.01).       Conclusion        HY-PDT inhibits the proliferation

migration and lumen forming in HUVECs by inhibiting activation of ERK

1/2

phosphorylation and Smad2 expression at both the transcriptional and translational levels

and thereby leads to inhibition of angiogenesis.