Objective       To explore whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) can regulate the proliferation and migration in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) through connexin 43 (Cx43).        Methods       Primary EPCs derived from mouse spleen were isolated and cultured

and different concentrations of VEGF (0

10

and 50 ng/mL) were used to stimulate EPCs. Western blotting was employed to detect the expression of Cx43. EPCs were divided into the control group

VEGF group

and VEGF+siCx43 group

and fluorescence redistribution after photobleaching (FRAP) was adopted to detect the fluorescent intensity in the EPCs selected from each group in 3 min. The effect of Cx43 on the proliferation of EPCs was determined by CCK-8 assay. Transwell migration assay was used to analyze the effect of Cx43 interference on the migration of EPCs.        Results       VEGF promoted the expression of Cx43 in the EPCs in a concentration-dependent manner (P0.05). Compared with the control group

the gap junction function of the VEGF group was enhanced significantly (P0.05)

while compared with the VEGF group

the gap junction function of the VEGF+siCx43 group was weakened significantly (P0.05). Compared with the control group

the VEGF group showed accelerated proliferation and migration of EPCs

and the differences were statistically significant (P0.05). Compared with the VEGF group

the proliferation and migration of EPCs were decreased significantly in the VEGF+siCx43 group (P0.05).        Conclusion       VEGF can increase the expression of Cx43 in EPCs

which enhances the gap junction function and thus promotes the proliferation and migration of EPCs.