Fig. 3. TWEAK enhances bFGF-dependent proliferation and migration but has no effect on VEGF-dependent proliferation and migration. HUVEC were cultured for three days in complete media (CM) or in basal media with (A) TWEAK, BBE or BBE + TWEAK, and (B) TWEAK, bFGF or combinations of these factors as indicated, and proliferation was measured by [³H]-thymidine incorporation. Data shown are the mean c.p.m. value ±s.d. of triplicate wells. Results in (A) and (B) are representative of two and four independent experiments, respectively. The proliferation in bFGF- + TWEAK-treated cultures was significantly different from that of cultures with bFGF alone or TWEAK alone (indicated by asterisks) or basal media (p values <0.05 by Student’s t test), and the difference between cultures in basal media with and without TWEAK was not significant. Blocking anti-TWEAK mAb AB.D3, nonblocking anti-TWEAK mAb BE.B3 and a control Ig Ha4/8 were also added where indicated, with results representative of two independent experiments. (C) HUVECs were cultured as described above and TWEAK, VEGF or combinations of these factors were added to basal media as indicated. Results shown are the mean c.p.m. value ±s.d. of triplicate wells and are representative of three independent experiments. The difference between VEGF and VEGF + TWEAK was not significant. (D) Confluent HUVEC monolayers treated with TWEAK, bFGF, VEGF or combinations of these factors were wounded, and repair was measured after 18 hours of culture. Results shown are the average of 6-10 experiments ±s.d. The percentage wound repair was significantly higher (Student’s t test, p<0.05) with TWEAK + bFGF compared with bFGF or TWEAK alone (indicated by asterisks) or basal media. The percentage wound repair with VEGF was significantly higher than with basal media or TWEAK but not different from that with VEGF + TWEAK.