An MMP inhibitor regulates VEGF-A–induced VE-cadherin distribution and endothelial cell permeability but does not require PTP activity and cAMP production. (A) Quiescent hMVECs were pretreated with orthovanadate (2μM) for 20 minutes and followed by BB94 (100nM) before VEGF-A (100 ng/mL) stimulation for 30 minutes. Zymogram analysis results are representative of 3 independent experiments. (B) Cells were treated as in panel A, and vascular permeability was measured as described. Values represent the mean ± SD of 3 independent experiments. *P < .05, compared with VEGF-A treatment alone. (C) Cells were pretreated with BB94 for 20 minutes, followed by TIMP-2 (100nM) treatment for 1 minute. The results (mean ± SD) are expressed as the fold increase of cAMP levels in untreated cells. **P < .01, compared with untreated control. (D) Cells were treated as in panel A, and the Triton-insoluble or soluble fraction was Western blotted with anti–VE-cadherin antibodies. Integrated density values were obtained and normalized to untreated controls. Results are representative of 3 independent experiments.