| The chemokine CXCL 13 ( BCA 1 ) inhibits FGF 2 effects on endothelial cells . ^^^ We tested the effect of CXCL 13 on HUVEC chemotaxis and proliferation in the presence of fibroblast growth factor ( FGF ) 2 and found that such chemokine inhibits FGF 2 induced functions , while is not active by itself . ^^^ To test whether other FGF 2 mediated biological activities may be affected , we evaluated the ability of CXCL 13 to rescue HUVEC from starvation induced apoptosis , as FGF 2 is a survival factor for endothelial cells , and found that CXCL 13 partially inhibits such rescue . ^^^ Multiple mechanisms may be responsible for these biological activities as CXCL 13 displaces FGF 2 binding to endothelial cells , inhibits FGF 2 homodimerization , and induces the formation of CXCL 13 FGF 2 heterodimers . ^^^ Our data suggest that CXCL 13 may modulate angiogenesis by interfering with FGF 2 activity . . ^^^ |