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Ochirbat S, Kan TC, Hsu CC, Huang TH, Chuang KH, Chen M, Cheng CC, Chang CC, Rahayu S, Chang J. The angiogenic role of the alpha 9-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in triple-negative breast cancers. Angiogenesis 2024:10.1007/s10456-024-09944-6. [PMID: 39177676 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-024-09944-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
Nicotine acts as an angiogenic factor by stimulating endogenous cholinergic pathways. Several subtypes of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have been demonstrated to be closely correlated to the formation and progression of different types of cancers. Recently, several studies have found that nicotinic acetylcholine receptors α9 (α9-nAChRs) are highly expressed in breast tumors, especially in tumors derived from patients diagnosed at advanced stages. In vitro studies have demonstrated that activation of α9-nAChRs is associated with increased proliferation and migration of breast cancer. To study the tumor-promoting role of α9-nAChRs in breast cancers, we generated a novel anti-α9-nAChR and methoxy-polyethylene glycol (mPEG) bispecific antibody (α9 BsAb) for dissecting the molecular mechanism on α9-nAChR-mediated tumor progression. Unexpectedly, we discovered the angiogenic role of α9-nAChR in nicotine-induced neovascularization of tumors. It revealed α9 BsAbs reduced nicotine-induced endothelial cell tube formation, blood vessel development in Matrigel plug assay and angiogenesis in microtube array membrane murine model (MTAMs). To unbraid the molecular mechanism of α9-nAChR in nicotine-mediated angiogenesis, the α9 BsAbs were applied and revealed the inhibitory roles in nicotine-induced production of hypoxia-inducible factor-2 alpha (HIF-2α), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), phosphorylated vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (p-VEGFR2), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) from triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231), suggesting α9-nAChRs played an important role in nicotine-induced angiogenesis. To confirm our results, the shRNA targeting α9-nAChRs was designed and used to silence α9-nAChR expression and then evaluated the angiogenic role of α9-nAChRs. The results showed α9 shRNA also played an inhibitory effect in blocking the nicotine-induced angiogenic signaling. Taken together, α9-nAChR played a critical role in nicotine-induced angiogenesis and this bispecific antibody (α9 BsAb) may serve as a potential therapeutic candidate for treatments of the α9 positive cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonjid Ochirbat
- International Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Chun Kan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Chun Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Hsuan Huang
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, 23561, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Hsiang Chuang
- Graduate Institute of Pharmacognosy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Michael Chen
- Graduate Institute of Pharmacognosy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Chia Cheng
- Research Center of Radiation Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Chao Chang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center for Digestive Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Sri Rahayu
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Jakarta, 13220, Indonesia
| | - Jungshan Chang
- International Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- International Ph.D. Program for Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
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Dahab MA, Mahdy HA, Elkady H, Taghour MS, Elwan A, Elkady MA, Elsakka EGE, Elkaeed EB, Alsfouk AA, Ibrahim IM, Metwaly AM, Eissa IH. Semi-synthesized anticancer theobromine derivatives targeting VEGFR-2: in silico and in vitro evaluations. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:4214-4233. [PMID: 37261471 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2219333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis are all crucially impacted by Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 (VEGFR-2). Its expression is significantly boosted throughout pathologic angiogenesis causing the development of tumors. Sothat, inhibition of VEGFR-2 has crucial role in cancer treatment. In this study, novel semisynthetic theobromine derivatives were rationally designed as VEGFR-2 inhibitors and subjected to in vitro testing for their ability to block VEGFR-2 activation. Furthermore, the antiproliferative effects of these derivatives were evaluated. Compound 7 g exhibited the most potent anti-VEGFR-2 activity, with an IC50 value of 0.072 µM, and demonstrated excellent dose-dependent inhibitory activity against both MCF-7 and HepG2 cancer cells with IC50 values of 19.35 and 27.89 µM, respectively. Notably, compound 7 g exhibited high selectivity indices of 2.6 and 1.8 against MCF-7 and HepG2 cells, respectively. Compound 7 g induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest, promoted apoptosis, and boosted immunomodulation by downregulating TNF-α expression and upregulating IL-2 levels in MCF-7 cells. The molecular docking analysis revealed that compound 7 g could bind effectively to the active site of VEGFR-2, and molecular dynamic simulations confirmed the stability of the VEGFR-2/compound 7 g complex. Furthermore, ADME and toxicity profiling indicated the potential suitability of these compounds as drug candidates. In summary, compound 7 g hold promise as a VEGFR-2 inhibitor.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed A Dahab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hazem A Mahdy
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hazem Elkady
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohammed S Taghour
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Alaa Elwan
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A Elkady
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Elsayed G E Elsakka
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Eslam B Elkaeed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aisha A Alsfouk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim M Ibrahim
- Biophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Metwaly
- Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
- Biopharmaceutical Products Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim H Eissa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
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Onda M, Ota A, Ito K, Ono T, Karnan S, Kato M, Kondo S, Furuhashi A, Hayashi T, Hosokawa Y, Kazaoka Y. Inhibition of VEGFR2 and EGFR signaling cooperatively suppresses the proliferation of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Med 2023; 12:16416-16430. [PMID: 37341071 PMCID: PMC10469792 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is frequently overexpressed in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and EGFR-targeting therapeutics have been widely employed to treat patients with a variety of carcinomas including OSCC. Here, we aimed to investigate alternative signaling for OSCC survival under the disruption of EGFR signaling. METHODS OSCC cell lines, namely HSC-3 and SAS, were utilized to investigate how EGFR disruption affects cell proliferation. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed to examine how EGFR disruption affects oncogenic signaling in OSCC cells. Disruption of KDR gene was performed using CRISPR/Cas9 techniques. A VEGFR inhibitor, vatalanib was used to research the impact of VEGFR inhibition on OSCC survival. RESULTS EGFR disruption significantly decreased the proliferation and oncogenic signaling including Myc and PI3K-Akt, in OSCC cells. Chemical library screening assays revealed that VEGFR inhibitors continued to inhibit the proliferation of EGFR-deficient OSCC cells. In addition, CRISPR-mediated disruption of KDR/VEGFR2 retarded OSCC cell proliferation. Furthermore, combined erlotinib-vatalanib treatment exhibited a more potent anti-proliferative effect on OSCC cells, compared to either monotherapy. The combined therapy effectively suppressed the phosphorylation levels of Akt but not p44/42. CONCLUSION VEGFR-mediated signaling would be an alternative signaling pathway for the survival of OSCC cells under the disruption of EGFR signaling. These results highlight the clinical application of VEGFR inhibitors in the development of multi-molecular-targeted therapeutics against OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maho Onda
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryAichi Medical University HospitalNagakuteJapan
| | - Akinobu Ota
- Department of BiochemistryAichi Medical University School of MedicineNagakuteJapan
- Department of Food and Nutritional EnvironmentCollege of Human Life and EnvironmentKinjo Gakuin UniversityNagoyaJapan
| | - Kunihiro Ito
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryAichi Medical University HospitalNagakuteJapan
| | - Takayuki Ono
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryAichi Medical University HospitalNagakuteJapan
| | - Sivasundaram Karnan
- Department of BiochemistryAichi Medical University School of MedicineNagakuteJapan
| | - Mikako Kato
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryAichi Medical University HospitalNagakuteJapan
| | - Sayuri Kondo
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryAichi Medical University HospitalNagakuteJapan
| | - Akifumi Furuhashi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryAichi Medical University HospitalNagakuteJapan
| | - Tomio Hayashi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryAichi Medical University HospitalNagakuteJapan
| | - Yoshitaka Hosokawa
- Department of BiochemistryAichi Medical University School of MedicineNagakuteJapan
| | - Yoshiaki Kazaoka
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryAichi Medical University HospitalNagakuteJapan
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Tsai ML, Lee CH, Huang LC, Chen YH, Liu WN, Lin CY, Hsu KW, Lee AW, Lin CL. CRISPR-mediated knockout of VEGFR2/KDR inhibits cell growth in a squamous thyroid cancer cell line. FEBS Open Bio 2022; 12:993-1005. [PMID: 35313079 PMCID: PMC9063427 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Squamous and anaplastic thyroid cancers are the most aggressive and life‐threatening cancer types in humans, with the involvement of lymph nodes in 59% of cases and distant metastases in 26% of cases of all thyroid cancers. The median survival of squamous thyroid cancer patients is < 8 months and therefore is of high clinical concern. Here, we show that both VEGFC and VEGFR2/KDR are overexpressed in thyroid cancers, indicating that VEGF/VEGFR signaling plays a carcinogenic role in thyroid cancer development. Using CRISPR/Cas9, we established a KDR knockout (KO) SW579 squamous thyroid cancer cell line that exhibited dramatically decreased colony formation and invasion abilities (30% and 60% reduction, respectively) when compared to scrambled control cells. To validate the potential of KDR as a therapeutic target for thyroid cancers, we used the KDR RTK inhibitor sunitinib. Protein analysis and live/dead assay were performed to demonstrate that sunitinib significantly inhibited cell growth signal transduction and induced cell apoptosis of SW579 cells. These results suggest that selective targeting of KDR may have potential for development into novel anti‐cancer therapies to suppress VEGF/VEGFR‐mediated cancer development in patients with clinical advanced thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Lin Tsai
- Department of General Surgery, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hwa Lee
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Ph.D. Program in Medicine Biotechnology, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Chi Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hsin Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of cytology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Ni Liu
- School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yu Lin
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.,Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Wen Hsu
- Institute of New Drug Development, China Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan.,Research Center for Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan
| | - Ai-Wei Lee
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Ling Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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5
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Wang Z, Chen W, Zuo L, Xu M, Wu Y, Huang J, Zhang X, Li Y, Wang J, Chen J, Wang H, Sun H. The Fibrillin-1/VEGFR2/STAT2 signaling axis promotes chemoresistance via modulating glycolysis and angiogenesis in ovarian cancer organoids and cells. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2022; 42:245-265. [PMID: 35234370 PMCID: PMC8923131 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chemotherapy resistance is a primary reason of ovarian cancer therapy failure; hence it is important to investigate the underlying mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance and develop novel potential therapeutic targets. Methods RNA sequencing of cisplatin‐resistant and ‐sensitive (chemoresistant and chemosensitive, respectively) ovarian cancer organoids was performed, followed by detection of the expression level of fibrillin‐1 (FBN1) in organoids and clinical specimens of ovarian cancer. Subsequently, glucose metabolism, angiogenesis, and chemosensitivity were analyzed in structural glycoprotein FBN1‐knockout cisplatin‐resistant ovarian cancer organoids and cell lines. To gain insights into the specific functions and mechanisms of action of FBN1 in ovarian cancer, immunoprecipitation, silver nitrate staining, mass spectrometry, immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and Fӧrster resonance energy transfer‐fluorescence lifetime imaging analyses were performed, followed by in vivo assays using vertebrate model systems of nude mice and zebrafish. Results FBN1 expression was significantly enhanced in cisplatin‐resistant ovarian cancer organoids and tissues, indicating that FBN1 might be a key factor in chemoresistance of ovarian cancer. We also discovered that FBN1 sustained the energy stress and induced angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo, which promoted the cisplatin‐resistance of ovarian cancer. Knockout of FBN1 combined with treatment of the antiangiogenic drug apatinib improved the cisplatin‐sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells. Mechanistically, FBN1 mediated the phosphorylation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) at the Tyr1054 residue, which activated its downstream focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/protein kinase B (PKB or AKT) pathway, induced the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 2 (STAT2) at the tyrosine residue 690 (Tyr690), promoted the nuclear translocation of STAT2, and ultimately altered the expression of genes associated with STAT2‐mediated angiogenesis and glycolysis. Conclusions The FBN1/VEGFR2/STAT2 signaling axis may induce chemoresistance of ovarian cancer cells by participating in the process of glycolysis and angiogenesis. The present study suggested a novel FBN1‐targeted therapy and/or combination of FBN1 inhibition and antiangiogenic drug for treating ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziliang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China.,Institute of Cancer Research and Department of Gynecology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200071, P. R. China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, P. R. China
| | - Ling Zuo
- Institute of Cancer Research and Department of Gynecology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200071, P. R. China
| | - Midie Xu
- Department of Pathology and Biobank, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, P. R. China
| | - Yong Wu
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, P. R. China
| | - Jiami Huang
- Institute of Cancer Research and Department of Gynecology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200071, P. R. China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Institute of Cancer Research and Department of Gynecology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200071, P. R. China
| | - Yongheng Li
- Institute of Cancer Research and Department of Gynecology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200071, P. R. China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, P. R. China
| | - Jing Chen
- Institute of Cancer Research and Department of Gynecology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200071, P. R. China
| | - Husheng Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
| | - Huizhen Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, P. R. China
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Di Stasi R, De Rosa L, Diana D, Fattorusso R, D'Andrea LD. Human Recombinant VEGFR2D4 Biochemical Characterization to Investigate Novel Anti-VEGFR2D4 Antibodies for Allosteric Targeting of VEGFR2. Mol Biotechnol 2019; 61:513-520. [PMID: 31025286 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-019-00181-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
VEGF-A/VEGFR2 complex is the major signaling pathway involved in angiogenesis and the inhibition of this axis retards tumor growth and inflammatory disorders progression, reducing vessel sprouting. Signaling by VEGFR2 requires receptor dimerization and a well-defined orientation of monomers in the active dimer. The extracellular portion of receptor is composed of seven Ig-like domains, of which D2-3 are the ligand binding domains, while D4 and D7, establishing homotypic contacts, allosterically regulate receptor activity. The allosteric targeting of VEGFR2 represents a promising alternative to study neovascular disorders overcoming drawbacks related to competition with VEGF. In this work, we expressed in bacterial host domain 4 of VEGFR2 (VEGFR2D4). After protein refolding, we characterized the purified domain and administered it in mice for monoclonal antibodies production. One of them, mAbD4, was tested in ELISA assays, showing a nanomolar affinity for VEGFR2D4. Finally, the methodology here described could contribute to the development of antibodies which can allosterically bind VEGFR2 and therefore to be used for imaging purposes or to modulate receptor signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Di Stasi
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Napoli, Italy
| | - Lucia De Rosa
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Napoli, Italy
| | - Donatella Diana
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Napoli, Italy
| | - Roberto Fattorusso
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università della Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi, 43, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - Luca D D'Andrea
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy.
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7
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Lian L, Li XL, Xu MD, Li XM, Wu MY, Zhang Y, Tao M, Li W, Shen XM, Zhou C, Jiang M. VEGFR2 promotes tumorigenesis and metastasis in a pro-angiogenic-independent way in gastric cancer. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:183. [PMID: 30819137 PMCID: PMC6393973 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-5322-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background VEGF/VEGFR2 pathway is the central therapeutic target in anti-angiogenic treatment in multiple cancers. However, little work has been carried out concerning the pro-malignancy functions of VEGFR2 that are independent of its pro-angiogenesis effects in gastric cancer. Here, we demonstrated that VEGFR2 up-regulation in gastric cancer tissues was a prognostic marker for poor disease-free survival and overall survival of gastric cancer patients. Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to detect VEGFR2 and VTN expressions in specimens. Kaplan–Meier curves were constructed for survival analysis. Stably knockdown cell lines and overexpression cell lines were constructed by small interfering RNA and plasmids transfection. Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to confirm the expressions of target genes at both RNA and protein levels. Cell proliferation was measured by using Cell Counting Kit-8 and xenograft models. Microarray and bioinformatic analysis were also performed to identify the relationship between Vitronectin (VTN) and VEGFR2. Results When overexpressed in gastric cancer cells, VEGFR2 increased cellular proliferation and invasion in vitro and tumor formation in xenograft models. By using integrating microarray and bioinformatic analysis, we identifiedVTN as a downstream of VEGFR2 pathway. In gain- and loss-of function analysis in gastric cancer cells, VTN was further verified in consistent with VEGFR2 in expression levels and in regulating cell growth and motility in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, in gastric cancer samples, VTN was as also revealed as a poor prognostic factor. Conclusions Our present findings defined a novel activity for VEGFR2 in promoting tumorogenicity, motility and indicating a poor survival in gastric cancer beyond its known pro-angiogenic effects. Implications Our present findings defined a novel activity for VEGFR2 in promoting tumorogenicity, motility and indicating a poor survival in gastric cancer beyond its known pro-angiogenic effects, which may provide a new and valuable target for design of therapies for intervention and a new cognitive perspective for the anti-angiogenesis therapies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-019-5322-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian Lian
- Department of Oncology, Suzhou Xiangcheng People's Hospital, Suzhou, 215131, China.,Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Xiang-Li Li
- Department of General Surgery, Suzhou Xiangcheng People's Hospital, Suzhou, 215131, China.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, Suzhou Xiangcheng People's Hospital, Suzhou, 215131, China
| | - Meng-Dan Xu
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Xian-Min Li
- Department of Oncology, Suzhou Xiangcheng People's Hospital, Suzhou, 215131, China
| | - Meng-Yao Wu
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Min Tao
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, Suzhou Xiangcheng People's Hospital, Suzhou, 215131, China
| | - Xiao-Ming Shen
- Department of Oncology, Suzhou Xiangcheng People's Hospital, Suzhou, 215131, China.
| | - Chong Zhou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, 221009, China.
| | - Min Jiang
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China.
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