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Malchow J, Eberlein J, Li W, Hogan BM, Okuda KS, Helker CSM. Neural progenitor-derived Apelin controls tip cell behavior and vascular patterning. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk1174. [PMID: 38968355 PMCID: PMC11225789 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk1174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
During angiogenesis, vascular tip cells guide nascent vascular sprouts to form a vascular network. Apelin, an agonist of the G protein-coupled receptor Aplnr, is enriched in vascular tip cells, and it is hypothesized that vascular-derived Apelin regulates sprouting angiogenesis. We identify an apelin-expressing neural progenitor cell population in the dorsal neural tube. Vascular tip cells exhibit directed elongation and migration toward and along the apelin-expressing neural progenitor cells. Notably, restoration of neural but not vascular apelin expression in apelin mutants remedies the angiogenic defects of mutants. By functional analyses, we show the requirement of Apelin signaling for tip cell behaviors, like filopodia formation and cell elongation. Through genetic interaction studies and analysis of transgenic activity reporters, we identify Apelin signaling as a modulator of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling in tip cells in vivo. Our results suggest a previously unidentified neurovascular cross-talk mediated by Apelin signaling that is important for tip cell function during sprouting angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Malchow
- Faculty of Biology, Cell Signaling and Dynamics, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jean Eberlein
- Faculty of Biology, Cell Signaling and Dynamics, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Wei Li
- Faculty of Biology, Cell Signaling and Dynamics, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin M. Hogan
- Organogenesis and Cancer Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Kazuhide S. Okuda
- Organogenesis and Cancer Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christian S. M. Helker
- Faculty of Biology, Cell Signaling and Dynamics, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Marburg, Germany
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2
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Coman RA, Schitcu VH, Budisan L, Raduly L, Braicu C, Petrut B, Coman I, Berindan-Neagoe I, Al Hajjar N. Evaluation of miR-148a-3p and miR-106a-5p as Biomarkers for Prostate Cancer: Pilot Study. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:584. [PMID: 38790213 PMCID: PMC11120777 DOI: 10.3390/genes15050584] [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: 02/24/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that may function as tumor suppressors or oncogenes. Alteration of their expression levels has been linked to a range of human malignancies, including cancer. The objective of this investigation is to assess the relative expression levels of certain miRNAs to distinguish between prostate cancer (PCa) from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Blood plasma was collected from 66 patients diagnosed with BPH and 58 patients with PCa. Real-time PCR technology was used to evaluate the relative expression among the two groups for miR-106a-5p and miR-148a-3p. The significant downregulation of both miRNAs in plasma from PCa versus BPH patients suggests their potential utility as diagnostic biomarkers for distinguishing between these conditions. The concurrent utilization of these two miRNAs slightly enhanced the sensitivity for discrimination among the two analyzed groups, as shown in ROC curve analysis. Further validation of these miRNAs in larger patient cohorts and across different stages of PCa may strengthen their candidacy as clinically relevant biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxana Andra Coman
- Department of Urology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (R.A.C.); (B.P.); (I.C.)
| | - Vlad Horia Schitcu
- Department of Urology, “Prof Dr. Ion Chiricuta” Oncology Institute, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Liviuta Budisan
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.B.); (L.R.); (C.B.)
| | - Lajos Raduly
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.B.); (L.R.); (C.B.)
| | - Cornelia Braicu
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.B.); (L.R.); (C.B.)
| | - Bogdan Petrut
- Department of Urology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (R.A.C.); (B.P.); (I.C.)
| | - Ioan Coman
- Department of Urology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (R.A.C.); (B.P.); (I.C.)
| | - Ioana Berindan-Neagoe
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.B.); (L.R.); (C.B.)
| | - Nadim Al Hajjar
- Department of Surgery, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Department of Surgery, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology “Octavian Fodor”, 400394 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Chen Q, Ying H, Yu Z, Chang L, Chen Z, Chen J, Chang SJ, Qiu Y, Lin X. Apelin Receptor Can Act as a Specific Marker and Promising Therapeutic Target for Infantile Hemangioma. J Invest Dermatol 2023; 143:566-577.e12. [PMID: 36243122 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.09.657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Infantile hemangioma (IH), the most common benign tumor in infancy, is generally sensitive to propranolol treatment. However, the challenge remains because resistance or recurrence could occur in some patients, and the mechanism or target of propranolol remains unknown. Therefore, advancement in the drug development is needed. In this study, we explored whether apelin receptor (APJ) can become a candidate target. We found that APJ is expressed only in endothelial cells of IH (HemECs) but not in other vascular anomalies, and its antagonist, ML221, can negatively regulate cellular viability and functions of HemECs. This inhibitory effect could be replicated in a murine hemangioma model. Importantly, in vitro experiments also indicated that ML221 failed to affect the proliferation or angiogenesis of normal endothelial cells or APJ-knockout HemECs. Through analysis of the phosphoantibody microarray data, ML221 was revealed to have an inhibitory effect on HemECs by suppressing the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway. These results verified the distinctive expression of APJ in IH and specific inhibition of HemEC activity caused by ML221. In addition, APJ was also detected in propranolol-resistant IH. Collectively, we propose that APJ can act as a specific marker and a promising therapeutic target for IH, which will facilitate further drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianyi Chen
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hanru Ying
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhang Yu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Chang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zongan Chen
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jialin Chen
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shih-Jen Chang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yajing Qiu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoxi Lin
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Laser and Aesthetic Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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4
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Exploring developments of the AI field from the perspective of methods, datasets, and metrics. Inf Process Manag 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ipm.2022.103157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Zhang S, Zhao H, Liu Z, Liu K, Zhu H, Pu W, He L, Wang RA, Zhou B. Monitoring of cell-cell communication and contact history in mammals. Science 2022; 378:eabo5503. [PMID: 36454848 DOI: 10.1126/science.abo5503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Monitoring of cell-cell communication in multicellular organisms is fundamental to understanding diverse biological processes such as embryogenesis and tumorigenesis. To track cell-cell contacts in vivo, we developed an intercellular genetic technology to monitor cell-cell contact and to trace cell contact histories by permanently marking contacts between cells. In mice, we engineered an artificial Notch ligand into one cell (the sender cell) and an artificial receptor into another cell (the receiver cell). Contact between the sender and receiver cells triggered a synthetic Notch signaling that activated downstream transcriptional programs in the receiver cell, thereby transiently or permanently labeling it. In vivo cell-cell contact was observed during development, tissue homeostasis, and tumor growth. This technology may be useful for studying dynamic in vivo cell-cell contacts and cell fate plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaohua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Huan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Zixin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Kuo Liu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Huan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Wenjuan Pu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Lingjuan He
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310030, China
| | - Rong A Wang
- Laboratory for Accelerated Vascular Research, Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Bin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
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6
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Zhang Z, Zhou B. Generation of Plvap-CreER and Car4-CreER for genetic targeting of distinct lung capillary populations. J Genet Genomics 2022; 49:1093-1100. [PMID: 36028133 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2022.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
It has been reported recently that there are two distinct subpopulations of capillary endothelial cells in the mammalian lungs: gCap (general capillary) and aCap (aerocyte). They are identified by two unique markers, respectively: plasmalemmal vesicle-associated protein (PLVAP) and carbonic anhydrase IV (CAR4). Here, we report two novel knock-in mouse lines Plvap-CreER and Car4-CreER, which genetically target gCap and aCap, respectively. Induced by tamoxifen, the Plvap-CreER and Car4-CreER alleles mediate specific and efficient Cre-loxP recombinations in PLVAP+ gCap and CAR4+ aCap, respectively, in the lungs. These two mouse lines are useful genetic tools to investigate cell fates and functions of PLVAP+ and CAR4+ cells in lung homeostasis, injury and repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenqian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Bin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
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7
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Apelin Promotes Prostate Cancer Metastasis by Downregulating TIMP2 via Increases in miR-106a-5p Expression. Cells 2022; 11:cells11203285. [PMID: 36291151 PMCID: PMC9600532 DOI: 10.3390/cells11203285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer commonly affects the urinary tract of men and metastatic prostate cancer has a very low survival rate. Apelin belongs to the family of adipokines and is associated with cancer development and metastasis. However, the effects of apelin in prostate cancer metastasis is undetermined. Analysis of the database revealed a positive correlation between apelin level with the progression and metastasis of prostate cancer patients. Apelin treatment facilitates cell migration and invasion through inhibiting tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP2) expression. The increasing miR-106a-5p synthesis via c-Src/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is controlled in apelin-regulated TIMP2 production and cell motility. Importantly, apelin blockade inhibits prostate cancer metastasis in the orthotopic mouse model. Thus, apelin is a promising therapeutic target for curing metastatic prostate cancer.
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8
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Azad AK, Campbell KR, Zhabyeyev P, Oudit GY, Moore RB, Murray AG. Loss of apelin blocks the emergence of sprouting angiogenesis in experimental tumors. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22560. [PMID: 36165236 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202200616rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis inhibitor drugs targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling to the endothelial cell (EC) are used to treat various cancer types. However, primary or secondary resistance to therapy is common. Clinical and pre-clinical studies suggest that alternative pro-angiogenic factors are upregulated after VEGF pathway inhibition. Therefore, identification of alternative pro-angiogenic pathway(s) is critical for the development of more effective anti-angiogenic therapy. Here we study the role of apelin as a pro-angiogenic G-protein-coupled receptor ligand in tumor growth and angiogenesis. We found that loss of apelin in mice delayed the primary tumor growth of Lewis lung carcinoma 1 and B16F10 melanoma when combined with the VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, sunitinib. Targeting apelin in combination with sunitinib markedly reduced the tumor vessel density, and decreased microvessel remodeling. Apelin loss reduced angiogenic sprouting and tip cell marker gene expression in comparison to the sunitinib-alone-treated mice. Single-cell RNA sequencing of tumor EC demonstrated that the loss of apelin prevented EC tip cell differentiation. Thus, apelin is a potent pro-angiogenic cue that supports initiation of tumor neovascularization. Together, our data suggest that targeting apelin may be useful as adjuvant therapy in combination with VEGF signaling inhibition to inhibit the growth of advanced tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abul K Azad
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kieran R Campbell
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics and Statistical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pavel Zhabyeyev
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gavin Y Oudit
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ronald B Moore
- Department of Oncology and Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Allan G Murray
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Chen J, Li Z, Zhao Q, Chen L. Roles of apelin/APJ system in cancer: Biomarker, predictor, and emerging therapeutic target. J Cell Physiol 2022; 237:3734-3751. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Chen
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hengyang Medical School, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology University of South China Hengyang Hunan China
| | - Zhiyue Li
- Health Management Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital Central South University Changsha Hunan Province China
| | - Qun Zhao
- Department of Orthopedics Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University Changsha Hunan China
| | - Linxi Chen
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hengyang Medical School, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology University of South China Hengyang Hunan China
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10
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Inhibition of apelin/APJ axis enhances the potential of dendritic cell-based vaccination to modulate TH1 and TH2 cell-related immune responses in an animal model of metastatic breast cancer. Adv Med Sci 2022; 67:170-178. [PMID: 35290873 DOI: 10.1016/j.advms.2022.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The immunosuppressive microenvironment of tumors reduces the effectiveness of immunotherapies. Apelin as an immunosuppressor peptide is expressed in the microenvironment of many tumors. Thus, inhibition of apelin-related protumor activities can promote the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy. Here, we investigated the efficacy of a dendritic cell (DC) vaccine in combination with an apelin receptor antagonist, ML221, to modulate Th1 and Th2 cell-related responses in breast cancer-bearing mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS Tumor was induced in female BALB/c mice by injecting 7 × 105 4T1 cells in the right flank. Tumor-bearing mice were then given PBS, ML221, DC vaccine and "ML221 + DC vaccine" for 21 days. On day 37, mice were sacrificed and the frequency of Th1/Th2 cells in spleen and serum levels of IFN-γ/IL-10 were determined using flow cytometry and ELISA, respectively. Lung metastasis was evaluated in lung tissues stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Finally, the obtained data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests. RESULTS Combination therapy with ML221 + DC vaccination was more effective in reducing tumor growth (P < 0.0001), preventing lung metastasis (P < 0.0001) and increasing survival rate (P < 0.01) compared to the control group. Moreover, combination treatment substantially increased the frequency of Th1 cells while decreasing the frequency of Th2 cells in the spleen compared to the control group (P < 0.01). It also reduced serum levels of IL-10 compared with the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Our findings showed that combination therapy using ML221 + DC vaccine can be considered as an effective cancer therapeutic program to potentiate anti-tumor immune responses.
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APLNR regulates IFN-γ signaling via β-arrestin 1 mediated JAK-STAT1 pathway in melanoma cells. Biochem J 2022; 479:385-399. [PMID: 35084016 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The apelin receptor (APLNR) regulates many biological processes including metabolism, angiogenesis, circulating blood volume and cardiovascular function. Additionally, APLNR is overexpressed in various types of cancer and influences cancer progression. APLNR is reported to regulate tumor recognition during immune surveillance by modulating the IFN-γ response. However, the mechanism of APLNR crosstalk with intratumoral IFN-γ signaling remains unknown. Here, we show that activation of APLNR upregulates IFN-γ signaling in melanoma cells through APLNR mediated β-arrestin 1 but not β-arrestin 2 recruitment. Our data suggests that β-arrestin 1 directly interacts with STAT1 to inhibit STAT1 phosphorylation to attenuate IFN-γ signaling. The APLNR mutant receptor, I109A, which is deficient in β-arrestins recruitment, is unable to enhance intratumoral IFN-γ signaling. While APLNR N112G, a constitutively active mutant receptor, increases intratumoral sensitivity to IFN-γ signaling by enhancing STAT1 phosphorylation upon IFN-γ exposure. We also demonstrate in a co-culture system that APLNR regulates tumor survival rate. Taken together, our findings reveal that APLNR modulates IFN-γ signaling in melanoma cells and suggests that APLNR may be a potential target to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy.
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Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Vascular Development in Zebrafish. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11101088. [PMID: 34685459 PMCID: PMC8539546 DOI: 10.3390/life11101088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The establishment of a functional cardiovascular system is crucial for the development of all vertebrates. Defects in the development of the cardiovascular system lead to cardiovascular diseases, which are among the top 10 causes of death worldwide. However, we are just beginning to understand which signaling pathways guide blood vessel growth in different tissues and organs. The advantages of the model organism zebrafish (Danio rerio) helped to identify novel cellular and molecular mechanisms of vascular growth. In this review we will discuss the current knowledge of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in the zebrafish embryo. In particular, we describe the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the formation of blood vessels in different vascular beds within the embryo.
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APLN/APLNR Signaling Controls Key Pathological Parameters of Glioblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13153899. [PMID: 34359800 PMCID: PMC8345670 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The neurovascular peptide Apelin and its receptor APLNR are upregulated during glioblastoma pathology. Here we summarize their role in the brain tumor microenvironment composed of neurons, astrocytes, and the vascular and immune systems. Targeting APLN/APLNR signaling promises to unfold multimodal actions in future GBM therapy, acting as an anti-angiogenic and an anti-invasive treatment, and offering the possibility to reduce neurological symptoms and increase overall survival simultaneously. Abstract Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults. GBM-expansion depends on a dense vascular network and, coherently, GBMs are highly angiogenic. However, new intratumoral blood vessels are often aberrant with consequences for blood-flow and vascular barrier function. Hence, the delivery of chemotherapeutics into GBM can be compromised. Furthermore, leaky vessels support edema-formation, which can result in severe neurological deficits. The secreted signaling peptide Apelin (APLN) plays an important role in the formation of GBM blood vessels. Both APLN and the Apelin receptor (APLNR) are upregulated in GBM cells and control tumor cell invasiveness. Here we summarize the current evidence on the role of APLN/APLNR signaling during brain tumor pathology. We show that targeting APLN/APLNR can induce anti-angiogenic effects in GBM and simultaneously blunt GBM cell infiltration. In addition, we discuss how manipulation of APLN/APLNR signaling in GBM leads to the normalization of tumor vessels and thereby supports chemotherapy, reduces edema, and improves anti-tumorigenic immune reactions. Hence, therapeutic targeting of APLN/APLNR signaling offers an interesting option to address different pathological hallmarks of GBM.
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Wang X, Zhong L, Zhao Y. Oncolytic adenovirus: A tool for reversing the tumor microenvironment and promoting cancer treatment (Review). Oncol Rep 2021; 45:49. [PMID: 33760203 PMCID: PMC7934214 DOI: 10.3892/or.2021.8000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunogene therapy can enhance the antitumor immune effect by introducing genes encoding co‑stimulation molecules, cytokines, chemokines and tumor‑associated antigens into treatment cells or human cells through genetic engineering techniques. Oncolytic viruses can specifically target tumor cells and replicate indefinitely until they kill tumor cells. If combined with immunogene therapy, oncolytic viruses can play a more powerful antitumor role. The high pressure, hypoxia and acidity in the tumor microenvironment (TME) provide suitable conditions for tumor cells to survive. To maximize the potency of oncolytic viruses, various methods are being developed to promote the reversal of the TME, thereby maximizing transmission of replication and immunogenicity. The aim of the present review was to discuss the basic mechanisms underlying the effects of oncolytic adenoviruses on the TME, and suggest how to combine the modification of the adenovirus with the TME to further combat malignant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxi Wang
- National Center for International Research of Biological Targeting Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biological Targeting Diagnosis and Therapy Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Liping Zhong
- National Center for International Research of Biological Targeting Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biological Targeting Diagnosis and Therapy Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Yongxiang Zhao
- National Center for International Research of Biological Targeting Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biological Targeting Diagnosis and Therapy Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
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15
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Zhao H, Huang X, Liu Z, Pu W, Lv Z, He L, Li Y, Zhou Q, Lui KO, Zhou B. Pre-existing beta cells but not progenitors contribute to new beta cells in the adult pancreas. Nat Metab 2021; 3:352-365. [PMID: 33723463 PMCID: PMC8628617 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-021-00364-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
It has been suggested that new beta cells can arise from specific populations of adult pancreatic progenitors or facultative stem cells. However, their existence remains controversial, and the conditions under which they would contribute to new beta-cell formation are not clear. Here, we use a suite of mouse models enabling dual-recombinase-mediated genetic tracing to simultaneously fate map insulin-positive and insulin-negative cells in the adult pancreas. We find that the insulin-negative cells, of both endocrine and exocrine origin, do not generate new beta cells in the adult pancreas during homeostasis, pregnancy or injury, including partial pancreatectomy, pancreatic duct ligation or beta-cell ablation with streptozotocin. However, non-beta cells can give rise to insulin-positive cells after extreme genetic ablation of beta cells, consistent with transdifferentiation. Together, our data indicate that pancreatic endocrine and exocrine progenitor cells do not contribute to new beta-cell formation in the adult mouse pancreas under physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuzhen Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zixin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjuan Pu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zan Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Lingjuan He
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiao Zhou
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kathy O Lui
- Department of Chemical Pathology; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Bin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.
- School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China.
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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16
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Tackling cancer cell dormancy: Insights from immune models, and transplantation. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 78:5-16. [PMID: 33582171 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Disseminated non-dividing (dormant) cancer cells as well as those in equilibrium with the immune response remain the major challenge for successful treatment of cancer. The equilibrium between disseminated dormant cancer cells and the immune system is reminiscent of states that can occur during infection or allogeneic tissue and cell transplantation. We discuss here the major competing models of how the immune system achieves a self nonself discrimination (pathogen/danger patterns, quorum, and coinhibition/tuning models), and suggest that taking advantage of a combination of the proposed mechanisms in each model may lead to increased efficacy in tackling cancer cell dormancy.
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17
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Trân K, Van Den Hauwe R, Sainsily X, Couvineau P, Côté J, Simard L, Echevarria M, Murza A, Serre A, Théroux L, Saibi S, Haroune L, Longpré JM, Lesur O, Auger-Messier M, Spino C, Bouvier M, Sarret P, Ballet S, Marsault É. Constraining the Side Chain of C-Terminal Amino Acids in Apelin-13 Greatly Increases Affinity, Modulates Signaling, and Improves the Pharmacokinetic Profile. J Med Chem 2021; 64:5345-5364. [PMID: 33524256 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Side-chain-constrained amino acids are useful tools to modulate the biological properties of peptides. In this study, we applied side-chain constraints to apelin-13 (Ape13) by substituting the Pro12 and Phe13 positions, affecting the binding affinity and signaling profile on the apelin receptor (APJ). The residues 1Nal, Trp, and Aia were found to be beneficial substitutions for Pro12, and the resulting analogues displayed high affinity for APJ (Ki 0.08-0.18 nM vs Ape13 Ki 0.7 nM). Besides, constrained (d-Tic) or α,α-disubstituted residues (Dbzg; d-α-Me-Tyr(OBn)) were favorable for the Phe13 position. Compounds 47 (Pro12-Phe13 replaced by Aia-Phe, Ki 0.08 nM) and 53 (Pro12-Phe13 replaced by 1Nal-Dbzg, Ki 0.08 nM) are the most potent Ape13 analogues activating the Gα12 pathways (53, EC50 Gα12 2.8 nM vs Ape13, EC50 43 nM) known to date, displaying high affinity, resistance to ACE2 cleavage as well as improved pharmacokinetics in vitro (t1/2 5.8-7.3 h in rat plasma) and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kien Trân
- Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada.,Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada
| | - Robin Van Den Hauwe
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Xavier Sainsily
- Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada.,Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada
| | - Pierre Couvineau
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et en Cancérologie (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal H3T 1J4, Québec, Canada
| | - Jérôme Côté
- Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada.,Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada
| | - Louise Simard
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada.,Département de Chimie, Faculté de Science, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1K 2R1, Québec, Canada
| | - Marco Echevarria
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada.,Département de Chimie, Faculté de Science, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1K 2R1, Québec, Canada
| | - Alexandre Murza
- Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada.,Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada
| | - Alexandra Serre
- Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada.,Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada
| | - Léa Théroux
- Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada.,Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada
| | - Sabrina Saibi
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada
| | - Lounès Haroune
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada
| | - Jean-Michel Longpré
- Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada.,Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada
| | - Olivier Lesur
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada.,Département de Médecine spécialisé, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada
| | - Mannix Auger-Messier
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada.,Département de Médecine spécialisé, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada
| | - Claude Spino
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada.,Département de Chimie, Faculté de Science, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1K 2R1, Québec, Canada
| | - Michel Bouvier
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et en Cancérologie (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal H3T 1J4, Québec, Canada
| | - Philippe Sarret
- Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada.,Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Éric Marsault
- Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada.,Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Québec, Canada
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18
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Alsawaftah N, Farooq A, Dhou S, Majdalawieh AF. Bioluminescence Imaging Applications in Cancer: A Comprehensive Review. IEEE Rev Biomed Eng 2021; 14:307-326. [PMID: 32746363 DOI: 10.1109/rbme.2020.2995124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Bioluminescence imaging (BLI), an optical preclinical imaging modality, is an invaluable imaging modality due to its low-cost, high throughput, fast acquisition times, and functional imaging capabilities. BLI is being extensively used in the field of cancer imaging, especially with the recent developments in genetic-engineering, stem cell, and gene therapy treatments. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the principles, developments, and current status of BLI in cancer research. This paper covers the fundamental BLI concepts including BLI reporters and enzyme-substrate systems, data acquisition, and image characteristics. It reviews the studies discussing the use of BLI in cancer research such as imaging tumor-characteristic phenomena including tumorigenesis, metastasis, cancer metabolism, apoptosis, hypoxia, and angiogenesis, and response to cancer therapy treatments including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy, and stem cell therapy. The key advantages and disadvantages of BLI compared to other common imaging modalities are also discussed.
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19
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Aplnr knockout mice display sex-specific changes in conditioned fear. Behav Brain Res 2020; 400:113059. [PMID: 33309737 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.113059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The G-protein-coupled receptor APLNR and its ligands apelin and ELABELA/TODDLER/apela comprise the apelinergic system, a signaling pathway that is critical during development and physiological homeostasis. Targeted regulation of the receptor has been proposed to treat several important diseases including heart failure, pulmonary arterial hypertension and metabolic syndrome. The apelinergic system is widely expressed within the central nervous system (CNS). However, the role of this system in the CNS has not been completely elucidated. Utilizing an Aplnr knockout mouse model, we report here results from tests of sensory ability, locomotion, reward preference, social preference, learning and memory, and anxiety. We find that knockout of Aplnr leads to significant effects on acoustic startle response and sex-specific effects on conditioned fear responses without significant changes in baseline anxiety. In particular, male Aplnr knockout mice display enhanced context- and cue-dependent fear responses. Our results complement previous reports that exogenous Apelin administration reduced conditioned fear and freezing responses in rodent models, and future studies will explore the therapeutic benefit of APLNR-targeted drugs in rodent models of PTSD.
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20
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Gong Y, Deng J, Wu X. Germline mutations and blood malignancy (Review). Oncol Rep 2020; 45:49-57. [PMID: 33200226 DOI: 10.3892/or.2020.7846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Germline mutations are congenital genetic mutations in germ cells that originate from sperm or ovum and are generally incorporated into every cell of the offspring's body. Somatic mutations are acquired genetic mutations that form under the influence of environmental factors during embryo formation and epigenetic development. Generally, only a portion of the cells in the human body have the same somatic mutations. Clinical detection of germline mutations is intended to determine inherited malignancies and identify high‑risk families, and detection of somatic mutation is proposed to find targeted drugs, monitor tumor loading for guided therapy, and evaluate prognosis. Large‑scale population cohort studies have shown that germline mutations are closely related to the occurrence, development, and prognosis of diseases. Patients with cancer‑predisposition germline mutations can be used as sentinels in high‑risk families. Traditional histopathology is no longer enough to identify types of cancers. Even within a particular type of tumor, there is great heterogeneity between internal molecules. The Pan‑Cancer Research Program as well as other projects seek to use large quantities of data from different types of tumor research databases to carry out integrated analysis in order to establish potential non‑tumor‑specific tumor markers and targets by increasing the sample size to identify more molecular mechanisms. This review intends to summarize some of the relevant mechanisms underlying germline mutations in blood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuping Gong
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Jili Deng
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| | - Xia Wu
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
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21
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Helker CS, Eberlein J, Wilhelm K, Sugino T, Malchow J, Schuermann A, Baumeister S, Kwon HB, Maischein HM, Potente M, Herzog W, Stainier DY. Apelin signaling drives vascular endothelial cells toward a pro-angiogenic state. eLife 2020; 9:55589. [PMID: 32955436 PMCID: PMC7567607 DOI: 10.7554/elife.55589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To form new blood vessels (angiogenesis), endothelial cells (ECs) must be activated and acquire highly migratory and proliferative phenotypes. However, the molecular mechanisms that govern these processes are incompletely understood. Here, we show that Apelin signaling functions to drive ECs into such an angiogenic state. Zebrafish lacking Apelin signaling exhibit defects in endothelial tip cell morphology and sprouting. Using transplantation experiments, we find that in mosaic vessels, wild-type ECs leave the dorsal aorta (DA) and form new vessels while neighboring ECs defective in Apelin signaling remain in the DA. Mechanistically, Apelin signaling enhances glycolytic activity in ECs at least in part by increasing levels of the growth-promoting transcription factor c-Myc. Moreover, APELIN expression is regulated by Notch signaling in human ECs, and its function is required for the hypersprouting phenotype in Delta-like 4 (Dll4) knockdown zebrafish embryos. These data provide new insights into fundamental principles of blood vessel formation and Apelin signaling, enabling a better understanding of vascular growth in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Sm Helker
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany.,Philipps-University Marburg, Faculty of Biology, Cell Signaling and Dynamics, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jean Eberlein
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany.,Philipps-University Marburg, Faculty of Biology, Cell Signaling and Dynamics, Marburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wilhelm
- Angiogenesis and Metabolism Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Toshiya Sugino
- Angiogenesis and Metabolism Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Julian Malchow
- Philipps-University Marburg, Faculty of Biology, Cell Signaling and Dynamics, Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Baumeister
- Philipps-University Marburg, Faculty of Biology, Cell Signaling and Dynamics, Marburg, Germany
| | - Hyouk-Bum Kwon
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Hans-Martin Maischein
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Michael Potente
- Angiogenesis and Metabolism Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wiebke Herzog
- University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Muenster, Germany
| | - Didier Yr Stainier
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Berlin, Germany
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22
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Yan J, Wang A, Cao J, Chen L. Apelin/APJ system: an emerging therapeutic target for respiratory diseases. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:2919-2930. [PMID: 32128601 PMCID: PMC11105096 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03461-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Apelin is an endogenous ligand of G protein-coupled receptor APJ. It is extensively expressed in many tissues such as heart, liver, and kidney, especially in lung tissue. A growing body of evidence suggests that apelin/APJ system is closely related to the development of respiratory diseases. Therefore, in this review, we focus on the role of apelin/APJ system in respiratory diseases, including pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), pulmonary embolism (PE), acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), pulmonary edema, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. In detail, apelin/APJ system attenuates PAH by activating AMPK-KLF2-eNOS-NO signaling and miR424/503-FGF axis. Also, apelin protects against ALI/ARDS by reducing mitochondrial ROS-triggered oxidative damage, mitochondria apoptosis, and inflammatory responses induced by the activation of NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome. Apelin/APJ system also prevents the occurrence of pulmonary edema via activating AKT-NOS3-NO pathway. Moreover, apelin/APJ system accelerates NSCLC cells' proliferation and migration via triggering ERK1/2-cyclin D1 and PAK1-cofilin signaling, respectively. Additionally, apelin/APJ system may act as a predictor in the development of OSAS and PE. Considering the pleiotropic actions of apelin/APJ system, targeting apelin/APJ system may be a potent therapeutic avenue for respiratory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialong Yan
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Learning Key Laboratory for Pharmacoproteomics, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Aiping Wang
- Institute of Clinical Research, Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, 421002, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiangang Cao
- Institute of Clinical Research, Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, 421002, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Linxi Chen
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Learning Key Laboratory for Pharmacoproteomics, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, People's Republic of China.
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23
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Apelin Controls Angiogenesis-Dependent Glioblastoma Growth. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21114179. [PMID: 32545380 PMCID: PMC7312290 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) present with an abundant and aberrant tumor neo-vasculature. While rapid growth of solid tumors depends on the initiation of tumor angiogenesis, GBM also progress by infiltrative growth and vascular co-option. The angiogenic factor apelin (APLN) and its receptor (APLNR) are upregulated in GBM patient samples as compared to normal brain tissue. Here, we studied the role of apelin/APLNR signaling in GBM angiogenesis and growth. By functional analysis of apelin in orthotopic GBM mouse models, we found that apelin/APLNR signaling is required for in vivo tumor angiogenesis. Knockdown of tumor cell-derived APLN massively reduced the tumor vasculature. Additional loss of the apelin signal in endothelial tip cells using the APLN-knockout (KO) mouse led to a further reduction of GBM angiogenesis. Direct infusion of the bioactive peptide apelin-13 rescued the vascular loss-of-function phenotype specifically. In addition, APLN depletion massively reduced angiogenesis-dependent tumor growth. Consequently, survival of GBM-bearing mice was significantly increased when APLN expression was missing in the brain tumor microenvironment. Thus, we suggest that targeting vascular apelin may serve as an alternative strategy for anti-angiogenesis in GBM.
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24
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Wang Z, Wang F, Zhong J, Zhu T, Zheng Y, Zhao T, Xie Q, Ma F, Li R, Tang Q, Xu F, Tian X, Zhu J. Using apelin-based synthetic Notch receptors to detect angiogenesis and treat solid tumors. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2163. [PMID: 32358530 PMCID: PMC7195494 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15729-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a necessary process for solid tumor growth. Cellular markers for endothelial cell proliferation are potential targets for identifying the vasculature of tumors in homeostasis. Here we customize the behaviors of engineered cells to recognize Apj, a surface marker of the neovascular endothelium, using synthetic Notch (synNotch) receptors. We designed apelin-based synNotch receptors (AsNRs) that can specifically interact with Apj and then stimulate synNotch pathways. Cells engineered with AsNRs have the ability to sense the proliferation of endothelial cells (ECs). Designed for different synNotch pathways, engineered cells express different proteins to respond to angiogenic signals; therefore, angiogenesis can be detected by cells engineered with AsNRs. Furthermore, T cells customized with AsNRs can sense the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells. As solid tumors generally require vascular support, AsNRs are potential tools for the detection and therapy of a variety of solid tumors in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhifu Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Institute of Brain Science, State Key laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Regeneration, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 12 Urumqi Mid Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Fan Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Institute of Brain Science, State Key laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Regeneration, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 12 Urumqi Mid Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Junjie Zhong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Institute of Brain Science, State Key laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Regeneration, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 12 Urumqi Mid Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Tongming Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Institute of Brain Science, State Key laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Regeneration, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 12 Urumqi Mid Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Yongtao Zheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Institute of Brain Science, State Key laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Regeneration, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 12 Urumqi Mid Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Tong Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Institute of Brain Science, State Key laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Regeneration, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 12 Urumqi Mid Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Qiang Xie
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Institute of Brain Science, State Key laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Regeneration, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 12 Urumqi Mid Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Fukai Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Institute of Brain Science, State Key laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Regeneration, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 12 Urumqi Mid Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Ronggang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Institute of Brain Science, State Key laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Regeneration, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 12 Urumqi Mid Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, No. 2901 Caolanggong Road, Shanghai, 201508, China
| | - Qisheng Tang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Institute of Brain Science, State Key laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Regeneration, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 12 Urumqi Mid Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Feng Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Institute of Brain Science, State Key laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Regeneration, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 12 Urumqi Mid Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Xueying Tian
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianhong Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Institute of Brain Science, State Key laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Regeneration, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 12 Urumqi Mid Road, Shanghai, 200040, China.
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25
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Tian X, He L, Liu K, Pu W, Zhao H, Li Y, Liu X, Tang M, Sun R, Fei J, Ji Y, Qiao Z, Lui KO, Zhou B. Generation of a self-cleaved inducible Cre recombinase for efficient temporal genetic manipulation. EMBO J 2020; 39:e102675. [PMID: 31943281 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2019102675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Site-specific recombinase-mediated genetic technology, such as inducible Cre-loxP recombination (CreER), is widely used for in vivo genetic manipulation with temporal control. The Cre-loxP technology improves our understanding on the in vivo function of specific genes in organ development, tissue regeneration, and disease progression. However, inducible CreER often remains inefficient in gene deletion. In order to improve the efficiency of gene manipulation, we generated a self-cleaved inducible CreER (sCreER) that switches inducible CreER into a constitutively active Cre by itself. We generated endocardial driver Npr3-sCreER and fibroblast driver Col1a2-sCreER, and compared them with conventional Npr3-CreER and Col1a2-CreER, respectively. For easy-to-recombine alleles such as R26-tdTomato, there was no significant difference in recombination efficiency between sCreER and the conventional CreER. However, for alleles that were relatively inert for recombination such as R26-Confetti, R26-LZLT, R26-GFP, or VEGFR2flox/flox alleles, sCreER showed a significantly higher efficiency in recombination compared with conventional CreER in endocardial cells or fibroblasts. Compared with conventional CreER, sCreER significantly enhances the efficiency of recombination to induce gene expression or gene deletion, allowing temporal yet effective in vivo genomic modification for studying gene function in specific cell lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueying Tian
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,The State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Lingjuan He
- The State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Kuo Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjuan Pu
- The State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Huan Zhao
- The State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuxiu Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Muxue Tang
- The State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruilin Sun
- Shanghai Model Organisms Center, Inc., Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Fei
- Shanghai Model Organisms Center, Inc., Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Ji
- The Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zengyong Qiao
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Southern Medical University Affiliated Fengxian Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Kathy O Lui
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sha Tin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Bin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,The State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai, China.,The Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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26
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Chen H, Wong CC, Liu D, Go MY, Wu B, Peng S, Kuang M, Wong N, Yu J. APLN promotes hepatocellular carcinoma through activating PI3K/Akt pathway and is a druggable target. Am J Cancer Res 2019; 9:5246-5260. [PMID: 31410213 PMCID: PMC6691573 DOI: 10.7150/thno.34713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a multistep process contributed by the accumulation of molecular alterations. We identified Apelin (APLN) as an outlier gene up-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through RNA-Seq and microarray analysis. We aimed to investigate its function, mechanism of action and clinical implication in HCC. Methods: Gene expression and clinical implication of APLN were assessed in multiple human HCC cohorts. Ectopic expression and silencing of APLN were performed to determine its function. The therapeutic potential of APLN and its downstream pathway was investigated using in vitro and in vivo models. Results: APLN overexpression was commonly observed in more than 80% of HCCs and independently predicted poorer survival of patients in three independent HCC cohorts. Apelin up-regulation was mediated by active β-catenin, which binds to the APLN promoter to induce transcription. Ectopic APLN expression in HCC cells promoted cell proliferation, accelerated G1/S progression and inhibited apoptosis, whilst APLN knockdown exerted opposite effects in vitro and inhibited HCC xenograft growth in mice. Mechanistically, APLN activated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway via APLN receptor, leading to increased expression of phospho-glycogen synthase kinase 3β (p-GSK3β) and cyclin D1. Pharmacological targeting of APLN by ML221 was safe and effective in inhibiting APLN-PI3K/Akt cascade and HCC growth in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions: Our findings unraveled an oncogenic role of APLN in HCC, and that targeting of APLN might be a promising for HCC treatment. APLN may serve as an independent prognostic factor for HCC patients.
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Mastrella G, Hou M, Li M, Stoecklein VM, Zdouc N, Volmar MNM, Miletic H, Reinhard S, Herold-Mende CC, Kleber S, Eisenhut K, Gargiulo G, Synowitz M, Vescovi AL, Harter PN, Penninger JM, Wagner E, Mittelbronn M, Bjerkvig R, Hambardzumyan D, Schüller U, Tonn JC, Radke J, Glass R, Kälin RE. Targeting APLN/APLNR Improves Antiangiogenic Efficiency and Blunts Proinvasive Side Effects of VEGFA/VEGFR2 Blockade in Glioblastoma. Cancer Res 2019; 79:2298-2313. [PMID: 30718358 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-0881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Antiangiogenic therapy of glioblastoma (GBM) with bevacizumab, a VEGFA-blocking antibody, may accelerate tumor cell invasion and induce alternative angiogenic pathways. Here we investigate the roles of the proangiogenic apelin receptor APLNR and its cognate ligand apelin in VEGFA/VEGFR2 antiangiogenic therapy against distinct subtypes of GBM. In proneural GBM, apelin levels were downregulated by VEGFA or VEGFR2 blockade. A central role for apelin/APLNR in controlling GBM vascularization was corroborated in a serial implantation model of the angiogenic switch that occurs in human GBM. Apelin and APLNR are broadly expressed in human GBM, and knockdown or knockout of APLN in orthotopic models of proneural or classical GBM subtypes significantly reduced GBM vascularization compared with controls. However, reduction in apelin expression led to accelerated GBM cell invasion. Analysis of stereotactic GBM biopsies from patients as well as from in vitro and in vivo experiments revealed increased dissemination of APLNR-positive tumor cells when apelin levels were reduced. Application of apelin-F13A, a mutant APLNR ligand, blocked tumor angiogenesis and GBM cell invasion. Furthermore, cotargeting VEGFR2 and APLNR synergistically improved survival of mice bearing proneural GBM. In summary, we show that apelin/APLNR signaling controls GBM angiogenesis and invasion and that both pathologic features are blunted by apelin-F13A. We suggest that apelin-F13A can improve the efficiency and reduce the side effects of established antiangiogenic treatments for distinct GBM subtypes. SIGNIFICANCE: Pharmacologic targeting of the APLNR acts synergistically with established antiangiogenic treatments in glioblastoma and blunts therapy resistance to current strategies for antiangiogenesis.See related commentary by Amoozgar et al., p. 2104.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Mastrella
- Neurosurgical Research, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Mengzhuo Hou
- Neurosurgical Research, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Min Li
- Neurosurgical Research, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Veit M Stoecklein
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Nina Zdouc
- Neurosurgical Research, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Marie N M Volmar
- Neurosurgical Research, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Hrvoje Miletic
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Christel C Herold-Mende
- Division of Neurosurgical Research, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Susanne Kleber
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katharina Eisenhut
- Neurosurgical Research, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Michael Synowitz
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Center Schleswig Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Angelo L Vescovi
- IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Patrick N Harter
- Edinger-Institute (Neurological Institute), Goethe-University Medical School, Frankfurt am Main, Germany and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Frankfurt/Mainz; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Josef M Penninger
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Department of Pharmacy, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Michel Mittelbronn
- Edinger-Institute (Neurological Institute), Goethe-University Medical School, Frankfurt am Main, Germany and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Frankfurt/Mainz; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Luxembourg Centre of Neuropathology (LCNP), Luxembourg and NORLUX Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), and Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Rolf Bjerkvig
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Dolores Hambardzumyan
- Department of Pediatrics and Aflac Cancer Center of Children's Health Care of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ulrich Schüller
- Institute of Neuropathology and Department of Pediatric Haematology and Oncology, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf and Research Institute Children's Cancer Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jörg-Christian Tonn
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Josefine Radke
- Department of Neuropathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, German; Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany, Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rainer Glass
- Neurosurgical Research, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Munich and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Walter Brendel Center of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Roland E Kälin
- Neurosurgical Research, Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany. .,Walter Brendel Center of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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28
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Liu Y, Wang L, Shi H. The biological function of ELABELA and APJ signaling in the cardiovascular system and pre-eclampsia. Hypertens Res 2019; 42:928-934. [PMID: 30626933 DOI: 10.1038/s41440-018-0193-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific syndrome that is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria. The etiology of PE is not completely understood but is believed to involve placental insufficiency and maternal vascular damage. Growing evidence supports an important role for the apelin receptor (APJ) system in regulating cardiovascular physiology. There are two vertebrate APJ ligands, APELIN and ELABELA, both of which mediate vasodilatory functions. A recent study linked deficient ELABELA signaling and the development of PE, though the molecular mechanism remains largely unknown. In this review, we summarize the biological function of the ELABELA and APJ system in cardiovascular homeostasis and discuss the potential mechanisms by which ELABELA and APJ regulate placenta trophoblast invasion and vascular functions and participate in the development of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liquan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Hongjun Shi
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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