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Wang Z, Wang Z, Deng L, Wu X, Liang Y, Wei P. Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Accumulation in Culture Medium Masks the Direct Antitumor Effect of Anti-VEGF Agent Bevacizumab. DOKL BIOCHEM BIOPHYS 2024; 517:285-290. [PMID: 39002014 DOI: 10.1134/s1607672924600283] [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: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
The direct antitumor effect of bevacizumab (BEV) has long been debated. Evidence of the direct antitumor activities of drugs are mainly obtained from in vitro experiments, which are greatly affected by experimental conditions. In this study, we evaluated the effect of BEV-containing medium renewal on the results of in vitro cytotoxicity experiments in A549 and U251 cancer cells. We observed starkly different results between the experiments with and without BEV-containing medium renewal. Specifically, BEV inhibited the tumor cell growth in the timely replacement with a BEV-containing medium but promoted tumor cell growth without medium renewal. Meanwhile, compared with the control, a significant basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) accumulation in the supernatant was observed in the group without medium renewal but none in that with replaced medium. Furthermore, bFGF neutralization partially reversed the pro-proliferative effect of BEV in the medium non-renewed group, while exogenous bFGF attenuated the tumor cell growth inhibition of BEV in the medium-renewed group. Our data explain the controversy over the direct antitumor effect of BEV in different studies from the perspective of the compensatory autocrine cytokines in tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong Wang
- Department of Immunology, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Ziyi Wang
- Department of Immunology, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Liyan Deng
- Department of Immunology, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Xiaolan Wu
- Department of Immunology, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yanfang Liang
- Department of Pathology, Binhaiwan Central Hospital of Dongguan, Dongguan, China
| | - Pei Wei
- Department of Immunology, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China.
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Wang Z, Wang M, Huang J, Lin M, Wei P. Dichotomic Role of Low-Concentration EGCG in the Oxaliplatin Sensitivity of Colorectal Cancer Cells. DOKL BIOCHEM BIOPHYS 2024; 515:29-35. [PMID: 38189882 PMCID: PMC11021325 DOI: 10.1134/s160767292360029x] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Although epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) can potentiate chemotherapeutic drugs at high concentrations, its clinical translation is hampered by exceeding possible concentration thresholds. This study proposes a dichotomous use of low-concentration EGCG in chemotherapy. During the first cycle of combined treatment with oxaliplatin (OXA), low-concentration EGCG antagonized the cytotoxic effect of OXA on colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. However, when OXA was subsequently administered, the sensitivity of CRC cells markedly increased. Although low-concentration EGCG counteracted OXA, it reduced the OXA-induced secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor by tumor cells, thereby contributing to the increase in the sensitivity of tumor cells to the second round of OXA treatment. Therefore, low-concentration EGCG showed potential as a viable adjunct to modulate chemosensitivity in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong Wang
- Department of Immunology, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Jiahao Huang
- Department of Immunology, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Mao Lin
- Department of Physiology, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Pei Wei
- Department of Immunology, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China.
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Seebauer CT, Wiens B, Hintschich CA, Platz Batista da Silva N, Evert K, Haubner F, Kapp FG, Wendl C, Renner K, Bohr C, Kühnel T, Vielsmeier V. Targeting the microenvironment in the treatment of arteriovenous malformations. Angiogenesis 2024; 27:91-103. [PMID: 37733132 PMCID: PMC10881762 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-023-09896-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Extracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are regarded as rare diseases and are prone to complications such as pain, bleeding, relentless growth, and high volume of shunted blood. Due to the high vascular pressure endothelial cells of AVMs are exposed to mechanical stress. To control symptoms and lesion growth pharmacological treatment strategies are urgently needed in addition to surgery and interventional radiology. AVM cells were isolated from three patients and exposed to cyclic mechanical stretching for 24 h. Thalidomide and bevacizumab, both VEGF inhibitors, were tested for their ability to prevent the formation of circular networks and proliferation of CD31+ endothelial AVM cells. Furthermore, the effect of thalidomide and bevacizumab on stretched endothelial AVM cells was evaluated. In response to mechanical stress, VEGF gene and protein expression increased in patient AVM endothelial cells. Thalidomide and bevacizumab reduced endothelial AVM cell proliferation. Bevacizumab inhibited circular network formation of endothelial AVM cells and lowered VEGF gene and protein expression, even though the cells were exposed to mechanical stress. With promising in vitro results, bevacizumab was used to treat three patients with unresectable AVMs or to prevent regrowth after incomplete resection. Bevacizumab controlled bleeding, pulsation, and pain over the follow up of eight months with no patient-reported side effects. Overall, mechanical stress increases VEGF expression in the microenvironment of AVM cells. The monoclonal VEGF antibody bevacizumab alleviates this effect, prevents circular network formation and proliferation of AVM endothelial cells in vitro. The clinical application of bevacizumab in AVM treatment demonstrates effective symptom control with no side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline T Seebauer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Benedikt Wiens
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Constantin A Hintschich
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Katja Evert
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Frank Haubner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Friedrich G Kapp
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Heiliggeiststr. 1, 79106, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Christina Wendl
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Kathrin Renner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christopher Bohr
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Kühnel
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Veronika Vielsmeier
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
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Wang Z, Wang M, Lin M, Wei P. The immunomodulatory effects of metformin in LPS-induced macrophages: an in vitro study. Inflamm Res 2024; 73:175-181. [PMID: 38091014 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-023-01827-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The study aimed to explore the immunomodulatory effects of clinically relevant concentrations of metformin on macrophages during sepsis, which is characterized by an initial hyperinflammatory phase followed by a period of immunosuppression. METHODS: We employed the RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cell line as an in vitro model to induce inflammatory responses and immune suppression through primary and secondary stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The cells were exposed to clinically relevant concentrations of metformin, and their responses were gauged through cytotoxicity assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for cytokine quantification, and assessments of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Moreover, to probe the role of AMPK in mediating the effects of metformin, we conducted an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity assay and knocked down AMPK using siRNA. RESULTS: Our study revealed that clinically relevant concentrations of metformin considerably decreased the LPS-induced secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6, which indicates the suppression of the initial hyperinflammatory response. Furthermore, metformin prevented LPS-induced immunosuppression. Notably, these immunomodulatory effects of metformin were not mediated by the activation of the AMPK pathway, as evidenced by the unaltered AMPK activity and siRNA experiments. The modulation of intracellular ROS levels emerged as the critical mechanism underlying the inhibition of hyperinflammation and impediment of immunosuppression by metformin. CONCLUSION A certain therapeutic dose of metformin inhibited hyperinflammatory responses and alleviated immunosuppression in LPS-induced macrophages through the bidirectional modulation of intracellular ROS generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong Wang
- Department of Immunology, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Mao Lin
- Department of Physiology, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Pei Wei
- Department of Immunology, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China.
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Wei P, Wang M, Lin M, Wang Z. Tetrazolium-based colorimetric assays underestimat the direct antitumor effects of anti-VEGF agent bevacizumab. Toxicol In Vitro 2023:105631. [PMID: 37336461 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2023.105631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
The direct antitumor effect of bevacizumab (BEV) has long been debated. Assessment of the direct cytotoxic activities of drugs is usually conducted via in vitro experiments, of which tetrazolium-based colorimetric assays are widely employed to measure the direct antitumor activity of BEV. This study aimed to investigate whether tetrazolium-based colorimetric assays are applicable when evaluating the cytotoxicity of BEV against tumor cells. Our results showed that BEV significantly augmented tumor-cell mitochondrial metabolism. Enhanced mitochondrial metabolism caused changes in cellular oxidation-and-reduction environment and upregulated succinate dehydrogenase, which in turn promoted the reduction of tetrazolium to produce formazan. Increased formazan formation resulted in underestimation of the in vitro direct antitumor effect of BEV. Furthermore, inhibition of mitochondrial hypermetabolism partially corrected the underestimation of colorimetric assays in evaluating the direct antitumor activity of BEV. Our findings suggest that tetrazolium-based colorimetric assays are unsuitable for accurately assessing the in vitro cytotoxicity of anti-VEGF drugs and may be the methodological reason for the controversial direct antitumor effect of BEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Wei
- Department of Immunology, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, 519040 Zhuhai, China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, 519040 Zhuhai, China
| | - Mao Lin
- Department of Physiology, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, 519040 Zhuhai, China
| | - Zhiyong Wang
- Department of Immunology, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, 519040 Zhuhai, China.
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