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Scarini JF, Gonçalves MWA, de Lima-Souza RA, Lavareze L, de Carvalho Kimura T, Yang CC, Altemani A, Mariano FV, Soares HP, Fillmore GC, Egal ESA. Potential role of the Eph/ephrin system in colorectal cancer: emerging druggable molecular targets. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1275330. [PMID: 38651144 PMCID: PMC11033724 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1275330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The Eph/ephrin system regulates many developmental processes and adult tissue homeostasis. In colorectal cancer (CRC), it is involved in different processes including tumorigenesis, tumor angiogenesis, metastasis development, and cancer stem cell regeneration. However, conflicting data regarding Eph receptors in CRC, especially in its putative role as an oncogene or a suppressor gene, make the precise role of Eph-ephrin interaction confusing in CRC development. In this review, we provide an overview of the literature and highlight evidence that collaborates with these ambiguous roles of the Eph/ephrin system in CRC, as well as the molecular findings that represent promising therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Figueira Scarini
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Moisés Willian Aparecido Gonçalves
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Reydson Alcides de Lima-Souza
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luccas Lavareze
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Talita de Carvalho Kimura
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ching-Chu Yang
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Utah (UU), Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Albina Altemani
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Viviane Mariano
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Heloisa Prado Soares
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah (UU), Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Gary Chris Fillmore
- Biorepository and Molecular Pathology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah (UU), Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Erika Said Abu Egal
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Biorepository and Molecular Pathology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah (UU), Salt Lake City, UT, United States
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Lyu Y, Xie F, Chen B, Shin WS, Chen W, He Y, Leung KT, Tse GMK, Yu J, To KF, Kang W. The nerve cells in gastrointestinal cancers: from molecular mechanisms to clinical intervention. Oncogene 2024; 43:77-91. [PMID: 38081962 PMCID: PMC10774121 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02909-x] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is a formidable malignancy with significant morbidity and mortality rates. Recent studies have shed light on the complex interplay between the nervous system and the GI system, influencing various aspects of GI tumorigenesis, such as the malignance of cancer cells, the conformation of tumor microenvironment (TME), and the resistance to chemotherapies. The discussion in this review first focused on exploring the intricate details of the biological function of the nervous system in the development of the GI tract and the progression of tumors within it. Meanwhile, the cancer cell-originated feedback regulation on the nervous system is revealed to play a crucial role in the growth and development of nerve cells within tumor tissues. This interaction is vital for understanding the complex relationship between the nervous system and GI oncogenesis. Additionally, the study identified various components within the TME that possess a significant influence on the occurrence and progression of GI cancer, including microbiota, immune cells, and fibroblasts. Moreover, we highlighted the transformation relationship between non-neuronal cells and neuronal cells during GI cancer progression, inspiring the development of strategies for nervous system-guided anti-tumor drugs. By further elucidating the deep mechanism of various neuroregulatory signals and neuronal intervention, we underlined the potential of these targeted drugs translating into effective therapies for GI cancer treatment. In summary, this review provides an overview of the mechanisms of neuromodulation and explores potential therapeutic opportunities, providing insights into the understanding and management of GI cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Lyu
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- CUHK-Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fuda Xie
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- CUHK-Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bonan Chen
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- CUHK-Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wing Sum Shin
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yulong He
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kam Tong Leung
- Department of Pediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Gary M K Tse
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jun Yu
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ka Fai To
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wei Kang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir Y.K. Pao Cancer Center, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- Institute of Digestive Disease, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- CUHK-Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.
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Ullah A, Razzaq A, Zhou C, Ullah N, Shehzadi S, Aziz T, Alfaifi MY, Elbehairi SEI, Iqbal H. Biological Significance of EphB4 Expression in Cancer. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2024; 25:244-255. [PMID: 37909437 DOI: 10.2174/0113892037269589231017055642] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Eph receptors and their Eph receptor-interacting (ephrin) ligands comprise a vital cell communication system with several functions. In cancer cells, there was evidence of bilateral Eph receptor signaling with both tumor-suppressing and tumor-promoting actions. As a member of the Eph receptor family, EphB4 has been linked to tumor angiogenesis, growth, and metastasis, which makes it a viable and desirable target for drug development in therapeutic applications. Many investigations have been conducted over the last decade to elucidate the structure and function of EphB4 in association with its ligand ephrinB2 for its involvement in tumorigenesis. Although several EphB4-targeting drugs have been investigated, and some selective inhibitors have been evaluated in clinical trials. This article addresses the structure and function of the EphB4 receptor, analyses its possibility as an anticancer therapeutic target, and summarises knowledge of EphB4 kinase inhibitors. To summarise, EphB4 is a difficult but potential treatment option for cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmat Ullah
- Clinical Research Institute, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, 310014, Zhejiang, China
| | - Anam Razzaq
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Chuanzan Zhou
- Clinical Research Institute, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, 310014, Zhejiang, China
| | - Najeeb Ullah
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA, 818 Nelson Ave, 71272, USA
| | - Somia Shehzadi
- University Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology, The University of Lahore, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Tariq Aziz
- Westlake University, School of Engineering, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310024, China
| | - Mohammad Y Alfaifi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha 9004, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Haroon Iqbal
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
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Nanamiya R, Suzuki H, Kaneko MK, Kato Y. Development of an Anti-EphB4 Monoclonal Antibody for Multiple Applications Against Breast Cancers. Monoclon Antib Immunodiagn Immunother 2023; 42:166-177. [PMID: 37824755 DOI: 10.1089/mab.2023.0015] [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] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma (Eph) receptors are the largest receptor tyrosine kinase family. EphB4 is essential for cell adhesion and motility during embryogenesis. Pathologically, EphB4 is overexpressed and contributes to poor prognosis in various tumors. Therefore, specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) should be developed to predict the prognosis for multiple tumors with high EphB4 expression, including breast and gastric cancers. This study aimed to develop specific anti-EphB4 mAbs for multiple applications using the Cell-Based Immunization and Screening method. EphB4-overexpressed Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 (CHO/EphB4) cells were immunized into mice, and we established an anti-EphB4 mAb (clone B4Mab-7), which is applicable for flow cytometry, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry (IHC). B4Mab-7 reacted with endogenous EphB4-positive breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, but did not react with EphB4-knockout MCF-7 (BINDS-52) in flow cytometry. Dissociation constant (KD) values were determined to be 2.9 × 10-9 M and 1.3 × 10-9 M by flow cytometric analysis for CHO/EphB4 and MCF-7 cells, respectively. B4Mab-7 detected the EphB4 protein bands from breast cancer cells in Western blot, and stained breast cancer tissues in IHC. Altogether, B4Mab-7 is very useful for detecting EphB4 in various applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ren Nanamiya
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Suzuki
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Mika K Kaneko
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yukinari Kato
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
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Eph Receptors in Cancer. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020315. [PMID: 36830852 PMCID: PMC9953285 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Eph receptor tyrosine kinases play critical functions during development, in the formation of tissue and organ borders, and the vascular and neural systems. Uniquely among tyrosine kinases, their activities are controlled by binding to membrane-bound ligands, called ephrins. Ephs and ephrins generally have a low expression in adults, functioning mainly in tissue homeostasis and plasticity, but are often overexpressed in cancers, where they are especially associated with undifferentiated or progenitor cells, and with tumour development, vasculature, and invasion. Mutations in Eph receptors also occur in various tumour types and are suspected to promote tumourigenesis. Ephs and ephrins have the capacity to operate as both tumour promoters and tumour suppressors, depending on the circumstances. They have been demonstrated to impact tumour cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, as well as tumour development, angiogenesis, and metastases in vivo, making them potential therapeutic targets. However, successful development of therapies will require detailed understanding of the opposing roles of Ephs in various cancers. In this review, we discuss the variations in Eph expression and functions in a variety of malignancies. We also describe the multiple strategies that are currently available to target them in tumours, including preclinical and clinical development.
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Suzuki Y, Okabayashi K, Hasegawa H, Tsuruta M, Seishima R, Tokuda T, Kitagawa Y. Role of EphB2/ephrin‑B1 signalling in the development and progression of obesity‑associated colorectal cancer. Oncol Lett 2022; 24:316. [PMID: 35949596 PMCID: PMC9353875 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a major problem worldwide and has been associated with colorectal cancer development, among other diseases. Ephrin receptors and ligands play an important role in the turnover of the intestinal mucosa and intestinal crypt compartmentalization. It has been hypothesised that obesity-induced inflammation affects ephrin signals, leading to carcinogenesis. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between Eph-ephrin B signalling, obesity and obesity-associated colorectal cancer. An azoxymethane-induced obesity-associated cancer KKAy mouse model developed in our prior study was used. A total of 46 patients with consecutive colorectal cancer and 48 tumours were analysed. Immunohistological analyses were performed in mouse and human samples, and immunoreactive scores (IRS) were determined. KKAy mice were significantly more prone to cancer development compared with control C57/BL mice (2/15 in C57/BL vs. 10/10 in KKAy; P<0.001). TUNEL assay revealed a lower number of apoptotic cells in normal mucosa of KKAy mice (8.8% in C57/BL vs. 3.2% in KKAy; P<0.001) and obese patients (9.2% with BMI <25 vs. 3.6% with BMI ≥25; P=0.021). Immunohistological analysis revealed that ephrin-B1 was downregulated in normal mucosa from KKAy mice and obese patients (IRS, 2.86 with BMI <25 vs. 6.00 with BMI ≥25; P=0.002). Moreover, EphB2 was downregulated in tumours from KKAy mice and obese patients (IRS, 6.58 with BMI <25 vs. 3.83 with BMI ≥25; P<0.001). The distribution of infiltrated macrophages corresponded to the MCP-1 expression pattern in KKAy mice, and the number of macrophages was also significantly higher in those mice (36.3 in C57/BL vs. 120.0 in KKAy; P=0.029). The findings suggested that obesity results in disruption of EphB2/ephrin-B1 signalling, promoting colorectal cancer development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiyuki Suzuki
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 1608582, Japan
| | - Koji Okabayashi
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 1608582, Japan
| | - Hirotoshi Hasegawa
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 1608582, Japan
| | - Masashi Tsuruta
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 1608582, Japan
| | - Ryo Seishima
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 1608582, Japan
| | - Toshiki Tokuda
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 1608582, Japan
| | - Yuko Kitagawa
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 1608582, Japan
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Papadakos SP, Petrogiannopoulos L, Pergaris A, Theocharis S. The EPH/Ephrin System in Colorectal Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052761. [PMID: 35269901 PMCID: PMC8910949 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The EPH/ephrin system constitutes a bidirectional signaling pathway comprised of a family of tyrosine kinase receptors in tandem with their plasma membrane-bound ligand (ephrins). Its significance in a wide variety of physiologic and pathologic processes has been recognized during the past decades. In carcinogenesis, EPH/ephrins coordinate a wide spectrum of pathologic processes, such as angiogenesis, vessel infiltration, and metastasis. Despite the recent advances in colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis and treatment, it remains a leading cause of death globally, accounting for 9.2% of all cancer deaths. A growing body of literature has been published lately revitalizing our scientific interest towards the role of EPH/ephrins in pathogenesis and the treatment of CRC. The aim of the present review is to present the recent CRC data which might lead to clinical practice changes in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stavros P Papadakos
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
| | - Leonidas Petrogiannopoulos
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandros Pergaris
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
| | - Stamatios Theocharis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
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He L, Zhong Z, Chen M, Liang Q, Wang Y, Tan W. Current Advances in Coptidis Rhizoma for Gastrointestinal and Other Cancers. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:775084. [PMID: 35046810 PMCID: PMC8762280 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.775084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a serious disease with an increasing number of reported cases and high mortality worldwide. Gastrointestinal cancer defines a group of cancers in the digestive system, e.g., liver cancer, colorectal cancer, and gastric cancer. Coptidis Rhizoma (C. Rhizoma; Huanglian, in Chinese) is a classical Chinese medicinal botanical drug for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and has been shown to have a wide variety of pharmacological activity, including antifungal, antivirus, anticancer, antidiabetic, hypoglycemic, and cardioprotective effects. Recent studies on C. Rhizoma present significant progress on its anticancer effects and the corresponding mechanisms as well as its clinical applications. Herein, keywords related to C. Rhizoma, cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and omics were searched in PubMed and the Web of Science databases, and more than three hundred recent publications were reviewed and discussed. C. Rhizoma extract along with its main components, berberine, palmatine, coptisine, magnoflorine, jatrorrhizine, epiberberine, oxyepiberberine, oxyberberine, dihydroberberine, columbamine, limonin, and derivatives, are reviewed. We describe novel and classic anticancer mechanisms from various perspectives of pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, and pharmaceutics. Researchers have transformed the chemical structures and drug delivery systems of these components to obtain better efficacy and bioavailability of C. Rhizoma. Furthermore, C. Rhizoma in combination with other drugs and their clinical application are also summarized. Taken together, C. Rhizoma has broad prospects as a potential adjuvant candidate against cancers, making it reasonable to conduct additional preclinical studies and clinical trials in gastrointestinal cancer in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luying He
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhangfeng Zhong
- Macau Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Zhangfeng Zhong, ; Yitao Wang, ; Wen Tan,
| | - Man Chen
- Oncology Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Qilian Liang
- Oncology Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yitao Wang
- Macau Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Zhangfeng Zhong, ; Yitao Wang, ; Wen Tan,
| | - Wen Tan
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Zhangfeng Zhong, ; Yitao Wang, ; Wen Tan,
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The Clinical Impact of the EPH/Ephrin System in Cancer: Unwinding the Thread. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168412. [PMID: 34445116 PMCID: PMC8395090 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Erythropoietin-producing human hepatocellular receptors (EPHs) compose the largest known subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). They bind and interact with the EPH family receptor interacting proteins (ephrins). EPHs/ephrins are implicated in a variety of physiological processes, as well as in cancer pathogenesis. With neoplastic disease remaining a leading cause of death world-wide, the development of novel biomarkers aiding in the field of diagnosis, prognosis, and disease monitoring is of utmost importance. A multitude of studies have proven the association between the expression of members of the EPH/ephrin system and various clinicopathological parameters, including disease stage, tumor histologic grade, and patients' overall survival. Besides their utilization in timely disease detection and assessment of outcome, EPHs/ephrins could also represent possible novel therapeutic targets. The aim of the current review of the literature was to present the existing data regarding the association between EPH/ephrin system expression and the clinical characteristics of malignant tumors.
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10
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miR-130-3p Promotes MTX-Induced Immune Killing of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Targeting EPHB4. JOURNAL OF HEALTHCARE ENGINEERING 2021; 2021:4650794. [PMID: 34336153 PMCID: PMC8324363 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4650794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The vast majority of primary hepatocellular cancer is hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Currently, HCC is one of the more common cancers in humans, and it has a high mortality and disability rate. Mitoxantrone (MTX) is an antitumor drug that can block type II topoisomerase. It has been reported that immunogenic cell death evoked by MTX can induce the discharge of damage associated with molecular patterns (DAMPs) and subsequently influence immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment. High mobilities aggregation box 1 (HMGB1) is the prototypical extracellular DAMP. Many cellular processes have been reported to involve EPHB4 receptor tyrosine kinases, but the relation of DAMP and EPHB4 is uncertain. In this research, we assessed the impact of miR-130-3p by Edu incorporation test on cell proliferation, and we have proven its impact on HCC cell migration through Transwell and wound healing tests. Flow cytometry was applied to study its influence on apoptosis. Luciferase report test was integrated in detecting the miR-130-3p target gene. The influence of miR-130-3p on the manifestation of classical DAMPs was studied, such as HMGB1, ATP, and Calreticulin. A coculture experiment was carried out to further confirm its effects on immune cell infiltration. The result displayed that miR-130-3p overexpression considerably facilitates apoptosis and suppresses the migration or proliferation of HCC cells. EPHB4 was confirmed as the target gene of miR-130-3p. Overexpression of this target gene promotes emission of Calreticulin, ATP, and HMGB1 and subsequently promotes DCs maturation and proliferation of CD4+ T cells. In summary, our results demonstrated that miR-130-3p inhibits HCC cell proliferation and migration by targeting EPHB4 and promotes drug-induced immunogenic cell death.
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Ramezani S, Parkhideh A, Bhattacharya PK, Farach-Carson MC, Harrington DA. Beyond Colonoscopy: Exploring New Cell Surface Biomarkers for Detection of Early, Heterogenous Colorectal Lesions. Front Oncol 2021; 11:657701. [PMID: 34290978 PMCID: PMC8287259 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.657701] [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: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths among both men and women in the United States. Early detection and surgical removal of high-risk lesions in the colon can prevent disease from developing and spreading. Despite implementation of programs aimed at early detection, screening colonoscopies fail to detect a fraction of potentially aggressive colorectal lesions because of their location or nonobvious morphology. Optical colonoscopies, while highly effective, rely on direct visualization to detect changes on the surface mucosa that are consistent with dysplasia. Recent advances in endoscopy techniques and molecular imaging permit microscale visualization of the colonic mucosa. These technologies can be combined with various molecular probes that recognize and target heterogenous lesion surfaces to achieve early, real-time, and potentially non-invasive, detection of pre-cancerous lesions. The primary goal of this review is to contextualize existing and emergent CRC surface biomarkers and assess each’s potential as a candidate marker for early marker-based detection of CRC lesions. CRC markers that we include were stratified by the level of support gleaned from peer-reviewed publications, abstracts, and databases of both CRC and other cancers. The selected biomarkers, accessible on the cell surface and preferably on the luminal surface of the colon tissue, are organized into three categories: (1) established biomarkers (those with considerable data and high confidence), (2) emerging biomarkers (those with increasing research interest but with less supporting data), and (3) novel candidates (those with very recent data, and/or supportive evidence from other tissue systems). We also present an overview of recent advances in imaging techniques useful for visual detection of surface biomarkers, and discuss the ease with which these methods can be combined with microscopic visualization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saleh Ramezani
- Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Dentistry, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States.,MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Arianna Parkhideh
- MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Pratip K Bhattacharya
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States.,MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Mary C Farach-Carson
- Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Dentistry, Houston, TX, United States.,MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, United States.,Departments of BioSciences and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Daniel A Harrington
- Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Dentistry, Houston, TX, United States.,MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, United States.,Departments of BioSciences and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
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12
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Pretze M, Neuber C, Kinski E, Belter B, Köckerling M, Caflisch A, Steinbach J, Pietzsch J, Mamat C. Synthesis, radiolabelling and initial biological characterisation of 18F-labelled xanthine derivatives for PET imaging of Eph receptors. Org Biomol Chem 2020; 18:3104-3116. [PMID: 32253415 DOI: 10.1039/d0ob00391c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Eph receptor tyrosine kinases, particularly EphA2 and EphB4, represent promising candidates for molecular imaging due to their essential role in cancer progression and therapy resistance. Xanthine derivatives were identified to be potent Eph receptor inhibitors with IC50 values in the low nanomolar range (1-40 nm). These compounds occupy the hydrophobic pocket of the ATP-binding site in the kinase domain. Based on lead compound 1, we designed two fluorine-18-labelled receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors ([18F]2/3) as potential tracers for positron emission tomography (PET). Docking into the ATP-binding site allowed us to find the best position for radiolabelling. The replacement of the methyl group at the uracil residue ([18F]3) rather than the methyl group of the phenoxy moiety ([18F]2) by a fluoropropyl group was predicted to preserve the affinity of the lead compound 1. Herein, we point out a synthesis route to [18F]2 and [18F]3 and the respective tosylate precursors as well as a labelling procedure to insert fluorine-18. After radiolabelling, both radiotracers were obtained in approximately 5% radiochemical yield with high radiochemical purity (>98%) and a molar activity of >10 GBq μmol-1. In line with the docking studies, first cell experiments revealed specific, time-dependent binding and uptake of [18F]3 to EphA2 and EphB4-overexpressing A375 human melanoma cells, whereas [18F]2 did not accumulate at these cells. Since both tracers [18F]3 and [18F]2 are stable in rat blood, the novel radiotracers might be suitable for in vivo molecular imaging of Eph receptors with PET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Pretze
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institut für Radiopharmazeutische Krebsforschung, Bautzner Landstraße 400, D-01328 Dresden, Germany. and Technische Universität Dresden, Fakultät Chemie und Lebensmittelchemie, D-01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Christin Neuber
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institut für Radiopharmazeutische Krebsforschung, Bautzner Landstraße 400, D-01328 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Elisa Kinski
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institut für Radiopharmazeutische Krebsforschung, Bautzner Landstraße 400, D-01328 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Birgit Belter
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institut für Radiopharmazeutische Krebsforschung, Bautzner Landstraße 400, D-01328 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Martin Köckerling
- Universität Rostock, Institut für Chemie - Anorganische Festkörperchemie, Albert-Einstein-Straße 3a, D-18059 Rostock, Germany
| | - Amedeo Caflisch
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jörg Steinbach
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institut für Radiopharmazeutische Krebsforschung, Bautzner Landstraße 400, D-01328 Dresden, Germany. and Technische Universität Dresden, Fakultät Chemie und Lebensmittelchemie, D-01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Jens Pietzsch
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institut für Radiopharmazeutische Krebsforschung, Bautzner Landstraße 400, D-01328 Dresden, Germany. and Technische Universität Dresden, Fakultät Chemie und Lebensmittelchemie, D-01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Constantin Mamat
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institut für Radiopharmazeutische Krebsforschung, Bautzner Landstraße 400, D-01328 Dresden, Germany. and Technische Universität Dresden, Fakultät Chemie und Lebensmittelchemie, D-01062 Dresden, Germany
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13
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Evaluation of EphB4 as Target for Image-Guided Surgery of Breast Cancer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13080172. [PMID: 32751634 PMCID: PMC7464973 DOI: 10.3390/ph13080172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Targeted image-guided surgery is based on the detection of tumor cells after administration of a radio-active or fluorescent tracer. Hence, enhanced binding of a tracer to tumor tissue compared to healthy tissue is crucial. Various tumor antigens have been evaluated as possible targets for image-guided surgery of breast cancer, with mixed results. Methods: In this study we have evaluated tyrosine kinase receptor EphB4, a member from the Eph tyrosine kinase receptor family, as a possible target for image-guided surgery of breast cancers. Two independent tissue micro arrays, consisting of matched sets of tumor and normal breast tissue, were stained for EphB4 by immunohistochemistry. The intensity of staining and the percentage of stained cells were scored by two independent investigators. Results: Immunohistochemical staining for EphB4 shows that breast cancer cells display enhanced membranous expression compared to adjacent normal breast tissue. The enhanced tumor staining is not associated with clinical variables like age of the patient or stage or subtype of the tumor, including Her2-status. Conclusion: These data suggest that EphB4 is a promising candidate for targeted image-guided surgery of breast cancer, especially for Her2 negative cases.
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14
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Du E, Li X, He S, Li X, He S. The critical role of the interplays of EphrinB2/EphB4 and VEGF in the induction of angiogenesis. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:4681-4690. [PMID: 32488576 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05470-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The significant role of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) as an angiogenesis inducer is well recognized. Besides VEGF, EphrinB2/EphB4 also plays essential roles in vascular development and postnatal angiogenesis. Compared with classical proangiogenic factors, not only does EphrinB2/EphB4 promote sprouting of new vessels, it is also involved in the vessel maturation. Given their involvement in many physiologic and pathological conditions, EphB4 and EphrinB2 are increasingly recognized as attractive therapeutic targets for angiogenesis-related diseases through modulating their expression and function. Previous works mainly focused on the individual role of VEGF and EphrinB2/EphB4 in angiogenesis, respectively, but the correlation between EphrinB2/EphB4 and VEGF in angiogenesis has not been fully disclosed. Here, we summarize the structure and bidirectional signaling of EphrinB2/EphB4, provide an overview on the relationship between EphrinB2/EphB4 signaling and VEGF pathway in angiogenesis and highlight the associated potential usefulness in anti-angiogenetic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enming Du
- Henan Eye Institute, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China.,Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China.,People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China.,People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China.,Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Xue Li
- Henan Eye Institute, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China.,Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China.,People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China.,People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China.,Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Siyu He
- Henan Eye Institute, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China.,Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China.,People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China.,People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China.,Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Xiaohua Li
- Henan Eye Institute, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China. .,Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China. .,Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China. .,People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China. .,People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China. .,Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China.
| | - Shikun He
- Henan Eye Institute, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China. .,Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China. .,Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China. .,Departments of Pathology and Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, USC Roski Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
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15
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Saravanan S, Vimalraj S, Pavani K, Nikarika R, Sumantran VN. Intussusceptive angiogenesis as a key therapeutic target for cancer therapy. Life Sci 2020; 252:117670. [PMID: 32298741 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Deregulation of angiogenesis is a key reason for tumor growth and progression. Several anti-angiogenic drugs in clinical practice attempt to normalize abnormal tumor vasculature. Unfortunately, these drugs are ineffective due to the development of resistance in patients after drug holidays. A sizable literature suggests that resistance to these anti-angiogenic drugs occurs due to various compensatory mechanisms of tumor angiogenesis. Therefore, we describe different compensatory mechanisms of tumor angiogenesis, and explain why intussusceptive angiogenesis (IA), is a crucial mechanism of compensatory angiogenesis in tumors which resist anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) therapies. IA is often overlooked due to the scarcity of experimental models. Therefore, we examine data from existing experimental models and our novel ex-ovo model of angiogenesis in chick embryos, and explain the important genes and signaling pathways driving IA. Using bio-informatic analyses of major genes regulating conventional sprouting angiogenesis (SA) and intussusceptive angiogenesis, we provide fresh insights on the 'angiogenic switch' which regulates the transition from SA to IA. Finally, we examine the interplay between molecules regulating SA, IA, and molecules known to promote tumor progression. Based on these analyses, we conclude that intussusceptive angiogenesis (IA) is a promising therapeutic target for developing effective anti-cancer treatment regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sekaran Saravanan
- Centre for Nanotechnology & Advanced Biomaterials (CeNTAB), Department of Bioengineering, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur 613 401, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Selvaraj Vimalraj
- Centre for Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai 600 025, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Koka Pavani
- Centre for Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai 600 025, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ramesh Nikarika
- Centre for Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai 600 025, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Venil N Sumantran
- Abdul Kalam Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Dr. MGR Educational & Research Institute, Maduravoyal, Chennai 600095, India
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16
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Rudzitis-Auth J, Fuß SA, Becker V, Menger MD, Laschke MW. Inhibition of erythropoietin-producing hepatoma receptor B4 (EphB4) signalling suppresses the vascularisation and growth of endometriotic lesions. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 177:3225-3239. [PMID: 32144768 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The development of endometriotic lesions is crucially dependent on the formation of new blood vessels. In the present study, we analysed whether this process is regulated by erythropoietin-producing hepatoma receptor B4 (EphB4) signalling. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We first assessed the anti-angiogenic action of the EphB4 inhibitor NVP-BHG712 in different in vitro angiogenesis assays. Then, endometriotic lesions were surgically induced in the dorsal skinfold chamber and peritoneal cavity of NVP-BHG712- or vehicle-treated BALB/c mice. This allowed to study the effect of EphB4 inhibition on their vascularisation and growth by means of intravital fluorescence microscopy, high-resolution ultrasound imaging, histology and immunohistochemistry. KEY RESULTS Non-cytotoxic doses of NVP-BHG712 suppressed the migration, tube formation and sprouting activity of both human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC) and mouse aortic rings. Accordingly, we also detected a lower blood vessel density in NVP-BHG712-treated endometriotic lesions. This was associated with a reduced lesion growth due to a significantly lower number of proliferating stromal cells when compared to vehicle-treated controls. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Inhibition of EphB4 signalling suppresses the vascularisation and growth of endometriotic lesions. Hence, EphB4 represents a promising pharmacological target for the treatment of endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sophia A Fuß
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Vivien Becker
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Michael D Menger
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Matthias W Laschke
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
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17
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Giorgio C, Zanotti I, Lodola A, Tognolini M. Ephrin or not? Six tough questions on Eph targeting. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2020; 24:403-415. [PMID: 32197575 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2020.1745187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: The Eph-ephrin is a cell-cell communication system generating a forward signal in cell expressing Eph receptors and a reverse signal in ephrin-ligand expressing cells. While clearly involved in the insurgence and progression of cancer, the understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulated by this system needs development; this is a hurdle to the development of therapeutic strategies that can target the Eph receptors and/or their ephrin ligands.Areas covered: We have taken the opportunity to share some key questions on the most effective strategies to target the Eph-ephrin system. This article is based on our experience of the field and therefore is a Perspective and not comprehensive examination of the literature.Expert opinion: Targeting of the Eph-ephrin system has emerged as a potentially valuable approach for cancer therapy. Pharmacological tools have been reported in the last 15 years and these include forward signaling blockers such as kinases inhibitors and antagonists of forward and reverse signaling. Also, biologics including antibodies and recombinant proteins have been developed and some have reached early clinical stages. Data deem the Eph-ephrin system as a signaling axis that is an elusive target. A better understanding of the basic pharmacology behind the activity of available agents and a comprehensive knowledge of the ephrin biology are necessary. We are looking forward to knowing the opinion of the readers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmine Giorgio
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Ilaria Zanotti
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Alessio Lodola
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
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18
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Ni Q, Chen P, Zhu B, Li J, Xie D, Ma X. Expression levels of EPHB4, EFNB2 and caspase-8 are associated with clinicopathological features and progression of esophageal squamous cell cancer. Oncol Lett 2019; 19:917-929. [PMID: 31885720 PMCID: PMC6924202 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.11160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The upregulation of EPH receptor B4 (EPHB4) results in a survival advantage for tumor cells via the inhibition of the casapse-8-mediated apoptotic pathway, which begins from the cell membrane. The present study investigated the expression patterns of EPHB4, ephrin B2 (EFNB2) and caspase-8 in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The association between the expression patterns and certain clinicopathological characteristics of the patients was also determined. mRNA levels of EPHB4, EFNB2 and caspase-8 in paired primary ESCC samples and adjacent esophageal tissues collected from 96 patients with ESCC were quantified using quantitative PCR. Upregulation of EPHB4 and EFNB2 mRNA expression, and downregulation of caspase-8 mRNA were detected in ESCC samples compared with that in the adjacent esophageal tissues. The expression levels of EPHB4 and EFNB2 were positively correlated with each other, whereas the mRNA levels of both EPHB4 and EFNB2 exhibited a negative correlation with that of caspase-8. The mRNA levels of both EPHB4 and EFNB2 demonstrated a significant positive association with certain clinicopathological features of patients with ESCC, including family history, tumor size, metastasis and stage. Conversely, a negative association was revealed between the expression level of caspase-8 and clinicopathological features of patients with ESCC. Moreover, mRNA expression levels of EPHB4 and EFNB2 were negatively associated with survival times of patients with ESCC, whereas the level of caspase-8 was positively associated with patient outcome. The results from the present study suggested that EPHB4, EFNB2 and caspase-8 may be implicated in the tumorigenesis and progression of ESCC, and that consequently, they may serve as useful prognostic markers, as well as potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianzhi Ni
- School of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P.R. China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Nutrition, Metabolism and Food Safety, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, P.R. China
| | - Pingping Chen
- Department of Health Statistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 45001, P.R. China
| | - Bing Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nutrition, Metabolism and Food Safety, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, P.R. China
| | - Jingjing Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nutrition, Metabolism and Food Safety, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, P.R. China
| | - Dong Xie
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nutrition, Metabolism and Food Safety, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, P.R. China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing 100022, P.R. China
| | - Xingyuan Ma
- School of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P.R. China
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19
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DiPrima M, Wang D, Tröster A, Maric D, Terrades-Garcia N, Ha T, Kwak H, Sanchez-Martin D, Kudlinzki D, Schwalbe H, Tosato G. Identification of Eph receptor signaling as a regulator of autophagy and a therapeutic target in colorectal carcinoma. Mol Oncol 2019; 13:2441-2459. [PMID: 31545551 PMCID: PMC6822245 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Advanced colorectal carcinoma is currently incurable, and new therapies are urgently needed. We report that phosphotyrosine‐dependent Eph receptor signaling sustains colorectal carcinoma cell survival, thereby uncovering a survival pathway active in colorectal carcinoma cells. We find that genetic and biochemical inhibition of Eph tyrosine kinase activity or depletion of the Eph ligand EphrinB2 reproducibly induces colorectal carcinoma cell death by autophagy. Spautin and 3‐methyladenine, inhibitors of early steps in the autophagic pathway, significantly reduce autophagy‐mediated cell death that follows inhibition of phosphotyrosine‐dependent Eph signaling in colorectal cancer cells. A small‐molecule inhibitor of the Eph kinase, NVP‐BHG712 or its regioisomer NVP‐Iso, reduces human colorectal cancer cell growth in vitro and tumor growth in mice. Colorectal cancers express the EphrinB ligand and its Eph receptors at significantly higher levels than numerous other cancer types, supporting Eph signaling inhibition as a potential new strategy for the broad treatment of colorectal carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael DiPrima
- Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dunrui Wang
- Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alix Tröster
- Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Dragan Maric
- National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nekane Terrades-Garcia
- Vasculitis Research Unit, Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Taekyu Ha
- Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hyeongil Kwak
- Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David Sanchez-Martin
- Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Denis Kudlinzki
- Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Harald Schwalbe
- Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Giovanna Tosato
- Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD, USA
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20
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Kawahara Y, Furuta T, Sabit H, Tamai S, Dong Y, Jiapaer S, Zhang J, Zhang G, Oishi M, Miyashita K, Hayashi Y, Nakada M. Ligand-dependent EphB4 activation serves as an anchoring signal in glioma cells. Cancer Lett 2019; 449:56-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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21
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Li W, Fu Q, Man W, Guo H, Yang P. LncRNA OR3A4 participates in the angiogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma through modulating AGGF1/akt/mTOR pathway. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 849:106-114. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.01.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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22
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Ieguchi K, Maru Y. Roles of EphA1/A2 and ephrin-A1 in cancer. Cancer Sci 2019; 110:841-848. [PMID: 30657619 PMCID: PMC6398892 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The biological functions of the Eph/ephrin system have been intensively investigated and well documented so far since its discovery in 1987. Although the Eph/ephrin system has been implicated in pathological settings such as Alzheimer's disease and cancer, the molecular mechanism of the Eph/ephrin system in those diseases is not well understood. Especially in cancer, recent studies have demonstrated that most of Eph and ephrin are up‐ or down‐regulated in various types of cancer, and have been implicated in tumor progression, tumor malignancy, and prognosis. However, they lack consistency and are in controversy. The localization patterns of EphA1 and EphA2 in mouse lungs are very similar, and both knockout mice showed similar phenotypes in the lungs. Ephrin‐A1 that is a membrane‐anchored ligand for EphAs was co‐localized with EphA1 and EphA2 in lung vascular endothelial cells. We recently uncovered the molecular mechanism of ephrin‐A1‐induced lung metastasis by understanding the physiological function of ephrin‐A1 in lungs. This review focuses on the function of EphA1, EphA2, and ephrin‐A1 in tumors and an establishment of pre‐metastatic microenvironment in the lungs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuaki Ieguchi
- Department of Pharmacology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiro Maru
- Department of Pharmacology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
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23
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Zhu M, Cui Y, Yang L, Yang T, Wang H, Zhang D, Ma W, Zhang Y. Ephrin type-B receptor 4 affinity chromatography: An effective and rapid method studying the active compounds targeting Ephrin type-B receptor 4. J Chromatogr A 2019; 1586:82-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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24
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Coucha M, Barrett AC, Elgebaly M, Ergul A, Abdelsaid M. Inhibition of Ephrin-B2 in brain pericytes decreases cerebral pathological neovascularization in diabetic rats. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210523. [PMID: 30620753 PMCID: PMC6324788 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously shown that diabetes causes dysfunctional cerebral neovascularization that increases the risk for cerebrovascular disorders such as stroke and cognitive impairment. Pericytes (PCs) play a pivotal role in the angiogenic process through their interaction with the endothelial cells (EC). Yet, the role of PCs in dysfunctional cerebral neovascularization in diabetes is unclear. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the increased proangiogenic Ephrin-B2 signaling in PCs contributes to the dysfunctional cerebral neovascularization in diabetes. Type-II diabetes was induced by a combination of high fat diet and low dose streptozotocin injection in male Wistar rats. Selective in vivo Ephrin-B2 silencing in brain PCs was achieved using the stereotactic injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV) with NG2-promoter that expresses Ephrin-B2 shRNA. Neovascularization was assessed using vascular fluorescent dye stain. Novel object recognition (NOR) test was used to determine cognitive functions. Human brain microvascular pericytes HBMVPCs were grown in high glucose 25 mM and palmitate 200 uM (HG/Pal) to mimic diabetic conditions. Scratch migration and tube formation assays were conducted to evaluate PC/EC interaction and angiogenic functions in PC/EC co-culture. Diabetes increased the expression of Ephrin-B2 in the cerebrovasculature and pericytes. Concomitant increases in cerebral neovascularization parameters including vascular density, tortuosity and branching density in diabetic rats were accompanied by deterioration of cognitive function. Inhibition of Ephrin-B2 expression in PCs significantly restored cerebral vascularization and improved cognitive functions. HG/Pal increased PC/EC angiogenic properties in co-culture. Silencing Ephrin-B2 in PCs significantly reduced PC migration and PC/EC co-culture angiogenic properties. This study emphasizes the significant contribution of PCs to the pathological neovascularization in diabetes. Our findings introduce Ephrin-B2 signaling as a promising therapeutic target to improve cerebrovascular integrity in diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha Coucha
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, South University, Savannah, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Amy C. Barrett
- Biomedical Sciences Department, School of Medicine, Mercer University, Savannah, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Mostafa Elgebaly
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Larkin University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Adviye Ergul
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Mohammed Abdelsaid
- Biomedical Sciences Department, School of Medicine, Mercer University, Savannah, Georgia, United States of America
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Kadife E, Ware TMB, Luwor RB, Chan STF, Nurgali K, Senior PV. Effects of EphB4 receptor expression on colorectal cancer cells, tumor growth, vascularization and composition. Acta Oncol 2018; 57:1043-1056. [PMID: 29368976 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2018.1429650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Increased expression of the molecular target, EphB4 receptor, has been observed in several cancer types. However, studies on the role of EphB4 receptor in CRC have yielded contradictory results. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of EphB4 expression levels on CRC cell behavior and its contribution to tumor growth and vascularization. METHODS SW480, LIM2405 and CT26 CRC cell lines were transfected with EphB4 expression vector. High EphB4 expressing cells were compared to low EphB4 expressing empty vector controls. Proliferation and migration assays as well as EphrinB2-Fc cell stimulations were conducted in vitro and subcutaneous xenografts of CRC were analyzed in vivo. RESULTS High EphB4 expression enhanced migratory ability of these CRC cell lines in vitro and contributed to a significant increase in tumor growth and vascularization in vivo. Tumours induced with high EphB4 expressing SW480 and LIM2405 cells yielded homogenous masses densely packed with cancer cells. EphrinB2-Fc cell stimulations induced cell clustering of high EphB4 expressing SW480 and LIM2405 in vitro. CONCLUSION These results suggest that with enhanced vascularization and an increase in migratory abilities, the high EphB4 expressing cells may be able to metastasize more readily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Kadife
- Centre for Chronic Diseases, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Western Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cells Program, Australian Institute of Musculoskeletal Sciences (AIMSS), Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Rodney Brian Luwor
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Australia
| | - Steven Tuck Foo Chan
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Australia
| | - Kulmira Nurgali
- Centre for Chronic Diseases, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Western Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cells Program, Australian Institute of Musculoskeletal Sciences (AIMSS), Melbourne, Australia
| | - Paul Vincent Senior
- Department of Medicine, Western Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cells Program, Australian Institute of Musculoskeletal Sciences (AIMSS), Melbourne, Australia
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Shan Y, Wang B, Zhang J. New strategies in achieving antiangiogenic effect: Multiplex inhibitors suppressing compensatory activations of RTKs. Med Res Rev 2018; 38:1674-1705. [DOI: 10.1002/med.21517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Shan
- Department of Pharmacy; The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University; Xi'an China
| | - Binghe Wang
- Department of Chemistry; Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics; Georgia State University; Atlanta GA USA
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center; Xi'an Jiaotong University; Xi'an China
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Kou CTJ, Kandpal RP. Differential Expression Patterns of Eph Receptors and Ephrin Ligands in Human Cancers. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:7390104. [PMID: 29682554 PMCID: PMC5851329 DOI: 10.1155/2018/7390104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Eph receptors constitute the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases, which are activated by ephrin ligands that either are anchored to the membrane or contain a transmembrane domain. These molecules play important roles in the development of multicellular organisms, and the physiological functions of these receptor-ligand pairs have been extensively documented in axon guidance, neuronal development, vascular patterning, and inflammation during tissue injury. The recognition that aberrant regulation and expression of these molecules lead to alterations in proliferative, migratory, and invasive potential of a variety of human cancers has made them potential targets for cancer therapeutics. We present here the involvement of Eph receptors and ephrin ligands in lung carcinoma, breast carcinoma, prostate carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, glioblastoma, and medulloblastoma. The aberrations in their abundances are described in the context of multiple signaling pathways, and differential expression is suggested as the mechanism underlying tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Ting Jimmy Kou
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
| | - Raj P. Kandpal
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
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Neuber C, Belter B, Meister S, Hofheinz F, Bergmann R, Pietzsch HJ, Pietzsch J. Overexpression of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase EphB4 Triggers Tumor Growth and Hypoxia in A375 Melanoma Xenografts: Insights from Multitracer Small Animal Imaging Experiments. Molecules 2018; 23:E444. [PMID: 29462967 PMCID: PMC6017846 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23020444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Experimental evidence has associated receptor tyrosine kinase EphB4 with tumor angiogenesis also in malignant melanoma. Considering the limited in vivo data available, we have conducted a systematic multitracer and multimodal imaging investigation in EphB4-overexpressing and mock-transfected A375 melanoma xenografts. Tumor growth, perfusion, and hypoxia were investigated by positron emission tomography. Vascularization was investigated by fluorescence imaging in vivo and ex vivo. The approach was completed by magnetic resonance imaging, radioluminography ex vivo, and immunohistochemical staining for blood and lymph vessel markers. Results revealed EphB4 to be a positive regulator of A375 melanoma growth, but a negative regulator of tumor vascularization. Resulting in increased hypoxia, this physiological characteristic is considered as highly unfavorable for melanoma prognosis and therapy outcome. Lymphangiogenesis, by contrast, was not influenced by EphB4 overexpression. In order to distinguish between EphB4 forward and EphrinB2, the natural EphB4 ligand, reverse signaling a specific EphB4 kinase inhibitor was applied. Blocking experiments show EphrinB2 reverse signaling rather than EphB4 forward signaling to be responsible for the observed effects. In conclusion, functional expression of EphB4 is considered a promising differentiating characteristic, preferentially determined by non-invasive in vivo imaging, which may improve personalized theranostics of malignant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christin Neuber
- Department Radiopharmaceutical and Chemical Biology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, 01314 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Birgit Belter
- Department Radiopharmaceutical and Chemical Biology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, 01314 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Sebastian Meister
- Department Radiopharmaceutical and Chemical Biology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, 01314 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Frank Hofheinz
- Department Positron Emission Tomography, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, 01314 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Department Radiopharmaceutical and Chemical Biology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, 01314 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Hans-Jürgen Pietzsch
- Department Radionuclide Theragnostics, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, 01314 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Jens Pietzsch
- Department Radiopharmaceutical and Chemical Biology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, 01314 Dresden, Germany.
- Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, School of Science, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany.
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Chen Y, Zhang H, Zhang Y. Targeting receptor tyrosine kinase EphB4 in cancer therapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2017; 56:37-46. [PMID: 28993206 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Eph receptors and their Eph receptor-interacting (ephrin) ligands together form an important cell communication system with diverse roles. Experimental evidence demonstrated Eph receptor bidirectional signaling with both tumor-suppressing and tumor-promoting activities in cancer cells. The tyrosine kinase EphB4, a member of the Eph receptor family, has been associated with tumor angiogenesis, growth and metastasis, thus making it a valuable and attractive target for drug design for therapeutic applications. In the past decade, many studies have focused on elucidating the structure and function of EphB4 in complex with its ligand ephrinB2 for their role in carcinogenesis. Meanwhile, an array of compounds targeting EphB4 have been studied and several selective inhibitors have been tested in clinical studies. This review discusses the structure and function of the EphB4 receptor, analyzes its potential as a target for anticancer therapy, and summarizes the information about inhibitors of EphB4 kinase activity. Conclusively, EphB4 is a challenging but promising therapeutic target in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinnan Chen
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Hongmei Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Xinhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
| | - Yanmin Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 76, Yanta West Street, #54, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province 710061, PR China.
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EPHB4 is a therapeutic target in AML and promotes leukemia cell survival via AKT. Blood Adv 2017; 1:1635-1644. [PMID: 29296810 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2017005694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
EPHB4, an ephrin type B receptor, is implicated in the growth of several epithelial tumors and is a promising target in cancer therapy; however, little is known about its role in hematologic malignancies. In this article, we show that EPHB4 is highly expressed in ∼30% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) samples. In an unbiased RNA interference screen of primary leukemia samples, we found that EPHB4 drives survival in a subset of AML cases. Knockdown of EPHB4 inhibits phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT signaling, and this is accompanied by a reduction in cell viability, which can be rescued by a constitutively active form of AKT. Finally, targeting EPHB4 with a highly specific monoclonal antibody (MAb131) is effective against AML in vitro and in vivo. EPHB4 is therefore a potential target in AML with high EPHB4 expression.
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Targeting Eph/ephrin system in cancer therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 142:152-162. [PMID: 28780190 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
It is well established that the Eph/ephrin system plays a central role in the embryonic development, with minor implications in the physiology of the adult. However, it is overexpressed and deregulated in a variety of tumors, with a primary involvement in tumorigenesis, tumor angiogenesis, metastasis development, and cancer stem cell regeneration. Targeting the Eph/ephrin system with biologicals, including antibodies and recombinant proteins, reduces tumor growth in animal models of hematological malignancies, breast, prostate, colon, head and neck cancers and glioblastoma. Currently, some of these biopharmaceutical agents are under investigations in phase I or phase II clinical trials. Peptides and small molecules targeting protein-protein-interaction (PPI) are in the late preclinical phase where they are showing promising activity in models of glioblastoma, ovarian and lung cancer. The present review summarizes the most critical findings proposing the Eph/ephrin signaling system as a new target in molecularly targeted oncology.
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Yerlikaya G, Balendran S, Pröstling K, Reischer T, Birner P, Wenzl R, Kuessel L, Streubel B, Husslein H. Comprehensive study of angiogenic factors in women with endometriosis compared to women without endometriosis. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2016; 204:88-98. [PMID: 27541444 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2016.07.500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Revised: 06/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Endometriosis is a benign gynaecological disease, affecting women during their reproductive years. Angiogenesis represents a crucial step in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, because endometriotic lesions require neovascularization. In this study several angiogenesis-related genes have been studied in the context of endometriosis. Some of the analyzed angiogenic factors as well as their interactions were studied the first time regarding a possible association with endometriosis. STUDY DESIGN This case-control study consisted of 205 biopsies of 114 patients comprising 61 endometriosis patients and 53 control patients. Among them in 29 cases paired samples were obtained. VEGFA, VEGFR2, HIF1A, HGF, NRP1, PDGFB, FGF18, TNFα, TGFB2, EPHB4, EPO and ANG mRNA expression was analyzed by qRT-PCR in ectopic tissue samples, in eutopic endometrium of women with and without endometriosis, and in unaffected peritoneum of women with and without endometriosis. RESULTS VEGFR2, HIF1A, HGF, PDGFB, NRP1 and EPHB4 are overexpressed in ectopic lesions compared to eutopic tissues. VEGFR2, HGF, PDGFB, NRP1, and EPHB4 showed highest mRNA levels in peritoneal implants, in contrast HIF1A showed the highest expression in ovarian endometriomas. Correlation analyses of angiogenic factors in ectopic lesions revealed the strongest associations between VEGFR2, PDGFB, and EPHB4. We further showed a significant upregulation of VEGFR2, HIF1A and EPHB4 in eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis compared to that of controls and a trend towards upregulation of HGF. Additionally, a significant downregulation for HIF1A, HGF and EPHB4 was observed in unaffected peritoneal tissues of women with endometriosis compared to controls. CONCLUSION We identified new genes (EPHB4 and NRP1) that may contribute to angiogenesis in endometriosis beside known factors (VEGFA, VEGFR2, HIF1A, HGF, and PDGFB). Correlation studies revealed the putative importance of EBHB4 in association with endometriosis. Our analyses support preliminary reports that angiogenic factors seem to be differently expressed in peritoneal implants, ovarian endometriomas and deep infiltrating endometriosis. Our observation that angiogenic factors are differently expressed in the unaffected peritoneum of women with endometriosis compared to women without endometriosis underlines the importance of the peritoneum in the establishment of endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gülen Yerlikaya
- Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria(); Fetal Medicine Research Institute, King's College Hospital, 16-20 Windsor Walk, Denmark Hill, London SE58B, United Kingdom.
| | - Sukirthini Balendran
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Katharina Pröstling
- Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria().
| | - Theresa Reischer
- Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria().
| | - Peter Birner
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Rene Wenzl
- Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria().
| | - Lorenz Kuessel
- Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria().
| | - Berthold Streubel
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Heinrich Husslein
- Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria().
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