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Shao F, Li H, Hsieh K, Zhang P, Li S, Wang TH. Automated and miniaturized screening of antibiotic combinations via robotic-printed combinatorial droplet platform. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:1801-1813. [PMID: 38572105 PMCID: PMC10985126 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.11.027] [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: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a global health crisis in need of novel solutions. To this end, antibiotic combination therapies, which combine multiple antibiotics for treatment, have attracted significant attention as a potential approach for combating AMR. To facilitate advances in antibiotic combination therapies, most notably in investigating antibiotic interactions and identifying synergistic antibiotic combinations however, there remains a need for automated high-throughput platforms that can create and examine antibiotic combinations on-demand, at scale, and with minimal reagent consumption. To address these challenges, we have developed a Robotic-Printed Combinatorial Droplet (RoboDrop) platform by integrating a programmable droplet microfluidic device that generates antibiotic combinations in nanoliter droplets in automation, a robotic arm that arranges the droplets in an array, and a camera that images the array of thousands of droplets in parallel. We further implement a resazurin-based bacterial viability assay to accelerate our antibiotic combination testing. As a demonstration, we use RoboDrop to corroborate two pairs of antibiotics with known interactions and subsequently identify a new synergistic combination of cefsulodin, penicillin, and oxacillin against a model E. coli strain. We therefore envision RoboDrop becoming a useful tool to efficiently identify new synergistic antibiotic combinations toward combating AMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangchi Shao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Kuangwen Hsieh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Sixuan Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Tza-Huei Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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2
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Chakraborty MP, Das D, Mondal P, Kaul P, Bhattacharyya S, Kumar Das P, Das R. Molecular basis of VEGFR1 autoinhibition at the plasma membrane. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1346. [PMID: 38355851 PMCID: PMC10866885 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45499-2] [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: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Ligand-independent activation of VEGFRs is a hallmark of diabetes and several cancers. Like EGFR, VEGFR2 is activated spontaneously at high receptor concentrations. VEGFR1, on the other hand, remains constitutively inactive in the unligated state, making it an exception among VEGFRs. Ligand stimulation transiently phosphorylates VEGFR1 and induces weak kinase activation in endothelial cells. Recent studies, however, suggest that VEGFR1 signaling is indispensable in regulating various physiological or pathological events. The reason why VEGFR1 is regulated differently from other VEGFRs remains unknown. Here, we elucidate a mechanism of juxtamembrane inhibition that shifts the equilibrium of VEGFR1 towards the inactive state, rendering it an inefficient kinase. The juxtamembrane inhibition of VEGFR1 suppresses its basal phosphorylation even at high receptor concentrations and transiently stabilizes tyrosine phosphorylation after ligand stimulation. We conclude that a subtle imbalance in phosphatase activation or removing juxtamembrane inhibition is sufficient to induce ligand-independent activation of VEGFR1 and sustain tyrosine phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manas Pratim Chakraborty
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur campus, Mohanpur, 741246, India
| | - Diptatanu Das
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur campus, Mohanpur, 741246, India
| | - Purav Mondal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur campus, Mohanpur, 741246, India
| | - Pragya Kaul
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur campus, Mohanpur, 741246, India
| | - Soumi Bhattacharyya
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur campus, Mohanpur, 741246, India
| | - Prosad Kumar Das
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur campus, Mohanpur, 741246, India
| | - Rahul Das
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur campus, Mohanpur, 741246, India.
- Centre for Advanced Functional Materials, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur campus, Mohanpur, 741246, India.
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Wang L, Liu WQ, Broussy S, Han B, Fang H. Recent advances of anti-angiogenic inhibitors targeting VEGF/VEGFR axis. Front Pharmacol 2024; 14:1307860. [PMID: 38239196 PMCID: PMC10794590 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1307860] [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: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), Vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR) and their downstream signaling pathways are promising targets in anti-angiogenic therapy. They constitute a crucial system to regulate physiological and pathological angiogenesis. In the last 20 years, many anti-angiogenic drugs have been developed based on VEGF/VEGFR system to treat diverse cancers and retinopathies, and new drugs with improved properties continue to emerge at a fast rate. They consist of different molecular structures and characteristics, which enable them to inhibit the interaction of VEGF/VEGFR, to inhibit the activity of VEGFR tyrosine kinase (TK), or to inhibit VEGFR downstream signaling. In this paper, we reviewed the development of marketed anti-angiogenic drugs involved in the VEGF/VEGFR axis, as well as some important drug candidates in clinical trials. We discuss their mode of action, their clinical benefits, and the current challenges that will need to be addressed by the next-generation of anti-angiogenic drugs. We focus on the molecular structures and characteristics of each drug, including those approved only in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Department of Oncology, Zhejiang Xiaoshan Hospital, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wang-Qing Liu
- CiTCoM, CNRS, INSERM, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | | | - Bingnan Han
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongming Fang
- Department of Oncology, Zhejiang Xiaoshan Hospital, Hangzhou, China
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Yang B, Lin Y, Huang Y, Zhu N, Shen YQ. Extracellular vesicles modulate key signalling pathways in refractory wound healing. BURNS & TRAUMA 2023; 11:tkad039. [PMID: 38026441 PMCID: PMC10654481 DOI: 10.1093/burnst/tkad039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Chronic wounds are wounds that cannot heal properly due to various factors, such as underlying diseases, infection or reinjury, and improper healing of skin wounds and ulcers can cause a serious economic burden. Numerous studies have shown that extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from stem/progenitor cells promote wound healing, reduce scar formation and have significant advantages over traditional treatment methods. EVs are membranous particles that carry various bioactive molecules from their cellular origins, such as cytokines, nucleic acids, enzymes, lipids and proteins. EVs can mediate cell-to-cell communication and modulate various physiological processes, such as cell differentiation, angiogenesis, immune response and tissue remodelling. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in EV-based wound healing, focusing on the signalling pathways that are regulated by EVs and their cargos. We discuss how EVs derived from different types of stem/progenitor cells can promote wound healing and reduce scar formation by modulating the Wnt/β-catenin, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin, vascular endothelial growth factor, transforming growth factor β and JAK-STAT pathways. Moreover, we also highlight the challenges and opportunities for engineering or modifying EVs to enhance their efficacy and specificity for wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No. 14, Section 3, Renmin South Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yumeng Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No. 14, Section 3, Renmin South Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yibo Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No. 14, Section 3, Renmin South Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Nanxi Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No. 14, Section 3, Renmin South Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ying-Qiang Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No. 14, Section 3, Renmin South Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu 610041, China
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5
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Taneja K, He X, He Q, Chen JS. A multi-resolution physics-informed recurrent neural network: formulation and application to musculoskeletal systems. COMPUTATIONAL MECHANICS 2023; 73:1125-1145. [PMID: 38699409 PMCID: PMC11060984 DOI: 10.1007/s00466-023-02403-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
This work presents a multi-resolution physics-informed recurrent neural network (MR PI-RNN), for simultaneous prediction of musculoskeletal (MSK) motion and parameter identification of the MSK systems. The MSK application was selected as the model problem due to its challenging nature in mapping the high-frequency surface electromyography (sEMG) signals to the low-frequency body joint motion controlled by the MSK and muscle contraction dynamics. The proposed method utilizes the fast wavelet transform to decompose the mixed frequency input sEMG and output joint motion signals into nested multi-resolution signals. The prediction model is subsequently trained on coarser-scale input-output signals using a gated recurrent unit (GRU), and then the trained parameters are transferred to the next level of training with finer-scale signals. These training processes are repeated recursively under a transfer-learning fashion until the full-scale training (i.e., with unfiltered signals) is achieved, while satisfying the underlying dynamic equilibrium. Numerical examples on recorded subject data demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework in generating a physics-informed forward-dynamics surrogate, which yields higher accuracy in motion predictions of elbow flexion-extension of an MSK system compared to the case with single-scale training. The framework is also capable of identifying muscle parameters that are physiologically consistent with the subject's kinematics data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karan Taneja
- Department of Structural Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | | | - QiZhi He
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - Jiun-Shyan Chen
- Department of Structural Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
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6
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Gonçalves DM, Henriques R, Costa RS. Predicting metabolic fluxes from omics data via machine learning: Moving from knowledge-driven towards data-driven approaches. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:4960-4973. [PMID: 37876626 PMCID: PMC10590844 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.10.002] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The accurate prediction of phenotypes in microorganisms is a main challenge for systems biology. Genome-scale models (GEMs) are a widely used mathematical formalism for predicting metabolic fluxes using constraint-based modeling methods such as flux balance analysis (FBA). However, they require prior knowledge of the metabolic network of an organism and appropriate objective functions, often hampering the prediction of metabolic fluxes under different conditions. Moreover, the integration of omics data to improve the accuracy of phenotype predictions in different physiological states is still in its infancy. Here, we present a novel approach for predicting fluxes under various conditions. We explore the use of supervised machine learning (ML) models using transcriptomics and/or proteomics data and compare their performance against the standard parsimonious FBA (pFBA) approach using case studies of Escherichia coli organism as an example. Our results show that the proposed omics-based ML approach is promising to predict both internal and external metabolic fluxes with smaller prediction errors in comparison to the pFBA approach. The code, data, and detailed results are available at the project's repository[1].
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M. Gonçalves
- INESC-ID, Rua Alves Redol, 9, Lisbon, 1000-029, Portugal
- Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1, Lisbon, 1049-001, Portugal
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Caparica, 2829-516, Portugal
| | - Rui Henriques
- INESC-ID, Rua Alves Redol, 9, Lisbon, 1000-029, Portugal
- Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1, Lisbon, 1049-001, Portugal
| | - Rafael S. Costa
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Caparica, 2829-516, Portugal
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Li Y, Li R, Luo X, Xu F, Yang M, Zheng L, Wu Q, Jiang W, Li Y. Vascular endothelial growth factor B regulates insulin secretion in β cells of type 2 diabetes mellitus mice via PLCγ and the IP3R‑evoked Ca2 +/CaMK2 signaling pathway. Mol Med Rep 2023; 28:197. [PMID: 37681454 PMCID: PMC10510031 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2023.13084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGFB) plays a crucial role in glucolipid metabolism and is highly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The role of VEGFB in the insulin secretion of β cells remains unverified. Thus, the present study aimed to discuss the effect of VEGFB on regulating insulin secretion in T2DM development, and its underlying mechanism. A high‑fat diet and streptozocin (STZ) were used for inducing T2DM in mice model, and VEGFB gene in islet cells of T2DM mice was knocked out by CRISPR Cas9 and overexpressed by adeno‑Associated Virus (AAV) injection. The effect of VEGFB and its underlying mechanism was assessed by light microscopy, electron microscopy and fluorescence confocal microscopy, enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay, mass spectrometer and western blot analysis. The decrement of insulin secretion in islet β cell of T2DM mice were aggravated and blood glucose remained at a high level after VEGFB knockout (KO). However, glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity of T2DM mice were improved after the AAV‑VEGFB186 injection. VEGFB KO or overexpression can inhibit or activate PLCγ/IP3R in a VEGFR1‑dependent manner. Then, the change of PLCγ/IP3R caused by VEGFB/VEGFR1 will alter the expression of key factors on the Ca2+/CaMK2 signaling pathway such as PPP3CA. Moreover, VEGFB can cause altered insulin secretion by changing the calcium concentration in β cells of T2DM mice. These findings indicated that VEGFB activated the Ca2+/CaMK2 pathway via VEGFR1‑PLCγ and IP3R pathway to regulate insulin secretion, which provides new insight into the regulatory mechanism of abnormal insulin secretion in T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
| | - Rongrong Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
| | - Xu Luo
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
- Department of Laboratory, Guiyang Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang, Guizhou 550000, P.R. China
| | - Fang Xu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
| | - Meizi Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
| | - Lanhui Zheng
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
| | - Qihao Wu
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
| | - Wenguo Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
| | - Yana Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
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8
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Abdel Rahman DE, Fouad MA, Mohammed ER, El-Zoheiry HH, Abdelrasheed Allam H. Novel VEGFR-2 inhibitors as antiangiogenic and apoptotic agents via paracrine and autocrine cascades: Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation. Bioorg Chem 2023; 139:106678. [PMID: 37354661 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106678] [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: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Appertaining to its paracrine and autocrine signaling loops, VEGFR-2 succeeded in grabbing attention as one of the leading targets in cancer treatment. Based on the foregoing and our comprehensive studies regarding pharmacophoric features and activity of sorafenib, novel phenylpyridazinone based VEGFR-2 inhibitors 4, 6a-e, 7a,b, 9a,b, 12a-c, 13a,b, 14a,b, 15a,b, and 17a-d were optimized. An assortment of biological assays was conducted to assess the antiangiogenic and apoptotic activities of the synthesized derivatives. In vitro VEGFR-2 kinase assay verified the inhibitory activity of the synthesized derivatives with IC50 values from 49.1 to 418.0 nM relative to the reference drug sorafenib (IC50 = 81.8 nM). Antiproliferative activity against HUVECs revealed that compounds 2-{2-[2-(6-oxo-3-phenylpyridazin-1(6H)-yl)acetyl]hydrazineyl}-N-(p-tolyl)acetamide (12c) and 2-[(5-mercapto-4-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)methyl]-6-phenylpyridazin-3(2H)-one (13a) possessed superior activity (IC50 values = 11.5 and 12.3 nM, respectively) in comparison to sorafenib (IC50 = 23.2 nM). For the purpose of appraising their antiproliferative effect, derivatives 12c and 13a were exposed to cell cycle analysis, apoptotic, cell invasion and migration assays in addition to determination of VEGFR-2 in protein level. Moreover, cytotoxicity as well as selectivity index against WI-38 cell line was measured to examine safety of derivatives 12c and 13a. After that, molecular docking study was executed on the top five compounds in the in vitro VEGFR-2 kinase assay 6d, 12c, 13a, 14a and 17c to get a deep perception on binding mode of the synthesized compounds and correlate the design strategy with biological results. Finally, physicochemical, pharmacokinetic properties, and drug-likeness studies were performed on the top five derivative in in vitro VEGFR-2 kinase assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doaa E Abdel Rahman
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini St., Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Marwa A Fouad
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini St., Cairo 11562, Egypt; Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, School of Pharmacy, New Giza University, Newgiza, km 22 Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Eman R Mohammed
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini St., Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Haidy H El-Zoheiry
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini St., Cairo 11562, Egypt.
| | - Heba Abdelrasheed Allam
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini St., Cairo 11562, Egypt
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Yoshida YG, Yan S, Xu H, Yang J. Novel Metal Nanomaterials to Promote Angiogenesis in Tissue Regeneration. ENGINEERED REGENERATION 2023; 4:265-276. [PMID: 37234753 PMCID: PMC10207714 DOI: 10.1016/j.engreg.2023.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis-the formation of new blood vessels from existing blood vessels-has drawn significant attention in medical research. New techniques have been developed to control proangiogenic factors to obtain desired effects. Two important research areas are 1) understanding cellular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in angiogenesis and 2) discovering new biomaterials and nanomaterials with proangiogenic effects. This paper reviews recent developments in controlling angiogenesis in the context of regenerative medicine and wound healing. We focus on novel proangiogenic materials that will advance the field of regenerative medicine. Specifically, we mainly focus on metal nanomaterials. We also discuss novel technologies developed to carry these proangiogenic inorganic molecules efficiently to target sites. We offer a comprehensive overview by combining existing knowledge regarding metal nanomaterials with novel developments that are still being refined to identify new nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki G. Yoshida
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Su Yan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Hui Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Jian Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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Barbara Di Stefano A, Toia F, Urrata V, Trapani M, Montesano L, Cammarata E, Moschella F, Cordova A. Spheroids of adipose derived stem cells show their potential in differentiating towards the angiogenic lineage. Gene 2023:147578. [PMID: 37336277 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Adipose derived stem cells (ASCs) are a mesenchymal stem cell population of great scientific interest due to their abundance and easiness in obtaining them from adipose tissue. Recently, several techniques for three dimensional (3D) ASCs cultivation have been developed to obtain spheroids of adipose stem cells (SASCs). It was already proved that ASCs are able to differentiate towards the endothelial lineage thus, for the first time, we investigated the ability of our 3D SASCs to differentiate endothelially and the effects of not differentiated SASC secreted factors on specific cultured cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS SASCs were differentiated with a specific medium towards endothelial lineage. Cell viability, gene and protein expression of typical endothelial markers were analysed. Moreover, tube formation, wound healing and migration assays were performed to investigate the ability in migration and angiogenic networks formation of endothelially differentiated cells. SASCs secretome were also tested. RESULTS We showed the ability of SASCs to differentiate towards the endothelial lineage with an increase in cell viability of 15-fold and 8-fold at 14 and 21 days of differentiation respectively. Moreover, we showed the upregulation of VEGF-A and CD31 mRNAs of 9-fold and 1300-fold in SASCs endothelially differentiated cells, whilst protein expression was different. VEGF-A protein expression was upregulated whilst CD31 protein wasn't translated. In addition, ICAM1, VCAM1, ANGPT1, CD62E protein levels remain unchanged. SASCs were also able to organize themselves into angiogenic networks after 7 days of culturing themon ECMatrix. Secreted factors from undifferentiated 3D SASCs acted in a paracrine way on HUVECs and endothelially differentiated ASCs seeded on ECMatrix to promote angiogenic events. CONCLUSIONS SASCs, thanks to their multilineage differentiation potential, also possess the ability to differentiate towards endothelial lineage and to organize themselves into angiogenic networks. Moreover, they are able to promote angiogenesis through their secreted factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Barbara Di Stefano
- BIOPLAST-Laboratory of BIOlogy and Regenerative Medicine-PLASTic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Section, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Francesca Toia
- BIOPLAST-Laboratory of BIOlogy and Regenerative Medicine-PLASTic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Section, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; Plastic and Reconstructive Unit, Department of D.A.I. Chirurgico, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico "Paolo Giaccone", 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valentina Urrata
- BIOPLAST-Laboratory of BIOlogy and Regenerative Medicine-PLASTic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Section, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Marco Trapani
- BIOPLAST-Laboratory of BIOlogy and Regenerative Medicine-PLASTic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Section, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Luigi Montesano
- Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; Plastic and Reconstructive Unit, Department of D.A.I. Chirurgico, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico "Paolo Giaccone", 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Emanuele Cammarata
- Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; Plastic and Reconstructive Unit, Department of D.A.I. Chirurgico, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico "Paolo Giaccone", 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Moschella
- BIOPLAST-Laboratory of BIOlogy and Regenerative Medicine-PLASTic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Section, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Adriana Cordova
- BIOPLAST-Laboratory of BIOlogy and Regenerative Medicine-PLASTic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Section, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; Plastic and Reconstructive Unit, Department of D.A.I. Chirurgico, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico "Paolo Giaccone", 90127, Palermo, Italy
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11
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The VEGF/VEGFR Axis Revisited: Implications for Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415585. [PMID: 36555234 PMCID: PMC9779738 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) axis is indispensable in the process of angiogenesis and has been implicated as a key driver of tumor vascularization. Consequently, several strategies that target VEGF and its cognate receptors, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, have been designed to treat cancer. While therapies targeting full-length VEGF have resulted in an improvement in both overall survival and progression-free survival in various cancers, these benefits have been modest. In addition, the inhibition of VEGFRs is associated with undesirable off-target effects. Moreover, VEGF splice variants that modulate sprouting and non-sprouting angiogenesis have been identified in recent years. Cues within the tumor microenvironment determine the expression patterns of these variants. Noteworthy is that the mechanisms of action of these variants challenge the established norm of VEGF signaling. Furthermore, the aberrant expression of some of these variants has been observed in several cancers. Herein, developments in the understanding of the VEGF/VEGFR axis and the splice products of these molecules, as well as the environmental cues that regulate these variants are reviewed. Furthermore, strategies that incorporate the targeting of VEGF variants to enhance the effectiveness of antiangiogenic therapies in the clinical setting are discussed.
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Paracrine and Autocrine Effects of VEGF Are Enhanced in Human eMSC Spheroids. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214324. [PMID: 36430800 PMCID: PMC9695450 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214324] [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: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying the therapeutic potential of MSCs are the focus of intense research. We studied human MSCs isolated from desquamated endometrium (eMSCs), which, as previously shown, have high regenerative potential in various disease models. The aim was to evaluate the role of secreted VEGF in stimulating angiogenesis and maintaining eMSC viability and migration, which is important for improving the therapeutic properties of MSCs. We compared three eMSC cultures differing in the level of VEGF secretion: 3D spheroids, monolayer eMSCs, and monolayer eMSCs with VEGF knockdown. Spheroid eMSCs produced higher amounts of VEGF and had the strongest paracrine effect on HUVEC. eMSCs with VEGF knockdown did not stimulate angiogenesis. Monolayered eMSCs expressed VEGFR1, while spheroid eMSCs expressed both VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 receptors. The knockdown of VEGF caused a significant decrease in the viability and migration of eMSCs. eMSCs from 3D spheroids enhanced proliferation and migration in response to exogenous VEGF, in contrast to monolayered eMSCs. Our results suggest that the VEGF-VEGFR1 loop appears to be autocrine-involved in maintaining the viability of eMSCs, and VEGFR2 expression enhances their response to exogenous VEGF, so the angiogenic potential of eMSC can be up- or downregulated by intrinsic VEGF signals.
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Venkatakrishnan G, Parvathi VD. Decoding the mechanism of vascular morphogenesis to explore future prospects in targeted tumor therapy. MEDICAL ONCOLOGY (NORTHWOOD, LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 39:178. [PMID: 36036322 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01810-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The growth and formation of blood vessels is an undeniably fundamental biological process crucial to controlling overall development of an organism. This phenomenon consists of two separate processes, commencing with vasculogenesis, which refers to the process of blood vessel formation strictly in embryonic stages, via de novo endothelial cell synthesis. Angiogenesis continues the formation of the vascular network via sprouting and splitting. Tumor growth is dependent on the growth and supply of blood vessels around the tumor mass. Extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules can promote angiogenesis by establishing a vascular network and sequestering pro-angiogenic growth factors. Although the methods by which tumor-associated fibroblasts (which differ in phenotype from normal fibroblasts) influence angiogenesis are unknown, they are thought to be a major source of growth factors and cytokines that attract endothelial cells. Chemokines and growth factors (sourced from macrophages and neutrophils) are also regulators of angiogenesis. When considered as a whole, the tumor microenvironment is a heterogenous and dynamic mass of tissue, composed of a plethora of cell types and an ECM that can fundamentally control the pathological angiogenic switch. Angiogenesis is involved in numerous diseases, and understanding the various mechanisms surrounding this phenomenon is key to finding cures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayathri Venkatakrishnan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600116, India
| | - Venkatachalam Deepa Parvathi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600116, India.
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Saikia Q, Reeve H, Alzahrani A, Critchley WR, Zeqiraj E, Divan A, Harrison MA, Ponnambalam S. VEGFR endocytosis: Implications for angiogenesis. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2022; 194:109-139. [PMID: 36631189 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2022.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The binding of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) superfamily to VEGF receptor tyrosine kinases (VEGFRs) and co-receptors regulates vasculogenesis, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. A recurring theme is that dysfunction in VEGF signaling promotes pathological angiogenesis, an important feature of cancer and pro-inflammatory disease states. Endocytosis of basal (resting) or activated VEGFRs facilitates signal attenuation and endothelial quiescence. However, increasing evidence suggest that activated VEGFRs can continue to signal from intracellular compartments such as endosomes. In this chapter, we focus on the evolving link between VEGFR endocytosis, signaling and turnover and the implications for angiogenesis. There is much interest in how such understanding of VEGFR dynamics can be harnessed therapeutically for a wide range of human disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Queen Saikia
- School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Reeve
- School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Areej Alzahrani
- School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - William R Critchley
- School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Elton Zeqiraj
- School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Aysha Divan
- School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Michael A Harrison
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
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Gulati R, Nandi D, Sarkar K, Venkataraman P, Ramkumar KM, Ranjan P, Janardhanan R. Exosomes as Theranostic Targets: Implications for the Clinical Prognosis of Aggressive Cancers. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:890768. [PMID: 35813829 PMCID: PMC9260243 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.890768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Exosomes are extracellular vesicles produced by various cell types and extensively distributed in physiological fluids. Because of their significant role in cancer progression, they have been a focal point for the novel cancer therapy approach. Exosomes are highly efficient at transporting proteins, RNAs, and small drugs into cancer cells for therapeutic purposes. In addition to their prominent role as potential biomarkers for transporting targeted information from their progenitor cells, exosomes have also emerged as a new avenue for developing more effective clinical diagnostics and therapeutic techniques, also known as exosome theranostics. Lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids transported by exosomes were investigated as potential biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and future cancer treatment targets. The unique mechanism of exosomes and their therapeutic as well as diagnostic uses, also known as theranostic applications of exosomes in malignancies, are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richa Gulati
- Department of Medical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, India
| | - Dhruva Nandi
- Department of Medical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, India
| | - Koustav Sarkar
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, India
| | - P. Venkataraman
- Department of Medical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, India
| | - K. M. Ramkumar
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, India
| | - Priya Ranjan
- Bhubaneswar Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India
| | - Rajiv Janardhanan
- Department of Medical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, India
- *Correspondence: Rajiv Janardhanan,
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16
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Immunosuppressive Signaling Pathways as Targeted Cancer Therapies. Biomedicines 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030682
expr 829797163 + 949875436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune response has been shown to play an important role in defining patient prognosis and response to cancer treatment. Tumor-induced immunosuppression encouraged the recent development of new chemotherapeutic agents that assists in the augmentation of immune responses. Molecular mechanisms that tumors use to evade immunosurveillance are attributed to their ability to alter antigen processing/presentation pathways and the tumor microenvironment. Cancer cells take advantage of normal molecular and immunoregulatory machinery to survive and thrive. Cancer cells constantly adjust their genetic makeup using several mechanisms such as nucleotide excision repair as well as microsatellite and chromosomal instability, thus giving rise to new variants with reduced immunogenicity and the ability to continue to grow without restrictions. This review will focus on the central molecular signaling pathways involved in immunosuppressive cells and briefly discuss how cancer cells evade immunosurveillance by manipulating antigen processing cells and related proteins. Secondly, the review will discuss how these pathways can be utilized for the implementation of precision medicine and deciphering drug resistance.
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Immunosuppressive Signaling Pathways as Targeted Cancer Therapies. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10030682. [PMID: 35327484 PMCID: PMC8945019 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune response has been shown to play an important role in defining patient prognosis and response to cancer treatment. Tumor-induced immunosuppression encouraged the recent development of new chemotherapeutic agents that assists in the augmentation of immune responses. Molecular mechanisms that tumors use to evade immunosurveillance are attributed to their ability to alter antigen processing/presentation pathways and the tumor microenvironment. Cancer cells take advantage of normal molecular and immunoregulatory machinery to survive and thrive. Cancer cells constantly adjust their genetic makeup using several mechanisms such as nucleotide excision repair as well as microsatellite and chromosomal instability, thus giving rise to new variants with reduced immunogenicity and the ability to continue to grow without restrictions. This review will focus on the central molecular signaling pathways involved in immunosuppressive cells and briefly discuss how cancer cells evade immunosurveillance by manipulating antigen processing cells and related proteins. Secondly, the review will discuss how these pathways can be utilized for the implementation of precision medicine and deciphering drug resistance.
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Maciejewska N, Olszewski M, Jurasz J, Serocki M, Dzierzynska M, Cekala K, Wieczerzak E, Baginski M. Novel chalcone-derived pyrazoles as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3703. [PMID: 35260633 PMCID: PMC8904451 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07691-6] [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: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is considered to account for approximately one-fifth of all malignant tumor-related deaths worldwide and is therefore one of the most lethal malignancies. Pyrazole scaffold possesses a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities, which play important roles in medicinal chemistry. The present study reports the synthesis and in vitro biological characterization of nine pyrazoles derived from chalcones as potential anticancer agents for non-small cell lung cancer A-549, H226, and H460 cell lines. Most of the compounds efficiently inhibited the growth of all the tested cancer cell lines at micromolar concentrations. One of the most active compounds (PCH-1) was further evaluated for its effect on cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, migration, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and oxidative stress. Furthermore, studies on the mechanism of action revealed that PCH-1 disrupts microtubule assembly, leading to cancer cell death. Molecular modeling studies confirmed the potent interaction of PCH-1 with the vinblastine binding site on tubulin. Overall, this study provides novel opportunities to identify anticancer agents in the pyrazole series.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Maciejewska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Mateusz Olszewski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Jakub Jurasz
- Faculty of Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Marcin Serocki
- Ryvu Therapeutics, Leona Henryka Sternbacha 2, 30-394, Kraków, Poland
| | - Maria Dzierzynska
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Cekala
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Ewa Wieczerzak
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Maciej Baginski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
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Chen J, Liu J, Xu B, Cao Y, Liang X, Wu F, Shen X, Ma X, Liu J. Ethoxy-erianin phosphate and afatinib synergistically inhibit liver tumor growth and angiogenesis via regulating VEGF and EGFR signaling pathways. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2022; 438:115911. [PMID: 35143806 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2022.115911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The therapeutic efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) on solid tumors is limited by drug resistance and side effects. Currently, the combination therapy comprises of TKIs and angiogenesis inhibitors have been corroborated as an effective approach in cancer therapy. Ethoxy-erianin phosphate (EBTP) is an anti-angiogenic compound with low toxicity obtained by structural modification of the natural product erianin. Here, we aimed to evaluate whether EBTP can cooperate with TKIs to inhibit the proliferation and angiogenesis of tumor cells and reduce toxic effects. First, CCK-8 results showed that EBTP can effectively inhibit the proliferation of liver cancer cell line HepG2. We combined EBTP with four TKIs (Bosutinib, Apatinib, Afatinib and Erlotinib) to treat HepG2 cells and CompuSyn software analysis suggested that EBTP/Afatinib(Afa)shows the best synergistic inhibitory effect. Meanwhile, EBTP/Afa can significantly suppress the proliferation, invasion, migration and angiogenesis of HepG2 and HUVECs. ELISA results revealed that EBTP/Afa inhibits the secretion of VEGF in HepG2. EBTP/Afa down-regulates the expression of VEGF, p-VEGFR1, p-VEGFR2 and p-EGFR in both HepG2 and HUVECs. Further, the supernatant of HepG2 cells treated with EBTP/Afa blocks the intracellular downstream signal transduction shared by VEGF and EGFR in HUVECs. Finally, EBTP/Afa significantly inhibits tumor growth and angiogenesis in vivo. To conclude, EBTP/Afa targets VEGF and EGFR signaling pathways in liver cancer cells and tumor vasculature, thereby inhibiting the proliferation, motion and angiogenesis of liver cancer cells. Overall, this study provides a new combined strategy for the clinical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiajun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Baixue Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiou Cao
- Department of Surgery, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, China; Key Laboratory of Whole-period Monitoring and Precise Intervention of Digestive Cancer (SMHC), Minhang Hospital & AHS, Fudan University, China
| | - Xin Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Fanhong Wu
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Green Fluoropharmaceutical Technology, Shanghai 201418, China
| | - Xiaodong Shen
- Department of Surgery, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, China; Key Laboratory of Whole-period Monitoring and Precise Intervention of Digestive Cancer (SMHC), Minhang Hospital & AHS, Fudan University, China.
| | - Xiaoying Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jianwen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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Wach J, Güresir Á, Borger V, Schuss P, Becker A, Coch C, Schmitz MT, Hölzel M, Toma M, Herrlinger U, Vatter H, Güresir E. Elevated baseline C-reactive protein levels predict poor progression-free survival in sporadic vestibular schwannoma. J Neurooncol 2021; 156:365-375. [PMID: 34882287 PMCID: PMC8816751 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-021-03918-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Background Recent investigations showed emerging evidence of the role of inflammation in the growth of sporadic vestibular schwannoma (VS). The present retrospective study investigated the impact of systemic inflammation on tumor progression using serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in a series of 87 surgically treated sporadic VS patients. Methods The optimal cut-off value for CRP was defined as 3.14 mg/dl according to the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC: 0.70, 95% CI 0.47–0.92). Patient cohort was dichotomized into normal (n = 66; < 3.14 mg/dl) and high baseline (n = 21; ≥ 3.14 mg/dl) CRP groups. Results No significant differences in age, sex, comorbidities influencing the systemic inflammatory state, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), tumor size, extent of resection, or MIB-1 index were identified between the two groups defined by the baseline CRP levels. Univariable analysis demonstrated that a high CRP level (≥ 3.14 mg/dl) is significantly associated with a shortened progression-free survival (PFS) (hazard ratio (HR): 6.05, 95% CI 1.15–31.95, p = 0.03). Multivariable Cox regression analysis considering age, extent of resection, KPS, tumor size, and baseline CRP confirmed that an elevated CRP level (≥ 3.14 mg/dl) is an independent predictor of shortened PFS (HR: 7.20, 95% CI 1.08–48.14, p = 0.04). Conclusions The baseline CRP level thus serves as an independent predictor of PFS. Further investigations of the role of inflammation and tumor inflammatory microenvironment in the prediction of prognosis in sporadic VS are needed. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11060-021-03918-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Wach
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Ági Güresir
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany
| | - Valeri Borger
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany
| | - Patrick Schuss
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany
| | - Albert Becker
- Department of Neuropathology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christoph Coch
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marie-Therese Schmitz
- Department of Medical Biometry, Informatics and Epidemiology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Hölzel
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marieta Toma
- Institute of Pathology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ulrich Herrlinger
- Division of Clinical Neurooncology, Department of Neurology and Centre of Integrated Oncology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, Bonn, Germany
| | - Hartmut Vatter
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany
| | - Erdem Güresir
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, Venusberg-Campus 1, Bonn, Germany
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Song M, Finley SD. Mechanistic characterization of endothelial sprouting mediated by pro-angiogenic signaling. Microcirculation 2021; 29:e12744. [PMID: 34890488 PMCID: PMC9285777 DOI: 10.1111/micc.12744] [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: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Objective We aim to quantitatively characterize the crosstalk between VEGF‐ and FGF‐mediated angiogenic signaling and endothelial sprouting, to gain mechanistic insights and identify novel therapeutic strategies. Methods We constructed an experimentally validated hybrid agent‐based mathematical model that characterizes endothelial sprouting driven by FGF‐ and VEGF‐mediated signaling. We predicted the total sprout length, number of sprouts, and average length by the mono‐ and co‐stimulation of FGF and VEGF. Results The experimentally fitted and validated model predicts that FGF induces stronger angiogenic responses in the long‐term compared with VEGF stimulation. Also, FGF plays a dominant role in the combination effects in endothelial sprouting. Moreover, the model suggests that ERK and Akt pathways and cellular responses contribute differently to the sprouting process. Last, the model predicts that the strategies to modulate endothelial sprouting are context‐dependent, and our model can identify potential effective pro‐ and anti‐angiogenic targets under different conditions and study their efficacy. Conclusions The model provides detailed mechanistic insight into VEGF and FGF interactions in sprouting angiogenesis. More broadly, this model can be utilized to identify targets that influence angiogenic signaling leading to endothelial sprouting and to study the effects of pro‐ and anti‐angiogenic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Song
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Stacey D Finley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Pathological Role of Phosphoglycerate Kinase 1 in Balloon Angioplasty-Induced Neointima Formation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168822. [PMID: 34445528 PMCID: PMC8396187 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168822] [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: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Restenosis is a common vascular complication after balloon angioplasty. Catheter balloon inflation-induced transient ischemia (hypoxia) of local arterial tissues plays a pathological role in neointima formation. Phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1), an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-generating glycolytic enzyme, has been reported to associate with cell survival and can be triggered under hypoxia. The purposes of this study were to investigate the possible role and regulation of PGK1 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and balloon-injured arteries under hypoxia. Neointimal hyperplasia was induced by a rat carotid artery injury model. The cellular functions and regulatory mechanisms of PGK1 in VSMCs were investigated using small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), chemical inhibitors, or anaerobic cultivation. Our data indicated that protein expression of PGK1 can be rapidly induced at a very early stage after balloon angioplasty, and the silencing PGK1-induced low cellular energy circumstance resulted in the suppressions of VSMC proliferation and migration. Moreover, the experimental results demonstrated that blockage of PDGF receptor-β (PDGFRB) or its downstream pathway, the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) axis, effectively reduced hypoxia-induced factor-1 (HIF-1α) and PGK1 expressions in VSMCs. In vivo study evidenced that PGK1 knockdown significantly reduced neointima hyperplasia. PGK1 was expressed at the early stage of neointimal formation, and suppressing PGK1 has a potential beneficial effect for preventing restenosis.
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Barzaman K, Samadi M, Moradi-Kalbolandi S, Majidzadeh-A K, Salehi M, Jalili N, Jazayeri MH, Khorammi S, Darvishi B, Siavashi V, Shekarabi M, Farahmand L. Development of a recombinant anti-VEGFR2-EPCAM bispecific antibody to improve antiangiogenic efficiency. Exp Cell Res 2021; 405:112685. [PMID: 34090863 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Tumor progression and metastasis, especially in invasive cancers (such as triple-negative breast cancer [TNBC]), depend on angiogenesis, in which vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF)/vascular epithelial growth factor receptor [1] has a decisive role, followed by the metastatic spread of cancer cells. Although some studies have shown that anti-VEGFR2/VEGF monoclonal antibodies demonstrated favorable results in the clinic, this approach is not efficient, and further investigations are needed to improve the quality of cancer treatment. Besides, the increased expression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) in various cancers, for instance, invasive breast cancer, contributes to angiogenesis, facilitating the migration of tumor cells to other parts of the body. Thus, the main goal of our study was to target either VEGFR2 or EpCAM as pivotal players in the progression of angiogenesis in breast cancer. Regarding cancer therapy, the production of bispecific antibodies is easier and more cost-effective compared to monoclonal antibodies, targeting more than one antigen or receptor; for this reason, we produced a recombinant antibody to target cells expressing EpCAM and VEGFR2 via a bispecific antibody to decrease the proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells. Following the cloning and expression of our desired anti-VEGFR2/EPCAM sequence in E. coli, the accuracy of the expression was confirmed by Western blot analysis, and its binding activities to VEGFR2 and EPCAM on MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines were respectively indicated by flow cytometry. Then, its anti-proliferative potential was indicated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and apoptosis assay to evaluate inhibitory effects of the antibody on tumor cells. Subsequently, the data indicated that migration, invasion, and angiogenesis were inhibited in breast cancer cell lines via the bispecific antibody. Furthermore, cytokine analysis indicated that the bispecific antibody could moderate interleukin 8 (IL-8) and IL-6 as key mediators in angiogenesis progression in breast cancer. Thus, our bispecific antibody could be considered as a promising candidate tool to decrease angiogenesis in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadijeh Barzaman
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Recombinant Proteins Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mitra Samadi
- Recombinant Proteins Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shima Moradi-Kalbolandi
- Recombinant Proteins Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Keivan Majidzadeh-A
- Recombinant Proteins Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Malihe Salehi
- Recombinant Proteins Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Neda Jalili
- Recombinant Proteins Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mir Hadi Jazayeri
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samaneh Khorammi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behrad Darvishi
- Recombinant Proteins Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Siavashi
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Shekarabi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Leila Farahmand
- Recombinant Proteins Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
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24
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Choi JW, Park JS, Lee CH. Genetically determined hypoalbuminemia as a risk factor for hypertension: instrumental variable analysis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11290. [PMID: 34050200 PMCID: PMC8163734 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89775-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoalbuminemia is associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction and the development of chronic cardiovascular diseases. However, the relationship between serum albumin concentration and blood pressure changes remains controversial. Community-based longitudinal cohort data collected from Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study were used in this study. Hypoalbuminemia was defined as a serum albumin concentration of ≤ 4.0 g/dL. A total of 4325 participants were categorized into control (n = 3157) and hypoalbuminemia (n = 1168) groups. Serum albumin had a non-linear relationship with the risk of hypertension development. A genome-wide association study revealed 71 susceptibility loci associated with hypoalbuminemia. Among susceptibility loci, genetic variations at rs2894536 in LOC107986598 and rs10972486 in ATP8B5P were related to elevated blood pressure. Serum albumin (HR = 0.654, 95% CI 0.521-0.820) and polymorphisms of rs2894536 (HR = 1.176, 95% CI 1.015-1.361) and rs10972486 (HR = 1.152, 95% CI 1.009-1.316) were significant predictors of hypertension development. Increased albumin concentration instrumented by 2 hypoalbuminemia-associated SNPs (rs2894536 and rs10972486) was associated with decreased HRs for hypertension development (HR = 0.762, 95% CI 0.659-0.882 and HR = 0.759, 95% CI 0.656-0.878). Our study demonstrated that genetically determined hypoalbuminemia is a significant predictor of incipient hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong Wook Choi
- Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Chungju, South Korea
| | - Joon-Sung Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, South Korea.
| | - Chang Hwa Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, South Korea.
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25
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Lewis D, Donofrio CA, O'Leary C, Li KL, Zhu X, Williams R, Djoukhadar I, Agushi E, Hannan CJ, Stapleton E, Lloyd SK, Freeman SR, Wadeson A, Rutherford SA, Hammerbeck-Ward C, Evans DG, Jackson A, Pathmanaban ON, Roncaroli F, King AT, Coope DJ. The microenvironment in sporadic and neurofibromatosis type II-related vestibular schwannoma: the same tumor or different? A comparative imaging and neuropathology study. J Neurosurg 2021; 134:1419-1429. [PMID: 32470937 DOI: 10.3171/2020.3.jns193230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Inflammation and angiogenesis may play a role in the growth of sporadic and neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2)-related vestibular schwannoma (VS). The similarities in microvascular and inflammatory microenvironment have not been investigated. The authors sought to compare the tumor microenvironment (TME) in sporadic and NF2-related VSs using a combined imaging and tissue analysis approach. METHODS Diffusion MRI and high-temporal-resolution dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI data sets were prospectively acquired in 20 NF2-related and 24 size-matched sporadic VSs. Diffusion metrics (mean diffusivity, fractional anisotropy) and DCE-MRI-derived microvascular biomarkers (transfer constant [Ktrans], fractional plasma volume, tissue extravascular-extracellular space [ve], longitudinal relaxation rate, tumoral blood flow) were compared across both VS groups, and regression analysis was used to evaluate the effect of tumor size, pretreatment tumor growth rate, and tumor NF2 status (sporadic vs NF2-related) on each imaging parameter. Tissues from 17 imaged sporadic VSs and a separate cohort of 12 NF2-related VSs were examined with immunohistochemistry markers for vessels (CD31), vessel permeability (fibrinogen), and macrophage density (Iba1). The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor 1 was evaluated using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and double immunofluorescence. RESULTS Imaging data demonstrated that DCE-MRI-derived microvascular characteristics were similar in sporadic and NF2-related VSs. Ktrans (p < 0.001), ve (p ≤ 0.004), and tumoral free water content (p ≤ 0.003) increased with increasing tumor size and pretreatment tumor growth rate. Regression analysis demonstrated that with the exception of mean diffusivity (p < 0.001), NF2 status had no statistically significant effect on any of the imaging parameters or the observed relationship between the imaging parameters and tumor size (p > 0.05). Tissue analysis confirmed the imaging metrics among resected sporadic VSs and demonstrated that across all VSs studied, there was a close association between vascularity and Iba1+ macrophage density (r = 0.55, p = 0.002). VEGF was expressed by Iba1+ macrophages. CONCLUSIONS The authors present the first in vivo comparative study of microvascular and inflammatory characteristics in sporadic and NF2-related VSs. The imaging and tissue analysis results indicate that inflammation is a key contributor to TME and should be viewed as a therapeutic target in both VS groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Lewis
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre
- 2Division of Informatics, Imaging and Data Sciences, Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre (WMIC), University of Manchester
| | - Carmine A Donofrio
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre
| | - Claire O'Leary
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre
- 3Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester
| | - Ka-Loh Li
- 2Division of Informatics, Imaging and Data Sciences, Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre (WMIC), University of Manchester
| | - Xiaoping Zhu
- 2Division of Informatics, Imaging and Data Sciences, Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre (WMIC), University of Manchester
| | - Ricky Williams
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre
| | - Ibrahim Djoukhadar
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre
| | - Erjon Agushi
- 2Division of Informatics, Imaging and Data Sciences, Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre (WMIC), University of Manchester
| | - Cathal J Hannan
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre
| | - Emma Stapleton
- 4Department of Otolaryngology, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre
| | - Simon K Lloyd
- 4Department of Otolaryngology, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre
| | - Simon R Freeman
- 4Department of Otolaryngology, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre
| | - Andrea Wadeson
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre
| | - Scott A Rutherford
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre
| | - Charlotte Hammerbeck-Ward
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre
| | - D Gareth Evans
- 5Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester
| | - Alan Jackson
- 2Division of Informatics, Imaging and Data Sciences, Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre (WMIC), University of Manchester
| | - Omar N Pathmanaban
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre
- 6Division of Cell Matrix Biology & Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester; and
| | - Federico Roncaroli
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre
- 3Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester
| | - Andrew T King
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre
- 7Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - David J Coope
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre
- 3Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester
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26
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Jafari A, Babajani A, Abdollahpour-Alitappeh M, Ahmadi N, Rezaei-Tavirani M. Exosomes and cancer: from molecular mechanisms to clinical applications. Med Oncol 2021; 38:45. [PMID: 33743101 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-021-01491-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Exosomes are extracellular nanovesicles secreted from almost all types of normal and cancer cells. Collective evidence suggests that exosomes participate in cell-cell communication via transmitting their cargo, including nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites to recipient cells. Tumor-derived exosomes (TEXs) play prominent roles in the regulation of molecular pathways in malignancies. Internalization of exosomes by tumor cells affects cellular pathways and several cancer hallmarks, including reprogramming of stromal cells, modulating immune responses, reconstructing extracellular matrix architecture, or even endowing tumor cells with drug features resistance. The unique biogenesis pathways of exosomes, their composition, low immunogenicity, and nontoxicity, together with their ability to target tumor cells, bring them up as an attractive vesicles for cancer therapy. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanisms of exosomes' participation in tumorigenesis will be critical for the next generation of cancer therapeutics. This review aims to summarize the exosomes' roles in different mechanisms underlying cancer progression for the rational design of tailored strategies against this illness. The present study also highlights the new findings on using these smart vesicles as therapeutic targets and potential biomarkers. Recent advances in exosome biology will open up new, more effective, less invasive, and more individualized clinical applications for treating cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ameneh Jafari
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Proteomics Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhesam Babajani
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Nayebali Ahmadi
- Proteomics Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Proteomics Research Center, Department of Medical Lab Technology, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mostafa Rezaei-Tavirani
- Proteomics Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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27
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Dharshini SAP, Jemimah S, Taguchi YH, Gromiha MM. Exploring Common Therapeutic Targets for Neurodegenerative Disorders Using Transcriptome Study. Front Genet 2021; 12:639160. [PMID: 33815473 PMCID: PMC8017312 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.639160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are well-known neuronal degenerative disorders that share common pathological events. Approved medications alleviate symptoms but do not address the root cause of the disease. Energy dysfunction in the neuronal population leads to various pathological events and ultimately results in neuronal death. Identifying common therapeutic targets for these disorders may help in the drug discovery process. The Brodmann area 9 (BA9) region is affected in both the disease conditions and plays an essential role in cognitive, motor, and memory-related functions. Analyzing transcriptome data of BA9 provides deep insights related to common pathological pathways involved in AD and PD. In this work, we map the preprocessed BA9 fastq files generated by RNA-seq for disease and control samples with reference hg38 genomic assembly and identify common variants and differentially expressed genes (DEG). These variants are predominantly located in the 3' UTR (non-promoter) region, affecting the conserved transcription factor (TF) binding motifs involved in the methylation and acetylation process. We have constructed BA9-specific functional interaction networks, which show the relationship between TFs and DEGs. Based on expression signature analysis, we propose that MAPK1, VEGFR1/FLT1, and FGFR1 are promising drug targets to restore blood-brain barrier functionality by reducing neuroinflammation and may save neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Akila Parvathy Dharshini
- Protein Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Sherlyn Jemimah
- Protein Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Y H Taguchi
- Department of Physics, Chuo University, Hachioji, Japan
| | - M Michael Gromiha
- Protein Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India
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28
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A data-driven computational model enables integrative and mechanistic characterization of dynamic macrophage polarization. iScience 2021; 24:102112. [PMID: 33659877 PMCID: PMC7895754 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are highly plastic immune cells that dynamically integrate microenvironmental signals to shape their own functional phenotypes, a process known as polarization. Here we develop a large-scale mechanistic computational model that for the first time enables a systems-level characterization, from quantitative, temporal, dose-dependent, and single-cell perspectives, of macrophage polarization driven by a complex multi-pathway signaling network. The model was extensively calibrated and validated against literature and focused on in-house experimental data. Using the model, we generated dynamic phenotype maps in response to numerous combinations of polarizing signals; we also probed into an in silico population of model-based macrophages to examine the impact of polarization continuum at the single-cell level. Additionally, we analyzed the model under an in vitro condition of peripheral arterial disease to evaluate strategies that can potentially induce therapeutic macrophage repolarization. Our model is a key step toward the future development of a network-centric, comprehensive "virtual macrophage" simulation platform.
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29
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Jansma J, El Aidy S. Understanding the host-microbe interactions using metabolic modeling. MICROBIOME 2021; 9:16. [PMID: 33472685 PMCID: PMC7819158 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-020-00955-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The human gut harbors an enormous number of symbiotic microbes, which is vital for human health. However, interactions within the complex microbiota community and between the microbiota and its host are challenging to elucidate, limiting development in the treatment for a variety of diseases associated with microbiota dysbiosis. Using in silico simulation methods based on flux balance analysis, those interactions can be better investigated. Flux balance analysis uses an annotated genome-scale reconstruction of a metabolic network to determine the distribution of metabolic fluxes that represent the complete metabolism of a bacterium in a certain metabolic environment such as the gut. Simulation of a set of bacterial species in a shared metabolic environment can enable the study of the effect of numerous perturbations, such as dietary changes or addition of a probiotic species in a personalized manner. This review aims to introduce to experimental biologists the possible applications of flux balance analysis in the host-microbiota interaction field and discusses its potential use to improve human health. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Jansma
- Host-Microbe metabolic Interactions, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute (GBB), University of Groningen, Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sahar El Aidy
- Host-Microbe metabolic Interactions, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute (GBB), University of Groningen, Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
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30
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Tran AQ, Shoji MK, Levitt A, Lee WW. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor Expression in Orbital Cavernous Malformations and Lymphatic Malformations. OPHTHALMOLOGY AND VISION CARE 2021; 1:1003. [PMID: 34308441 PMCID: PMC8297820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the presence of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR) in orbital cavernous malformations and lymphatic malformations to further understand the feasibility of anti-VEGF treatment. METHODS This study was a single-center retrospective chart review performed at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of patients who underwent surgical excision of orbital cavernous malformations and lymphangiomas from 2000 - 2017. Immunohistochemical staining of these lesions for VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 expression was performed. RESULTS A total of 25 patients were identified with cavernous malformations (n=15) and lymphatic malformations (n=10). Ten specimens (7 cavernous malformations, 3 lymphatic malformations) underwent further immunohistochemical analysis. Six of 7 cavernous malformations and one of 3 lymphatic malformations stained positive for VEGFR1 and VEGFR2. CONCLUSIONS Both cavernous malformations and lymphatic malformations appear to express VEGFR with varying frequency. Additional studies are needed to better characterize the pathogenesis of these lesions, nature of VEGFR expression, and potential efficacy of anti-VEGF treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Q. Tran
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL,Department of Ophthalmology, Manhattan Eye and Ear Throat Hospital, Northwell Health, New York, NY,Corresponding author: Ann Q. Tran, Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - Marissa K. Shoji
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - Alexandra Levitt
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - Wendy W. Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL
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31
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Kumar S, Patnaik S, Dixit A. Predictive models for stage and risk classification in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). PeerJ 2020; 8:e9656. [PMID: 33024622 PMCID: PMC7518185 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Machine learning techniques are increasingly used in the analysis of high throughput genome sequencing data to better understand the disease process and design of therapeutic modalities. In the current study, we have applied state of the art machine learning (ML) algorithms (Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine Radial Kernel (svmR), Adaptive Boost (AdaBoost), averaged Neural Network (avNNet), and Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM)) to stratify the HNSCC patients in early and late clinical stages (TNM) and to predict the risk using miRNAs expression profiles. A six miRNA signature was identified that can stratify patients in the early and late stages. The mean accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) was found to be 0.84, 0.87, 0.78, and 0.82, respectively indicating the robust performance of the generated model. The prognostic signature of eight miRNAs was identified using LASSO (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) penalized regression. These miRNAs were found to be significantly associated with overall survival of the patients. The pathway and functional enrichment analysis of the identified biomarkers revealed their involvement in important cancer pathways such as GP6 signalling, Wnt signalling, p53 signalling, granulocyte adhesion, and dipedesis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such study and we hope that these signature miRNAs will be useful for the risk stratification of patients and the design of therapeutic modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sugandh Kumar
- Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Institute of Life Science, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.,School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Srinivas Patnaik
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Anshuman Dixit
- Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Institute of Life Science, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
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32
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Mamer SB, Wittenkeller A, Imoukhuede PI. VEGF-A splice variants bind VEGFRs with differential affinities. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14413. [PMID: 32879419 PMCID: PMC7468149 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71484-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and its binding to VEGFRs is an important angiogenesis regulator, especially the earliest-known isoform, VEGF-A165a. Yet several additional splice variants play prominent roles in regulating angiogenesis in health and in vascular disease, including VEGF-A121 and an anti-angiogenic variant, VEGF-A165b. Few studies have attempted to distinguish these forms from their angiogenic counterparts, experimentally. Previous studies of VEGF-A:VEGFR binding have measured binding kinetics for VEGFA165 and VEGF-A121, but binding kinetics of the other two pro- and all anti-angiogenic splice variants are not known. We measured the binding kinetics for VEGF-A165, -A165b, and -A121 with VEGFR1 and VEGF-R2 using surface plasmon resonance. We validated our methods by reproducing the known affinities between VEGF-A165a:VEGFR1 and VEGF-A165a:VEGFR2, 1.0 pM and 10 pM respectively, and validated the known affinity VEGF-A121:VEGFR2 as KD = 0.66 nM. We found that VEGF-A121 also binds VEGFR1 with an affinity KD = 3.7 nM. We further demonstrated that the anti-angiogenic variant, VEGF-A165b selectively prefers VEGFR2 binding at an affinity = 0.67 pM while binding VEGFR1 with a weaker affinity-KD = 1.4 nM. These results suggest that the - A165b anti-angiogenic variant would preferentially bind VEGFR2. These discoveries offer a new paradigm for understanding VEGF-A, while further stressing the need to take care in differentiating the splice variants in all future VEGF-A studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer B Mamer
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
| | - Ashley Wittenkeller
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - P I Imoukhuede
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
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33
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Fang Y, Kaszuba T, Imoukhuede PI. Systems Biology Will Direct Vascular-Targeted Therapy for Obesity. Front Physiol 2020; 11:831. [PMID: 32760294 PMCID: PMC7373796 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Healthy adipose tissue expansion and metabolism during weight gain require coordinated angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. These vascular growth processes rely on the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family of ligands and receptors (VEGFRs). Several studies have shown that controlling vascular growth by regulating VEGF:VEGFR signaling can be beneficial for treating obesity; however, dysregulated angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are associated with several chronic tissue inflammation symptoms, including hypoxia, immune cell accumulation, and fibrosis, leading to obesity-related metabolic disorders. An ideal obesity treatment should minimize adipose tissue expansion and the advent of adverse metabolic consequences, which could be achieved by normalizing VEGF:VEGFR signaling. Toward this goal, a systematic investigation of the interdependency of vascular and metabolic systems in obesity and tools to predict personalized treatment ranges are necessary to improve patient outcomes through vascular-targeted therapies. Systems biology can identify the critical VEGF:VEGFR signaling mechanisms that can be targeted to regress adipose tissue expansion and can predict the metabolic consequences of different vascular-targeted approaches. Establishing a predictive, biologically faithful platform requires appropriate computational models and quantitative tissue-specific data. Here, we discuss the involvement of VEGF:VEGFR signaling in angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, adipogenesis, and macrophage specification – key mechanisms that regulate adipose tissue expansion and metabolism. We then provide useful computational approaches for simulating these mechanisms, and detail quantitative techniques for acquiring tissue-specific parameters. Systems biology, through computational models and quantitative data, will enable an accurate representation of obese adipose tissue that can be used to direct the development of vascular-targeted therapies for obesity and associated metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingye Fang
- Imoukhuede Systems Biology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Tomasz Kaszuba
- Imoukhuede Systems Biology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - P I Imoukhuede
- Imoukhuede Systems Biology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
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34
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Mamer SB, Page P, Murphy M, Wang J, Gallerne P, Ansari A, Imoukhuede PI. The Convergence of Cell-Based Surface Plasmon Resonance and Biomaterials: The Future of Quantifying Bio-molecular Interactions-A Review. Ann Biomed Eng 2020; 48:2078-2089. [PMID: 31811474 PMCID: PMC8637426 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-019-02429-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cell biology is driven by complex networks of biomolecular interactions. Characterizing the kinetic and thermodynamic properties of these interactions is crucial to understanding their role in different physiological processes. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based approaches have become a key tool in quantifying biomolecular interactions, however conventional approaches require isolating the interacting components from the cellular system. Cell-based SPR approaches have recently emerged, promising to enable precise measurements of biomolecular interactions within their normal biological context. Two major approaches have been developed, offering their own advantages and limitations. These approaches currently lack a systematic exploration of 'best practices' like those existing for traditional SPR experiments. Toward this end, we describe the two major approaches, and identify the experimental parameters that require exploration, and discuss the experimental considerations constraining the optimization of each. In particular, we discuss the requirements of future biomaterial development needed to advance the cell-based SPR technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer B Mamer
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | | | | | - Jiaojiao Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Pierrick Gallerne
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Ecole Centrale de Lille, Villeneuve d'Ascq, Hauts-De-France, France
| | - Ali Ansari
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - P I Imoukhuede
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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35
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Peña JS, Vazquez M. VEGF Upregulates EGFR Expression to Stimulate Chemotactic Behaviors in the rMC-1 Model of Müller Glia. Brain Sci 2020; 10:E330. [PMID: 32485834 PMCID: PMC7348795 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10060330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Progressive vision loss in adults has become increasingly prevalent worldwide due to retinopathies associated with aging, genetics, and epigenetic factors that damage the retinal microvasculature. Insufficient supply of oxygen and/or nutrients upregulates factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF), which can induce abnormal angiogenesis and damage the structural arrangement of the retinal blood barrier (BRB). Müller glia (MG) regulate the diffusion of essential compounds across the BRB and respond to retinal insults via reactive gliosis, which includes cell hypertrophy, migration, and/or proliferation near areas of elevated VEGF concentration. Increasing concentrations of exogenous VEGF, upregulated by retinal pigmented epithelium cells, and endogenous epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) stimulation in MG, implicated in MG proliferative and migratory behavior, often lead to progressive and permanent vision loss. Our project examined the chemotactic responses of the rMC-1 cell line, a mammalian MG model, toward VEGF and EGF signaling fields in transwell assays, and within respective concentration gradient fields produced in the glia line (gLL) microfluidic system previously described by our group. rMC-1 receptor expression in defined ligand fields was also evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunocytochemical staining. Results illustrate dramatic increases in rMC-1 chemotactic responses towards EGF gradient fields after pre-treatment with VEGF. In addition, qPCR illustrated significant upregulation of EGF-R upon VEGF pre-treatment, which was higher than that induced by its cognate ligand, EGF. These results suggest interplay of molecular pathways between VEGF and EGF-R that have remained understudied in MG but are significant to the development of effective anti-VEGF treatments needed for a variety of retinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maribel Vazquez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA;
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36
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Shirjang S, Mansoori B, Mohammadi A, Shajari N, H G Duijf P, Najafi S, Abedi Gaballu F, Nofouzi K, Baradaran B. miR-330 Regulates Colorectal Cancer Oncogenesis by Targeting BACH1. Adv Pharm Bull 2020; 10:444-451. [PMID: 32665904 PMCID: PMC7335988 DOI: 10.34172/apb.2020.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Based on WHO report, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second cause of death among patients with cancer worldwide. Dysregulation of miRNAs expressions has been demonstrated in different human cancers, especially CRC. Studies have shown that miR-330 could act as both TS-miR and/or oncomiR in different types of cancers. BACH1 is also identified as a transcription factor, which is involved in ontogenesis. In this study, we evaluated the CRC suppression via silencing of BACH1 by small silencer molecule called miR-330. Methods: Firstly, we analyzed the BACH1, miR-330-3p and miR-330-5p expressions according to the colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) and rectal adenocarcinoma (READ) project established from a patient of the colon and rectal cancer patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The targeting of BACH1 via miR-330 in human CRC cells was evaluated by Vejnar bioinformatics methods, and confirmed by qRT-PCR and western blot analysis. Proliferation was performed by MTT assay. The MMP9, CXCR4, and VEGFR proteins were measured by western blotting. Results: The analysis of BACH1, miR-330-3p, and miR-330-5p expressions according to the COAD and READ projects showed that BACH1 was overexpressed, but miR-330-3p and miR330-5p were reduced in CRC tumors compared to normal controls. The miR-330 induction prevented proliferation of CRC cell by targeting BACH1 mRNA, which represses MMP9, C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) proteins expressions. Conclusion: Our results suggested that BACH1 is a potential target for miR-330 in CRC cells. The miR-330 induction inhibits CRC cells proliferation by suppressing BACH1 expression in posttranscriptional level. It was suggested that targeting of BACH1 via miRNA such as miR-330 could be a valid strategy in the field of CRC targeted therapy via modulating the oncogenic signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solmaz Shirjang
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Mansoori
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Ali Mohammadi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Neda Shajari
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Pascal H G Duijf
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Souzan Najafi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Katayoon Nofouzi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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37
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Hu WH, Wang HY, Xia YT, Dai DK, Xiong QP, Dong TTX, Duan R, Chan GKL, Qin QW, Tsim KWK. Kaempferol, a Major Flavonoid in Ginkgo Folium, Potentiates Angiogenic Functions in Cultured Endothelial Cells by Binding to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:526. [PMID: 32410995 PMCID: PMC7198864 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Kaempferol is a major flavonoid in Ginkgo Folium and other edible plants, which is being proposed here to have roles in angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is important in both physiological and pathological development. Here, kaempferol was shown to bind with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), probably in the heparin binding domain of VEGF: this binding potentiated the angiogenic functions of VEGF in various culture models. Kaempferol potentiated the VEGF-induced cell motility in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), as well as the sub-intestinal vessel sprouting in zebrafish embryos and formation of microvascular in rat aortic ring. In cultured HUVECs, application of kaempferol strongly potentiated the VEGF-induced phosphorylations of VEGFR2, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) in time-dependent and concentration-dependent manners, and in parallel the VEGF-mediated expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP-2 and MMP-9, were significantly enhanced. In addition, the potentiation effect of kaempferol was revealed in VEGF-induced migration of skin cell and monocyte. Taken together, our results suggested the pharmacological roles of kaempferol in potentiating VEGF-mediated functions should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Hui Hu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Nanshan, Shenzhen, China.,Division of Life Science and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Hong Kong Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huai-You Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Nanshan, Shenzhen, China.,Division of Life Science and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Yi-Teng Xia
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Nanshan, Shenzhen, China.,Division of Life Science and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Diana Kun Dai
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Nanshan, Shenzhen, China.,Division of Life Science and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Qing-Ping Xiong
- Division of Life Science and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Regional Resource Exploitation and Medicinal Research, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tina Ting-Xia Dong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Nanshan, Shenzhen, China.,Division of Life Science and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Ran Duan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Nanshan, Shenzhen, China.,Division of Life Science and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Gallant Kar-Lun Chan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Nanshan, Shenzhen, China.,Division of Life Science and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Qi-Wei Qin
- Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Hong Kong Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Karl Wah-Keung Tsim
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Nanshan, Shenzhen, China.,Division of Life Science and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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38
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Ahmadiankia N, Bagheri M, Fazli M. Differential migration-related gene expression and altered cytokine secretion in response to serum starvation in cultured MDA-MB-231 cells. ASIAN BIOMED 2020. [DOI: 10.1515/abm-2019-0051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Serum starvation is mostly considered as a standard preparatory method in many cellular and molecular experiments. However, recent studies give some evidence that serum starvation is a major event that triggers various cell responses and has therefore great potential to change and interfere with the experimental results. In this study, the behavior of breast cancer cells in serum-starved condition was examined.
Objective
To focus on the role of serum starvation on cell migration and also the possible changes in the expression and secretion of genes and cytokines mostly involved in migration and chemotaxis of breast cancer cells.
Methods
MDA-MB-231 cells were cultured under serum-starved condition. Transwell migration assay was performed to evaluate the effect of serum starvation on cell migration after 24, 48, and 72 h. The transcriptional expression of migration-related genes was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The cytokine secretion was also analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results
Serum starvation suppressed cell migration in breast cancer cells. Additionally, the gene expression of markers involved in migration including β-catenin, twist, zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1, vimentin, fibronectin, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and vascular endothelial growth factor were downregulated. Moreover, cytokines of transforming growth factor, beta 1, matrix metallopeptidase 9, interleukin 8, and nitric oxide were differentially secreted.
Conclusions
Serum deprivation causes significant changes in cancer cell migration and also the expression of migration-related genes and cytokines, special care needs to be taken when this practice is used as preparatory method especially in migration and chemotaxis experiments on cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naghmeh Ahmadiankia
- Cancer Prevention Research Center , Shahroud University of Medical Sciences , Shahroud 36147-73947 , Iran
- School of Medicine , Shahroud University of Medical Sciences , Shahroud 36147-73947 , Iran
| | - Mehdi Bagheri
- Clinical Research Development Unit, Imam Hossein Hospital , Shahroud University of Medical Sciences , Shahroud 36147-73947 , Iran
| | - Mozhgan Fazli
- School of Medicine , Shahroud University of Medical Sciences , Shahroud 36147-73947 , Iran
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39
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Nabirotchkin S, Peluffo AE, Rinaudo P, Yu J, Hajj R, Cohen D. Next-generation drug repurposing using human genetics and network biology. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2020; 51:78-92. [PMID: 31982325 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2019.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Drug repurposing has attracted increased attention, especially in the context of drug discovery rates that remain too low despite a recent wave of approvals for biological therapeutics (e.g. gene therapy). These new biological entities-based treatments have high costs that are difficult to justify for small markets that include rare diseases. Drug repurposing, involving the identification of single or combinations of existing drugs based on human genetics data and network biology approaches represents a next-generation approach that has the potential to increase the speed of drug discovery at a lower cost. This Pharmacological Perspective reviews progress and perspectives in combining human genetics, especially genome-wide association studies, with network biology to drive drug repurposing for rare and common diseases with monogenic or polygenic etiologies. Also, highlighted here are important features of this next generation approach to drug repurposing, which can be combined with machine learning methods to meet the challenges of personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serguei Nabirotchkin
- Network Biology & Drug Discovery Department, Pharnext, 11 rue René Jacques, 92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
| | - Alex E Peluffo
- Data Science Department, Pharnext, 11 rue René Jacques, 92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux, France.
| | - Philippe Rinaudo
- Data Science Department, Pharnext, 11 rue René Jacques, 92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
| | - Jinchao Yu
- Data Science Department, Pharnext, 11 rue René Jacques, 92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
| | - Rodolphe Hajj
- Preclinical Research and Pharmacology Department, Pharnext, 11 rue René Jacques, 92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
| | - Daniel Cohen
- Chief Executive Officer, Pharnext, 11 rue René Jacques, 92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
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40
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Read RL, Thompson JF. Managing in-transit melanoma metastases in the new era of effective systemic therapies for melanoma. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2019; 12:1107-1119. [DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2019.1689121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Read
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of General Surgery, Calvary Health Care, Canberra, Australia
- School of Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - John F Thompson
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Melanoma and Surgical Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
- Discipline of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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41
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Single-Cell Receptor Quantification of an In Vitro Coculture Angiogenesis Model Reveals VEGFR, NRP1, Tie2, and PDGFR Regulation and Endothelial Heterogeneity. Processes (Basel) 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/pr7060356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, is essential for both normal development and numerous pathologies. Systems biology has offered a unique approach to study angiogenesis by profiling tyrosine kinase receptors (RTKs) that regulate angiogenic processes and computationally modeling RTK signaling pathways. Historically, this systems biology approach has been applied on ex vivo angiogenesis assays, however, these assays are difficult to quantify and limited in their potential of temporal analysis. In this study, we adopted a simple two-dimensional angiogenesis assay comprised of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and examined temporal dynamics of a panel of six RTKs and cell heterogeneity up to 17 days. We observed ~2700 VEGFR1 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1) per cell on 24-h-old cocultured HDF plasma membranes, which do not express VEGFR when cultured alone. We observed 4000–8100 VEGFR2 per cell on cocultured HUVEC plasma membranes throughout endothelial tube formation. We showed steady increase of platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFRs) on cocultured HDF plasma membranes, and more interestingly, 1900–2900 PDGFRβ per plasma membrane were found on HUVECs within the first six hours of coculturing. These quantitative findings will offer us insights into molecular regulation during angiogenesis and help assess in vitro tube formation models and their physiological relevance.
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42
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Chen S, Imoukhuede PI. Multiplexing Angiogenic Receptor Quantification via Quantum Dots. Anal Chem 2019; 91:7603-7612. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b00238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Si Chen
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - P. I. Imoukhuede
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
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43
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Mapping Tyrosine Kinase Receptor Dimerization to Receptor Expression and Ligand Affinities. Processes (Basel) 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/pr7050288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tyrosine kinase receptor (RTK) ligation and dimerization is a key mechanism for translating external cell stimuli into internal signaling events. This process is critical to several key cell and physiological processes, such as in angiogenesis and embryogenesis, among others. While modulating RTK activation is a promising therapeutic target, RTK signaling axes have been shown to involve complicated interactions between ligands and receptors both within and across different protein families. In angiogenesis, for example, several signaling protein families, including vascular endothelial growth factors and platelet-derived growth factors, exhibit significant cross-family interactions that can influence pathway activation. Computational approaches can provide key insight to detangle these signaling pathways but have been limited by the sparse knowledge of these cross-family interactions. Here, we present a framework for studying known and potential non-canonical interactions. We constructed generalized models of RTK ligation and dimerization for systems of two, three and four receptor types and different degrees of cross-family ligation. Across each model, we developed parameter-space maps that fully determine relative pathway activation for any set of ligand-receptor binding constants, ligand concentrations and receptor concentrations. Therefore, our generalized models serve as a powerful reference tool for predicting not only known ligand: Receptor axes but also how unknown interactions could alter signaling dimerization patterns. Accordingly, it will drive the exploration of cross-family interactions and help guide therapeutic developments across processes like cancer and cardiovascular diseases, which depend on RTK-mediated signaling.
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44
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Hardman WE, Primerano DA, Legenza MT, Morgan J, Fan J, Denvir J. Dietary walnut altered gene expressions related to tumor growth, survival, and metastasis in breast cancer patients: a pilot clinical trial. Nutr Res 2019; 66:82-94. [PMID: 30979659 PMCID: PMC6853029 DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Consumption of walnuts has slowed breast cancer growth and/or reduced the risk of mammary cancer in mice. The benefit against cancer was associated with altered expression of genes for cancer growth and survival. We hypothesized that walnut consumption would alter gene expression in pathologically confirmed breast cancers of women in a direction that would be expected to decrease breast cancer growth and survival, as was seen in mice. The study was a nonplacebo, 2-arm, clinical trial. Women with breast lumps large enough for research and pathology biopsies were recruited and randomized to walnut consuming or control groups. Immediately after biopsy collection, women in the walnut group began to consume 2 oz of walnuts per day until follow-up surgery. Pathological studies confirmed that lumps were breast cancer in all women who remained in the trial. At surgery, about 2 weeks after biopsy, additional specimens were taken from the breast cancers. Changes in gene expression in the surgical specimen compared to baseline were determined in each individual woman in walnut-consuming (n = 5) and control (n = 5) groups. RNA sequencing expression profiling revealed that expression of 456 identified genes was significantly changed in the tumor due to walnut consumption. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis showed activation of pathways that promote apoptosis and cell adhesion, and inhibition of pathways that promote cell proliferation and migration. These results support the hypothesis that, in humans, walnut consumption could suppress growth and survival of breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Elaine Hardman
- Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, 1600 Medical Center Dr, Huntington, WV 25701, USA.
| | - Donald A Primerano
- Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, 1600 Medical Center Dr, Huntington, WV 25701, USA.
| | - Mary T Legenza
- Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1400 Hal Greer Dr, Huntington, WV 25701, USA.
| | - James Morgan
- St. Mary's Cancer Center, 2900 1st Ave, Huntington, WV 25702, USA.
| | - Jun Fan
- Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, 1600 Medical Center Dr, Huntington, WV 25701, USA.
| | - James Denvir
- Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, 1600 Medical Center Dr, Huntington, WV 25701, USA.
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45
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Song M, Finley SD. Mechanistic insight into activation of MAPK signaling by pro-angiogenic factors. BMC SYSTEMS BIOLOGY 2018; 12:145. [PMID: 30591051 PMCID: PMC6307205 DOI: 10.1186/s12918-018-0668-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Background Angiogenesis is important in physiological and pathological conditions, as blood vessels provide nutrients and oxygen needed for tissue growth and survival. Therefore, targeting angiogenesis is a prominent strategy in both tissue engineering and cancer treatment. However, not all of the approaches to promote or inhibit angiogenesis lead to successful outcomes. Angiogenesis-based therapies primarily target pro-angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF) or fibroblast growth factor (FGF) in isolation. However, pre-clinical and clinical evidence shows these therapies often have limited effects. To improve therapeutic strategies, including targeting FGF and VEGF in combination, we need a quantitative understanding of the how the promoters combine to stimulate angiogenesis. Results In this study, we trained and validated a detailed mathematical model to quantitatively characterize the crosstalk of FGF and VEGF intracellular signaling. This signaling is initiated by FGF binding to the FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) and heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans (HSGAGs) or VEGF binding to VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) to promote downstream signaling. The model focuses on FGF- and VEGF-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling and phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), which promotes cell proliferation. We apply the model to predict the dynamics of phosphorylated ERK (pERK) in response to the stimulation by FGF and VEGF individually and in combination. The model predicts that FGF and VEGF have differential effects on pERK. Additionally, since VEGFR2 upregulation has been observed in pathological conditions, we apply the model to investigate the effects of VEGFR2 density and trafficking parameters. The model predictions show that these parameters significantly influence the response to VEGF stimulation. Conclusions The model agrees with experimental data and is a framework to synthesize and quantitatively explain experimental studies. Ultimately, the model provides mechanistic insight into FGF and VEGF interactions needed to identify potential targets for pro- or anti-angiogenic therapies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12918-018-0668-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Song
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Stacey D Finley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA. .,Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA. .,Department of Biological Sciences, Computational Biology section, University of Southern California, 1042 Downey Way, CRB 140, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
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46
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Farzaneh Behelgardi M, Zahri S, Mashayekhi F, Mansouri K, Asghari SM. A peptide mimicking the binding sites of VEGF-A and VEGF-B inhibits VEGFR-1/-2 driven angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17924. [PMID: 30560942 PMCID: PMC6298961 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36394-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Interfering with interactions of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) with their receptors (VEGFRs) effectively inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth. We designed an antagonist peptide of VEGF-A and VEGF-B reproducing two discontinuous receptor binding regions of VEGF-B (loop 1 and loop3) covalently linked together by a receptor binding region of VEGF-A (loop3). The designed peptide (referred to as VGB4) was able to bind to both VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 on the Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) surface and inhibited VEGF-A driven proliferation, migration and tube formation in HUVECs through suppression of ERK1/2 and AKT phosphorylation. The whole-animal fluorescence imaging demonstrated that fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-VGB4 accumulated in the mammary carcinoma tumors (MCTs). Administration of VGB4 led to the regression of 4T1 murine MCT growth through decreased expression of p-VEGFR1 and p-VEGFR2 and abrogation of ERK1/2 and AKT activation followed by considerable decrease of tumor cell proliferation (Ki67 expression) and angiogenesis (CD31 and CD34 expression), induction of apoptosis (increased p53 expression, TUNEL staining and decreased Bcl2 expression), and suppression of metastasis (increased E-cadherin and decreased N-cadherin, NF-κB and MMP-9 expression). These findings indicate that VGB4 may be applicable for antiangiogenic and antitumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Saber Zahri
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.
| | - Farhad Mashayekhi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
| | - Kamran Mansouri
- Medical Biology Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - S Mohsen Asghari
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
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47
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Saponaro C, Vagheggini A, Scarpi E, Centonze M, Catacchio I, Popescu O, Pastena MI, Giotta F, Silvestris N, Mangia A. NHERF1 and tumor microenvironment: a new scene in invasive breast carcinoma. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2018; 37:96. [PMID: 29716631 PMCID: PMC5930748 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0766-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor microenvironment (TME) includes many factors such as tumor associated inflammatory cells, vessels, and lymphocytes, as well as different signaling molecules and extracellular matrix components. These aspects can be de-regulated and consequently lead to a worsening of cancer progression. In recent years an association between the scaffolding protein Na+/H+ exchanger regulatory factor 1 (NHERF1) and tumor microenvironment changes in breast cancer (BC) has been reported. METHODS Subcellular NHERF1 localization, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), its receptor VEGFR1, hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α), TWIST1 expression and microvessel density (MVD) in 183 invasive BCs were evaluated, using immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays (TMA). Immunofluorescence was employed to explore protein interactions. RESULTS Cytoplasmic NHERF1(cNHERF1) expression was directly related to cytoplasmic VEGF and VEGFR1 expression (p = 0.001 and p = 0.027 respectively), and inversely to nuclear HIF-1α (p = 0.021) and TWIST1 (p = 0.001). Further, immunofluorescence revealed an involvement of tumor cells with NHERF1 positive staining in neo-vascular formation, suggesting a "mosaic" structure development of these neo-vessels. Survival analyses showed that loss of nuclear TWIST1 (nTWIST1) expression was related to a decrease of disease free survival (DFS) (p < 0.001), while nTWIST1-/mNHERF1+ presented an increased DFS with respect to nTWIST1+/mNHERF1- phenotype (p < 0.001). Subsequently, the analyses of nTWIST1+/cNHERF1+ phenotype selected a subgroup of patients with a worse DFS compared to nTWIST1-/cNHERF1- patients (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION Resulting data suggested a dynamic relation between NHERF1 and TME markers, and confirmed both the oncosuppressor role of membranous NHERF1 expression and the oncogene activity of cytoplasmic NHERF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Saponaro
- Functional Biomorphology Laboratory, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vagheggini
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST)-IRCCS, 47014, Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Emanuela Scarpi
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST)-IRCCS, 47014, Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Matteo Centonze
- Functional Biomorphology Laboratory, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Ivana Catacchio
- Functional Biomorphology Laboratory, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Ondina Popescu
- Pathology Department, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori "Giovanni PaoloII", 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Irene Pastena
- Pathology Department, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori "Giovanni PaoloII", 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Giotta
- Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Scientific Direction, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Anita Mangia
- Functional Biomorphology Laboratory, IRCCS-Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", 70124, Bari, Italy.
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