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Sánchez ML, Mangas A, Coveñas R. Glioma and Peptidergic Systems: Oncogenic and Anticancer Peptides. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7990. [PMID: 39063232 PMCID: PMC11277022 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147990] [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: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioma cells overexpress different peptide receptors that are useful for research, diagnosis, management, and treatment of the disease. Oncogenic peptides favor the proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioma cells, as well as angiogenesis, whereas anticancer peptides exert antiproliferative, antimigration, and anti-angiogenic effects against gliomas. Other peptides exert a dual effect on gliomas, that is, both proliferative and antiproliferative actions. Peptidergic systems are therapeutic targets, as peptide receptor antagonists/peptides or peptide receptor agonists can be administered to treat gliomas. Other anticancer strategies exerting beneficial effects against gliomas are discussed herein, and future research lines to be developed for gliomas are also suggested. Despite the large amount of data supporting the involvement of peptides in glioma progression, no anticancer drugs targeting peptidergic systems are currently available in clinical practice to treat gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Lisardo Sánchez
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy of the Peptidergic Systems, Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla and León (INCYL), University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Arturo Mangas
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy of the Peptidergic Systems, Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla and León (INCYL), University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Rafael Coveñas
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy of the Peptidergic Systems, Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla and León (INCYL), University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Grupo GIR USAL-BMD (Bases Moleculares del Desarrollo), University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
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Nguyen AV, Soto JM, Digbeu BD, Nguyen CY, Wu E, Huang JH, Kuo YF. Factors associated with longer survival among older medicare patients after diagnosis of supratentorial primary brain malignancies: a retrospective cohort study. Neurol Res 2024; 46:379-390. [PMID: 38415699 DOI: 10.1080/01616412.2024.2323335] [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: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Despite recent advances, the prognosis for primary malignant brain tumors (PMBTs) remains poor. Some commonly prescribed medications may exhibit anti-tumor properties in various cancers, and neurodegenerative diseases may activate pathways that counteract gliomagenesis. Our study is focused on determining if there is a correlation between the use of metformin, beta-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), or the presence of Parkinson's disease (PD), and the survival rates following a diagnosis of a PMBT. METHODS This analysis of the 100% Texas Medicare Database identified patients aged 66+ years diagnosed with a supratentorial PMBT from 2014-2017. Cox proportional hazards regression was employed to analyze survival following diagnosis and associations of survival with surgical intervention, radiation, PD diagnosis, and prescription of metformin, beta-blockers, ACEIs, or ARBs. RESULTS There were 1,943 patients who met study criteria, and the median age was 74 years. When medication utilization was stratified by none, pre-diagnosis only, post-diagnosis only, or both pre- and post-diagnosis (continuous), continuous utilization of metformin, beta-blockers, ACEIs, or ARBs was associated with prolonged survival compared to no utilization (hazard ratio [HR]:0.45, 95% CI:0.33-0.62; HR:0.71. 95% CI:0.59-0.86; HR:0.59, 95% CI:0.48-0.72; and HR:0.45, 95% CI:0.35-0.58 respectively). PD was also associated with longer survival (HR:0.59-0.63 across the four models). DISCUSSION Our study suggests that metformin, beta-blockers, ACEIs, ARBs, and comorbid PD are associated with a survival benefit among geriatric Medicare patients with supratentorial PMBTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony V Nguyen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, TX, USA
| | - Jose M Soto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, TX, USA
| | - Biai D Digbeu
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Office of Biostatistics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Christine Y Nguyen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Baylor Scott & White Health, Scott and White Medical Center, Temple, TX, USA
| | - Erxi Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, TX, USA
- Department of Surgery, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Temple, TX, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Temple, TX, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M University School of Pharmacy, College Station, TX, USA
- LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes and Department of Oncology, Dell Medical School, the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Jason H Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, TX, USA
- Department of Surgery, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Temple, TX, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Temple, TX, USA
| | - Yong-Fang Kuo
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Office of Biostatistics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
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Souza-Silva IM, Peluso AA, Elsaafien K, Nazarova AL, Assersen KB, Rodrigues-Ribeiro L, Mohammed M, Rodrigues AF, Nawrocki A, Jakobsen LA, Jensen P, de Kloet AD, Krause EG, Borgo MD, Maslov I, Widdop R, Santos RA, Bader M, Larsen M, Verano-Braga T, Katritch V, Sumners C, Steckelings UM. Angiotensin-(1-5) is a Potent Endogenous Angiotensin AT 2 -Receptor Agonist. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.05.588367. [PMID: 38948791 PMCID: PMC11213140 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.05.588367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Background The renin-angiotensin system involves many more enzymes, receptors and biologically active peptides than originally thought. With this study, we investigated whether angiotensin-(1-5) [Ang-(1-5)], a 5-amino acid fragment of angiotensin II, has biological activity, and through which receptor it elicits effects. Methods The effect of Ang-(1-5) (1µM) on nitric oxide release was measured by DAF-FM staining in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC), or Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells stably transfected with the angiotensin AT 2 -receptor (AT 2 R) or the receptor Mas. A potential vasodilatory effect of Ang-(1-5) was tested in mouse mesenteric and human renal arteries by wire myography; the effect on blood pressure was evaluated in normotensive C57BL/6 mice by Millar catheter. These experiments were performed in the presence or absence of a range of antagonists or inhibitors or in AT 2 R-knockout mice. Binding of Ang-(1-5) to the AT 2 R was confirmed and the preferred conformations determined by in silico docking simulations. The signaling network of Ang-(1-5) was mapped by quantitative phosphoproteomics. Results Key findings included: (1) Ang-(1-5) induced activation of eNOS by changes in phosphorylation at Ser1177 eNOS and Tyr657 eNOS and thereby (2) increased NO release from HAEC and AT 2 R-transfected CHO cells, but not from Mas-transfected or non-transfected CHO cells. (3) Ang-(1-5) induced relaxation of preconstricted mouse mesenteric and human renal arteries and (4) lowered blood pressure in normotensive mice - effects which were respectively absent in arteries from AT 2 R-KO or in PD123319-treated mice and which were more potent than effects of the established AT 2 R-agonist C21. (5) According to in silico modelling, Ang-(1-5) binds to the AT 2 R in two preferred conformations, one differing substantially from where the first five amino acids within angiotensin II bind to the AT 2 R. (6) Ang-(1-5) modifies signaling pathways in a protective RAS-typical way and with relevance for endothelial cell physiology and disease. Conclusions Ang-(1-5) is a potent, endogenous AT 2 R-agonist.
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Lozinski M, Lumbers ER, Bowden NA, Martin JH, Fay MF, Pringle KG, Tooney PA. Upregulation of the Renin-Angiotensin System Is Associated with Patient Survival and the Tumour Microenvironment in Glioblastoma. Cells 2024; 13:634. [PMID: 38607073 PMCID: PMC11012120 DOI: 10.3390/cells13070634] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive disease with poor survival outcomes. An emerging body of literature links the role of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), well-known for its function in the cardiovascular system, to the progression of cancers. We studied the expression of RAS-related genes (ATP6AP2, AGTR1, AGTR2, ACE, AGT, and REN) in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) glioblastoma cohort, their relationship to patient survival, and association with tumour microenvironment pathways. The expression of RAS genes was then examined in 12 patient-derived glioblastoma cell lines treated with chemoradiation. In cases of glioblastoma within the TCGA, ATP6AP2, AGTR1, ACE, and AGT had consistent expressions across samples, while AGTR2 and REN were lowly expressed. High expression of AGTR1 was independently associated with lower progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.01) and had a non-significant trend for overall survival (OS) after multivariate analysis (p = 0.095). The combined expression of RAS receptors (ATP6AP2, AGTR1, and AGTR2) was positively associated with gene pathways involved in hypoxia, microvasculature, stem cell plasticity, and the molecular characterisation of glioblastoma subtypes. In patient-derived glioblastoma cell lines, ATP6AP2 and AGTR1 were upregulated after chemoradiotherapy and correlated with an increase in HIF1A expression. This data suggests the RAS is correlated with changes in the tumour microenvironment and associated with glioblastoma survival outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew Lozinski
- School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; (M.L.); (N.A.B.); (J.H.M.); (M.F.F.)
- Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Drug Repurposing and Medicines Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Eugenie R. Lumbers
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; (E.R.L.); (K.G.P.)
- Mothers and Babies Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Nikola A. Bowden
- School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; (M.L.); (N.A.B.); (J.H.M.); (M.F.F.)
- Drug Repurposing and Medicines Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Jennifer H. Martin
- School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; (M.L.); (N.A.B.); (J.H.M.); (M.F.F.)
- Drug Repurposing and Medicines Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Michael F. Fay
- School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; (M.L.); (N.A.B.); (J.H.M.); (M.F.F.)
- Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Drug Repurposing and Medicines Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
- GenesisCare, Gateshead, NSW 2290, Australia
| | - Kirsty G. Pringle
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; (E.R.L.); (K.G.P.)
- Mothers and Babies Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Paul A. Tooney
- Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Drug Repurposing and Medicines Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; (E.R.L.); (K.G.P.)
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Wagenaar GTM, Moll GN. Evolving views on the first two ligands of the angiotensin II type 2 receptor. From putative antagonists to potential agonists? Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 961:176189. [PMID: 37951489 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176189] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
The renin-angiotensin system is one of the most complex regulatory systems that controls multiple organ functions. One of its key components, angiotensin II (Ang II), stimulates two G-protein coupled class A receptors: the Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptor and the Ang II type 2 (AT2) receptor. While stimulation of the AT1 receptor causes G-protein-dependent signaling and arrestin recruitment, the AT2 receptor seems to have a constitutively active-like conformation and appears to act via G-protein-dependent and -independent pathways. Overstimulation of the AT1 receptor may lead to unwanted effects like inflammation and fibrosis. In contrast, stimulation of the AT2 receptor leads to opposite effects thus restoring the balance. However, the role of the AT2 receptor has become controversial due to beneficial effects of putative AT2 receptor antagonists. The two first synthetic AT2 receptor-selective ligands, peptide CGP42112 and small molecule PD123319, were initially both considered antagonists. CGP42112 was subsequently considered a partial agonist and it was recently demonstrated to be a full agonist. Based on the search-term PD123319 in Pubmed, 1652 studies have investigated putative AT2 receptor antagonist PD123319. Here, we put forward literature that shows beneficial effects of PD123319 alone, even at doses too low for antagonist efficacy. These beneficial effects appear compatible with agonist-like activity via the AT2 receptor. Taken together, a more consistent image of a therapeutic role of stimulated AT2 receptor emerges which may clarify current controversies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gert N Moll
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, 9747 AG, Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Shepherd AJ, Rice AS, Smith MT. Angiotensin II type 2 receptor signalling as a pain target: Bench, bedside and back-translation. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2023; 73:102415. [PMID: 38041933 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2023.102415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
Translating promising preclinical pain relief data for novel molecules from drug discovery to positive clinical trial outcomes is challenging. The angiotensin II type 2 (AT2) receptor is a clinically-validated target based upon positive proof-of-concept clinical trial data in patients with post-herpetic neuralgia. This trial was conducted because AT2 receptor antagonists evoked pain relief in rodent models of neuropathic pain. EMA401 was selected as the drug candidate based upon its suitable preclinical toxicity and safety profile and good pharmacokinetics. Herein, we provide an overview of the discovery, preclinical and clinical development of EMA401, for the alleviation of peripheral neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Shepherd
- The MD Anderson Pain Research Consortium and the Laboratories of Neuroimmunology, Department of Symptom Research, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Andrew Sc Rice
- Pain Research, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Maree T Smith
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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