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Krzyscik MA, Karl K, Dudeja P, Krejci P, Hristova K. Quantitative and qualitative differences in the activation of a fibroblast growth factor receptor by different FGF ligands. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2024; 78:77-84. [PMID: 39043538 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2024.07.002] [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: 05/24/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
The FGF system is the most complex of all receptor tyrosine kinase signaling networks with 18 FGF ligands and four FGFRs that deliver morphogenic signals to pattern most embryonic structures. Even when a single FGFR is expressed in the tissue, different FGFs can trigger dramatically different biological responses via this receptor. Here we show both quantitative and qualitative differences in the signaling of one of the FGF receptors, FGFR1c, in response to different FGFs. We provide an overview of the recent discovery that FGFs engage in biased signaling via FGFR1c. We discuss the concept of ligand bias, which represents qualitative differences in signaling as it is a measure of differential ligand preferences for different downstream responses. We show how FGF ligand bias manifests in functional data in cultured chondrocyte cells. We argue that FGF-ligand bias contributes substantially to FGF-driven developmental processes, along with known differences in FGF expression levels, FGF-FGFR binding coefficients and differences in FGF stability in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz A Krzyscik
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Kelly Karl
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Pooja Dudeja
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno 62500, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno 65691, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Krejci
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno 62500, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno 65691, Czech Republic; Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the CAS, Brno 60200, Czech Republic
| | - Kalina Hristova
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
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2
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Wirth D, Özdemir E, Hristova K. Probing phosphorylation events in biological membranes: The transducer function. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2024; 1866:184362. [PMID: 38885782 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2024.184362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
The extracellular environment is sensed by receptors in the plasma membrane. Some of these receptors initiate cytoplasmic signaling cascades involving phosphorylation: the addition of a phosphate group to a specific amino acid, such as tyrosine, in a protein. Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) are one large class of membrane receptors that can directly initiate signaling cascades through their intracellular kinase domains, which both catalyze tyrosine phosphorylation and get phosphorylated. In the first step of signaling, the ligands stabilize phosphorylation-competent RTK dimers and oligomers, which leads to the phosphorylation of specific tyrosine residues in the activation loop of the kinases. Here we discuss quantitative measurements of tyrosine phosphorylation efficiencies for RTKs, described by the "transducer function". The transducer function links the phosphorylation (the response) and the binding of the activating ligand to the receptor (the stimulus). We overview a methodology that allows such measurements in direct response to ligand binding. We discuss experiments which demonstrate that EGF is a partial agonist, and that two tyrosines in the intracellular domain of EGFR, Y1068 and Y1173, are differentially phosphorylated in the EGF-bound EGFR dimers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Wirth
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States of America
| | - Ece Özdemir
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States of America
| | - Kalina Hristova
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States of America.
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3
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Trujillo J, Khan AS, Adhikari DP, Stoneman MR, Chacko JV, Eliceiri KW, Raicu V. Implementation of FRET Spectrometry Using Temporally Resolved Fluorescence: A Feasibility Study. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4706. [PMID: 38731924 PMCID: PMC11083457 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094706] [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: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) spectrometry is a method for determining the quaternary structure of protein oligomers from distributions of FRET efficiencies that are drawn from pixels of fluorescence images of cells expressing the proteins of interest. FRET spectrometry protocols currently rely on obtaining spectrally resolved fluorescence data from intensity-based experiments. Another imaging method, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), is a widely used alternative to compute FRET efficiencies for each pixel in an image from the reduction of the fluorescence lifetime of the donors caused by FRET. In FLIM studies of oligomers with different proportions of donors and acceptors, the donor lifetimes may be obtained by fitting the temporally resolved fluorescence decay data with a predetermined number of exponential decay curves. However, this requires knowledge of the number and the relative arrangement of the fluorescent proteins in the sample, which is precisely the goal of FRET spectrometry, thus creating a conundrum that has prevented users of FLIM instruments from performing FRET spectrometry. Here, we describe an attempt to implement FRET spectrometry on temporally resolved fluorescence microscopes by using an integration-based method of computing the FRET efficiency from fluorescence decay curves. This method, which we dubbed time-integrated FRET (or tiFRET), was tested on oligomeric fluorescent protein constructs expressed in the cytoplasm of living cells. The present results show that tiFRET is a promising way of implementing FRET spectrometry and suggest potential instrument adjustments for increasing accuracy and resolution in this kind of study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Trujillo
- Physics Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA; (J.T.); (A.S.K.); (D.P.A.); (M.R.S.)
| | - Aliyah S. Khan
- Physics Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA; (J.T.); (A.S.K.); (D.P.A.); (M.R.S.)
| | - Dhruba P. Adhikari
- Physics Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA; (J.T.); (A.S.K.); (D.P.A.); (M.R.S.)
| | - Michael R. Stoneman
- Physics Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA; (J.T.); (A.S.K.); (D.P.A.); (M.R.S.)
| | - Jenu V. Chacko
- Center for Quantitative Cell Imaging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (J.V.C.); (K.W.E.)
| | - Kevin W. Eliceiri
- Center for Quantitative Cell Imaging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (J.V.C.); (K.W.E.)
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Morgridge Institute for Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Valerica Raicu
- Physics Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA; (J.T.); (A.S.K.); (D.P.A.); (M.R.S.)
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4
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Park JA, Espinosa-Cotton M, Guo HF, Monette S, Cheung NKV. Targeting tumor vasculature to improve antitumor activity of T cells armed ex vivo with T cell engaging bispecific antibody. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:jitc-2023-006680. [PMID: 36990507 PMCID: PMC10069597 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-006680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Success of T cell immunotherapy hinges on the tumor microenvironment (TME), and abnormal tumor vasculature is a hallmark of most solid tumors and associated with immune evasion. The efficacy of T cell engaging bispecific antibody (BsAb) treatment relies on the successful trafficking and cytolytic activity of T cells in solid tumors. Normalization of tumor vasculature using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) blockades could improve efficacy of BsAb-based T cell immunotherapy. METHODS Anti-human VEGF (bevacizumab, BVZ) or anti-mouse VEGFR2 antibody (DC101) was used as VEGF blockade, and ex vivo armed T cells (EATs) carrying anti-GD2, anti-HER2, or anti-glypican3 (GPC3) IgG-(L)-scFv platformed BsAb were used. BsAb-driven intratumoral T cell infiltration and in vivo antitumor response were evaluated using cancer cell line-derived xenografts (CDXs) or patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) carried out in BALB-Rag2 -/-IL-2R-γc-KO (BRG) mice. VEGF expression on human cancer cell lines was analyzed by flow cytometry, and VEGF levels in mouse serum were measured using VEGF Quantikine ELISA Kit. Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were evaluated using flow cytometry and by bioluminescence; both TILs and tumor vasculature were studied using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS VEGF expression on cancer cell lines increased with seeding density in vitro. BVZ significantly reduced serum VEGF levels in mice. BVZ or DC101 increased high endothelial venules (HEVs) in the TME and substantially enhanced (2.1-8.1 fold) BsAb-driven T cell infiltration into neuroblastoma and osteosarcoma xenografts, which was preferential for CD8(+) TILs versus CD4(+) TILs, leading to superior antitumor effects in multiple CDX and PDX tumor models without added toxicities. CONCLUSIONS VEGF blockade using specific antibodies against VEGF or VEGFR2 increased HEVs in the TME and cytotoxic CD8(+) TILs, significantly improving the therapeutic efficacy of EAT strategies in preclinical models, supporting the clinical investigation of VEGF blockades to further enhance BsAb-based T cell immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong A Park
- Pediatrics, Inha University Hospital, Incheon, Korea (the Republic of)
- Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Hong-Fen Guo
- Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sebastien Monette
- Laboratory of Comparative Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nai-Kong V Cheung
- Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
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5
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Park J, Jin S, Jang J, Seo D. Single-Molecule Imaging of Membrane Proteins on Vascular Endothelial Cells. J Lipid Atheroscler 2023; 12:58-72. [PMID: 36761059 PMCID: PMC9884557 DOI: 10.12997/jla.2023.12.1.58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Transporting substances such as gases, nutrients, waste, and cells is the primary function of blood vessels. Vascular cells use membrane proteins to perform crucial endothelial functions, including molecular transport, immune cell infiltration, and angiogenesis. A thorough understanding of these membrane receptors from a clinical perspective is warranted to gain insights into the pathogenesis of vascular diseases and to develop effective methods for drug delivery through the vascular endothelium. This review summarizes state-of-the-art single-molecule imaging techniques, such as super-resolution microscopy, single-molecule tracking, and protein-protein interaction analysis, for observing and studying membrane proteins. Furthermore, recent single-molecule studies of membrane proteins such as cadherins, integrins, caveolins, transferrin receptors, vesicle-associated protein-1, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiseong Park
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST), Daegu, Korea
| | - Siwoo Jin
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST), Daegu, Korea
| | - Juhee Jang
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST), Daegu, Korea
| | - Daeha Seo
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST), Daegu, Korea
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6
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Uppada S, Zou D, Scott EM, Ko G, Pflugfelder S, Kumar MNVR, Ganugula R. Paclitaxel and Urolithin A Prevent Histamine-Induced Neurovascular Breakdown Alike, in an Ex Vivo Rat Eye Model. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:2092-2098. [PMID: 35574761 PMCID: PMC9928511 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurovascular eye problems are better prevented than managed or treated. Despite growing concern of occurrence in aging populations and development secondary to diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, we currently have very few options to tackle this global problem. Creating effective and high-throughput screening strategies is as important as the intervention itself. Here, we present for the first time a robust ex vivo rat eye model of histamine-induced vascular damage for investigating the therapeutic potential of paclitaxel (PTX) and urolithin A (UA) as alternatives to dexamethasone for preventing vascular damage in the retina. Extensive loss of vascularization and apoptosis were observed in the histamine-challenged group and successfully prevented in the intervention groups, more significantly in the PTX and UA. These important early results indicate that PTX and UA could be developed as potential preventive strategies for a wide variety of retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srijayaprakash Uppada
- The Center for Convergent Bioscience and Medicine (CCBM), The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401, United States; College of Community Health Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401, United States
| | - Dianxiong Zou
- College of Community Health Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401, United States
| | - Erin M. Scott
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Gladys Ko
- Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Stephen Pflugfelder
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - M. N. V. Ravi Kumar
- The Center for Convergent Bioscience and Medicine (CCBM), The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401, United States; College of Community Health Sciences and Alabama Life Research Institute, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401, United States; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States; Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401, United States; Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401, United States
| | - Raghu Ganugula
- The Center for Convergent Bioscience and Medicine (CCBM), The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401, United States; College of Community Health Sciences and Alabama Life Research Institute, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401, United States; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States; Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401, United States
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7
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Srinivasan S, Regmi R, Lin X, Dreyer CA, Chen X, Quinn SD, He W, Coleman MA, Carraway KL, Zhang B, Schlau-Cohen GS. Ligand-induced transmembrane conformational coupling in monomeric EGFR. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3709. [PMID: 35794108 PMCID: PMC9259572 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31299-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Single pass cell surface receptors regulate cellular processes by transmitting ligand-encoded signals across the plasma membrane via changes to their extracellular and intracellular conformations. This transmembrane signaling is generally initiated by ligand binding to the receptors in their monomeric form. While subsequent receptor-receptor interactions are established as key aspects of transmembrane signaling, the contribution of monomeric receptors has been challenging to isolate due to the complexity and ligand-dependence of these interactions. By combining membrane nanodiscs produced with cell-free expression, single-molecule Förster Resonance Energy Transfer measurements, and molecular dynamics simulations, we report that ligand binding induces intracellular conformational changes within monomeric, full-length epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Our observations establish the existence of extracellular/intracellular conformational coupling within a single receptor molecule. We implicate a series of electrostatic interactions in the conformational coupling and find the coupling is inhibited by targeted therapeutics and mutations that also inhibit phosphorylation in cells. Collectively, these results introduce a facile mechanism to link the extracellular and intracellular regions through the single transmembrane helix of monomeric EGFR, and raise the possibility that intramolecular transmembrane conformational changes upon ligand binding are common to single-pass membrane proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shwetha Srinivasan
- grid.116068.80000 0001 2341 2786Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
| | - Raju Regmi
- grid.116068.80000 0001 2341 2786Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA ,grid.4444.00000 0001 2112 9282Present Address: Institut Curie, CNRS, Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Xingcheng Lin
- grid.116068.80000 0001 2341 2786Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
| | - Courtney A. Dreyer
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
| | - Xuyan Chen
- grid.116068.80000 0001 2341 2786Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
| | - Steven D. Quinn
- grid.116068.80000 0001 2341 2786Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA ,grid.5685.e0000 0004 1936 9668Present Address: Department of Physics, University of York, York, UK
| | - Wei He
- grid.250008.f0000 0001 2160 9702Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550 USA
| | - Matthew A. Coleman
- grid.250008.f0000 0001 2160 9702Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550 USA ,grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Radiation Oncology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
| | - Kermit L. Carraway
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
| | - Bin Zhang
- grid.116068.80000 0001 2341 2786Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
| | - Gabriela S. Schlau-Cohen
- grid.116068.80000 0001 2341 2786Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
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8
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Khan SA, Gautam S, Sapkota S. Lung Cancer with Brain Metastases Treated with Radiotherapy Followed by Bevacizumab Maintenance: A Case Report. JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc 2022; 60:569-572. [PMID: 35690983 PMCID: PMC9275467 DOI: 10.31729/jnma.7400] [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: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain metastases in a patient with non-small cell lung cancer carry a grave prognosis. Without effective interventions, the average survival rate is 6 months. Here, we present a case of a 59-year-old male with non-small cell lung cancer and multiple brain metastases treated with radiotherapy followed by bevacizumab maintenance with prolonged survival. There are limited studies establishing the efficiency and toxicity profile of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors for brain metastases. This reported case had a remarkable response with marked clinical and radiological improvement along with a tolerable toxicity profile. Showing the extent of effectiveness and efficacy of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents in the case of lung cancer with brain metastases is the main motto of our study. Keywords bevacizumab; brain metastases; radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajjad Ahmed Khan
- Birat Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Morang, Nepal,Correspondence: Mr Sajjad Ahmed Khan, Birat Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Morang, Nepal. , Phone: +977-9821938041
| | - Sakshyam Gautam
- Birat Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Morang, Nepal
| | - Sulav Sapkota
- Department of Medical Oncology, Birat Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Morang, Nepal
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9
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Mateluna C, Torres P, Rodriguez-Peña M, Silva P, Matthies DJ, Criollo A, Bikker FJ, Bolscher JGM, Wilson CAM, Zapata-Torres G, Torres VA. Identification of VEGFR2 as the Histatin-1 receptor in endothelial cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 201:115079. [PMID: 35551916 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115079] [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: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Histatin-1 is a salivary peptide with antimicrobial and wound healing promoting activities, which was previously shown to stimulate angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo via inducing endothelial cell migration. The mechanisms underlying the proangiogenic effects of Histatin-1 remain poorly understood and specifically, the endothelial receptor for this peptide, is unknown. Based on the similarities between Histatin-1-dependent responses and those induced by the prototypical angiogenic receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), we hypothesized that VEGFR2 is the Histatin-1 receptor in endothelial cells. First, we observed that VEGFR2 is necessary for Histatin-1-induced endothelial cell migration, as shown by both pharmacological inhibition studies and siRNA-mediated ablation of VEGFR2. Moreover, Histatin-1 co-immunoprecipitated and co-localized with VEGFR2, associating spatial proximity between these proteins with receptor activation. Indeed, pulldown assays with pure, tagged and non-tagged proteins showed that Histatin-1 and VEGFR2 directly interact in vitro. Optical tweezers experiments permitted estimating kinetic parameters and rupture forces, indicating that the Histatin-1-VEGFR2 interaction is transient, but specific and direct. Sequence alignment and molecular modeling identified residues Phe26, Tyr30 and Tyr34 within the C-terminal domain of Histatin-1 as relevant for VEGFR2 binding and activation. This was corroborated by mutation and molecular dynamics analyses, as well as in direct binding assays. Importantly, these residues were required for Histatin-1 to induce endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis in vitro. Taken together, our findings reveal that VEGFR2 is the endothelial cell receptor of Histatin-1 and provide insights to the mechanism by which this peptide promotes endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Mateluna
- Institute for Research in Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pedro Torres
- Institute for Research in Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marcelo Rodriguez-Peña
- Institute for Research in Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Patricio Silva
- Institute for Research in Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Douglas J Matthies
- Molecular Graphics Suite, Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alfredo Criollo
- Institute for Research in Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Floris J Bikker
- Department of Oral Biochemistry, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, VU University & University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jan G M Bolscher
- Department of Oral Biochemistry, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, VU University & University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Christian A M Wilson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gerald Zapata-Torres
- Molecular Graphics Suite, Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Vicente A Torres
- Institute for Research in Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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10
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Saha A, Cheriyamundath S, Kumar A, Gavert N, Brabletz T, Ben-Ze’ev A. A Necessary Role for Increased Biglycan Expression during L1-Mediated Colon Cancer Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010445. [PMID: 35008869 PMCID: PMC8745639 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and downstream β-catenin-TCF target genes is a hallmark of colorectal cancer (CRC) development. We identified the immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion receptor L1CAM (L1) as a target of β-catenin-TCF transactivation in CRC cells. Overexpression of L1 in CRC cells confers enhanced proliferation, motility, tumorigenesis, and liver metastasis, and L1 is exclusively localized at invasive areas of human CRC tissue. Several genes are induced after L1 transfection into CRC cells by a mechanism involving the L1-ezrin-NF-κB pathway. We conducted a secretomic analysis of the proteins in the culture medium of L1-overexpressing CRC cells. We detected a highly increased level of biglycan, a small leucine-rich ECM component, and a signaling molecule. We found that induction of biglycan is required for the cellular processes conferred by L1, including enhanced proliferation, motility, tumorigenesis, and liver metastasis. The suppression of endogenous biglycan levels or a point mutation in the L1 ectodomain that regulates cell–cell adhesion mediated by L1 blocked the enhanced tumorigenic properties conferred by L1. The mechanism of biglycan induction by L1 involves the L1-NF-κB pathway. Blocking NF-κB signaling in L1 expressing cells suppressed the induction of biglycan and the tumorigenic properties conferred by L1. Biglycan expression was undetectable in the normal colonic mucosa, but expressed at highly increased levels in the tumor tissue, especially in the stroma. The therapeutic strategies to target biglycan expression might provide a useful approach for CRC treatment in L1-overexpressing tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arka Saha
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel; (A.S.); (S.C.); (A.K.); (N.G.)
| | - Sanith Cheriyamundath
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel; (A.S.); (S.C.); (A.K.); (N.G.)
| | - Anmol Kumar
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel; (A.S.); (S.C.); (A.K.); (N.G.)
| | - Nancy Gavert
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel; (A.S.); (S.C.); (A.K.); (N.G.)
| | - Thomas Brabletz
- Department of Experimental Medicine I, Nikolaus-Feibiger-Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Avri Ben-Ze’ev
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel; (A.S.); (S.C.); (A.K.); (N.G.)
- Correspondence:
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WANG QW, TIAN Y, QIU HX, MO J, ZHANG XY. Premature ovarian failure treated with mild moxibustion and western medication. WORLD JOURNAL OF ACUPUNCTURE-MOXIBUSTION 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wjam.2021.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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12
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da Rocha-Azevedo B, Lee S, Dasgupta A, Vega AR, de Oliveira LR, Kim T, Kittisopikul M, Malik ZA, Jaqaman K. Heterogeneity in VEGF Receptor-2 Mobility and Organization on the Endothelial Cell Surface Leads to Diverse Models of Activation by VEGF. Cell Rep 2021; 32:108187. [PMID: 32997988 PMCID: PMC7541195 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The dynamic nanoscale organization of cell surface receptors plays an important role in signaling. We determine this organization and its relation to activation of VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), a critical receptor tyrosine kinase in endothelial cells (ECs), by combining single-molecule imaging of endogenous VEGFR-2 in live ECs with multiscale computational analysis. We find that surface VEGFR-2 can be mobile or exhibit restricted mobility and be monomeric or non-monomeric, with a complex interplay between the two. This basal heterogeneity results in heterogeneity in the sequence of steps leading to VEGFR-2 activation by VEGF. Specifically, we find that VEGF can bind to monomeric and non-monomeric VEGFR-2 and that, when binding to monomeric VEGFR-2, its effect on dimerization depends on the mobility of VEGFR-2. Our study highlights the dynamic and heterogeneous nature of cell surface receptor organization and the need for multiscale, single-molecule-based analysis to determine its relationship to receptor activation and signaling. da Rocha-Azevedo et al. show that VEGFR-2 exhibits mobility and interaction heterogeneity on the endothelial cell surface. The sequence of steps leading to VEGFR-2 activation by VEGF depends on the basal state of VEGFR-2. Thus, there is not one model but multiple co-existing models of VEGFR-2 activation by VEGF.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sungsoo Lee
- Department of Biophysics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Aparajita Dasgupta
- Department of Biophysics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Anthony R Vega
- Department of Biophysics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | | | - Tae Kim
- Department of Biophysics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Mark Kittisopikul
- Department of Biophysics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Zachariah A Malik
- Department of Biophysics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Khuloud Jaqaman
- Department of Biophysics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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Lanitis E, Kosti P, Ronet C, Cribioli E, Rota G, Spill A, Reichenbach P, Zoete V, Dangaj Laniti D, Coukos G, Irving M. VEGFR-2 redirected CAR-T cells are functionally impaired by soluble VEGF-A competition for receptor binding. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2020-002151. [PMID: 34389616 PMCID: PMC8365827 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-002151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The adoptive transfer of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells has emerged as a potent immunotherapy against some hematological malignancies but not yet for epithelial-derived solid tumors. One critical issue is the paucity of broadly expressed solid tumor antigens (TAs), and another is the presence of suppressive mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment (TME) that can impair CAR-T cell homing, extravasation and effector functions. TAs expressed by endothelial cells of the tumor vasculature are of clinical interest for CAR therapy because of their genomic stability and accessibility to circulating T cells, as well as their expression across multiple tumor types. In this study, we sought to explore limitations to the efficacy of second-generation (2G) murine CAR-T cells redirected against the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) with the well-characterized single-chain variable fragment DC101. Methods Primary murine T cells were retrovirally transduced to express a 2G anti-VEGFR-2-CAR, and the in vitro binding to VEGFR-2, as well as reactivity against TA-expressing cells, was evaluated in the absence versus presence of exogenous VEGF-A. The CAR-T cells were further tested in vivo for tumor control alone and in combination with anti-VEGF-A antibody. Finally, we performed ex vivo phenotypic analyses of tumor-infiltrating CAR-T cells for the two treatment groups. Results In line with previous reports, we observed poor control of B16 melanoma by the 2G anti-VEGFR-2 CAR-T cells as a monotherapy. We further showed that VEGFR-2 is not downregulated by B16 melanoma tumors post treatment, but that its soluble ligand VEGF-A is upregulated and furthermore competes in vitro with the CAR-T cells for binding to VEGFR-2. This competition resulted in impaired CAR-T cell adhesion and effector function in vitro that could be restored in the presence of anti-VEGF-A antibody. Finally, we demonstrated that coadministration of anti-VEGF-A antibody in vivo promoted CAR-T cell persistence and tumor control and was associated with reduced frequencies of PD-1+ Ki67- and LAG-3+ Ki67- CAR-T cells in the TME. Conclusions This study represents the first example of impaired function of a vasculature-targeted CAR by an angiogenic ligand and rationalizes the use of combinatorial therapies that target the tumor vasculature and augment CAR-T cell effector function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evripidis Lanitis
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
| | - Paris Kosti
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
| | - Catherine Ronet
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
| | - Elisabetta Cribioli
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
| | - Giorgia Rota
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
| | - Aodrenn Spill
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Reichenbach
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Zoete
- Computer-aided Molecular Engineering Group, Department of Oncology UNIL CHUV, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
| | - Denarda Dangaj Laniti
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
| | - George Coukos
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
| | - Melita Irving
- Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
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Karl K, Hristova K. Pondering the mechanism of receptor tyrosine kinase activation: The case for ligand-specific dimer microstate ensembles. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2021; 71:193-199. [PMID: 34399300 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are single-pass membrane proteins that regulate cell growth, differentiation, motility, and metabolism. Here, we review recent advancements in RTK structure determination and in the understanding of RTK activation. We argue that further progress in the field will necessitate new ways of thinking, and we introduce the concept that RTK dimers explore ensembles of microstates, each characterized by different kinase domain dimer conformations, but the same extracellular domain dimer structure. Many microstates are phosphorylation-competent and ensure the phosphorylation of one specific tyrosine. The prevalence of each microstate correlates with its stability. A switch in ligand will lead to a switch in the extracellular domain configuration and to a subsequent switch in the ensemble of microstates. This model can explain how different ligands produce specific phosphorylation patterns, how receptor overexpression leads to enhanced signaling even in the absence of activating ligands, and why RTK kinase domain structures have remained unresolved in cryogenic electron microscopy studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Karl
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, and Program in Molecular Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218 USA
| | - Kalina Hristova
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, and Program in Molecular Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218 USA.
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15
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Rose M, Kurylowicz M, Mahmood M, Winkel S, Moran-Mirabal JM, Fradin C. Direct Measurement of the Affinity between tBid and Bax in a Mitochondria-Like Membrane. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8240. [PMID: 34361006 PMCID: PMC8348223 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The execution step in apoptosis is the permeabilization of the outer mitochondrial membrane, controlled by Bcl-2 family proteins. The physical interactions between the different proteins in this family and their relative abundance literally determine the fate of the cells. These interactions, however, are difficult to quantify, as they occur in a lipid membrane and involve proteins with multiple conformations and stoichiometries which can exist both in soluble and membrane. Here we focus on the interaction between two core Bcl-2 family members, the executor pore-forming protein Bax and the truncated form of the activator protein Bid (tBid), which we imaged at the single particle level in a mitochondria-like planar supported lipid bilayer. We inferred the conformation of the proteins from their mobility, and detected their transient interactions using a novel single particle cross-correlation analysis. We show that both tBid and Bax have at least two different conformations at the membrane, and that their affinity for one another increases by one order of magnitude (with a 2D-KD decreasing from ≃1.6μm-2 to ≃0.1μm-2) when they pass from their loosely membrane-associated to their transmembrane form. We conclude by proposing an updated molecular model for the activation of Bax by tBid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Rose
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada; (M.R.); (M.K.); (M.M.); (S.W.)
| | - Martin Kurylowicz
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada; (M.R.); (M.K.); (M.M.); (S.W.)
| | - Mohammad Mahmood
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada; (M.R.); (M.K.); (M.M.); (S.W.)
| | - Sheldon Winkel
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada; (M.R.); (M.K.); (M.M.); (S.W.)
| | - Jose M. Moran-Mirabal
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada;
| | - Cécile Fradin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada; (M.R.); (M.K.); (M.M.); (S.W.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
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Wirth D, McCall A, Hristova K. Neural network strategies for plasma membrane selection in fluorescence microscopy images. Biophys J 2021; 120:2374-2385. [PMID: 33961865 PMCID: PMC8390876 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.04.030] [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: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, there has been an explosion of fluorescence microscopy studies of live cells in the literature. The analysis of the images obtained in these studies often requires labor-intensive manual annotation to extract meaningful information. In this study, we explore the utility of a neural network approach to recognize, classify, and select plasma membranes in high-resolution images, thus greatly speeding up data analysis and reducing the need for personnel training for highly repetitive tasks. Two different strategies are tested: 1) a semantic segmentation strategy, and 2) a sequential application of an object detector followed by a semantic segmentation network. Multiple network architectures are evaluated for each strategy, and the best performing solutions are combined and implemented in the Recognition Of Cellular Membranes software. We show that images annotated manually and with the Recognition Of Cellular Membranes software yield identical results by comparing Förster resonance energy transfer binding curves for the membrane protein fibroblast growth factor receptor 3. The approach that we describe in this work can be applied to other image selection tasks in cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Wirth
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Alec McCall
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kalina Hristova
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
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17
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Karl K, Paul MD, Pasquale EB, Hristova K. Ligand bias in receptor tyrosine kinase signaling. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:18494-18507. [PMID: 33122191 PMCID: PMC7939482 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev120.015190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ligand bias is the ability of ligands to differentially activate certain receptor signaling responses compared with others. It reflects differences in the responses of a receptor to specific ligands and has implications for the development of highly specific therapeutics. Whereas ligand bias has been studied primarily for G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), there are also reports of ligand bias for receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). However, the understanding of RTK ligand bias is lagging behind the knowledge of GPCR ligand bias. In this review, we highlight how protocols that were developed to study GPCR signaling can be used to identify and quantify RTK ligand bias. We also introduce an operational model that can provide insights into the biophysical basis of RTK activation and ligand bias. Finally, we discuss possible mechanisms underpinning RTK ligand bias. Thus, this review serves as a primer for researchers interested in investigating ligand bias in RTK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Karl
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, and Program in Molecular Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael D Paul
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, and Program in Molecular Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Elena B Pasquale
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.
| | - Kalina Hristova
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, and Program in Molecular Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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18
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Shaik F, Cuthbert GA, Homer-Vanniasinkam S, Muench SP, Ponnambalam S, Harrison MA. Structural Basis for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor Activation and Implications for Disease Therapy. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10121673. [PMID: 33333800 PMCID: PMC7765180 DOI: 10.3390/biom10121673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) bind to membrane receptors on a wide variety of cells to regulate diverse biological responses. The VEGF-A family member promotes vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, processes which are essential for vascular development and physiology. As angiogenesis can be subverted in many disease states, including tumour development and progression, there is much interest in understanding the mechanistic basis for how VEGF-A regulates cell and tissue function. VEGF-A binds with high affinity to two VEGF receptor tyrosine kinases (VEGFR1, VEGFR2) and with lower affinity to co-receptors called neuropilin-1 and neuropilin-2 (NRP1, NRP2). Here, we use a structural viewpoint to summarise our current knowledge of VEGF-VEGFR activation and signal transduction. As targeting VEGF-VEGFR activation holds much therapeutic promise, we examine the structural basis for anti-angiogenic therapy using small-molecule compounds such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors that block VEGFR activation and downstream signalling. This review provides a rational basis towards reconciling VEGF and VEGFR structure and function in developing new therapeutics for a diverse range of ailments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faheem Shaik
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK;
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-207-8824207
| | - Gary A. Cuthbert
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; (G.A.C.); (S.H.-V.); (M.A.H.)
| | | | - Stephen P. Muench
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK;
| | | | - Michael A. Harrison
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; (G.A.C.); (S.H.-V.); (M.A.H.)
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TP53 Mutation Analysis in Gastric Cancer and Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Metastatic Disease Treated with Ramucirumab/Paclitaxel or Standard Chemotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12082049. [PMID: 32722340 PMCID: PMC7465166 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of p53 promotes vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A up-regulation and the angiogenic potential of cancer cells. We investigated TP53 somatic mutations in 110 primary gastric adenocarcinomas of two retrospective metastatic series including 48 patients treated with second-line Ramucirumab/Paclitaxel and 62 patients who received first-line chemotherapy with Cisplatin or Oxaliplatin plus 5-Fluorouracil. Missense mutations were classified by tumor protein p53 (TP53) mutant-specific residual transcriptional activity scores (TP53RTAS) and used to stratify patients into two groups: transcriptionally TP53Active and TP53Inactive. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). An additional analysis was addressed to measure VEGF/VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) expression levels in relation to the TP53RTAS. In the Ramucirumab/Paclitaxel group, 29/48 (60.4%) patients had TP53 mutations. Ten patients with TP53Inactive mutations showed better OS than carriers of other TP53 mutations. This effect was retained in the multivariate model analysis (Hazard Ratio = 0.29, 95% confidence interval = 0.17–0.85, p = 0.02). In the chemotherapy group, 41/62 (66%) patients had TP53 mutations, and the 11 carriers of TP53Inactive mutations showed the worst OS (Hazard Ratio = 2.64, 95% confidence interval = 1.17–5.95, p = 0.02). VEGF-A mRNA expression levels were significantly increased in TP53Inactive cases. Further studies are warranted to explore the effect of TP53Inactive mutations in different anti-cancer regimens. This information would lead to new tailored therapy strategies for this lethal disease.
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20
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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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21
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Stoneman MR, Biener G, Raicu V. Proposal for simultaneous analysis of fluorescence intensity fluctuations and resonance energy transfer (IFRET) measurements. Methods Appl Fluoresc 2020; 8:035011. [DOI: 10.1088/2050-6120/ab9b68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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22
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Zimbone S, Santoro AM, La Mendola D, Giacomelli C, Trincavelli ML, Tomasello MF, Milardi D, García-Viñuales S, Sciacca MFM, Martini C, Grasso G. The Ionophoric Activity of a Pro-Apoptotic VEGF165 Fragment on HUVEC Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E2866. [PMID: 32325956 PMCID: PMC7216235 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Copper plays an important role as a regulator in many pathologies involving the angiogenesis process. In cancerogenesis, tumor progression, and angiogenic diseases, copper homeostasis is altered. Although many details in the pathways involved are still unknown, some copper-specific ligands have been successfully used as therapeutic agents. Copper-binding peptides able to modulate angiogenesis represent a possible way to value new drugs. We previously reported that a fragment (VEGF73-101) of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF165), a potent angiogenic, induced an apoptotic effect on human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the putative copper ionophoric activity of VEGF73-101, as well as establish a relationship between the structure of the peptide fragment and the cytotoxic activity in the presence of copper(II) ions. Here, we studied the stoichiometry and the conformation of the VEGF73-101/Cu(II) complexes and some of its mutated peptides by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of all peptides in the absence and presence of copper ions by cell viability and cytofuorimetric assays. The obtained results suggest that VEGF73-101 could be considered an interesting candidate in the development of new molecules with ionophoric properties as agents in antiangiogenic therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Zimbone
- CNR Istituto di Cristallografia Sede Secondaria di Catania, Via Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (S.Z.); (A.M.S.); (M.F.T.); (D.M.); (S.G.-V.); (M.F.M.S.)
| | - Anna M. Santoro
- CNR Istituto di Cristallografia Sede Secondaria di Catania, Via Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (S.Z.); (A.M.S.); (M.F.T.); (D.M.); (S.G.-V.); (M.F.M.S.)
| | - Diego La Mendola
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (D.L.M.); (C.G.); (M.L.T.); (C.M.)
| | - Chiara Giacomelli
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (D.L.M.); (C.G.); (M.L.T.); (C.M.)
| | - Maria L. Trincavelli
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (D.L.M.); (C.G.); (M.L.T.); (C.M.)
| | - Marianna F. Tomasello
- CNR Istituto di Cristallografia Sede Secondaria di Catania, Via Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (S.Z.); (A.M.S.); (M.F.T.); (D.M.); (S.G.-V.); (M.F.M.S.)
| | - Danilo Milardi
- CNR Istituto di Cristallografia Sede Secondaria di Catania, Via Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (S.Z.); (A.M.S.); (M.F.T.); (D.M.); (S.G.-V.); (M.F.M.S.)
| | - Sara García-Viñuales
- CNR Istituto di Cristallografia Sede Secondaria di Catania, Via Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (S.Z.); (A.M.S.); (M.F.T.); (D.M.); (S.G.-V.); (M.F.M.S.)
| | - Michele F. M. Sciacca
- CNR Istituto di Cristallografia Sede Secondaria di Catania, Via Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (S.Z.); (A.M.S.); (M.F.T.); (D.M.); (S.G.-V.); (M.F.M.S.)
| | - Claudia Martini
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (D.L.M.); (C.G.); (M.L.T.); (C.M.)
| | - Giulia Grasso
- CNR Istituto di Cristallografia Sede Secondaria di Catania, Via Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy; (S.Z.); (A.M.S.); (M.F.T.); (D.M.); (S.G.-V.); (M.F.M.S.)
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Franco ML, Nadezhdin KD, Goncharuk SA, Mineev KS, Arseniev AS, Vilar M. Structural basis of the transmembrane domain dimerization and rotation in the activation mechanism of the TRKA receptor by nerve growth factor. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:275-286. [PMID: 31801826 PMCID: PMC6952603 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.011312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Tropomyosin-receptor kinases (TRKs) are essential for the development of the nervous system. The molecular mechanism of TRKA activation by its ligand nerve growth factor (NGF) is still unsolved. Recent results indicate that at endogenous levels most of TRKA is in a monomer-dimer equilibrium and that the binding of NGF induces an increase of the dimeric and oligomeric forms of this receptor. An unsolved issue is the role of the TRKA transmembrane domain (TMD) in the dimerization of TRKA and the structural details of the TMD in the active dimer receptor. Here, we found that the TRKA-TMD can form dimers, identified the structural determinants of the dimer interface in the active receptor, and validated this interface through site-directed mutagenesis together with functional and cell differentiation studies. Using in vivo cross-linking, we found that the extracellular juxtamembrane region is reordered after ligand binding. Replacement of some residues in the juxtamembrane region with cysteine resulted in ligand-independent active dimers and revealed the preferred dimer interface. Moreover, insertion of leucine residues into the TMD helix induced a ligand-independent TRKA activation, suggesting that a rotation of the TMD dimers underlies NGF-induced TRKA activation. Altogether, our findings indicate that the transmembrane and juxtamembrane regions of TRKA play key roles in its dimerization and activation by NGF.
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Affiliation(s)
- María L Franco
- Molecular Basis of Neurodegeneration Unit, Institute of Biomedicine of València, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 46010 València, Spain
| | - Kirill D Nadezhdin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russian Federation; Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Institutskiy Pereulok 9, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region 141700, Russian Federation
| | - Sergey A Goncharuk
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russian Federation; Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Institutskiy Pereulok 9, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region 141700, Russian Federation
| | - Konstantin S Mineev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russian Federation; Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Institutskiy Pereulok 9, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region 141700, Russian Federation
| | - Alexander S Arseniev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russian Federation; Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Institutskiy Pereulok 9, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region 141700, Russian Federation.
| | - Marçal Vilar
- Molecular Basis of Neurodegeneration Unit, Institute of Biomedicine of València, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 46010 València, Spain.
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Paul MD, Hristova K. The transition model of RTK activation: A quantitative framework for understanding RTK signaling and RTK modulator activity. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2019; 49:23-31. [PMID: 31711797 PMCID: PMC6898792 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2019.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Here, we discuss the transition model of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) activation, which is derived from biophysical investigations of RTK interactions and signaling. The model postulates that (1) RTKs can interact laterally to form dimers even in the absence of ligand, (2) different unliganded RTK dimers have different stabilities, (3) ligand binding stabilizes the RTK dimers, and (4) ligand binding causes structural changes in the RTK dimer. The model is grounded in the principles of physical chemistry and provides a framework to understand RTK activity and to make predictions in quantitative terms. It can guide basic research aimed at uncovering the mechanism of RTK activation and, in the long run, can empower the search for modulators of RTK function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Paul
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, and Program in Molecular Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, United States
| | - Kalina Hristova
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, and Program in Molecular Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, United States.
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Agarwal G, Smith AW, Jones B. Discoidin domain receptors: Micro insights into macro assemblies. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2019; 1866:118496. [PMID: 31229648 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2019.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Assembly of cell-surface receptors into specific oligomeric states and/or clusters before and after ligand binding is an important feature governing their biological function. Receptor oligomerization can be mediated by specific domains of the receptor, ligand binding, configurational changes or other interacting molecules. In this review we summarize our understanding of the oligomeric state of discoidin domain receptors (DDR1 and DDR2), which belong to the receptor tyrosine kinase family (RTK). DDRs form an interesting system from an oligomerization perspective as their ligand collagen(s) can also undergo supramolecular assembly to form fibrils. Even though DDR1 and DDR2 differ in the domains responsible to form ligand-free dimers they share similarities in binding to soluble, monomeric collagen. However, only DDR1b forms globular clusters in response to monomeric collagen and not DDR2. Interestingly, both DDR1 and DDR2 are assembled into linear clusters by the collagen fibril. Formation of these clusters is important for receptor phosphorylation and is mediated in part by other membrane components. We summarize how the oligomeric status of DDRs shares similarities with other members of the RTK family and with collagen receptors. Unraveling the multiple macro-molecular configurations adopted by this receptor-ligand pair can provide novel insights into the intricacies of cell-matrix interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunjan Agarwal
- Biomedical Engineering Department, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Adam W Smith
- Department of Chemistry, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA
| | - Blain Jones
- Biomedical Engineering Department, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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