1
|
Vela-Alcántara AM, Santiago-García J, Barragán-Palacios M, León-Chacón A, Domínguez-Pantoja M, Barceinas-Dávila I, Juárez-Aguilar E, Tamariz E. Differential modulation of cell morphology, migration, and Neuropilin-1 expression in cancer and non-cancer cell lines by substrate stiffness. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1352233. [PMID: 38903533 PMCID: PMC11188430 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1352233] [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: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Physical changes in the tumor microenvironment, such as increased stiffness, regulate cancer hallmarks and play an essential role in gene expression, cell morphology, migration, and malignancy. However, the response of cancer cells to stiffness is not homogeneous and varies depending on the cell type and its mechanosensitivity. In this study, we investigated the differential responses of cervical (HeLa) and prostate (PC-3) cancer cell lines, as well as non-tumoral cell lines (HEK293 and HPrEC), to stiffness using polyacrylamide hydrogels mimicking normal and tumoral tissues. We analyzed cell morphology, migration, and the expression of neuropilin 1 (NRP1), a receptor involved in angiogenesis, cell migration, and extracellular matrix remodeling, known to be associated with cancer progression and poor prognosis. Our findings reveal that NRP1 expression increases on substrates mimicking the high stiffness characteristic of tumoral tissue in the non-tumoral cell lines HPrEC and HEK293. Conversely, in tumoral PC-3 cells, stiffness resembling normal prostate tissue induces an earlier and more sustained expression of NRP1. Furthermore, we observed that stiffness influences cell spreading, pseudopodia formation, and the mode of cell protrusion during migration. Soft substrates predominantly trigger bleb cell protrusion, while pseudopodia protrusions increase on substrates mimicking normal and tumor-like stiffnesses in HPrEC cells compared to PC-3 cells. Stiffer substrates also enhance the percentage of migratory cells, as well as their velocity and total displacement, in both non-tumoral and tumoral prostate cells. However, they only improve the persistence of migration in tumoral PC-3 cells. Moreover, we found that NRP1 co-localizes with actin, and its suppression impairs tumoral PC-3 spreading while decreasing pseudopodia protrusion mode. Our results suggest that the modulation of NRP1 expression by the stiffness can be a feedback loop to promote malignancy in non-tumoral and cancer cells, contingent upon the mechanosensitivity of the cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Monserrat Vela-Alcántara
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico
- Laboratorio de Cultivo Celular, Departamento de Biomedicina, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico
| | - Juan Santiago-García
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico
| | - Madeleine Barragán-Palacios
- Laboratorio de Cultivo Celular, Departamento de Biomedicina, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico
- Programa de Maestría en Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico
| | - Aylin León-Chacón
- Laboratorio de Cultivo Celular, Departamento de Biomedicina, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico
| | | | - Irene Barceinas-Dávila
- Laboratorio de Cultivo Celular, Departamento de Biomedicina, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico
- Programa de Maestría en Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico
| | - Enrique Juárez-Aguilar
- Laboratorio de Cultivo Celular, Departamento de Biomedicina, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico
| | - Elisa Tamariz
- Laboratorio de Cultivo Celular, Departamento de Biomedicina, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xue M, Xing L, Yang Y, Shao M, Liao F, Xu F, Chen Y, Wang S, Chen B, Yao C, Gu G, Tong C. A decrease in integrin α5β1/FAK is associated with increased apoptosis of aortic smooth muscle cells in acute type a aortic dissection. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2024; 24:180. [PMID: 38532364 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-024-03778-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) is a devastating disease. Human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) exhibit decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis, and integrin α5β1 and FAK are important proangiogenic factors involved in regulating angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of integrin α5β1 and FAK in patients with AAAD and the potential underlying mechanisms. METHODS Aortic tissue samples were obtained from 8 patients with AAAD and 4 organ donors at Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University. The level of apoptosis in the aortic tissues was assessed by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays. The expression of integrin α5β1 and FAK was determined. Integrin α5β1 was found to be significantly expressed in HASMCs, and its interaction with FAK was assessed via coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP) analysis. Proliferation and apoptosis were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays and flow cytometry after integrin α5β1 deficiency. RESULTS The levels of integrin α5β1 and FAK were both significantly decreased in patients with AAAD. Downregulating the expression of integrin α5β1-FAK strongly increased apoptosis and decreased proliferation in HASMCs, indicating that integrin α5β1-FAK might play an important role in the development of AAAD. CONCLUSIONS Downregulation of integrin α5β1-FAK is associated with increased apoptosis and decreased proliferation in aortic smooth muscle cells and may be a potential therapeutic strategy for AAAD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Xue
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lingyu Xing
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yilin Yang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Mian Shao
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Fengqing Liao
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Feixiang Xu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yumei Chen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Bin Chen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chenling Yao
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Guorong Gu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Chaoyang Tong
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lima AGF, Mignone VW, Vardiero F, Kozlowski EO, Fernandes LR, Motta JM, Pavão MSG, Figueiredo CC, Mourão PAS, Morandi V. Direct antitumoral effects of sulfated fucans isolated from echinoderms: a possible role of neuropilin-1/β1 integrin endocytosis and focal adhesion kinase degradation. Glycobiology 2023; 33:715-731. [PMID: 37289485 PMCID: PMC10627248 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwad044] [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: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypercoagulability, a major complication of metastatic cancers, has usually been treated with heparins from natural sources, or with their synthetic derivatives, which are under intense investigation in clinical oncology. However, the use of heparin has been challenging for patients with risk of severe bleeding. While the systemic administration of heparins, in preclinical models, has shown primarily attenuating effects on metastasis, their direct effect on established solid tumors has generated contradictory outcomes. We investigated the direct antitumoral properties of two sulfated fucans isolated from marine echinoderms, FucSulf1 and FucSulf2, which exhibit anticoagulant activity with mild hemorrhagic potential. Unlike heparin, sulfated fucans significantly inhibited tumor cell proliferation (by ~30-50%), and inhibited tumor migration and invasion in vitro. We found that FucSulf1 and FucSulf2 interacted with fibronectin as efficiently as heparin, leading to loss of prostate cancer and melanoma cell spreading. The sulfated fucans increased the endocytosis of β1 integrin and neuropilin-1 chains, two cell receptors implicated in fibronectin-dependent adhesion. The treatment of cancer cells with both sulfated fucans, but not with heparin, also triggered intracellular focal adhesion kinase (FAK) degradation, with a consequent overall decrease in activated focal adhesion kinase levels. Finally, only sulfated fucans inhibited the growth of B16-F10 melanoma cells implanted in the dermis of syngeneic C57/BL6 mice. FucSulf1 and FucSulf2 arise from this study as candidates for the design of possible alternatives to long-term treatments of cancer patients with heparins, with the advantage of also controlling local growth and invasion of malignant cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio G F Lima
- Laboratório de Biologia da Célula Endotelial e da Angiogênese (LabAngio), Departamento de Biologia Celular/IBRAG, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, 20550-013, Brazil
- Laboratório do Tecido Conjuntivo, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica (IBqM) - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-913, Brazil
| | - Viviane W Mignone
- Laboratório de Biologia da Célula Endotelial e da Angiogênese (LabAngio), Departamento de Biologia Celular/IBRAG, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, 20550-013, Brazil
| | - Francisco Vardiero
- Laboratório de Biologia da Célula Endotelial e da Angiogênese (LabAngio), Departamento de Biologia Celular/IBRAG, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, 20550-013, Brazil
| | - Eliene O Kozlowski
- Laboratório do Tecido Conjuntivo, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica (IBqM) - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-913, Brazil
| | - Laila R Fernandes
- Laboratório de Biologia da Célula Endotelial e da Angiogênese (LabAngio), Departamento de Biologia Celular/IBRAG, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, 20550-013, Brazil
| | - Juliana M Motta
- Laboratório do Tecido Conjuntivo, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica (IBqM) - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-913, Brazil
| | - Mauro S G Pavão
- Laboratório do Tecido Conjuntivo, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica (IBqM) - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-913, Brazil
| | - Camila C Figueiredo
- Laboratório de Biologia da Célula Endotelial e da Angiogênese (LabAngio), Departamento de Biologia Celular/IBRAG, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, 20550-013, Brazil
| | - Paulo A S Mourão
- Laboratório do Tecido Conjuntivo, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica (IBqM) - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-913, Brazil
| | - Verônica Morandi
- Laboratório de Biologia da Célula Endotelial e da Angiogênese (LabAngio), Departamento de Biologia Celular/IBRAG, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, 20550-013, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Li M, Liu J, Luo X, Zhao Z, Wang S, Liu Z, Li T, Yang D, Li Y, Wang P, Luo F, Yan J. Monoclonal Antibody-Guided Tumor-Targeted Hollow Virus-Like Cerium Oxide with Oxygen Self-Supply for Intensifying Photodynamic Therapy. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2202418. [PMID: 36459700 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202202418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
The hypoxic character of tumors and the poor targeting ability of photosensitizers often limit the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT). In recent years, the discovery of metal nanoenzymes and nanocarriers has improved PDT. Thereby, to improve the effective utilization of photosensitizers and oxygen (O2 ) in tumors, herein, a nanosystem (LS-HB@HvCeO2 -NRP1 mAb, LHCN1) is reported, in which a hollow virus-like cerium oxide (HvCeO2 ) is surface-decorated with tumor-targeting neuropilin-1 monoclonal antibody (NRP1 mAb), and loaded with a photosensitizer (chlorin e6-C-15-ethyl ester, LS-HB). In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that LHCN1 can efficiently accumulate within the tumor sites via the targeting guidance of NRP1 mAb and is then rapidly endocytosed into cells. Furthermore, HvCeO2 with catalase-mimetic activity can decompose the endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) to promote O2 via the valence transformation between Ce4+ and Ce3+ , relieving tumor hypoxia and improving the PDT efficacy. Upon near-infrared laser irradiation, LS-HB produces large amounts of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species. Moreover, LHCN1 is used in fluorescence/photoacoustic multimodal imaging for in vivo drug localization, and its use in PDT evidently helps inhibit tumor growth with no apparent toxicity to normal tissues. Thus, LHCN1 may provide a promising strategy for precise tumor-specific diagnosis and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengqi Li
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 36100, P. R. China
| | - Jiajing Liu
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 36100, P. R. China
| | - Xian Luo
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 36100, P. R. China
| | - Zhiyu Zhao
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 36100, P. R. China
| | - Shengyu Wang
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 36100, P. R. China
| | - Zongjunlin Liu
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 36100, P. R. China
| | - Tingting Li
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 36100, P. R. China
| | - Dong Yang
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 36100, P. R. China
| | - Yang Li
- Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Science, Fuzhou, 350007, P. R. China
| | - Peiyuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Science, Fuzhou, 350007, P. R. China
| | - Fanghong Luo
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 36100, P. R. China
| | - Jianghua Yan
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 36100, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
The Role of VEGF Receptors as Molecular Target in Nuclear Medicine for Cancer Diagnosis and Combination Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13051072. [PMID: 33802353 PMCID: PMC7959315 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The rapid development of diagnostic and therapeutic methods of the cancer treatment causes that these diseases are becoming better known and the fight against them is more and more effective. Substantial contribution in this development has nuclear medicine that enables very early cancer diagnosis and early start of the so-called targeted therapy. This therapeutic concept compared to the currently used chemotherapy, causes much fewer undesirable side effects, due to targeting a specific lesion in the body. This review article discusses the possible applications of radionuclide-labelled tracers (peptides, antibodies or synthetic organic molecules) that can visualise cancer cells through pathological blood vessel system in close tumour microenvironment. Hence, at a very early step of oncological disease, targeted therapy can involve in tumour formation and growth. Abstract One approach to anticancer treatment is targeted anti-angiogenic therapy (AAT) based on prevention of blood vessel formation around the developing cancer cells. It is known that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) play a pivotal role in angiogenesis process; hence, application of angiogenesis inhibitors can be an effective approach in anticancer combination therapeutic strategies. Currently, several types of molecules have been utilised in targeted VEGF/VEGFR anticancer therapy, including human VEGF ligands themselves and their derivatives, anti-VEGF or anti-VEGFR monoclonal antibodies, VEGF binding peptides and small molecular inhibitors of VEGFR tyrosine kinases. These molecules labelled with diagnostic or therapeutic radionuclides can become, respectively, diagnostic or therapeutic receptor radiopharmaceuticals. In targeted anti-angiogenic therapy, diagnostic radioagents play a unique role, allowing the determination of the emerging tumour, to monitor the course of treatment, to predict the treatment outcomes and, first of all, to refer patients for AAT. This review provides an overview of design, synthesis and study of radiolabelled VEGF/VEGFR targeting and imaging agents to date. Additionally, we will briefly discuss their physicochemical properties and possible application in combination targeted radionuclide tumour therapy.
Collapse
|
6
|
Ahmed T, Mythreye K, Lee NY. Strength and duration of GIPC-dependent signaling networks as determinants in cancer. Neoplasia 2021; 23:181-188. [PMID: 33360508 PMCID: PMC7773760 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2020.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
GIPC is a PDZ-domain containing adaptor protein that regulates the cell surface expression and endocytic trafficking of numerous transmembrane receptors and signaling complexes. Interactions with over 50 proteins have been reported to date including VEGFR, insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), GPCRs, and APPL, many of which have essential roles in neuronal and cardiovascular development. In cancer, a major subset of GIPC-binding receptors and cytoplasmic effectors have been shown to promote tumorigenesis or metastatic progression, while other subsets have demonstrated strong tumor-suppressive effects. Given that these diverse pathways are widespread in normal tissues and human malignancies, precisely how these opposing signals are integrated and regulated within the same tumor setting likely depend on the strength and duration of their interactions with GIPC. This review highlights the major pathways and divergent mechanisms of GIPC signaling in various cancers and provide a rationale for emerging GIPC-targeted cancer therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tasmia Ahmed
- Deparment of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Karthikeyan Mythreye
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Nam Y Lee
- Deparment of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA; The University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hou J, Yan D, Liu Y, Huang P, Cui H. The Roles of Integrin α5β1 in Human Cancer. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:13329-13344. [PMID: 33408483 PMCID: PMC7781020 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s273803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix has important roles in tissue integrity and human health. Integrins are heterodimeric cell surface receptors that are composed by two non-covalently linked alpha and beta subunits that mainly participate in the interaction of cell-cell adhesion and cell-extracellular matrix and regulate cell motility, adhesion, differentiation, migration, proliferation, etc. In mammals, there have been eighteen α subunits and 8 β subunits and so far 24 distinct types of αβ integrin heterodimers have been identified in humans. Integrin α5β1, also known as the fibronectin receptor, is a heterodimer with α5 and β1 subunits and has emerged as an essential mediator in many human carcinomas. Integrin α5β1 alteration is closely linked to the progression of several types of human cancers, including cell proliferation, angiogenesis, tumor metastasis, and cancerogenesis. In this review, we will introduce the functions of integrin α5β1 in cancer progression and also explore its regulatory mechanisms. Additionally, the potential clinical applications as a target for cancer imaging and therapy are discussed. Collectively, the information reviewed here may increase the understanding of integrin α5β1 as a potential therapeutic target for cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianbing Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China.,Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China.,Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China
| | - Du Yan
- Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China
| | - Yudong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China.,Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China.,Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China
| | - Pan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China.,Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China.,Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China.,Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China.,Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Naderi S, Roshan R, Ghaderi H, Behdani M, Mahmoudi S, Habibi-Anbouhi M, Shokrgozar MA, Kazemi-Lomedasht F. Selection and characterization of specific nanobody against neuropilin-1 for inhibition of angiogenesis. Mol Immunol 2020; 128:56-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2020.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
9
|
De Vlaeminck Y, Bonelli S, Awad RM, Dewilde M, Rizzolio S, Lecocq Q, Bolli E, Santos AR, Laoui D, Schoonooghe S, Tamagnone L, Goyvaerts C, Mazzone M, Breckpot K, Van Ginderachter JA. Targeting Neuropilin-1 with Nanobodies Reduces Colorectal Carcinoma Development. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123582. [PMID: 33266104 PMCID: PMC7760077 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Neuropilin-1 is a co-receptor for semaphorins and vascular endothelial growth factor family members. Neuropilin-1 can be expressed on tumor cells, tumor-infiltrating myeloid and lymphoid cells and has been linked to a tumor-promoting environment. We investigated nanobodies (Nbs) targeting neuropilin-1 for their potential to hamper colorectal carcinoma development in mice. Our data suggest that targeting neuropilin-1 in cancer using neuropilin-1 blocking Nbs delays tumor growth and extends the survival through a shift in the anti-tumor macrophage/pro-tumor macrophage ratio and activation of colorectal cancer-specific CD8+ T cells. These findings provide a rationale for the further development of Nbs targeting human neuropilin-1 and bringing them from the bench to the bedside. Abstract Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is a co-receptor for semaphorins and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family members that can be expressed on cancer cells and tumor-infiltrating myeloid, endothelial and lymphoid cells. It has been linked to a tumor-promoting environment upon interaction with semaphorin 3A (Sema3A). Nanobodies (Nbs) targeting NRP-1 were generated for their potential to hamper the NRP-1/Sema3A interaction and their impact on colorectal carcinoma (CRC) development was evaluated in vivo through the generation of anti-NRP-1-producing CRC cells. We observed that tumor growth was significantly delayed and survival prolonged when the anti-NRP-1 Nbs were produced in vivo. We further analyzed the tumor microenvironment and observed that the pro-inflammatory MHC-IIhigh/trophic MHC-IIlow macrophage ratio was increased in tumors that produce anti-NRP-1 Nbs. This finding was corroborated by an increase in the expression of genes associated with MHC-IIhigh macrophages and a decrease in the expression of MHC-IIlow macrophage-associated genes in the macrophage pool sorted from anti-NRP-1 Nb-producing tumors. Moreover, we observed a significantly higher percentage of tumor-associated antigen-specific CD8+ T cells in tumors producing anti-NRP-1 Nbs. These data demonstrate that an intratumoral expression of NRP-1/Sema3A blocking biologicals increases anti-tumor immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yannick De Vlaeminck
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (Y.D.V.); (R.M.A.); (Q.L.); (C.G.)
| | - Stefano Bonelli
- Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1040 Brussels, Belgium; (S.B.); (E.B.); (D.L.); (S.S.)
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Robin Maximilian Awad
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (Y.D.V.); (R.M.A.); (Q.L.); (C.G.)
| | - Maarten Dewilde
- VIB Discovery Sciences, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (M.D.); (A.R.S.)
| | | | - Quentin Lecocq
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (Y.D.V.); (R.M.A.); (Q.L.); (C.G.)
| | - Evangelia Bolli
- Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1040 Brussels, Belgium; (S.B.); (E.B.); (D.L.); (S.S.)
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ana Rita Santos
- VIB Discovery Sciences, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (M.D.); (A.R.S.)
| | - Damya Laoui
- Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1040 Brussels, Belgium; (S.B.); (E.B.); (D.L.); (S.S.)
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Steve Schoonooghe
- Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1040 Brussels, Belgium; (S.B.); (E.B.); (D.L.); (S.S.)
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Luca Tamagnone
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00100 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli”, IRCCS, 00100 Rome, Italy
| | - Cleo Goyvaerts
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (Y.D.V.); (R.M.A.); (Q.L.); (C.G.)
| | - Massimiliano Mazzone
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (Y.D.V.); (R.M.A.); (Q.L.); (C.G.)
- Correspondence: (K.B.); (J.A.V.G.)
| | - Jo A. Van Ginderachter
- Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1040 Brussels, Belgium; (S.B.); (E.B.); (D.L.); (S.S.)
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
- Correspondence: (K.B.); (J.A.V.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Daly JL, Simonetti B, Klein K, Chen KE, Williamson MK, Antón-Plágaro C, Shoemark DK, Simón-Gracia L, Bauer M, Hollandi R, Greber UF, Horvath P, Sessions RB, Helenius A, Hiscox JA, Teesalu T, Matthews DA, Davidson AD, Collins BM, Cullen PJ, Yamauchi Y. Neuropilin-1 is a host factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Science 2020; 370:861-865. [PMID: 33082294 DOI: 10.1101/2020.06.05.134114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), uses the viral spike (S) protein for host cell attachment and entry. The host protease furin cleaves the full-length precursor S glycoprotein into two associated polypeptides: S1 and S2. Cleavage of S generates a polybasic Arg-Arg-Ala-Arg carboxyl-terminal sequence on S1, which conforms to a C-end rule (CendR) motif that binds to cell surface neuropilin-1 (NRP1) and NRP2 receptors. We used x-ray crystallography and biochemical approaches to show that the S1 CendR motif directly bound NRP1. Blocking this interaction by RNA interference or selective inhibitors reduced SARS-CoV-2 entry and infectivity in cell culture. NRP1 thus serves as a host factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection and may potentially provide a therapeutic target for COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James L Daly
- School of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Boris Simonetti
- School of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK.
| | - Katja Klein
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Kai-En Chen
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Maia Kavanagh Williamson
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Carlos Antón-Plágaro
- School of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Deborah K Shoemark
- School of Biochemistry and BrisSynBio Centre, Faculty of Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Lorena Simón-Gracia
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Michael Bauer
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Reka Hollandi
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Biological Research Centre (BRC), Szeged, Hungary
| | - Urs F Greber
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Peter Horvath
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Biological Research Centre (BRC), Szeged, Hungary
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Richard B Sessions
- School of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Ari Helenius
- Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Julian A Hiscox
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, 138648, Singapore
| | - Tambet Teesalu
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - David A Matthews
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Andrew D Davidson
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Brett M Collins
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Peter J Cullen
- School of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK.
| | - Yohei Yamauchi
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK.
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8601, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lin Y, Zhong H, Sun B, Peng Y, Lu F, Chen M, Zhu M, Huang J. USP22 promotes proliferation in renal cell carcinoma by stabilizing survivin. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:246. [PMID: 32973959 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.12108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the commonest urological tumors. The incidence of RCC ranks third among urological tumors, after prostate cancer and bladder tumors. However, the etiology of RCC remains unclear. Ubiquitin-specific protease 22 (USP22), a potential marker of cancer stem cells, is associated with the occurrence and progression of numerous tumors. However, the roles of USP22 in RCC have not yet been investigated. Survivin is a member of the inhibitor of apoptotic protein family involved in RCC progression. The present study first detected the expression of USP22 and survivin in RCC tissues using immunohistochemistry and western blotting. It was revealed that the protein levels of USP22 and survivin in RCC tissues were higher than those in adjacent normal renal tissue. Subsequently, it was demonstrated that USP22 knockdown inhibited the growth of an RCC cell line ACHN and downregulated the protein level of survivin, accompanied by an increased level of cleaved-caspase-3. By contrast, overexpression of USP22 promoted the growth of ACHN cells, upregulated the expression of survivin and decreased the level of cleaved-caspase-3. Notably, the changes in USP22 expression did not affect the SURVIVIN mRNA level. Finally, it was confirmed that USP22 interacted with survivin and stabilized it by downregulating its ubiquitination. The present results indicate that USP22 may regulate survivin via deubiquitination, thereby promoting the proliferation of RCC cells. The results of the current study suggest that USP22 may represent a novel therapeutic target for patients with RCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Lin
- Department of Nephrology, The Fifth Hospital of Xiamen, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Hongbin Zhong
- Department of Nephrology, The Fifth Hospital of Xiamen, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Baicheng Sun
- Department of Nephrology, The Fifth Hospital of Xiamen, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Yongtiao Peng
- Department of Nephrology, The Fifth Hospital of Xiamen, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Fuhua Lu
- Department of Nephrology, The Fifth Hospital of Xiamen, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Miaoxuan Chen
- Department of Nephrology, The Fifth Hospital of Xiamen, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Maoshu Zhu
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth Hospital of Xiamen, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Jiyi Huang
- Department of Nephrology, The Fifth Hospital of Xiamen, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Preparation of truncated tissue factor antineuropilin-1 monoclonal antibody conjugate and identification of its selective thrombosis in tumor blood vessels. Anticancer Drugs 2020; 30:441-450. [PMID: 30807552 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000000767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In recent decades, selectively inducing tumor vascular thrombosis, followed by necrosis of tumor tissues has been a promising and potential anticancer strategy. In this report, we prepared a kind of vascular targeting drug that consists of anti-neuropilin-1 monoclonal antibody (anti-NRP-1 mAb) and truncated tissue factor (tTF). Anti-NRP-1 mAb could guide tTF to the surface of tumor vascular endothelial cells and lead to subsequent vascular embolization. This vascular targeting drug, which is also one of the antibody drug conjugates, was generated using a coupling method with water-soluble 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide and N-hydroxysulfosuccimide. Afterwards, in-vitro and in-vivo assays were performed to characterize its potential coagulation ability and antitumor activity. In-vitro experiments indicated that tTF-anti-NRP-1 monoclonal antibody (tTF-mAb) retained both the targeting activity of anti-NRP-1 mAb and the procoagulant activity of tTF. Live imaging system was used to assess its biodistribution and tumor-binding capability, which also yielded promising results. Furthermore, in-vivo studies showed that tTF-mAb was capable of significantly inducing tumor vascular thrombosis and inhibiting tumor growth in nude mice bearing subcutaneous xenografts, and histopathologic changes were rarely observed in normal organs.
Collapse
|
13
|
Ma Z, Li N, Zhang B, Hui Y, Zhang Y, Lu P, Pi J, Liu Z. Dual drug-loaded nano-platform for targeted cancer therapy: toward clinical therapeutic efficacy of multifunctionality. J Nanobiotechnology 2020; 18:123. [PMID: 32887626 PMCID: PMC7650261 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-020-00681-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Poor targeting and penetration of chemotherapy drugs in solid tumors, and the development of resistance to chemotherapeutic agents are currently hindering the therapy of breast cancer; meanwhile, breast cancer metastasis is one of the leading causes of death in breast cancer patients. With the development of nanotechnology, nanomaterials have been widely used in tumor therapy. Results A multi-functional nano-platform containing gambogic acid (GA) and paclitaxel (PTX) was characterized by a small size, high encapsulation efficiency, slow release, long systemic circulation time in vivo, showed good targeting and penetrability to tumor tissues and tumor cells, and exhibited higher anti-tumor effect and lower systemic toxicity in BALB/c mice bearing 4T1 tumor. GA not only overcame the multidrug resistance of PTX by inhibiting P-glycoprotein (P-gp) activity in MCF-7/ADR cells, but also inhibited MDA-MB-231 cells migration and invasion, playing a crucial role in preventing and treating the lung metastasis of breast cancer caused by PTX; meanwhile, the synergistic anti-tumor effect of GA and PTX has also been verified in vitro and in vivo experiments. Conclusion Our data described the better recognition and penetration of tumor cells of R9dGR-modified versatile nanosystems containing GA and PTX, which exerted one stone three birds clinical therapeutic efficacy of multifunctionality.![]()
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.,Engineering Research Center of Modern Chinese Medicine Discovery and Preparation Technique, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.,Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Nan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.,Engineering Research Center of Modern Chinese Medicine Discovery and Preparation Technique, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.,Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Bing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.,Engineering Research Center of Modern Chinese Medicine Discovery and Preparation Technique, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.,Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - YuYu Hui
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.,Engineering Research Center of Modern Chinese Medicine Discovery and Preparation Technique, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.,Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.,Engineering Research Center of Modern Chinese Medicine Discovery and Preparation Technique, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.,Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Peng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.,Engineering Research Center of Modern Chinese Medicine Discovery and Preparation Technique, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.,Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Jiaxin Pi
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.,Engineering Research Center of Modern Chinese Medicine Discovery and Preparation Technique, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.,Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Zhidong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China. .,Engineering Research Center of Modern Chinese Medicine Discovery and Preparation Technique, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China. .,Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Zhao L, Chen H, Lu L, Wang L, Zhang X, Guo X. New insights into the role of co-receptor neuropilins in tumour angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis and targeted therapy strategies. J Drug Target 2020; 29:155-167. [PMID: 32838575 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2020.1815210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Local tumour sites lead to pathological angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis due to malignant conditions such as hypoxia. Although VEGF and VEGFR are considered to be the main anti-tumour treatment targets, the problems of limited efficacy and observable side effects of some drugs relevant to this target still remain to be solved. Therefore, it is necessary to identify new therapeutic targets for angiogenesis or lymphangiogenesis. The neuropilin family is a class of single transmembrane glycoprotein receptors, including neuropilin1 (NRP1) and neuropilin2 (NRP2), which could act as co-receptors of VEGFA-165 and VEGFC and play a key role in promoting tumour proliferation, invasion and metastasis. In this review, we introduced the schematic diagram to visually reveal the function of NRP1 and NRP2 in enhancing the binding affinity of VEGFR2 to VEGFA-165 and VEGFR3 to VEGFC, respectively. We also discussed the signalling pathways that depend on the co-receptors NRP1 and NRP2 and some existing targeted therapeutic strategies, such as monoclonal antibodies, targeted peptides, microRNAs and small molecule inhibitors. It will contribute a vital foundation for the future research and development of new drugs targeting NRPs. HIGHLIGHTS NRP1 acts as a co-receptor with VEGFR2 and the pro-angiogenic factor VEGFA-165 to up-regulate tumour angiogenesis by promoting endothelial cells proliferation, survival, migration, invasion and by preventing of apoptosis. NRP2 acts as a co-receptor with VEGFR3 and the pro-lymphogenic factor VEGFC to facilitate tumour metastasis by promoting lymphangiogenesis. Although NRP1 and NRP2 do not have enzymatic signalling activity, the affinity of VEGFR2 for VEGFA-165 and VEGFR3 for VEGFC can increase in a co-receptor manner, as detailed in the schematic. The exclusive roles of NRP1 and NRP2 in signalling pathways are specifically described to emphasise the molecular regulatory mechanisms involved in co-receptors. Various studies have shown that the co-receptors NRP1 and NRP2 can be directly or indirectly targeted by different methods to prevent tumour angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Therapeutic strategies targeting NRPs look promising soon as evidenced by preclinical and clinical studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Hongyuan Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Shandong University Affiliated Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Lu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xinke Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiuli Guo
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Wei Y, Guo S, Tang J, Wen J, Wang H, Hu X, Gu Q. MicroRNA-19b-3p suppresses gastric cancer development by negatively regulating neuropilin-1. Cancer Cell Int 2020; 20:193. [PMID: 32508529 PMCID: PMC7249695 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-020-01257-0] [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: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Gastric cancer (GC) remains one of the most common digestive malignancies worldwide and ranked third causes of cancer-related death. Mounting evidence has revealed that miRNAs exert critical regulatory roles in GC development. Methods Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blot assay were performed to determine the protein expression levels of neuropilin-1 (NRP1) and mRNA levels were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) in GC tissues. Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed to evaluate the prognostic value of NRP1 in GC. Knockdown of NRP1 was conducted to analyse its function in vitro and vivo. Luciferase reporter assay, western blot and qRT-qPCR were employed to identify the miRNAs which directly targeted NRP1. Furthermore, Bioinformatics analysis and experimental verification were used to explore the potential molecular mechanism and signalling pathway. Results In the current study, we revealed that NRP1 was highly expressed in GC tumor tissues and was associated with poor prognosis in GC patients. NRP1 knockdown inhibited GC cell growth, migration and invasion in vitro, while suppressed GC xenograft tumor development in vivo. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that miR-19b-3p down-regulated NRP1 expression by targeting its 3′-UTR. Functional assay demonstrated that miR-19b-3p inhibited GC cell growth, migration and invasion via negatively regulating NRP1. Overexpression NRP1 partially reversed the regulatory effect of miR-19b-3p. Moreover, we showed that miR-19b-3p/NRP1 axis regulated the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and focal adhesion in GC, which might contribute the GC development and progression. Conclusions Taken together, our findings suggest a regulatory network of miR-19b-3p/NRP1 in GC development. The miR-19b-3p/NRP1 axis might be further explored as a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target in GC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingfeng Wei
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000 China
| | - Sheng Guo
- Department of Liver Diseases, The Fifth People's Hospital of Ganzhou, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000 China
| | - Jianhua Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000 China
| | - Jianjun Wen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000 China
| | - Huifen Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 China
| | - Xiaobo Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 China
| | - Qiuping Gu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000 China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Al‐Zeheimi N, Adham SA. Modeling Neoadjuvant chemotherapy resistance in vitro increased NRP-1 and HER2 expression and converted MCF7 breast cancer subtype. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 177:2024-2041. [PMID: 31883395 PMCID: PMC7161552 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Patients with locally advanced breast cancer usually receive third-generation neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Although NAC treatment improved the overall survival, patients' response varies, some acquire resistance and others exhibit a conversion in their breast cancer molecular subtype. We aimed to identify the molecular changes involved in NAC resistance attempting to find new therapeutic targets in different breast cancer subtypes. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We modelled NAC treatments used in clinical practice and generated resistant cell lines in vitro. The resistant cells were generated by consecutive treatment with four cycles of doxorubicin (adriamycin)/cyclophosphamide (4xAC) followed by an additional four cycles of paclitaxel (4xAC + 4xPAC). KEY RESULTS Our data revealed distinct mechanisms of resistance depending on breast cancer subtype and drugs used. MDA-MB-231 cells resistant to 4xAC + 4xPAC activated neuropilin-1/TNC/integrin β3/FAK/NF-κBp65 axis and displayed a decrease in breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCB2). However, MCF7 cells resistant to 4xAC treatments induced HER2 expression, which converted MCF7 subtype from luminal A to luminal B HER2 type, up-regulated neuropilin-1, oestrogen receptor-α, and EGFR, and activated PI3K/Akt/NF-κBp65 axis. However, MCF7 cells resistant to 4xAC + 4xPAC exhibited down-regulation of the survival axis and up-regulated BCRP/ABCG2. Co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated a novel interaction between HER2 and neuropilin-1 driving the resistance features. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The concurrent increase in neuropilin-1 and HER2 upon resistance and the inverse relationship between neuropilin-1 and BCRP/ABCG2 suggest that, in addition to HER2, neuropilin-1 status should be assessed in patients undergoing NAC, and as a potential drug target for refractory breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noura Al‐Zeheimi
- Department of Biology, College of ScienceSultan Qaboos UniversityMuscatOman
| | - Sirin A. Adham
- Department of Biology, College of ScienceSultan Qaboos UniversityMuscatOman
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Chu YH, Su CW, Hsieh YS, Chen PN, Lin CW, Yang SF. Carbonic Anhydrase III Promotes Cell Migration and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cells 2020; 9:cells9030704. [PMID: 32183030 PMCID: PMC7140601 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is strongly correlated with tumor metastasis and contains several protein markers, such as E-cadherin. Carbonic anhydrase III (CA III) exhibits low carbon dioxide hydratase activity in cancer. However, the detailed mechanisms of CA III and their roles in oral cancer are still unknown. This study established a CA III-overexpressed stable clone and observed the expression of CA III protein in human SCC-9 and SAS oral cancer cell lines. The migration and invasion abilities were determined using a Boyden chamber assay. Our results showed that the overexpression of CA III protein significantly increased the migration and invasion abilities in oral cancer cells. Moreover, a whole genome array analysis revealed that CA III regulated epithelial–mesenchymal transition by reducing the expression of epithelial markers. Data from the GEO database also demonstrated that CA III mRNA is negatively correlated with CDH1 mRNA. Mechanistically, CA III increased the cell motility of oral cancer cells through the FAK/Src signaling pathway. In conclusion, this suggests that CA III promotes EMT and cell migration and is potentially related to the FAK/Src signaling pathway in oral cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yin-Hung Chu
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan;
| | - Chun-Wen Su
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan;
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 402, Taiwan;
| | - Yih-Shou Hsieh
- Institute of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan; (Y.-S.H.); (P.-N.C.)
| | - Pei-Ni Chen
- Institute of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan; (Y.-S.H.); (P.-N.C.)
| | - Chiao-Wen Lin
- Institute of Oral Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan;
- Department of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Shun-Fa Yang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan;
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 402, Taiwan;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-424-739-595-342-53
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Xu P, Zou M, Wang S, Li T, Liu C, Wang L, Wang L, Luo F, Wu T, Yan J. Construction and characterization of a truncated tissue factor‑coagulation‑based composite system for selective thrombosis in tumor blood vessels. Int J Oncol 2019; 55:823-832. [PMID: 31432158 PMCID: PMC6741845 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2019.4855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The selective induction of tumor vascular thrombosis using truncated tissue factor (tTF) delivered via a target ligand is a promising novel antitumor strategy. In the present study, an anti-neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) monoclonal antibody (mAb)-streptavidin (SA):tTF-biotin (B) composite system was established. In this system, anti-NRP-1-mAb located tTF to the tumor vascular endothelial cell surface and induced vascular embolization. Due to their high binding affinity, SA and B were used to enhance thrombogenic activity. mAb was conjugated with SA using a coupling method with water-soluble 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide and N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide. Biotinylated tTF (tTF-B) was prepared using a B-labeling kit subsequent to the generation and purification of fusion protein tTF. Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry indicated that the anti-NRP-1-mAb-SA conjugate retained mAb targeting activity. The preservation of B-conjugate binding capacity was confirmed using a competitive ELISA, and factor X-activation analysis revealed that tTF-B retained the procoagulant activity exhibited by tTF. Live imaging was performed to assess mAb-SA distribution and tumor-targeting capability, and this yielded promising results. The results of in vivo studies in mice with subcutaneous xenografts demonstrated that this composite system significantly induced tumor vascular thrombosis and inhibited tumor growth, whereas these histological changes were not observed in normal organs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peilan Xu
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China
| | - Mingyuan Zou
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China
| | - Shengyu Wang
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China
| | - Tingting Li
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China
| | - Cong Liu
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China
| | - Li Wang
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China
| | - Lanlan Wang
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China
| | - Fanghong Luo
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China
| | - Ting Wu
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China
| | - Jianghua Yan
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Napolitano V, Tamagnone L. Neuropilins Controlling Cancer Therapy Responsiveness. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20082049. [PMID: 31027288 PMCID: PMC6515012 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20082049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropilins (NRPs) are cell surface glycoproteins, acting as co-receptors for secreted Semaphorins (SEMAs) and for members of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family; they have been initially implicated in axon guidance and angiogenesis regulation, and more recently in cancer progression. In addition, NRPs have been shown to control many other fundamental signaling pathways, especially mediated by tyrosine kinase receptors (RTKs) of growth factors, such as HGF (hepatocyte growth factor), PDGF (platelet derived growth factor) and EGF (epidermal growth factor). This enables NRPs to control a range of pivotal mechanisms in the cancer context, from tumor cell proliferation and metastatic dissemination, to tumor angiogenesis and immune escape. Moreover, cancer treatment failures due to resistance to innovative oncogene-targeted drugs is typically associated with the activity of alternative RTK-dependent pathways; and neuropilins’ capacity to control oncogenic signaling cascades supports the hypothesis that they could elicit such mechanisms in cancer cells, in order to escape cytotoxic stress and therapeutic attacks. Intriguingly, several studies have recently assayed the impact of NRPs inhibition in combination with diverse anti-cancer drugs. In this minireview, we will discuss the state-of-art about the relevance of NRPs as potential predictive biomarkers of drug response, and the rationale to target these proteins in combination with other anticancer therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Napolitano
- Cancer Cell Biology Laboratory, Candiolo Cancer Institute-FPO, IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy.
| | - Luca Tamagnone
- Istituto di Istologia ed Embriologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 10168 Rome, Italy.
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, 10168 Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Zhang L, Chen Y, Li C, Liu J, Ren H, Li L, Zheng X, Wang H, Han Z. RNA binding protein PUM2 promotes the stemness of breast cancer cells via competitively binding to neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) mRNA with miR-376a. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 114:108772. [PMID: 30909144 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.108772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Others and ours studies have established the promoting roles of NRP-1 (neuropilin-1) in breast cancer, however, the underlying mechanisms by which NRP-1 is regulated are still confused. Here, bioinformatics analysis indicated that RNA binding protein PUM2 could bind to NRP-1 mRNA. Clinical samples showed that PUM2 expression was significantly increased in breast cancer tissues, negatively correlated with the overall survival and relapse-free survival of breast cancer patients, and positively correlated with NRP-1 expression. Meanwhile, PUM2 expression was remarkably increased in non-adherent spheroids. in vitro experiments demonstrated that PUM2 knockdown attenuated the stemness of breast cancer cells, evident by the decrease of spheroid formation capacity, ALDH1 activity and stemness marker expression. Mechanistically, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and luciferase reporter analysis indicated that PUM2 competitively bound to NRP 3'UTR with miR-376a, which had been previously confirmed by us to suppress the stemness of breast cancer cells, and increased NRP-1 mRNA stability and expression. Furthermore, ectopic expression of NRP-1 or miR-376a knockdown rescued the inhibitory effects of NRP-1 knockdown on the stemness of breast cancer cells. Thus, our results suggest that PUM2 could facilitate the stemness of breast cancer cells by competitively binding to NRP-1 3'UTR with miR-376a.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lansheng Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221006, China
| | - Yanwei Chen
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221000, China
| | - Caihong Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221006, China
| | - Jinyang Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221000, China
| | - Huiwen Ren
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221000, China
| | - Lishan Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221006, China
| | - Xia Zheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221006, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221000, China
| | - Zhengxiang Han
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Zhang L, Chen Y, Wang H, Zheng X, Li C, Han Z. miR-376a inhibits breast cancer cell progression by targeting neuropilin-1 NR. Onco Targets Ther 2018; 11:5293-5302. [PMID: 30214235 PMCID: PMC6124787 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s173416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The roles and related mechanism of miR-376a in breast cancer cell progression are unclear. Methods Kaplan-Meier plotter analysis was used to analyze the correlation between miR-376a and the overall survival (OS) of breast cancer patients. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect miR-376a level in breast cancer cells. Cell viability, transwell migration and invasion, and cell apoptosis were constructed to investigate the effects of miR-376a on breast cancer cells. Luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) were used to explore the targeting of miR-376a on NRP-1. Results miR-376a expression was positively correlated with the overall survival of breast cancer patients, and significantly decreased in breast cancer cells. Functionally, miR-376a over-expression suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and promoted cells apoptosis. Additionally, miR-376a could directly target NRP-1 and exerted its effect through NRP-1. Conclusion miR-376a could suppress breast cancer cell progression via directly targeting NRP-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lansheng Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Radiation Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanwei Chen
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, People's Republic of China,
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, People's Republic of China,
| | - Xia Zheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Caihong Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengxiang Han
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, People's Republic of China,
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Ding Y, Zhou J, Wang S, Li Y, Mi Y, Gao S, Xu Y, Chen Y, Yan J. Anti-neuropilin-1 monoclonal antibody suppresses the migration and invasion of human gastric cancer cells via Akt dephosphorylation. Exp Ther Med 2018; 16:537-546. [PMID: 30116312 PMCID: PMC6090285 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2018.6234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is involved in a range of physiological and pathological processes, including neuronal cell guidance, cardiovascular development, immunity, angiogenesis and the pathogenesis of cancer. Targeting of NRP-1 is considered to be a potential cancer therapy and a number of approaches have been investigated, including the use of small interfering RNA, peptides, soluble NRP antagonists and monoclonal antibodies. The present study used a novel anti-neuropilin-1 monoclonal antibody (anti-NRP-1 mAb) to investigate its potential anti-tumor effects on human gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, as well as its underlying mechanisms of action. Using an MTT assay, it was observed that anti-NRP-1 mAb (<150 µg/ml) had no effects on the viability of gastric cancer cell line BGC-823, while a Boyden chamber assay indicated that treatment with anti-NRP-1 mAb suppressed the migration and invasion of BGC-823 cells. Western blot analysis also demonstrated that phosphorylation of Akt was reduced in BGC-823 cells treated with anti-NRP-1 mAb. Furthermore, anti-NRP-1 mAb suppressed the growth of gastric cancer xenograft tumors and downregulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor proteins within tumors in nude mice. These data indicate the potential effects of anti-NRP-1 mAb on malignant tumors and suggest that inhibition of NRP-1 function with anti-NRP-1 mAb may be a novel therapeutic approach in the treatment of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Ding
- Department of Oncology, The 174th Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, The Affiliated Chenggong Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Juan Zhou
- Department of Oncology, The 174th Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, The Affiliated Chenggong Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Shengyu Wang
- Cancer Research Center, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Oncology, The 174th Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, The Affiliated Chenggong Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Yanjun Mi
- Department of Oncology, The 174th Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, The Affiliated Chenggong Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Shihua Gao
- Department of Oncology, The 174th Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, The Affiliated Chenggong Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Yun Xu
- Department of Oncology, The 174th Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, The Affiliated Chenggong Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Yuqiang Chen
- Department of Oncology, The 174th Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, The Affiliated Chenggong Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Jianghua Yan
- Cancer Research Center, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Li X, Fan S, Pan X, Xiaokaiti Y, Duan J, Shi Y, Pan Y, Tie L, Wang X, Li Y, Li X. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid impairs prostate cancer cell migration and tumor metastasis by suppressing neuropilin 1. Oncotarget 2018; 7:86225-86238. [PMID: 27863391 PMCID: PMC5349909 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor metastasis is a major cause leading to the deaths of cancer patients. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) is a natural product that has been demonstrated to show therapeutic values in multiple diseases. In this study, we report that NDGA can inhibit cell migration and tumor metastasis via a novel mechanism. NDGA suppresses NRP1 function by downregulating its expression, which leads to attenuated cell motility, cell adhesion to ECM and FAK signaling in cancer cells. Moreover, due to its cross-cell type activity on NRP1 suppression, NDGA also impairs angiogenesis function of endothelial cells and fibronectin assembly by fibroblasts, both of which are critical to promote metastasis. Based on these comprehensive effects, NDGA effectively suppresses tumor metastasis in nude mice model. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism underlying the anti-metastasis function of NDGA and indicate the potential value of NDGA in NRP1 targeting therapy for selected subtypes of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University and Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Shengjun Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University and Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xueyang Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University and Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.,Current address: University of Minnesota, Twin cities, MN 55455, USA
| | - Yilixiati Xiaokaiti
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University and Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jianhui Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University and Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yundi Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University and Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yan Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University and Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Lu Tie
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University and Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Current address: University of Minnesota, Twin cities, MN 55455, USA
| | - Yuhua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University and Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xuejun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University and Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Genetic status of KRAS modulates the role of Neuropilin-1 in tumorigenesis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12877. [PMID: 29018205 PMCID: PMC5635066 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12992-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropilin-1 (NRP1), a non-tyrosine kinase receptor, is overexpressed in many cancers including pancreatic and lung cancers. Inhibition of NRP1 expression, however, has differing pro-tumor vs. anti-tumor effects, depending on the cancer types. To understand the differential role of NRP1 in tumorigenesis process, we utilized cells from two different cancer types, pancreatic and lung, each containing either wild type KRAS (KRAS wt) or mutant KRAS (KRAS mt). Inhibition of NRP1 expression by shRNA in both pancreatic and lung cancer cells containing dominant active KRAS mt caused increased cell viability and tumor growth. On the contrary, inhibition of NRP1, in the tumor cells containing KRAS wt showed decreased tumor growth. Importantly, concurrent inhibition of KRAS mt and NRP1 in the tumor cells reverses the increased viability and leads to tumor inhibition. We found that NRP1 shRNA expressing KRAS mt tumor cells caused increased cell viability by decreasing SMAD2 phosphorylation. Our findings demonstrate that the effects of NRP1 knockdown in cancer cells are dependent on the genetic status of KRAS.
Collapse
|
25
|
Li EQ, Zhang JL. Essential role of SH3GL1 in interleukin-6(IL-6)- and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-triggered p130cas-mediated proliferation and migration of osteosarcoma cells. Hum Cell 2017; 30:300-310. [DOI: 10.1007/s13577-017-0178-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
26
|
Co-targeting of EGF receptor and neuropilin-1 overcomes cetuximab resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with integrin β1-driven Src-Akt bypass signaling. Oncogene 2016; 36:2543-2552. [PMID: 27797376 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2016] [Revised: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells usually overexpress the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR); however, most are resistant to the anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody, cetuximab. In this study, we report that the molecular mechanism of resistance to cetuximab in PDAC cells is mediated by the overexpression of active integrin β1 with downstream Src-Akt activation; this triggers an EGFR ligand-independent proliferation signaling, bypassing EGFR-blocking effect. Knockdown of integrin β1 or inhibition of Src or Akt sensitized cetuximab-resistant (CtxR) PDAC cells to cetuximab. We found that neuropilin-1 (NRP1) physically interacts with active integrin β1, but not inactive one, on the cell surface. To inhibit active integrin β1-driven signaling by targeting NRP1, while suppressing EGFR signaling, we generated an EGFR and NRP1 dual targeting antibody, Ctx-TPP11, by genetic fusion of the NRP1-targeting peptide, TPP11, to the C terminus of the cetuximab heavy chain (Ctx-TPP11). We demonstrate that Ctx-TPP11 efficiently inhibited the growth of CtxR PDAC cells, in vitro and in vivo. The sensitization mechanism involved downregulating active integrin β1 levels through NRP1-coupled internalization mediated by the TPP11 moiety, leading to the inhibition of active integrin β1-driven bypass signaling. Our findings identify aberrant active integrin β1-driven Src-Akt hyperactivation as a primary resistance mechanism to cetuximab in PDAC cells and offer an effective therapeutic strategy to overcome this resistance using an EGFR and NRP1 dual targeting antibody.
Collapse
|
27
|
Dou X, Yan J, Zhang Y, Liu P, Jiang Y, Lv S, Zeng F, Chen X, Wang S, Zhang H, Wu H, Zhang H, Ouyang L, Su X. SPECT imaging of neuropilin receptor type-1 expression with 131I-labeled monoclonal antibody. Int J Oncol 2016; 49:961-70. [PMID: 27315007 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2016.3579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
As a novel co-receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), neuropilin receptor type-1 (NRP-1) is overexpressed in several cancers and metastases, and serves as an attractive target for cancer molecular imaging and therapy. Previous single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) studies demonstrated that the small NRP-1-targeting peptides 99mTc-MA-ATWLPPR and 99mTc-CK3 showed poor tumor imaging quality, because of their rapid blood clearance and very low tumor uptake. Compared with small peptides, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) can improve imaging of NRP-1-expression, due to their high affinity, specificity and slow extraction. A6-11-26 is a novel monoclonal antibody against NRP-1 b1b2 domain that exhibits inhibition of tumor growth in NPR-1-expressing preclinical models. The aim of the present study was to develop the 131I-labeled anti-NRP-1 monoclonal antibody A6-11-26 as a SPECT probe for imaging of NRP-1-positive tumor. An anti-NRP-1 monoclonal antibody (A6-11-26) was produced by hybridomas and was labeled with iodine-131 by the iodogen method. In vitro, the radiolabeling efficiency, radiochemical purity, immunoreactive fraction and stability were assessed. Binding affinity and specificity of 131I‑A6-11-26 to NRP-1 were evaluated using human glioblastoma U87MG cells. In vivo, biodistribution and SPECT/CT studies were conducted on mice bearing U87MG xenografts after the injection of 131I-A6-11-26 with or without co-injection of unlabeled A6-11-26 antibody. A6-11-26 was generated successfully by hybridoma with high purity (>95%) and was labeled with iodine-131 within 60 min with high labelling efficiency (95.46±3.34%), radiochemical purity (98.23±1.41%). 131I-A6-11-26 retained its immunoreactivity and also displayed excellent stability in mouse serum and PBS solution during 1 to 96 h. Cell uptake assays showed high NRP-1-specific uptake (15.80±1.30% applied activity at 6 h) in U87MG cells. 131I-A6-11-26 bound to NRP-1 with low nanomolar affinity (KD=1.67±0.14 nM) in U87MG cells. In vivo, biodistribution study demonstrated targeting of U87MG glioma xenografts was NRP-1 specific. The tumor uptake was 6.00±1.24%ID/g at 24 h, and the tumor to muscle ratio was 3.20±0.30 at 24 h, and reached the highest level of 6.13±0.24 at 120 h after injection. SPECT imaging studies revealed that 131I-A6-11-26 could clearly identify U87MG tumors with good contrast, especially at 72-120 h after injection. The present study demonstrates that 131I-A6-11-26 is capable of detecting lesions in an NRP-1-expressing tumor with high target selectivity, and may offer a promising SPECT agent for NRP-1 expression positive tumor and encourage further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Dou
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361004, P.R. China
| | - Jianghua Yan
- Cancer Research Center of Medical School, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China
| | - Yafei Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361004, P.R. China
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361004, P.R. China
| | - Yizhen Jiang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361004, P.R. China
| | - Sha Lv
- Cancer Research Center of Medical School, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China
| | - Fanwei Zeng
- Cancer Research Center of Medical School, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoli Chen
- Cancer Research Center of Medical School, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China
| | - Shengyu Wang
- Cancer Research Center of Medical School, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China
| | - Haipeng Zhang
- Cancer Research Center of Medical School, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China
| | - Hua Wu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310052, P.R. China
| | - Lin Ouyang
- Department of Imaging Medicine, Affiliated Southeast Hospital of Xiamen University, Zhangzhou, Fujian 363000, P.R. China
| | - Xinhui Su
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361004, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Lunasin suppresses the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase-2/-9 via the FAK/Akt/ERK and NF-κB signaling pathways. Oncol Rep 2016; 36:253-62. [PMID: 27175819 DOI: 10.3892/or.2016.4798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Lunasin is a naturally existing bioactive peptide with an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motif, which competes with integrins to bind with the extracellular matrix (ECM) consequently suppressing the integrin-mediated signaling pathway. Owing to the RGD motif, lunasin has been proven as an effective anti-inflammatory, antitumor and antimetastatic agent in many types of cancer. However, knowledge of its inhibitory effect on metastasis and the related mechanism of action in breast cancer cells is limited. In this study, the inhibitory effect of lunasin on the proliferation, migration and invasion of two typical breast cancer cell lines, ER-negative MDA-MB-231 with αVβ3 expression and ER-positive MCF-7 with αVβ5/α5β1 expression, were examined in vitro as well the related mechanisms. The results demonstrated that lunasin (10-20 µM) effectively inhibited the migration and invasion activity and expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‑2/-9 in both breast cancer cell lines. Meanwhile, we also found that lunasin inhibited the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), Src, Akt, ERK and nucleus translocation of NF-κB, which indicates that, possibly via competing with αVβ3 or αVβ5/α5β1 integrin, lunasin suppresses the metastasis of breast cancer cells through integrin-mediated FAK/Akt/ERK and NF-κB signaling pathways followed by downregulation of the activity and expression of MMP-2/-9.
Collapse
|
29
|
Pagani E, Ruffini F, Antonini Cappellini GC, Scoppola A, Fortes C, Marchetti P, Graziani G, D'Atri S, Lacal PM. Placenta growth factor and neuropilin-1 collaborate in promoting melanoma aggressiveness. Int J Oncol 2016; 48:1581-9. [PMID: 26846845 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2016.3362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta growth factor (PlGF) is a member of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family, which shares with VEGF-A the tyrosine kinase receptor VEGFR-1 and the co-receptor neuropilin-1 (NRP-1). In melanoma models, PlGF enhances tumour growth and neovessel formation, whereas NRP-1 promotes the metastatic process. Increased secretion of PlGF and expression of NRP-1 have also been involved in intrinsic or acquired resistance to anti‑angiogenic therapies. In this study we investigated whether PlGF and NRP-1 cooperate in promoting melanoma aggressiveness independently of VEGFR-1. For this purpose, the melanoma cell clones M14-N, expressing NRP-1 and lacking VEGFR-1, and M14-C, devoid of both receptors, were used. M14-N cells are characterized by an invasive phenotype and vasculogenic mimicry, whereas M14-C cells possess a negligible invasive capacity. The results indicated that M14-N cells secrete higher levels of PlGF than M14-C cells and that PlGF is involved in the invasion of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and vasculogenic mimicry of M14-N cells. In fact, neutralizing antibodies against PlGF reverted ECM invasion in response to PlGF and markedly reduced the formation of tubule-like structures. Moreover, M14-N cells migrated in response to PlGF and chemotaxis was specifically abrogated by anti-NRP-1 antibodies, demonstrating that PlGF directly activates NRP-1 in the absence of VEGFR-1. We also compared the levels of PlGF in the plasma of patients affected by metastatic melanoma with those of healthy donors and evaluated whether PlGF levels could be affected by a bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy regimen. Melanoma patients showed a 20-fold increase in plasma PlGF and the bevacizumab-containing regimen induced a reduction of VEGF-A and in a further increase of PlGF. In conclusion, our studies suggest that the activation of NRP-1 by PlGF directly contributes to melanoma aggressiveness and represents a potential compensatory pro-angiogenic mechanism that may contribute to the resistance to therapies targeting VEGF-A.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Pagani
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, 'Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata'- IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Ruffini
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, 'Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata'- IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Scoppola
- Department of Oncology and Dermatological Oncology, 'Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata'- IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Fortes
- Epidemiology Unit, 'Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata'- IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Marchetti
- Department of Oncology, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', Rome, Italy
| | - Grazia Graziani
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania D'Atri
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, 'Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata'- IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Pedro Miguel Lacal
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, 'Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata'- IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Graziani G, Lacal PM. Neuropilin-1 as Therapeutic Target for Malignant Melanoma. Front Oncol 2015; 5:125. [PMID: 26090340 PMCID: PMC4453476 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that acts as a co-receptor for various members of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family. Its ability to bind or modulate the activity of a number of other extracellular ligands, such as class 3 semaphorins, TGF-β, HGF, FGF, and PDGF, has suggested the involvement of NRP-1 in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. Actually, this co-receptor has been implicated in axon guidance, angiogenesis, and immune responses. NRP-1 is also expressed in a variety of cancers (prostate, lung, pancreatic, or colon carcinoma, melanoma, astrocytoma, glioblastoma, and neuroblastoma), suggesting a critical role in tumor progression. Moreover, a growing amount of evidence indicates that NRP-1 might display important functions independently of other VEGF receptors. In particular, in the absence of VEGFR-1/2, NRP-1 promotes melanoma invasiveness, through the activation of selected integrins, by stimulating VEGF-A and metalloproteinases secretion and modulating specific signal transduction pathways. This review is focused on the role of NRP-1 in melanoma aggressiveness and on the evidence supporting its use as target of therapies for metastatic melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grazia Graziani
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata" , Rome , Italy
| | - Pedro M Lacal
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, "Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata", Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico , Rome , Italy
| |
Collapse
|