1
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Leitch IM, Gerometta M, Eichenbaum D, Finger RP, Steinle NC, Baldwin ME. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C and D Signaling Pathways as Potential Targets for the Treatment of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Narrative Review. Ophthalmol Ther 2024; 13:1857-1875. [PMID: 38824253 PMCID: PMC11178757 DOI: 10.1007/s40123-024-00973-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of treatments targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathways have traditionally been firstly investigated in oncology and then advanced into retinal disease indications. Members of the VEGF family of endogenous ligands and their respective receptors play a central role in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis during both development and physiological homeostasis. They can also play a pathogenic role in cancer and retinal diseases. Therapeutic approaches have mostly focused on targeting VEGF-A signaling; however, research has shown that VEGF-C and VEGF-D signaling pathways are also important to the disease pathogenesis of tumors and retinal diseases. This review highlights the important therapeutic advances and the remaining unmet need for improved therapies targeting additional mechanisms beyond VEGF-A. Additionally, it provides an overview of alternative VEGF-C and VEGF-D signaling involvement in both health and disease, highlighting their key contributions in the multifactorial pathophysiology of retinal disease including neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Strategies for targeting VEGF-C/-D signaling pathways will also be reviewed, with an emphasis on agents currently being developed for the treatment of nAMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian M Leitch
- Opthea Limited, 650 Chapel Street, Level 4, Melbourne, VIC, 3141, Australia.
| | - Michael Gerometta
- Opthea Limited, 650 Chapel Street, Level 4, Melbourne, VIC, 3141, Australia
| | - David Eichenbaum
- Retina Vitreous Associates of Florida, St. Petersburg, FL, 33711, USA
| | - Robert P Finger
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Megan E Baldwin
- Opthea Limited, 650 Chapel Street, Level 4, Melbourne, VIC, 3141, Australia
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2
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Schmidt A, Hrupka B, van Bebber F, Sunil Kumar S, Feng X, Tschirner SK, Aßfalg M, Müller SA, Hilger LS, Hofmann LI, Pigoni M, Jocher G, Voytyuk I, Self EL, Ito M, Hyakkoku K, Yoshimura A, Horiguchi N, Feederle R, De Strooper B, Schulte-Merker S, Lammert E, Moechars D, Schmid B, Lichtenthaler SF. The Alzheimer's disease-linked protease BACE2 cleaves VEGFR3 and modulates its signaling. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e170550. [PMID: 38888964 PMCID: PMC11324312 DOI: 10.1172/jci170550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The β-secretase β-site APP cleaving enzyme (BACE1) is a central drug target for Alzheimer's disease. Clinically tested, BACE1-directed inhibitors also block the homologous protease BACE2. Yet little is known about physiological BACE2 substrates and functions in vivo. Here, we identify BACE2 as the protease shedding the lymphangiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR3). Inactivation of BACE2, but not BACE1, inhibited shedding of VEGFR3 from primary human lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and reduced release of the shed, soluble VEGFR3 (sVEGFR3) ectodomain into the blood of mice, nonhuman primates, and humans. Functionally, BACE2 inactivation increased full-length VEGFR3 and enhanced VEGFR3 signaling in LECs and also in vivo in zebrafish, where enhanced migration of LECs was observed. Thus, this study identifies BACE2 as a modulator of lymphangiogenic VEGFR3 signaling and demonstrates the utility of sVEGFR3 as a pharmacodynamic plasma marker for BACE2 activity in vivo, a prerequisite for developing BACE1-selective inhibitors for safer prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andree Schmidt
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Neuroproteomics, School of Medicine and Health, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (GSN), Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
- Evotec München, Neuried, Germany
| | - Brian Hrupka
- Discovery Neuroscience, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, a Johnson & Johnson Company, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Frauke van Bebber
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
| | - Sanjay Sunil Kumar
- Institute of Cardiovascular Organogenesis and Regeneration, Faculty of Medicine, WU Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Xiao Feng
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Neuroproteomics, School of Medicine and Health, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sarah K. Tschirner
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Neuroproteomics, School of Medicine and Health, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Marlene Aßfalg
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Neuroproteomics, School of Medicine and Health, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Stephan A. Müller
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Neuroproteomics, School of Medicine and Health, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Laura Sophie Hilger
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute of Metabolic Physiology, and
- International Research Training Group (IRTG1902), Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Laura I. Hofmann
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Neuroproteomics, School of Medicine and Health, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Martina Pigoni
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Neuroproteomics, School of Medicine and Health, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (GSN), Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Georg Jocher
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Neuroproteomics, School of Medicine and Health, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Iryna Voytyuk
- Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Emily L. Self
- MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Mana Ito
- Shionogi & Co., Laboratory for Drug Discovery and Disease Research, Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Toyonaka-shi, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kana Hyakkoku
- Shionogi & Co., Laboratory for Drug Discovery and Disease Research, Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Toyonaka-shi, Osaka, Japan
| | - Akimasa Yoshimura
- Shionogi & Co., Laboratory for Drug Discovery and Disease Research, Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Toyonaka-shi, Osaka, Japan
| | - Naotaka Horiguchi
- Shionogi & Co., Laboratory for Drug Discovery and Disease Research, Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Toyonaka-shi, Osaka, Japan
| | - Regina Feederle
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Core Facility Monoclonal Antibodies, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Bart De Strooper
- Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- UK Dementia Research Institute (UKDRI) at University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Schulte-Merker
- Institute of Cardiovascular Organogenesis and Regeneration, Faculty of Medicine, WU Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Eckhard Lammert
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute of Metabolic Physiology, and
- Institute for Vascular and Islet Cell Biology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Dieder Moechars
- Discovery Neuroscience, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, a Johnson & Johnson Company, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Bettina Schmid
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan F. Lichtenthaler
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Neuroproteomics, School of Medicine and Health, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
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Nakanishi M, Ibe A, Morishita K, Shinagawa K, Yamamoto Y, Takahashi H, Ikemori K, Muragaki Y, Ehata S. Acid-sensing receptor GPR4 plays a crucial role in lymphatic cancer metastasis. Cancer Sci 2024; 115:1551-1563. [PMID: 38410865 PMCID: PMC11093208 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16098] [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: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer tissues exhibit an acidic microenvironment owing to the accumulation of protons and lactic acid produced by cancer and inflammatory cells. To examine the role of an acidic microenvironment in lymphatic cancer metastasis, gene expression profiling was conducted using human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells (HDLECs) treated with a low pH medium. Microarray and gene set enrichment analysis revealed that acid treatment induced the expression of inflammation-related genes in HDLECs, including genes encoding chemokines and adhesion molecules. Acid treatment-induced chemokines C-X3-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CX3CL1) and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 6 (CXCL6) autocrinally promoted the growth and tube formation of HDLECs. The expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) increased in HDLECs after acid treatment in a time-dependent manner, which, in turn, enhanced their adhesion to melanoma cells. Among various acid-sensing receptors, HDLECs basally expressed G protein-coupled receptor 4 (GPR4), which was augmented under the acidic microenvironment. The induction of chemokines or VCAM-1 under acidic conditions was attenuated by GPR4 knockdown in HDLECs. In addition, lymph node metastases in a mouse melanoma model were suppressed by administering an anti-VCAM-1 antibody or a GPR4 antagonist. These results suggest that an acidic microenvironment modifies the function of lymphatic endothelial cells via GPR4, thereby promoting lymphatic cancer metastasis. Acid-sensing receptors and their downstream molecules might serve as preventive or therapeutic targets in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masako Nakanishi
- Department of Pathology, School of MedicineWakayama Medical UniversityWakayamaJapan
| | - Akiya Ibe
- Department of Pathology, School of MedicineWakayama Medical UniversityWakayamaJapan
| | - Kiyoto Morishita
- Department of Pathology, School of MedicineWakayama Medical UniversityWakayamaJapan
| | - Kazutaka Shinagawa
- Department of Pathology, School of MedicineWakayama Medical UniversityWakayamaJapan
| | - Yushi Yamamoto
- Department of Pathology, School of MedicineWakayama Medical UniversityWakayamaJapan
| | - Hibiki Takahashi
- Department of Pathology, School of MedicineWakayama Medical UniversityWakayamaJapan
| | - Kyoka Ikemori
- Department of Pathology, School of MedicineWakayama Medical UniversityWakayamaJapan
| | - Yasuteru Muragaki
- Department of Pathology, School of MedicineWakayama Medical UniversityWakayamaJapan
| | - Shogo Ehata
- Department of Pathology, School of MedicineWakayama Medical UniversityWakayamaJapan
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4
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Torres-Ruiz S, Tormo E, Garrido-Cano I, Lameirinhas A, Rojo F, Madoz-Gúrpide J, Burgués O, Hernando C, Bermejo B, Martínez MT, Lluch A, Cejalvo JM, Eroles P. High VEGFR3 Expression Reduces Doxorubicin Efficacy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043601. [PMID: 36835014 PMCID: PMC9966352 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the lack of specific targets, cytotoxic chemotherapy still represents the common standard treatment for triple-negative breast patients. Despite the harmful effect of chemotherapy on tumor cells, there is evidence that treatment could modulate the tumor microenvironment in a way favoring the propagation of the tumor. In addition, the lymphangiogenesis process and its factors could be involved in this counter-therapeutic event. In our study, we have evaluated the expression of the main lymphangiogenic receptor VEGFR3 in two triple-negative breast cancer in vitro models, resistant or not to doxorubicin treatment. The expression of the receptor, at mRNA and protein levels, was higher in doxorubicin-resistant cells than in parental cells. In addition, we confirmed the upregulation of VEGFR3 levels after a short treatment with doxorubicin. Furthermore, VEGFR3 silencing reduced cell proliferation and migration capacities in both cell lines. Interestingly, high VEGFR3 expression was significantly positively correlated with worse survival in patients treated with chemotherapy. Furthermore, we have found that patients with high expression of VEGFR3 present shorter relapse-free survival than patients with low levels of the receptor. In conclusion, elevated VEGFR3 levels correlate with poor survival in patients and with reduced doxorubicin treatment efficacy in vitro. Our results suggest that the levels of this receptor could be a potential marker of meager doxorubicin response. Consequently, our results suggest that the combination of chemotherapy and VEGFR3 blockage could be a potentially useful therapeutic strategy for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eduardo Tormo
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cancer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Ana Lameirinhas
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Federico Rojo
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cancer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Madoz-Gúrpide
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cancer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Octavio Burgués
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cancer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Cristina Hernando
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Begoña Bermejo
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cancer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - María Teresa Martínez
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Ana Lluch
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cancer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Universidad de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan Miguel Cejalvo
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cancer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Pilar Eroles
- Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cancer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Universidad de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Biotechnology, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, 46022 Valencia, Spain
- Correspondence:
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5
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Kim JH, Jeong JH. Structure-Activity Relationship Studies Based on 3D-QSAR CoMFA/CoMSIA for Thieno-Pyrimidine Derivatives as Triple Negative Breast Cancer Inhibitors. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27227974. [PMID: 36432075 PMCID: PMC9698756 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27227974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is defined as a kind of breast cancer that lacks estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptors (HER2). This cancer accounts for 10-15% of all breast cancers and has the features of high invasiveness and metastatic potential. The treatment regimens are still lacking and need to develop novel inhibitors for therapeutic strategies. Three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) analyses, based on a series of forty-seven thieno-pyrimidine derivatives, were performed to identify the key structural features for the inhibitory biological activities. The established comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) presented a leave-one-out cross-validated correlation coefficient q2 of 0.818 and a determination coefficient r2 of 0.917. In comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA), a q2 of 0.801 and an r2 of 0.897 were exhibited. The predictive capability of these models was confirmed by using external validation and was further validated by the progressive scrambling stability test. From these results of validation, the models were determined to be statistically reliable and robust. This study could provide valuable information for further optimization and design of novel inhibitors against metastatic breast cancer.
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6
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Bekisz S, Baudin L, Buntinx F, Noël A, Geris L. In Vitro, In Vivo, and In Silico Models of Lymphangiogenesis in Solid Malignancies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1525. [PMID: 35326676 PMCID: PMC8946816 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymphangiogenesis (LA) is the formation of new lymphatic vessels by lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) sprouting from pre-existing lymphatic vessels. It is increasingly recognized as being involved in many diseases, such as in cancer and secondary lymphedema, which most often results from cancer treatments. For some cancers, excessive LA is associated with cancer progression and metastatic dissemination to the lymph nodes (LNs) through lymphatic vessels. The study of LA through in vitro, in vivo, and, more recently, in silico models is of paramount importance in providing novel insights and identifying the key molecular actors in the biological dysregulation of this process under pathological conditions. In this review, the different biological (in vitro and in vivo) models of LA, especially in a cancer context, are explained and discussed, highlighting their principal modeled features as well as their advantages and drawbacks. Imaging techniques of the lymphatics, complementary or even essential to in vivo models, are also clarified and allow the establishment of the link with computational approaches. In silico models are introduced, theoretically described, and illustrated with examples specific to the lymphatic system and the LA. Together, these models constitute a toolbox allowing the LA research to be brought to the next level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Bekisz
- Biomechanics Research Unit, GIGA In silico Medicine, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium;
| | - Louis Baudin
- Laboratory of Biology of Tumor and Development, GIGA Cancer, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (L.B.); (F.B.); (A.N.)
| | - Florence Buntinx
- Laboratory of Biology of Tumor and Development, GIGA Cancer, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (L.B.); (F.B.); (A.N.)
| | - Agnès Noël
- Laboratory of Biology of Tumor and Development, GIGA Cancer, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (L.B.); (F.B.); (A.N.)
| | - Liesbet Geris
- Biomechanics Research Unit, GIGA In silico Medicine, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium;
- Biomechanics Section, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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7
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Rezzola S, Sigmund EC, Halin C, Ronca R. The lymphatic vasculature: An active and dynamic player in cancer progression. Med Res Rev 2021; 42:576-614. [PMID: 34486138 PMCID: PMC9291933 DOI: 10.1002/med.21855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The lymphatic vasculature has been widely described and explored for its key functions in fluid homeostasis and in the organization and modulation of the immune response. Besides transporting immune cells, lymphatic vessels play relevant roles in tumor growth and tumor cell dissemination. Cancer cells that have invaded into afferent lymphatics are propagated to tumor‐draining lymph nodes (LNs), which represent an important hub for metastatic cell arrest and growth, immune modulation, and secondary dissemination to distant sites. In recent years many studies have reported new mechanisms by which the lymphatic vasculature affects cancer progression, ranging from induction of lymphangiogenesis to metastatic niche preconditioning or immune modulation. In this review, we provide an up‐to‐date description of lymphatic organization and function in peripheral tissues and in LNs and the changes induced to this system by tumor growth and progression. We will specifically focus on the reported interactions that occur between tumor cells and lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), as well as on interactions between immune cells and LECs, both in the tumor microenvironment and in tumor‐draining LNs. Moreover, the most recent prognostic and therapeutic implications of lymphatics in cancer will be reported and discussed in light of the new immune‐modulatory roles that have been ascribed to LECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Rezzola
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Elena C Sigmund
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cornelia Halin
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roberto Ronca
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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8
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Li Y, Yang G, Zhang J, Tang P, Yang C, Wang G, Chen J, Liu J, Zhang L, Ouyang L. Discovery, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Highly Selective Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 3 (VEGFR3) Inhibitor for the Potential Treatment of Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. J Med Chem 2021; 64:12022-12048. [PMID: 34351741 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
We herein report the identification, structural optimization, and structure-activity relationship of thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives as a novel kind of selective vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR3) inhibitors. N-(4-Chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-4-(6-(4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)phenyl)thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)piperazine-1-carboxamide (38k) was the most potent VEGFR3 inhibitor (IC50 = 110.4 nM) among developed compounds. Compared with VEGFR1 and VEGFR2, VEGFR3 was approximately 100 times more selective. Here, compound 38k significantly inhibited proliferation and migration of VEGF-C-induced human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells (HDLEC), MDA-MB-231, and MDA-MB-436 cells by inactivating the VEGFR3 signaling pathway. Additionally, 38k induced cell apoptosis and a prolonged G1/S-phase in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-436 cells. It also presented acceptable pharmacokinetic characteristics in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with an oral bioavailability of 30.9%. In the xenograft model in vivo, 38k effectively inhibited breast cancer growth by suppressing the VEGFR3 signaling pathway. 38k pronouncedly resisted the formation of pulmonary metastatic nodules in mice. Collectively, 38k may be a promising therapeutic agent of metastatic breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Gaoxia Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jifa Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Pan Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Chengcan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Guan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Juncheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Lan Zhang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Liang Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
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9
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Abstract
The lymphatic system has received increasing scientific and clinical attention because a wide variety of diseases are linked to lymphatic pathologies and because the lymphatic system serves as an ideal conduit for drug delivery. Lymphatic vessels exert heterogeneous roles in different organs and vascular beds, and consequently, their dysfunction leads to distinct organ-specific outcomes. Although studies in animal model systems have led to the identification of crucial lymphatic genes with potential therapeutic benefit, effective lymphatic-targeted therapeutics are currently lacking for human lymphatic pathological conditions. Here, we focus on the therapeutic roles of lymphatic vessels in diseases and summarize the promising therapeutic targets for modulating lymphangiogenesis or lymphatic function in preclinical or clinical settings. We also discuss considerations for drug delivery or targeting of lymphatic vessels for treatment of lymphatic-related diseases. The lymphatic vasculature is rapidly emerging as a critical system for targeted modulation of its function and as a vehicle for innovative drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Xu
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA;
| | - Natalie R Harris
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA;
| | - Kathleen M Caron
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA;
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10
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Shibata MA, Shibata E, Tanaka Y, Shiraoka C, Kondo Y. Soluble Vegfr3 gene therapy suppresses multi-organ metastasis in a mouse mammary cancer model. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:2837-2849. [PMID: 32539229 PMCID: PMC7419054 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence on the association of VEGF-C with lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis implicates lymphatic vessels as a potential target in anti-cancer therapy. To evaluate whether blocking VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 signaling can inhibit multi-organ metastases, a mouse metastatic mammary cancer model was subjected to gene therapy using a soluble VEGFR-3 expression vector (psVEGFR-3). We showed that psVEGFR-3 significantly diminished cell growth in vitro with or without added VEGF-C, and significantly reduced primary tumor growth and tumor metastases to wide-spectrum organs in vivo. Although apoptotic cell death and angiogenesis levels did not differ between the control and psVEGFR-3 groups, cell proliferation and lymphangiogenesis in the mammary tumors were significantly decreased in the psVEGFR-3 group. Furthermore, lymphatic vessel invasion was significantly inhibited in this group. Real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed significantly high expression of the Vegfr3 gene due to gene therapy, and the transcriptional levels of Pcna and Lyve1 tended to decrease in the psVEGFR-3 group. Immunofluorescence staining indicated that phospho-tyrosine expression was considerably lower in tumor cells of psVEGFR-3-treated mammary carcinomas than those of control tumors. Double immunofluorescence staining indicated that phospho-tyrosine+ /LYVE-1+ (a lymphatic vessel marker) tended to decrease in psVEGFR-3-treated mammary carcinomas compared with control mice, indicating a decline in the activity of the VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 axis. These findings showed that a blockade of VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 signaling caused by sVEGFR-3 sequestered VEGF-C and prevented the side-effects of anti-angiogenesis and suppressed overall metastases, suggesting their high clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masa-Aki Shibata
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan
| | - Eiko Shibata
- Department of Molecular Innovation in Lipidology, National Cerebral & Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Tanaka
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan
| | - Chinatsu Shiraoka
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan
| | - Yoichi Kondo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan
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