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Waduge P, Kaur A, Li W. A method for rapid and reliable quantification of VEGF-cell binding activity. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 727:150321. [PMID: 38954982 PMCID: PMC11298814 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a pleiotropic growth factor that binds a broad spectrum of cell types and regulates diverse cellular processes, including angiogenesis, growth and survival. However, it is technically difficult to quantify VEGF-cell binding activity because of reversible nature of ligand-receptor interactions. Here we used T7 bacteriophage display to quantify and compare binding activity of three human VEGF-A (hVEGF) isoforms, including hVEGF111, 165 and 206. All three isoforms bound equally well to immobilized aflibercept, a decoy VEGF receptor. hVEGF111-Phage exhibited minimal binding to immobilized heparan sulfate, whereas hVEGF206-Phage and hVEGF165-Phage had the highest and intermediate binding to heparan, respectively. In vitro studies revealed that all three isoforms bound to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), HEK293 epithelial and SK-N-AS neuronal cells. hVEGF111-Phage has the lowest binding activity, while hVEGF206-Phage has the highest binding. hVEGF206-Phage was the most sensitive to detect VEGF-cell binding, albeit with the highest background binding to SK-N-AS cells. These results suggest that hVEGF206-Phage is the best-suited isoform to quantify VEGF-cell binding even though VEGF165 is the most biologically active. Furthermore, this study demonstrates the utility of T7 phage display as a platform for rapid and convenient ligand-cell binding quantification with pros and cons discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabuddha Waduge
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Avinash Kaur
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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2
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Zou Z, Luo T, Wang X, Wang B, Li Q. Exploring the interplay between triple-negative breast cancer stem cells and tumor microenvironment for effective therapeutic strategies. J Cell Physiol 2024. [PMID: 38807378 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31278] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive and metastatic malignancy with poor treatment outcomes. The interaction between the tumor microenvironment (TME) and breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) plays an important role in the development of TNBC. Owing to their ability of self-renewal and multidirectional differentiation, BCSCs maintain tumor growth, drive metastatic colonization, and facilitate the development of drug resistance. TME is the main factor regulating the phenotype and metastasis of BCSCs. Immune cells, cancer-related fibroblasts (CAFs), cytokines, mesenchymal cells, endothelial cells, and extracellular matrix within the TME form a complex communication network, exert highly selective pressure on the tumor, and provide a conducive environment for the formation of BCSC niches. Tumor growth and metastasis can be controlled by targeting the TME to eliminate BCSC niches or targeting BCSCs to modify the TME. These approaches may improve the treatment outcomes and possess great application potential in clinical settings. In this review, we summarized the relationship between BCSCs and the progression and drug resistance of TNBC, especially focusing on the interaction between BCSCs and TME. In addition, we discussed therapeutic strategies that target the TME to inhibit or eliminate BCSCs, providing valuable insights into the clinical treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoling Zou
- Queen Mary College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Tinglan Luo
- Department of Oncology, The Seventh People's Hospital of Chongqing (Affiliated Central Hospital of Chongqing University of Technology), Chongqing, China
| | - Xinyuan Wang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second Clinical College of Chongqing Medicine University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Seventh People's Hospital of Chongqing (Affiliated Central Hospital of Chongqing University of Technology), Chongqing, China
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
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Huang C, Ji L, Kaur A, Tian H, Waduge P, Webster KA, Li W. Anti-Scg3 Gene Therapy to Treat Choroidal Neovascularization in Mice. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1910. [PMID: 37509549 PMCID: PMC10377229 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071910] [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: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a leading cause of blindness in the elderly in developed countries. The disease is currently treated with anti-angiogenic biologics, including aflibercept, against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) but with limited efficacy, treatment resistance and requirement for frequent intravitreal injections. Although anti-VEGF gene therapy may provide sustained therapy that obviates multiple injections, the efficacy and side effects related to VEGF pathway targeting remain, and alternative strategies to block angiogenesis independently of VEGF are needed. We recently reported that secretogranin III (Scg3) induces only pathological angiogenesis through VEGF-independent pathways, and Scg3-neutralizing antibodies selectively inhibit pathological but not physiological angiogenesis in mouse proliferative retinopathy models. Anti-Scg3 antibodies synergize dose-dependently with VEGF inhibitors in a CNV model. Here, we report that an adeno-associated virus-8 (AAV8) vector expressing anti-Scg3 Fab ameliorated CNV with an efficacy similar to that of AAV-aflibercept in a mouse model. This study is the first to test an anti-angiogenic gene therapy protocol that selectively targets pathological angiogenesis via a VEGF-independent mechanism. The findings support further safety/efficacy studies of anti-Scg3 gene therapy as monotherapy or combined with anti-VEGF to treat nAMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengchi Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Liyang Ji
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Avinash Kaur
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hong Tian
- Everglades Biopharma, LLC, Houston, TX 77098, USA
| | - Prabuddha Waduge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Keith A. Webster
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Everglades Biopharma, LLC, Houston, TX 77098, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Vascular Biology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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4
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Ji L, Waduge P, Wu Y, Huang C, Kaur A, Oliveira P, Tian H, Zhang J, Stout JT, Weng CY, Webster KA, Li W. Secretogranin III Selectively Promotes Vascular Leakage in the Deep Vascular Plexus of Diabetic Retinopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10531. [PMID: 37445707 PMCID: PMC10341987 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310531] [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: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a leading cause of vision loss in working-age adults, induces mosaic patterns of vasculopathy that may be associated with spatial heterogeneity of intraretinal endothelial cells. We recently reported that secretogranin III (Scg3), a neuron-derived angiogenic and vascular leakage factor, selectively binds retinal vessels of diabetic but not healthy mice. Here, we investigated endothelial heterogeneity of three retinal vascular plexuses in DR pathogenesis and the therapeutic implications. Our unique in vivo ligand binding assay detected a 22.7-fold increase in Scg3 binding to retinal vessels of diabetic mice relative to healthy mice. Functional immunohistochemistry revealed that Scg3 predominantly binds to the DR-stressed CD31- deep retinal vascular plexus but not to the relatively healthy CD31+ superficial and intermediate plexuses within the same diabetic retina. In contrast, VEGF bound to healthy and diabetic retinal vessels indiscriminately with low activity. FITC-dextran assays indicated that selectively increased retinal vascular leakage coincides with Scg3 binding in diabetic mice that was independent of VEGF, whereas VEGF-induced leakage did not distinguish between diabetic and healthy mice. Dose-response curves showed that the anti-Scg3 humanized antibody (hAb) and anti-VEGF aflibercept alleviated DR leakage with equivalent efficacies, and that the combination acted synergistically. These findings suggest: (i) the deep plexus is highly sensitive to DR; (ii) Scg3 binding to the DR deep plexus coincides with the loss of CD31 and compromised endothelial junctions; (iii) anti-Scg3 hAb alleviates vascular leakage by selectively targeting the DR-stressed deep plexus within the same diabetic retina; (iv) combined anti-Scg3 and anti-VEGF treatments synergistically ameliorate DR through distinct mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyang Ji
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Prabuddha Waduge
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yan Wu
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Chengchi Huang
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Avinash Kaur
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Paola Oliveira
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hong Tian
- Everglades Biopharma, LLC, Houston, TX 77098, USA
| | - Jinsong Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110005, China;
| | - J. Timothy Stout
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Christina Y. Weng
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Keith A. Webster
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Everglades Biopharma, LLC, Houston, TX 77098, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Waduge P, Tian H, Webster KA, Li W. Profiling disease-selective drug targets: From proteomics to ligandomics. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103430. [PMID: 36343915 PMCID: PMC9974940 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.103430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Despite advancements in omics technologies, including proteomics and transcriptomics, identification of therapeutic targets remains challenging. Ligandomics recently emerged as a unique technology of functional proteomics for global profiling of cell-binding protein ligands. When applied to diseased versus healthy vasculatures, comparative ligandomics systematically maps novel disease-restricted ligands that allow selective targeting of pathological but not physiological pathways, providing high efficacy with intrinsic safety. In this review, we discuss the potential of cellular ligands as therapeutic targets and summarize the development of ligandomics. We further compare the advantages and limitations of different omics technologies for drug target discovery and discuss target selection criteria to improve drug R&D success rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabuddha Waduge
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hong Tian
- LigandomicsRx, LLC, Houston, TX 77098, USA; Everglades Biopharma, LLC, Houston, TX 77098, USA
| | - Keith A Webster
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Vascular Biology Institute, Department of Pharmacology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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