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Elhemely MA, Belgath AA, El-Sayed S, Burusco KK, Kadirvel M, Tirella A, Finegan K, Bryce RA, Stratford IJ, Freeman S. SAR of Novel 3-Arylisoquinolinones: meta-Substitution on the Aryl Ring Dramatically Enhances Antiproliferative Activity through Binding to Microtubules. J Med Chem 2022; 65:4783-4797. [PMID: 35290041 PMCID: PMC9098178 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A set of meta-substituted 3-arylisoquinolinones have been identified that show substantial cytotoxicity in breast, liver, lung and colon cancer cell lines; these are up to 700-fold more active than the corresponding para analogues. These compounds were initially proposed as inhibitors of N-ribosyl dihydronicotinamide (NRH): quinone oxidoreductase 2 (NQO2) but were found to be inactive against the enzyme. Instead, COMPARE analysis suggested that 6-fluoro-3-(meta-fluorophenyl)isoquinolin-1(2H)-one (4) could mimic colchicine and interact with microtubules, a recognized target for cancer therapy. Subsequent docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and free energy analysis further suggested that compound 4 bound well into the colchicine-binding pocket of tubulin. Indeed, 4 suppressed tubulin polymerization, caused G2/M cell cycle arrest, and induced apoptosis. Also, 4 inhibited the formation of endothelial cell capillary-like tubes and further disrupted the structure of preestablished tubes; the effects were not observed with para analogue 5. In accordance with this, the computed free energy of binding of 5 to tubulin was lower in magnitude than that for 4 and appeared to arise in part from the inability of the para substituent to occupy a tubulin subpocket, which is possible in the meta orientation. In conclusion, the antiproliferative potential of the novel 3-arylisoquinolinones is markedly influenced by a subtle change in the structure (meta versus para). The meta-substituted isoquinolinone 4 is a microtubule-destabilizing agent with potential tumor-selectivity and antiangiogenic and vascular disrupting features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai A Elhemely
- Division of Pharmacy & Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62514, Egypt
| | - Asma A Belgath
- Division of Pharmacy & Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Sherihan El-Sayed
- Division of Pharmacy & Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Kepa K Burusco
- Division of Pharmacy & Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Manikandan Kadirvel
- Division of Pharmacy & Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Annalisa Tirella
- Division of Pharmacy & Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K.,BIOtech Center for Biomedical Technologies, Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Via delle Regole 101, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Katherine Finegan
- Division of Pharmacy & Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Richard A Bryce
- Division of Pharmacy & Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Ian J Stratford
- Division of Pharmacy & Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Sally Freeman
- Division of Pharmacy & Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
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2
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Yang M, Su Y, Wang Z, Du D, Wei S, Liao Z, Zhang Q, Zhao L, Zhang X, Han L, Jiang J, Zhan M, Sun L, Yuan S, Zhou Z. C118P, a novel microtubule inhibitor with anti-angiogenic and vascular disrupting activities, exerts anti-tumor effects against hepatocellular carcinoma. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 190:114641. [PMID: 34077738 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a hypervascular solid tumor, is the most leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Microtubule binding agents targeting tumor vasculature have been investigated and employed clinically. C118P is a newly synthesized analog of CA4 with improved water solubility and extended half-life. The current studies investigated the pharmacological effects of C118P and its active metabolite C118. Here, we first confirmed by in vitro assays that C118 exerts microtubule depolymerization activity and by molecular docking revealed that it fits to the colchicine binding site of tubulin. In addition, we found that C118P and C118 altered microtubule dynamics and cytoskeleton in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Accordingly, we observed that C118P and C118 inhibited angiogenesis and disrupted established vascular networks using tube formation assays and chick chorioallantoic membrane angiogenesis assays. In addition, our data showed that C118P and C118 exhibited board anti-proliferative effect on various cancer cells, including HCC cell lines, in MTT assays or Sulforhodamine B assays. Moreover, we found that C118P induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HCC cell lines BEL7402 and SMMC7721 using flow cytometry analysis and immunoblotting assays. Finally, we confirmed that C118P suppressed HCC growth via targeting tumor vasculature and inducing apoptosis in the SMMC7721 xenograft mouse model. In conclusion, our studies revealed that C118P, as a potent microtubule destabilizing agent, exerts its multiple pharmacological effects against HCC by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, as well as targeting tumor vasculature. Thus, C118P might be a promising drug candidate for liver cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009 China
| | - Yanhong Su
- Zhuhai Interventional Medical Center, Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai 519000 China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009 China
| | - Danyu Du
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009 China
| | - Shihui Wei
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009 China
| | - Zhengguang Liao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009 China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009 China
| | - Liwen Zhao
- Nanjing Sanhome Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nanjing 211135 China
| | - Xian Zhang
- Nanjing Sanhome Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nanjing 211135 China
| | - Luwei Han
- Nanjing Sanhome Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nanjing 211135 China
| | - Jingwei Jiang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009 China
| | - Meixiao Zhan
- Zhuhai Interventional Medical Center, Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai 519000 China
| | - Li Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009 China.
| | - Shengtao Yuan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009 China.
| | - Zhiling Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai 519000 China.
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3
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Utilisation of Chick Embryo Chorioallantoic Membrane as a Model Platform for Imaging-Navigated Biomedical Research. Cells 2021; 10:cells10020463. [PMID: 33671534 PMCID: PMC7926796 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The fertilised chick egg and particularly its chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) have drawn continuing interest in biomedicine and bioengineering fields, especially for research on vascular study, cancer, drug screening and development, cell factors, stem cells, etc. This literature review systemically introduces the CAM's structural evolution, functions, vascular features and the circulation system, and cell regulatory factors. It also presents the major and updated applications of the CAM in assays for pharmacokinetics and biodistribution, drug efficacy and toxicology testing/screening in preclinical pharmacological research. The time course of CAM applications for different assays and their advantages and limitations are summarised. Among these applications, two aspects are emphasised: (1) potential utility of the CAM for preclinical studies on vascular-disrupting agents (VDAs), promising for anti-cancer vascular-targeted therapy, and (2) modern imaging technologies, including modalities and their applications for real-time visualisation, monitoring and evaluation of the changes in CAM vasculature as well as the interactions occurring after introducing the tested medical, pharmaceutical and biological agents into the system. The aim of this article is to help those working in the biomedical field to familiarise themselves with the chick embryo CAM as an alternative platform and to utilise it to design and optimise experimental settings for their specific research topics.
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4
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Kargozar S, Baino F, Hamzehlou S, Hamblin MR, Mozafari M. Nanotechnology for angiogenesis: opportunities and challenges. Chem Soc Rev 2020; 49:5008-5057. [PMID: 32538379 PMCID: PMC7418030 DOI: 10.1039/c8cs01021h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis plays a critical role within the human body, from the early stages of life (i.e., embryonic development) to life-threatening diseases (e.g., cancer, heart attack, stroke, wound healing). Many pharmaceutical companies have expended huge efforts on both stimulation and inhibition of angiogenesis. During the last decade, the nanotechnology revolution has made a great impact in medicine, and regulatory approvals are starting to be achieved for nanomedicines to treat a wide range of diseases. Angiogenesis therapies involve the inhibition of angiogenesis in oncology and ophthalmology, and stimulation of angiogenesis in wound healing and tissue engineering. This review aims to summarize nanotechnology-based strategies that have been explored in the broad area of angiogenesis. Lipid-based, carbon-based and polymeric nanoparticles, and a wide range of inorganic and metallic nanoparticles are covered in detail. Theranostic and imaging approaches can be facilitated by nanoparticles. Many preparations have been reported to have a bimodal effect where they stimulate angiogenesis at low dose and inhibit it at higher doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Kargozar
- Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG), Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, 917794-8564 Mashhad, Iran
| | - Francesco Baino
- Institute of Materials Physics and Engineering, Applied Science and Technology Department, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 101 29 Torino, Italy
| | - Sepideh Hamzehlou
- Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Michael R. Hamblin
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein 2028, South Africa
| | - Masoud Mozafari
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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5
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Zhou Y, Di B, Niu MM. Structure-Based Pharmacophore Design and Virtual Screening for Novel Tubulin Inhibitors with Potential Anticancer Activity. Molecules 2019; 24:E3181. [PMID: 31480625 PMCID: PMC6749218 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24173181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tubulin inhibitors have been considered as potential drugs for cancer therapy. However, their drug resistance and serious side-effects are the main reasons for clinical treatment failure. Therefore, there is still an urgent need to develop effective therapeutic drugs. Herein, a structure-based pharmacophore model was developed based on the co-crystallized structures of the tubulin with a high resolution. The model including one hydrogen-bond acceptor feature, two aromatic features, and one hydrophobic feature was further validated using the Gunner-Henry score method. Virtual screening was performed by an integrated protocol that combines drug-likeness analysis, pharmacophore mapping, and molecular docking approaches. Finally, five hits were selected for biological evaluation. The results indicated that all these hits at the concentration of 40 μM showed an inhibition of more than 50% against five human tumor cells (MCF-7, U87MG, HCT-116, MDA-MB-231, and HepG2). Particularly, hit 1 effectively inhibited the proliferation of these tumor cells, with inhibition rates of more than 80%. The results of tubulin polymerization and colchicine-site competition assays suggested that hit 1 significantly inhibited tubulin polymerization by binding to the colchicine site. Thus, hit 1 could be used as a potential chemotherapeutic agent for cancer treatment. This work also demonstrated the potential of our screening protocol to identify biologically active compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunjiang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Bin Di
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Miao-Miao Niu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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6
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Nik ME, Momtazi-Borojeni AA, Zamani P, Navashenaq JG, Iranshahi M, Jaafari MR, Malaekeh-Nikouei B. Targeted-nanoliposomal combretastatin A4 (CA-4) as an efficient antivascular candidate in the metastatic cancer treatment. J Cell Physiol 2019; 234:14721-14733. [PMID: 30697744 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.28230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
A number of antiangiogenic drugs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration which are used in cancer therapy, and variety of other agents in several stages of clinical development or in preclinical assessment. Among these, combretastatin A4 (CA-4) is an under-researched inhibitor of angiogenesis that shows potential activity in the treatment of advanced tumors with migration capacity. However, its clinical application has been limited due to poor water solubility, low bioavailability, rapid metabolism, and systemic elimination. During the last decade, numerous investigations have been done to overcome these problems by using different CA-4 delivery systems or developing produgs of CA-4 or its structural analogs. Nevertheless, these strategies could not be efficient out of the undesired side effects on normal tissues. Nanoliposomal CA-4 not only benefits from the advantage of using liposomal drugs as opposed to free drugs but also can accumulate in the tumor site via specific targeting ligands, which leads to efficient targeting and enhancement of bioavailability. To the best of our knowledge, we consider an important attempt to understand different factors that might influence the CA-4 loading and release pattern of liposomes and the consequent results in tumor therapy. In this review, we shed light on various studied liposomal CA-4 formulations showing application thereof in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Ebrahimi Nik
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir Abbas Momtazi-Borojeni
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Parvin Zamani
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Jamshid Gholizadeh Navashenaq
- Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Immunogenetic and Cell Culture, Immunology Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Iranshahi
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Reza Jaafari
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Bizhan Malaekeh-Nikouei
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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7
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Markelc B, Bellard E, Sersa G, Jesenko T, Pelofy S, Teissié J, Frangez R, Rols MP, Cemazar M, Golzio M. Increased permeability of blood vessels after reversible electroporation is facilitated by alterations in endothelial cell-to-cell junctions. J Control Release 2018; 276:30-41. [PMID: 29476881 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Delivery of electric field pulses, i.e. electroporation (EP), to tissues has been shown to have a blood flow modifying effect. Indeed, the diameter of blood vessels exposed to EP is immediately reduced resulting in blood flow abrogation, followed by an increase in vascular permeability. The main cause of the increased permeability remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether the in vivo effects of EP on permeability of blood vessels are linked to the permeabilization of endothelial cells' membrane (EC) and/or disruption of cell-to-cell junctions. We used a dorsal window chamber model in C57Bl/6 mice coupled with multiphoton microscopy and fluorescently labelled antibodies against PECAM-1 (CD31) to visualize endothelial cell-to-cell junctions. Clinically validated EP parameters were used and behavior of cell-to-cell junctions, in combination with leakage of 70 kDa fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled dextran (FD), was followed in time. After EP, a constriction of blood vessels was observed and correlated with the change in the shape of ECs. This was followed by an increase in permeability of blood vessels for 70 kDa FD and a decrease in the volume of labelled cell-to-cell junctions. Both parameters returned to pre-treatment values in 50% of mice. For the remaining 50%, we hypothesize that disruption of cell-to-cell junctions after EP may trigger the platelet activation cascade. Our findings show for the first time in vivo that alterations in cell-to-cell junctions play an important role in the response of blood vessels to EP and explain their efficient permeabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bostjan Markelc
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, F-31077, France; Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Elisabeth Bellard
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, F-31077, France
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Jesenko
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sandrine Pelofy
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, F-31077, France
| | - Justin Teissié
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, F-31077, France
| | - Robert Frangez
- Institute of Preclinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbiceva 60, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marie-Pierre Rols
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, F-31077, France
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Polje 42, SI-6310 Izola, Slovenia.
| | - Muriel Golzio
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, BP 64182, 205 Route de Narbonne, F-31077, France.
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8
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Deoxypodophyllotoxin suppresses tumor vasculature in HUVECs by promoting cytoskeleton remodeling through LKB1-AMPK dependent Rho A activatio. Oncotarget 2016; 6:29497-512. [PMID: 26470595 PMCID: PMC4745742 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/16/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis plays a critical role in the growth and metastasis of tumors, which makes it an attractive target for anti-tumor drug development. Deoxypodophyllotoxin (DPT), a natural product isolated from Anthriscus sylvestris, inhibits cell proliferation and migration in various cancer cell types. Our previous studies indicate that DPT possesses both anti-angiogenic and vascular-disrupting activities. Although the RhoA/ RhoA kinase (ROCK) signaling pathway is implicated in DPT-stimulated cytoskeleton remodeling and tumor vasculature suppressing, the detailed mechanisms by which DPT mediates these effects are poorly understood. In the current study, we found that DPT promotes cytoskeleton remodeling in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) via stimulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and that this effect is abolished by either treatment with a selective AMPK inhibitor or knockdown. Moreover, the cellular levels of LKB1, a kinase upstream of AMPK, were enhanced following DPT exposure. DPT-induced activation of AMPK in tumor vasculature effect was also verified by transgenic zebrafish (VEGFR2:GFP), Matrigel plug assay, and xenograft model in nude mice. The present findings may lay the groundwork for a novel therapeutic approach in treating cancer.
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9
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Porcù E, Salvador A, Primac I, Mitola S, Ronca R, Ravelli C, Bortolozzi R, Vedaldi D, Romagnoli R, Basso G, Viola G. Vascular disrupting activity of combretastatin analogues. Vascul Pharmacol 2016; 83:78-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2016.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2015] [Revised: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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10
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The anti-angiogenic effect and novel mechanisms of action of Combretastatin A-4. Sci Rep 2016; 6:28139. [PMID: 27338725 PMCID: PMC4919637 DOI: 10.1038/srep28139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Combretastatin A-4 (CA4) is the lead compound of a relatively new class of vascular disrupting agents that target existing tumor blood vessels. Recent studies showed the CA4 might inhibit angiogenesis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms by which CA4 exerts its anti-angiogenic effects are not fully understood. In this study, we revealed that CA4 inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced proliferation, migration and capillary-like tube formation of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). In in vivo assay, CA4 suppressed neovascularization in chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model and decreased the microvessel density in tumor tissues of a breast cancer MCF-7 xenograft mouse model. In addition, CA4 decreased the expression level and secretion of VEGF both in MCF-7 cells and HUVECs under hypoxia, as well as the activation of VEGFR-2 and its downstream signaling mediators following VEGF stimulation in HUVECs. Moreover, VEGF and VEGFR-2 expression in tumor tissues of the mouse xenograft model were down-regulated following CA4 treatment. Taken together, results from the current work provide clear evidence that CA4 functions in endothelial cell system to inhibit angiogenesis, at least in part, by attenuating VEGF/VEGFR-2 signaling pathway.
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11
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Wang Y, Li JX, Wang YQ, Miao ZH. Tanshinone I inhibits tumor angiogenesis by reducing Stat3 phosphorylation at Tyr705 and hypoxia-induced HIF-1α accumulation in both endothelial and tumor cells. Oncotarget 2016. [PMID: 26202747 PMCID: PMC4599254 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tanshinone I (Tanshinone-1), a major active principle of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), has been shown to overcome tumor drug resistance and metastasis. Here we report that tanshinone-1 inhibits angiogenesis. Tanshinone-1 inhibited proliferation, migration and tube formation of vascular endothelial cells, rat aortic ring sprouting and the neovascularization of the chick chorioallantoic membrane in a concentration-dependent manner. In endothelial cells, tanshinone-1 almost completely inhibited phosphorylation of Stat3 at Tyr705 regardless of hypoxia or normoxia but only slightly decreased the hypoxia-induced HIF-1α accumulation. In tumor cells, contrastively, tanshinone-1 could not only make phosphorylation of Stat3 at Tyr705 disappear but also reduce the hypoxia-induced accumulation of HIF-1α to its baseline levels at normoxia. Consequently, VEGF secretion from tumor cells was reduced, which could potentiate the direct inhibition of tanshinone-1 on endothelial cells. Together with its overcoming tumor drug resistance and metastasis, our results reveal unique characteristics of tanshinone-1 and its improved derivatives as promising angiogenesis inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.,College of Pharmacy, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Jia-Xin Li
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ying-Qing Wang
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ze-Hong Miao
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
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12
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Srinivas C, Ramaiah MJ, Lavanya A, Yerramsetty S, Kavi Kishor PB, Basha SA, Kamal A, Bhadra U, Bhadra MP. Novel Etoposide Analogue Modulates Expression of Angiogenesis Associated microRNAs and Regulates Cell Proliferation by Targeting STAT3 in Breast Cancer. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142006. [PMID: 26551008 PMCID: PMC4638343 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment play role in angiogenesis and carcinogenesis. Etoposide, a known topoisomerase II inhibitor induces DNA damage resulting in cell cycle arrest. We developed a novel Etoposide analogue, Quinazolino-4β-amidopodophyllotoxin (C-10) that show better efficacy in regulating cell proliferation and angiogenesis. We evaluated its role on expression of microRNAs-15, 16, 17 and 221 and its targets Bcl-2, STAT3 and VEGF that dictate cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Docking studies clearly demonstrated the binding of Etoposide and C-10 to STAT3. We conclude that combination of Etoposide or C-10 with miR-15, 16, 17 and 221 as a new approach to induce apoptosis and control angiogenesis in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chatla Srinivas
- Centre for Chemical Biology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India
| | - M. Janaki Ramaiah
- Centre for Chemical Biology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India
- School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur, India
| | - A. Lavanya
- Centre for Chemical Biology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India
| | - Suresh Yerramsetty
- Centre for Chemical Biology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India
| | | | - Shaik Anver Basha
- Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India
| | - Ahmed Kamal
- Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India
| | - Utpal Bhadra
- Functional Genomics and Gene Silencing Group, CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India
| | - Manika-Pal Bhadra
- Centre for Chemical Biology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India
- * E-mail:
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13
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The vascular disrupting activity of OXi8006 in endothelial cells and its phosphate prodrug OXi8007 in breast tumor xenografts. Cancer Lett 2015; 369:229-41. [PMID: 26325604 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2015.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Revised: 08/24/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
This study describes the vascular disrupting ability and the mechanism of action of the indole-based tubulin-binding compound, OXi8006, and its water-soluble phosphate prodrug OXi8007. Treatment of rapidly proliferating human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), used as a model for the tumor vasculature, with OXi8006 or OXi8007, caused potent microtubule disruption followed by extensive reorganization of the cytoskeletal network. The mechanism of action involved an increase in focal adhesion formation associated with an increase in phosphorylation of both non-muscle myosin light chain and focal adhesion kinase. These effects were dramatically diminished by an inhibitor of RhoA kinase, a downstream effector of RhoA. Cell cycle blockade at G2/M and cytotoxicity toward rapidly proliferating HUVECs were also observed. Capillary-like networks of HUVECs were disrupted by the action of both OXi8006 and OXi8007. The prodrug OXi8007 exhibited potent and rapid dose-dependent antivascular activity assessed by dynamic bioluminescence imaging (BLI) in an MDA-MB-231-luc breast cancer xenograft mouse model. By 6 hours post treatment, over 93% of the BLI signal was abolished with only a slight recovery at 24 hours. These findings were confirmed by histology. The results from this study demonstrate that OXi8007 is a potent vascular disrupting agent acting through an anti-microtubule mechanism involving RhoA.
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14
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Ashraf S, Beech RN, Hancock MA, Prichard RK. Ivermectin binds to Haemonchus contortus tubulins and promotes stability of microtubules. Int J Parasitol 2015; 45:647-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2015.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Revised: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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15
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Jiang JH, Zheng CH, Wang CQ, Wang J, Tian W, Yang C, Song YL, Hu Y, Zhu J, Zhou YY. Synthesis and biological evaluation of 5,6,7-trimethoxy-1-benzylidene-3,4-dihydro-naphthalen-2-one as tubulin-polymerization inhibitors. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2015.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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16
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Angiogenic growth factors interactome and drug discovery: The contribution of surface plasmon resonance. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2014; 26:293-310. [PMID: 25465594 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2014.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Revised: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is implicated in several pathological conditions, including cancer, and in regenerative processes, including the formation of collateral blood vessels after stroke. Physiological angiogenesis is the outcome of a fine balance between the action of angiogenic growth factors (AGFs) and anti-angiogenic molecules, while pathological angiogenesis occurs when this balance is pushed toward AGFs. AGFs interact with multiple endothelial cell (EC) surface receptors inducing cell proliferation, migration and proteases upregulation. On the contrary, free or extracellular matrix-associated molecules inhibit angiogenesis by sequestering AGFs (thus hampering EC stimulation) or by interacting with specific EC receptors inducing apoptosis or decreasing responsiveness to AGFs. Thus, angiogenesis results from an intricate network of interactions among pro- and anti-angiogenic molecules, EC receptors and various modulators. All these interactions represent targets for the development of pro- or anti-angiogenic therapies. These aims call for suitable technologies to study the countless interactions occurring during neovascularization. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a label-free optical technique to study biomolecular interactions in real time. It has become the golden standard technology for interaction analysis in biomedical research, including angiogenesis. From a survey of the literature it emerges that SPR has already contributed substantially to the better understanding of the neovascularization process, laying the basis for the decoding of the angiogenesis "interactome" and the identification of "hub molecules" that may represent preferential targets for an efficacious modulation of angiogenesis. Here, the still unexploited full potential of SPR is enlightened, pointing to improvements in its use for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of neovascularization and the identification of novel anti-angiogenic drugs.
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17
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The chicken chorioallantoic membrane model in biology, medicine and bioengineering. Angiogenesis 2014; 17:779-804. [PMID: 25138280 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-014-9440-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 289] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Accepted: 08/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) is a simple, highly vascularized extraembryonic membrane, which performs multiple functions during embryonic development, including but not restricted to gas exchange. Over the last two decades, interest in the CAM as a robust experimental platform to study blood vessels has been shared by specialists working in bioengineering, development, morphology, biochemistry, transplant biology, cancer research and drug development. The tissue composition and accessibility of the CAM for experimental manipulation, makes it an attractive preclinical in vivo model for drug screening and/or for studies of vascular growth. In this article we provide a detailed review of the use of the CAM to study vascular biology and response of blood vessels to a variety of agonists. We also present distinct cultivation protocols discussing their advantages and limitations and provide a summarized update on the use of the CAM in vascular imaging, drug delivery, pharmacokinetics and toxicology.
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Identification of DW532 as a novel anti-tumor agent targeting both kinases and tubulin. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2014; 35:916-28. [PMID: 24858311 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2014.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Accepted: 04/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM 7,8-Dihydroxy-4-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2H-chromen-2-one (DW532) is one of simplified analogues of hematoxylin that has shown broad-spectrum inhibition on tyrosine kinases and in vitro anti-cancer activities. The aim of this study was to identify DW532 as a agent targeting both kinases and tubulin, and to investigate its anti-cancer and anti-angiogenesis activities. METHODS In vitro tyrosine kinases activity was examined with ELISA, and tyrosine kinases activity in cells was evaluated with Western blot analysis. Tubulin turbidity assay, surface plasmon resonance and immunofluorescence technique were used to characterize the tubulin inhibitory activity. Cell proliferation was examined with SRB assay, and cell apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were analyzed with Annexin-V/PI staining and flow cytometry. Tube formation, aortic ring and chick chorioallantoic membrane assays were used to evaluate the anti-angiogenesis efficacy. RESULTS DW532 inhibited EGFR and VEGFR2 in vitro kinase activity (the IC50 values were 4.9 and 5.5 μmol/L, respectively), and suppressed their downstream signaling. DW532 dose-dependently inhibited tubulin polymerization via direct binding to tubulin, thus disrupting the mitotic spindle assembly and leading to abnormal cell division. In a panel of human cancer cells, DW532 (1 and 10 μmol/L) induced G2/M phase arrest and cell apoptosis, which subsequently resulted in cytotoxicity. Knockdown of BubR1 or Mps1, the two core proteins of the spindle assembly checkpoint dramatically decreased DW532-induced cell cycle arrest in MDA-MB-468 cells. Moreover, treatment with DW532 potently and dose-dependently suppressed angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION DW532 is a dual inhibitor against tubulin and tyrosine kinases, and deserves further development as a novel anti-cancer agent.
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The antiangiogenic properties of sulfated β-cyclodextrins in anticancer formulations incorporating 5-fluorouracil. Anticancer Drugs 2014; 24:704-14. [PMID: 23695012 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0b013e3283626fdd] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Sulfated β-cyclodextrins (S-β-CDs) are useful excipients for improving the solubility of drugs. One such formulation incorporating 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), termed FD(S), showed improved efficacy over 5-FU alone in orthotopic carcinoma xenograft models. S-β-CDs have heparin-like anticoagulant properties, which may have contributed toward the improved antitumor effect of FD(S). S-β-CDs have also been reported to modify a number of processes involved in angiogenesis. Although the anticoagulant nature of S-β-CDs was established, the antiangiogenic properties of S-β-CDs within FD(S) were unknown. The effect of S-β-CD and FD(S) on the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells in live-cell kinetic assays, and the reorganization of human umbilical vein endothelial cells into tubule structures in vitro was assessed. The effects of S-β-CD on angiogenesis in vitro were validated ex vivo using the rat aorta ring assay and the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay. S-β-CD does not alter proliferative endothelial cell sensitivity to 5-FU cytotoxicity. S-β-CD alone and within FD(S) significantly inhibited angiogenesis by impeding endothelial cell migration, resulting in the inhibition of tubule formation and hence new vasculature. In addition to the cytotoxic action of the drug 5-FU, therapeutic inhibition of angiogenesis by S-β-CDs within FD(S) could potentially limit local invasion and metastases. This has important implications for the exploitation of S-β-CDs for drug formulation improvements or for drug delivery of anticancer biologics.
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20
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Microvascular complications and diabetic retinopathy: recent advances and future implications. Future Med Chem 2013; 5:301-14. [PMID: 23464520 DOI: 10.4155/fmc.12.206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal microvascular alterations have been observed during diabetic retinopathy (DR) due to the retinal susceptibility towards subtle pathological alterations. Therefore, retinal microvascular pathology is essential to understand the nature of retinal degenerations during DR. In this review, the role of retinal microvasculature complications during progression of DR, along with recent efforts to normalize such alterations for better therapeutic outcome, will be underlined. In addition, current therapeutics and future directions for advancement of standard treatment for DR patients will be discussed.
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21
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Jiang Z, Wu M, Miao J, Duan H, Zhang S, Chen M, Sun L, Wang Y, Zhang X, Zhu X, Zhang L. Deoxypodophyllotoxin exerts both anti-angiogenic and vascular disrupting effects. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2013; 45:1710-9. [PMID: 23702033 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2013.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2013] [Revised: 04/28/2013] [Accepted: 04/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
A functioning vascular supply is essential for solid tumor growth and metastases, which means that blood vessels are an ideal target for antitumor drug discovery. Targeting tumor vasculature involves two main approaches, anti-angiogenesis and vascular disruption. The anti-angiogenic and vascular disrupting activities of deoxypodophyllotoxin (DPT), a natural microtubule destabilizer, were examined with several in vitro, ex vivo and/or in vivo models. First, we demonstrated that DPT significantly inhibits the proliferation, migration and tube formation of endothelial cells and inhibits angiogenesis in rat aortic ring and chick chorioallantoic membrane assays. In further studies, DPT induced cytoskeleton reorganization in endothelial cells, which likely contributed to the anti-angiogenic effect at non-cytotoxic concentrations. DPT treatment at higher concentrations for longer time induced the cell cycle arrest, which may contributes to its anti-proliferation effect and anti-angiogenic activity. And DPT dramatically inducted the expression of cyclin B1 and p21 (WAF1/CIP1). Meanwhile, DPT disrupted capillary-like networks in vitro and newly formed vessels from rat aortic rings. Endothelial cell contraction associated with an increase in F-actin via the Rho/Rho kinase pathway likely contributed to the vascular disrupting activity. Taken together, our results provided the initial evidence that DPT exerts potent anti-angiogenic and vascular disrupting effects. This study also provides important insight into the mechanism of action of promising new anticancer drugs with both anti-angiogenic and vascular disrupting activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhou Jiang
- Jiangsu Center for Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, PR China
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Abstract
Vascular disrupting agents (VDAs) are a relatively new class of drugs that target tumor vasculature and induce tumor blood flow shutdown and subsequent necrosis in the tumor core. The first generation of these agents is actively evaluated in clinical trials, whereas new molecules are developed in order to enhance efficacy and to overcome resistance mechanisms. VDA used as a single agent only cause a moderate tumor growth delay. So, strategy aiming at combining VDA to conventional cancer treatments is undergoing extensive investigations. A special emphasis has been put on combination with chemotherapeutic agents. Besides, numerous preclinical studies have also clearly established that the association of VDA to radiotherapy can improve antitumor treatment and may lead to a therapeutic gain. However, up to date, there is a lack of clinical trials evaluating such combinations, whereas it would be of great interest since radiotherapy is widely used as anticancer treatment.
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23
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Hielscher AC, Gerecht S. Engineering approaches for investigating tumor angiogenesis: exploiting the role of the extracellular matrix. Cancer Res 2012; 72:6089-96. [PMID: 23172313 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-12-2773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A major paradigm shift in cancer research is the emergence of multidisciplinary approaches to investigate complex cell behaviors, to elucidate regulatory mechanisms and to identify therapeutic targets. Recently, efforts are focused on the engineering of complex in vitro models, which more accurately recapitulate the growth and progression of cancer. These strategies have proven vital for investigating and targeting the events that control tumor angiogenesis. In this review, we explore how the emerging engineering approaches are being used to unlock the complex mechanisms regulating tumor angiogenesis. Emphasis is placed on models using natural and synthetic biomaterials to generate scaffolds mimicking the extracellular matrix, which is known to play a critical role in angiogenesis. While the models presented in this review are revolutionary, improvements are still necessary and concepts for advancing and perfecting engineering approaches for modeling tumor angiogenesis are proposed. Overall, the marriage between disparate scientific fields is expected to yield significant improvements in our understanding and treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail C Hielscher
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences-Oncology Center and the Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Miao ZH, Feng JM, Ding J. Newly discovered angiogenesis inhibitors and their mechanisms of action. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2012; 33:1103-11. [PMID: 22922347 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2012.97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past decade, the success of angiogenesis inhibitors in clinical contexts has established the antiangiogenic strategy as an important part of cancer therapy. During that time period, we have discovered and reported 17 compounds that exert potent inhibition on angiogenesis. These compounds exhibit tremendous diversity in their sources, structures, targets and mechanisms. These studies have generated new models for further modification and optimization of inhibitory compounds, new information for mechanistic studies and a new drug candidate for clinical development. In particular, through studies on the antiangiogenic mechanism of pseudolaric acid B, we discovered a novel mechanism by which the stability of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α is regulated by the transcription factor c-Jun. We also completed a preclinical study of AL3810, a compound with the potential to circumvent tumor drug resistance to a certain extent. All of these findings will be briefly reviewed in this article.
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25
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Cha HJ, Byrom M, Mead PE, Ellington AD, Wallingford JB, Marcotte EM. Evolutionarily repurposed networks reveal the well-known antifungal drug thiabendazole to be a novel vascular disrupting agent. PLoS Biol 2012; 10:e1001379. [PMID: 22927795 PMCID: PMC3423972 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2012] [Accepted: 07/16/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Analysis of a genetic module repurposed between yeast and vertebrates reveals that a common antifungal medication is also a potent vascular disrupting agent. Studies in diverse organisms have revealed a surprising depth to the evolutionary conservation of genetic modules. For example, a systematic analysis of such conserved modules has recently shown that genes in yeast that maintain cell walls have been repurposed in vertebrates to regulate vein and artery growth. We reasoned that by analyzing this particular module, we might identify small molecules targeting the yeast pathway that also act as angiogenesis inhibitors suitable for chemotherapy. This insight led to the finding that thiabendazole, an orally available antifungal drug in clinical use for 40 years, also potently inhibits angiogenesis in animal models and in human cells. Moreover, in vivo time-lapse imaging revealed that thiabendazole reversibly disassembles newly established blood vessels, marking it as vascular disrupting agent (VDA) and thus as a potential complementary therapeutic for use in combination with current anti-angiogenic therapies. Importantly, we also show that thiabendazole slows tumor growth and decreases vascular density in preclinical fibrosarcoma xenografts. Thus, an exploration of the evolutionary repurposing of gene networks has led directly to the identification of a potential new therapeutic application for an inexpensive drug that is already approved for clinical use in humans. Yeast cells and vertebrate blood vessels would not seem to have much in common. However, we have discovered that during the course of evolution, a group of proteins whose function in yeast is to maintain cell walls has found an alternative use in vertebrates regulating angiogenesis. This remarkable repurposing of the proteins during evolution led us to hypothesize that, despite the different functions of the proteins in humans compared to yeast, drugs that modulated the yeast pathway might also modulate angiogenesis in humans and in animal models. One compound seemed a particularly promising candidate for this sort of approach: thiabendazole (TBZ), which has been in clinical use as a systemic antifungal and deworming treatment for 40 years. Gratifyingly, our study shows that TBZ is indeed able to act as a vascular disrupting agent and an angiogenesis inhibitor. Notably, TBZ also slowed tumor growth and decreased vascular density in human tumors grafted into mice. TBZ’s historical safety data and low cost make it an outstanding candidate for translation to clinical use as a complement to current anti-angiogenic strategies for the treatment of cancer. Our work demonstrates how model organisms from distant branches of the evolutionary tree can be exploited to arrive at a promising new drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Ji Cha
- Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Michelle Byrom
- Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Paul E. Mead
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Andrew D. Ellington
- Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - John B. Wallingford
- Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute & Section of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JBW); (EMM)
| | - Edward M. Marcotte
- Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JBW); (EMM)
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Liu J, Zheng CH, Ren XH, Zhou F, Li W, Zhu J, Lv JG, Zhou YJ. Synthesis and biological evaluation of 1-benzylidene-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-one as a new class of microtubule-targeting agents. J Med Chem 2012; 55:5720-33. [PMID: 22676247 DOI: 10.1021/jm300596s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A series of 1-benzylidene-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-one derivatives were designed and synthesized, and their biological activities in vitro and in vivo were evaluated. The results showed a number of the title compounds exhibiting potent nanomolar activity in several human cancer cell lines. Of these, compound 22b showed the strongest inhibitory activity against human CEM, MDA-MBA-435, and K562 cells (IC(50) = 1 nM), displayed in vitro inhibition of tubulin polymerization (IC(50) = 3.93 μM), and significantly induced cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase. In addition, compound 22b could inhibit the tumor growth in colon nude mouse xenograft tumor model significantly and seemed safer than CA-4 when achieving a similar tumor suppression. This study provided a new molecular scaffold for the further development of antitumor agents that target tubulin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, 325 Guohe Road, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
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27
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Abstract
Inflammation is increasingly recognized as a critical mediator of angiogenesis, and unregulated angiogenic response is involved in human diseases, including cancer. Proinflammatory prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is secreted by many cell types and plays important roles in the process of angiogenesis via activation of cognate EP1-4 receptors. Here, we provide evidence that PGE2 promotes the in vitro tube formation of human microvascular endothelial cells, ex vivo vessel outgrowth of aortic rings, and actual in vivo angiogenesis. Use of EP subtype-selective agonists and antagonists suggested EP4 mediates the prostaglandin-induced tube formation, and this conclusion was substantiated with small interfering RNA to specifically knockdown the EP4 expression. EP4 couples to Gαs, leading to activation of protein kinase A (PKA). Inhibition of PKA activity or knockdown of PKA catalytic subunit γ with RNAi attenuates the PGE2-induced tube formation. Further, knocking down the expression of Rap1A, HSPB6, or endothelial NO synthase, which serve as PKA-activatable substrates, inhibits the tube formation, whereas knockdown of RhoA or glycogen synthase kinase 3β that are inactivated after phosphorylation by PKA increases the tube formation. These results support the existence of EP4-to-PKA angiogenic signal and provide rationale for use of selective EP4 signal inhibitors as a probable strategy to control pathologic angiogenesis.
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28
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Abstract
Patients struggling with diabetes are at elevated risks for several sight-threatening diseases, including proliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR). DR manifests in two stages: first, the retinal microvasculature is compromised and capillary degeneration occurs; subsequently, an over-compensatory angiogenic response is initiated. Early changes in the retinal microcirculation include disruptions in blood flow, thickening of basement membrane, eventual loss of mural cells, and the genesis of acellular capillaries. Endothelial apoptosis and capillary dropout lead to a hypoxic inner retina, alterations in growth factors, and upregulation of inflammatory mediators. With disease progression, pathologic angiogenesis generates abnormal preretinal microvessels. Current therapies, which include panretinal photocoagulation and vitrectomy, have remained unaltered for several decades. With several exciting preclinical advances, emergent technologies and innovative cellular targets may offer newfound hope for developing "next-generation" interventional or preventive clinical approaches that will significantly advance current standards of care and clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer T Durham
- Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Program in Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Department of Molecular Physiology and Pharmacology and the Center for Innovation in Wound Healing Research, Tufts University, 150 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
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Arthuis M, Pontikis R, Chabot GG, Seguin J, Quentin L, Bourg S, Morin-Allory L, Florent JC. Synthesis and Structure-Activity Relationships of Constrained Heterocyclic Analogues of Combretastatin A4. ChemMedChem 2011; 6:1693-705. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201100154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2011] [Revised: 05/24/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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30
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Curcumin induces DNA damage and caffeine-insensitive cell cycle arrest in colorectal carcinoma HCT116 cells. Mol Cell Biochem 2011; 354:247-52. [PMID: 21526346 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-011-0824-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2011] [Accepted: 04/15/2011] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Curcumin (CUR), a polyphenol derived from the plant Curcuma longa, displays potential anti-cancer activity. One of the mechanisms stems from its ability to elicit cell cycle arrest followed by suppression of cell proliferation. Herein, we reported that CUR significantly induced DNA damage and mediated S and G2/M phase arrest in colorectal carcinoma HCT116 cells. Unlike etoposide, a classical topoisomerase II inhibitor, CUR-triggered G2/M phase arrest was hardly reversed by caffeine (CAFF) which is an inhibitor of activated ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated (ATM)/ATM- and Rad3-related (ATR), indicating that ATM and ATR signaling pathways may be not involved in CUR-mediated S and G2/M phase arrest in HCT116 cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that CUR caused mitosis arrest in HCT116 cells by using mitotic protein monoclonal antibody-2 as a mitosis marker and the surface plasmon resonance assay. The findings provide new mechanisms of cell proliferation inhibition triggered by CUR in HCT116 cells.
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