1
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Li D, Hao Z, Nan Y, Chen Y. Role of long pentraxin PTX3 in cancer. Clin Exp Med 2023; 23:4401-4411. [PMID: 37438568 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-01137-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Cancer has become a leading cause of death and disease burden worldwide, closely related to rapid socioeconomic development. However, the fundamental reason is the lack of comprehensive understanding of the mechanism of cancer, accurate identification of preclinical cancer, and effective treatment of the disease. Therefore, it is particularly urgent to study specific mechanisms of cancer and develop effective prediction and treatment methods. Long Pentraxin PTX3 is a soluble pattern recognition molecule produced by various cells in inflammatory sites, which plays a role as a promoter or suppressor of cancer in multiple tumors through participating in innate immune response, neovascularization, energy metabolism, invasion, and metastasis mechanisms. Based on this, this article mainly reviews the role of PTX3 in various cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duo Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an 710038, China
| | - Zhaozhao Hao
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an 710038, China
| | - Yandong Nan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an 710038, China.
| | - Yanwei Chen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an 710038, China
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2
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Domenichini M, Ravelli C, Corsini M, Codenotti S, Moreschi E, Gogna A, Capoferri D, Zizioli D, Bresciani R, Grillo E, Mitola S. The D647N mutation of FGFR1 induces ligand-independent receptor activation. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2023; 1867:130470. [PMID: 37778450 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2023.130470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
The activation loop (A-loop) of kinases, a key regulatory region, is recurrently mutated in several kinase proteins in cancer resulting in dysregulated kinase activity and response to kinase inhibitors. FGFR1 receptor tyrosine kinase represents an important oncogene and therapeutic target for solid and hematological tumors. Here we investigate the biochemical and molecular effects of D647N mutation lying in the A-loop of FGFR1. When expressed in normal and tumoral in vitro cell models, FGFR1D647N is phosphorylated also in the absence of ligands, and this is accompanied by the activation of intracellular signaling. The expression of FGFR1D647N significantly increases single and collective migration of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, when compared to FGFR1WT. FGFR1D647N expression exacerbates the aggressiveness of cancer cells, increasing their invasiveness in vitro and augmenting their pro-angiogenic capacity in vivo. Remarkably, the D647N mutation significantly increases the sensitivity of FGFR1 to the ATP-competitive inhibitor Erdafitinib suggesting the possibility that this mutation could become a specific target for the development of new inhibitors. Although further efforts are warranted for an exhaustive description of the activation mechanisms, for the identification of more specific inhibitors and for confirming the clinical significance of mutated FGFR1D647N, overall our data demonstrate that the D647N substitution of FGFR1 is a novel pro-oncogenic activating mutation of the receptor that, when found in cancer patients, may anticipate good response to erdafitinib treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Domenichini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Cosetta Ravelli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Michela Corsini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Silvia Codenotti
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Elisa Moreschi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Anna Gogna
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Davide Capoferri
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Daniela Zizioli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Roberto Bresciani
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy; Highly Specialized Laboratory, Diagnostic Department, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Grillo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy.
| | - Stefania Mitola
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia 25123, Italy.
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3
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Vliora M, Ravelli C, Grillo E, Corsini M, Flouris AD, Mitola S. The impact of adipokines on vascular networks in adipose tissue. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2023; 69:61-72. [PMID: 35953434 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2022.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Adipose tissue (AT) is a highly active and plastic endocrine organ. It secretes numerous soluble molecules known as adipokines, which act locally to AT control the remodel and homeostasis or exert pleiotropic functions in different peripheral organs. Aberrant production or loss of certain adipokines contributes to AT dysfunction associated with metabolic disorders, including obesity. The AT plasticity is strictly related to tissue vascularization. Angiogenesis supports the AT expansion, while regression of blood vessels is associated with AT hypoxia, which in turn mediates tissue inflammation, fibrosis and metabolic dysfunction. Several adipokines can regulate endothelial cell functions and are endowed with either pro- or anti-angiogenic properties. Here we address the role of adipokines in the regulation of angiogenesis. A better understanding of the link between adipokines and angiogenesis will open the way for novel therapeutic approaches to treat obesity and metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Vliora
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Exercise Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece; Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Via Branze 39, Brescia, Italy
| | - Cosetta Ravelli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Via Branze 39, Brescia, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Grillo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Via Branze 39, Brescia, Italy
| | - Michela Corsini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Via Branze 39, Brescia, Italy
| | - Andreas D Flouris
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Exercise Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | - Stefania Mitola
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Via Branze 39, Brescia, Italy.
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4
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Zaman R, Islam RA, Chowdhury EH. Evolving therapeutic proteins to precisely kill cancer cells. J Control Release 2022; 351:779-804. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.09.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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Molecular insight into pentraxin-3: update advances in innate immunity, inflammation, tissue remodeling, diseases, and drug role. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 156:113783. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Jendryczko K, Rzeszotko J, Krzyscik MA, Szymczyk J, Otlewski J, Szlachcic A. Peptibody Based on FGFR1-Binding Peptides From the FGF4 Sequence as a Cancer-Targeting Agent. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:748936. [PMID: 34867353 PMCID: PMC8636100 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.748936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted therapies are a promising alternative to conventional chemotherapy, with an increasing number of therapeutics targeting specific molecular aberrancies in cancer cells. One of the emerging targets for directed cancer treatments is fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs), which are known to be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of multiple cancer types, specially in lung, bladder, and breast cancers. Here, we are demonstrating the development of the FGFR1-targeting agent based on the interactome screening approach, based on the isolation of binding regions from ligands interacting with the receptor. The parallel analysis by FGFR1 pull-down of chymotryptic peptides coupled with MS analysis, and PepSpot analysis yielded equivalent peptide sequences from FGF4, one of the FGFR1 ligands. Three sequences served as a basis for peptibody (Fc-fusion) generation, to overcome clinical limitations of peptidic agents, and two of them showed favorable FGFR1-binding in vitro and FGFR1-dependent internalization into cells. To validate if developed FGFR1-targeting peptibodies can be used for drug delivery, similar to the well-established concept of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), peptibodyF4_1 was successfully conjugated with monomethylauristatin E (MMAE), and has shown significant and specific toxicity toward FGFR1-expressing lung cancer cell lines, with nanomolar EC50 values. Essentially, the development of new effective FGFR1 binders that comprise the naturally occurring FGFR-recognition peptides and Fc region ensuring high plasma stability, and long bloodstream circulation is an interesting strategy expanding targeted anticancer agents' portfolio. Furthermore, identifying peptides effectively binding the receptor from sequences of its ligands is not limited to FGFRs and is an approach versatile enough to be a basis for a new peptide/peptibodies development strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Anna Szlachcic
- Department of Protein Engineering, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
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7
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Xie Y, Su N, Yang J, Tan Q, Huang S, Jin M, Ni Z, Zhang B, Zhang D, Luo F, Chen H, Sun X, Feng JQ, Qi H, Chen L. FGF/FGFR signaling in health and disease. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:181. [PMID: 32879300 PMCID: PMC7468161 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00222-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 340] [Impact Index Per Article: 85.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Growing evidences suggest that the fibroblast growth factor/FGF receptor (FGF/FGFR) signaling has crucial roles in a multitude of processes during embryonic development and adult homeostasis by regulating cellular lineage commitment, differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis of various types of cells. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of FGF signaling and its roles in organ development, injury repair, and the pathophysiology of spectrum of diseases, which is a consequence of FGF signaling dysregulation, including cancers and chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this context, the agonists and antagonists for FGF-FGFRs might have therapeutic benefits in multiple systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangli Xie
- Department of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Nan Su
- Department of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiaoyan Tan
- Department of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shuo Huang
- Department of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Min Jin
- Department of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhenhong Ni
- Department of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dali Zhang
- Department of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Fengtao Luo
- Department of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hangang Chen
- Department of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xianding Sun
- Department of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jian Q Feng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX, 75246, USA
| | - Huabing Qi
- Department of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.
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8
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Giacomini A, Grillo E, Rezzola S, Ribatti D, Rusnati M, Ronca R, Presta M. The FGF/FGFR system in the physiopathology of the prostate gland. Physiol Rev 2020; 101:569-610. [PMID: 32730114 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00005.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are a family of proteins possessing paracrine, autocrine, or endocrine functions in a variety of biological processes, including embryonic development, angiogenesis, tissue homeostasis, wound repair, and cancer. Canonical FGFs bind and activate tyrosine kinase FGF receptors (FGFRs), triggering intracellular signaling cascades that mediate their biological activity. Experimental evidence indicates that FGFs play a complex role in the physiopathology of the prostate gland that ranges from essential functions during embryonic development to modulation of neoplastic transformation. The use of ligand- and receptor-deleted mouse models has highlighted the requirement for FGF signaling in the normal development of the prostate gland. In adult prostate, the maintenance of a functional FGF/FGFR signaling axis is critical for organ homeostasis and function, as its disruption leads to prostate hyperplasia and may contribute to cancer progression and metastatic dissemination. Dissection of the molecular landscape modulated by the FGF family will facilitate ongoing translational efforts directed toward prostate cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Giacomini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy; and Italian Consortium for Biotechnology, Unit of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Grillo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy; and Italian Consortium for Biotechnology, Unit of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Sara Rezzola
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy; and Italian Consortium for Biotechnology, Unit of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Domenico Ribatti
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy; and Italian Consortium for Biotechnology, Unit of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Rusnati
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy; and Italian Consortium for Biotechnology, Unit of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Roberto Ronca
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy; and Italian Consortium for Biotechnology, Unit of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Presta
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy; and Italian Consortium for Biotechnology, Unit of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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Rajabi M, Adeyeye M, Mousa SA. Peptide-Conjugated Nanoparticles as Targeted Anti-angiogenesis Therapeutic and Diagnostic in Cancer. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:5664-5683. [DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190620100800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
:Targeting angiogenesis in the microenvironment of a tumor can enable suppression of tumor angiogenesis and delivery of anticancer drugs into the tumor. Anti-angiogenesis targeted delivery systems utilizing passive targeting such as Enhanced Permeability and Retention (EPR) and specific receptor-mediated targeting (active targeting) should result in tumor-specific targeting. One targeted anti-angiogenesis approach uses peptides conjugated to nanoparticles, which can be loaded with anticancer agents. Anti-angiogenesis agents can suppress tumor angiogenesis and thereby affect tumor growth progression (tumor growth arrest), which may be further reduced with the targetdelivered anticancer agent. This review provides an update of tumor vascular targeting for therapeutic and diagnostic applications, with conventional or long-circulating nanoparticles decorated with peptides that target neovascularization (anti-angiogenesis) in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Rajabi
- Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Rensselaer, NY 12144, United States
| | - Mary Adeyeye
- Department of Chemistry, University of Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, United States
| | - Shaker A. Mousa
- Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Rensselaer, NY 12144, United States
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Presta M, Foglio E, Churruca Schuind A, Ronca R. Long Pentraxin-3 Modulates the Angiogenic Activity of Fibroblast Growth Factor-2. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2327. [PMID: 30349543 PMCID: PMC6187966 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel formation from pre-existing ones, plays a key role in various physiological and pathological conditions. Alteration of the angiogenic balance, consequent to the deranged production of angiogenic growth factors and/or natural angiogenic inhibitors, is responsible for angiogenesis-dependent diseases, including cancer. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) represents the prototypic member of the FGF family, able to induce a complex “angiogenic phenotype” in endothelial cells in vitro and a potent neovascular response in vivo as the consequence of a tight cross talk between pro-inflammatory and angiogenic signals. The soluble pattern recognition receptor long pentraxin-3 (PTX3) is a member of the pentraxin family produced locally in response to inflammatory stimuli. Besides binding features related to its role in innate immunity, PTX3 interacts with FGF2 and other members of the FGF family via its N-terminal extension, thus inhibiting FGF-mediated angiogenic responses in vitro and in vivo. Accordingly, PTX3 inhibits the growth and vascularization of FGF-dependent tumors and FGF2-mediated smooth muscle cell proliferation and artery restenosis. Recently, the characterization of the molecular bases of FGF2/PTX3 interaction has allowed the identification of NSC12, the first low molecular weight pan-FGF trap able to inhibit FGF-dependent tumor growth and neovascularization. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the impact of PTX3 and PTX3-derived molecules on the angiogenic, inflammatory, and tumorigenic activity of FGF2 and their potential implications for the development of more efficacious anti-FGF therapeutic agents to be used in those clinical settings in which FGFs play a pathogenic role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Presta
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Eleonora Foglio
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Ander Churruca Schuind
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Roberto Ronca
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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11
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Ferraro M, Colombo G. Targeting Difficult Protein-Protein Interactions with Plain and General Computational Approaches. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23092256. [PMID: 30181519 PMCID: PMC6225287 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23092256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigating protein-protein interactions (PPIs) holds great potential for therapeutic applications, since they mediate intricate cell signaling networks in physiological and disease states. However, their complex and multifaceted nature poses a major challenge for biochemistry and medicinal chemistry, thereby limiting the druggability of biological partners participating in PPIs. Molecular Dynamics (MD) provides a solid framework to study the reciprocal shaping of proteins’ interacting surfaces. Here, we review successful applications of MD-based methods developed in our group to predict interfacial areas involved in PPIs of pharmaceutical interest. We report two interesting examples of how structural, dynamic and energetic information can be combined into efficient strategies which, complemented by experiments, can lead to the design of new small molecules with promising activities against cancer and infections. Our advances in targeting key PPIs in angiogenic pathways and antigen-antibody recognition events will be discussed for their role in drug discovery and chemical biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariarosaria Ferraro
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, CNR, Via Mario Bianco 9, 20131 Milano, Italy.
| | - Giorgio Colombo
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, CNR, Via Mario Bianco 9, 20131 Milano, Italy.
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Pavia, V.le Taramelli 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
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12
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Ghedini GC, Ronca R, Presta M, Giacomini A. Future applications of FGF/FGFR inhibitors in cancer. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2018; 18:861-872. [PMID: 29936878 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2018.1491795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Deregulation of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF)/FGF receptor (FGFR) network occurs frequently in tumors due to gene amplification, activating mutations, and oncogenic fusions. Thus, the development of FGF/FGFR-targeting therapies is the focus of several basic, preclinical, and clinical studies. Areas covered: This review will recapitulate the status of current FGF/FGFR-targeted drugs. Expert commentary: Non-selective FGF/FGFR inhibitors have been approved for cancer treatment but evidence highlights various complications affecting their use in the clinical practice. It appears mandatory to identify FGF/FGFR alterations and appropriate biomarkers that may predict and monitor response to treatment, to establish the contribution of the FGF/FGFR system to the onset of mechanisms of drug resistance, and to develop effective combinations of FGF/FGFR inhibitors with other targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Cristina Ghedini
- a Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine , University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy
| | - Roberto Ronca
- a Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine , University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy
| | - Marco Presta
- a Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine , University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy
| | - Arianna Giacomini
- a Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine , University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy
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13
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Long pentraxin 3: A novel multifaceted player in cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2017; 1869:53-63. [PMID: 29175552 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2017.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Since its discovery in 1992, long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) has been characterized as soluble patter recognition receptor, a key player of the innate immunity arm with non-redundant functions in pathogen recognition and inflammatory responses. As a component of the extra-cellular matrix milieu, PTX3 has been implicated also in wound healing/tissue remodeling, cardiovascular diseases, fertility, and infectious diseases. Consequently, PTX3 levels in biological fluids have been proposed as a fluid-phase biomarker in different pathological conditions. In the last decade, experimental evidences have shown that PTX3 may exert a significant impact also on different aspects of cancer biology, including tumor onset, angiogenesis, metastatic dissemination and immune-modulation. However, it remains unclear whether PTX3 acts as a good cop or bad cop in cancer. In this review, we will summarize and discuss the scientific literature data focusing on the role of PTX3 in experimental and human tumors, including its putative translational implications.
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15
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Kizilgul M, Beysel S, Ozcelik O, Kan S, Apaydin M, Caliskan M, Ucan B, Sencar E, Ozdemir S, Cakal E. PENTRAXIN 3 AS A NEW CARDIOVASCULAR MARKER IN ADRENAL ADENOMAS. Endocr Pract 2017; 23:662-668. [PMID: 28332877 DOI: 10.4158/ep161713.or] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is an acute-phase glycoprotein, which is increased in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and considered as a predictor of CVD in the general population. Both functional and nonfunctional adrenal tumors are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. We aimed to investigate plasma PTX3 levels in patients with functioning and nonfunctioning adrenal tumors and determine its relationship with cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS Twenty-one patients with functional adrenal tumors (11 pheochromocytomas, 9 Cushing syndrome, and 1 primary hyperaldosteronism), 28 patients with nonfunctional adrenal incidentalomas, and 40 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Serum PTX3 levels were measured using a human PTX3 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS PTX3 concentrations were significantly higher in the adrenal tumor group compared with the control group (3,001.64 ± 374.64 pg/mL vs. 1,173.59 ± 168.89 pg/mL; P<.001). PTX3 concentrations were positively correlated with carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) (r2, 0.464; P<.001), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (r2, 0.551; P<.001), diastolic blood pressure (r2, 0.334; P = .003), systolic blood pressure (r2, 0.312; P = .006), and urinary metanephrine concentrations (r2, 0.320; P = .041). Serum PTX3 concentrations in patients with functional adrenal tumors and comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or CVD were higher than in those without comorbidities (3,654.54 ± 447 pg/mL vs. 1,026.96 ± 447.97 pg/mL; P = .008). CONCLUSION We found that serum PTX3 concentrations increased in both functional and nonfunctional adrenal tumors. PTX3 levels were correlated with cardiovascular risk factors such as CIMT, hsCRP, and blood pressure. ABBREVIATIONS BMI = body mass index; CIMT = carotid intima-media thickness; CRP = C-reactive protein; CT = computed tomography; CVD = cardiovascular disease; FGF2 = fibroblast growth factor 2; hsCRP = high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; PA = primary hyperaldosteronism; PTX3 = pentraxin 3.
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16
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Wu XY, Xu H, Wu ZF, Chen C, Liu JY, Wu GN, Yao XQ, Liu FK, Li G, Shen L. Formononetin, a novel FGFR2 inhibitor, potently inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth in preclinical models. Oncotarget 2016; 6:44563-78. [PMID: 26575424 PMCID: PMC4792576 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Most anti-angiogenic therapies currently being evaluated in clinical trials target vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway, however, the tumor vasculature can acquire resistance to VEGF-targeted therapy by shifting to other angiogenesis mechanisms. Therefore, other potential therapeutic agents that block non-VEGF angiogenic pathways need to be evaluated. Here we identified formononetin as a novel agent with potential anti-angiogenic and anti-cancer activities. Formononetin demonstrated inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation in response to basic fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2). In ex vivo and in vivo angiogenesis assays, formononetin suppressed FGF2-induced microvessel sprouting of rat aortic rings and angiogenesis. To understand the underlying molecular basis, we examined the effects of formononetin on different molecular components in treated endothelial cell, and found that formononetin suppressed FGF2-triggered activation of FGFR2 and protein kinase B (Akt) signaling. Moreover, formononetin directly inhibited proliferation and blocked the oncogenic signaling pathways in breast cancer cell. In vivo, using xenograft models of breast cancer, formononetin showed growth-inhibitory activity associated with inhibition of tumor angiogenesis. Moreover, formononetin enhanced the effect of VEGFR2 inhibitor sunitinib on tumor growth inhibition. Taken together, our results indicate that formononetin targets the FGFR2-mediated Akt signaling pathway, leading to the suppression of tumor growth and angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Yu Wu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Xu
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhen Feng Wu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Che Chen
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jia Yun Liu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Guan Nan Wu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xue Quan Yao
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Fu Kun Liu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Gang Li
- Department of General Surgery, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liang Shen
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Biological Resource Utilization in Universities of Shandong, College of Life Science, Dezhou University, Dezhou, Shandong Province, China
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O'Neill CL, Guduric-Fuchs J, Chambers SEJ, O'Doherty M, Bottazzi B, Stitt AW, Medina RJ. Endothelial cell-derived pentraxin 3 limits the vasoreparative therapeutic potential of circulating angiogenic cells. Cardiovasc Res 2016; 112:677-688. [PMID: 27659714 PMCID: PMC5157134 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvw209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Revised: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims Circulating angiogenic cells (CACs) promote revascularization of ischaemic tissues although their underlying mechanism of action and the consequences of delivering varying number of these cells for therapy remain unknown. This study investigates molecular mechanisms underpinning CAC modulation of blood vessel formation. Methods and results CACs at low (2 × 105 cells/mL) and mid (2 × 106 cells/mL) cellular densities significantly enhanced endothelial cell tube formation in vitro, while high density (HD) CACs (2 × 107 cells/mL) significantly inhibited this angiogenic process. In vivo, Matrigel-based angiogenesis assays confirmed mid-density CACs as pro-angiogenic and HD CACs as anti-angiogenic. Secretome characterization of CAC-EC conditioned media identified pentraxin 3 (PTX3) as only present in the HD CAC-EC co-culture. Recombinant PTX3 inhibited endothelial tube formation in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, our data revealed that the anti-angiogenic effect observed in HD CAC-EC co-cultures was significantly abrogated when PTX3 bioactivity was blocked using neutralizing antibodies or PTX3 siRNA in endothelial cells. We show evidence for an endothelial source of PTX3, triggered by exposure to HD CACs. In addition, we confirmed that PTX3 inhibits fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 2-mediated angiogenesis, and that the PTX3 N-terminus, containing the FGF-binding site, is responsible for such anti-angiogenic effects. Conclusion Endothelium, when exposed to HD CACs, releases PTX3 which markedly impairs the vascular regenerative response in an autocrine manner. Therefore, CAC density and accompanying release of angiocrine PTX3 are critical considerations when using these cells as a cell therapy for ischaemic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina L O'Neill
- Centre for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK
| | - Jasenka Guduric-Fuchs
- Centre for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK
| | - Sarah E J Chambers
- Centre for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK
| | - Michelle O'Doherty
- Centre for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK
| | - Barbara Bottazzi
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Centre, Rozzano 20089 Milan, Italy
| | - Alan W Stitt
- Centre for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK
| | - Reinhold J Medina
- Centre for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK
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Castelli R, Giacomini A, Anselmi M, Bozza N, Vacondio F, Rivara S, Matarazzo S, Presta M, Mor M, Ronca R. Synthesis, Structural Elucidation, and Biological Evaluation of NSC12, an Orally Available Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) Ligand Trap for the Treatment of FGF-Dependent Lung Tumors. J Med Chem 2016; 59:4651-63. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b02021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Castelli
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I-43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Arianna Giacomini
- Dipartimento di Medicina
Molecolare e Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Via Branze 39, I-25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Mattia Anselmi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I-43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Nicole Bozza
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I-43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Federica Vacondio
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I-43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Silvia Rivara
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I-43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Sara Matarazzo
- Dipartimento di Medicina
Molecolare e Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Via Branze 39, I-25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Presta
- Dipartimento di Medicina
Molecolare e Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Via Branze 39, I-25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Mor
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I-43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Roberto Ronca
- Dipartimento di Medicina
Molecolare e Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Via Branze 39, I-25123, Brescia, Italy
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Giacomini A, Chiodelli P, Matarazzo S, Rusnati M, Presta M, Ronca R. Blocking the FGF/FGFR system as a two-compartment antiangiogenic/antitumor approach in cancer therapy. Pharmacol Res 2016; 107:172-185. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Revised: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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20
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Giacomini A, Matarazzo S, Pagano K, Ragona L, Rezzola S, Corsini M, Di Salle E, Presta M, Ronca R. A long pentraxin-3-derived pentapeptide for the therapy of FGF8b-driven steroid hormone-regulated cancers. Oncotarget 2016; 6:13790-802. [PMID: 25912421 PMCID: PMC4537050 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor-8b (FGF8b) affects the epithelial/stromal compartments of steroid hormone-regulated tumors by exerting an autocrine activity on cancer cells and a paracrine pro-angiogenic function, thus contributing to tumor progression. The FGF8b/FGF receptor (FGFR) system may therefore represent a target for the treatment of steroid hormone-regulated tumors. The soluble pattern recognition receptor long pentraxin-3 (PTX3) binds various FGFs, including FGF2 and FGF8b, thus inhibiting the angiogenic and tumorigenic activity of androgen-regulated tumor cells. Nevertheless, the complex/proteinaceous structure of PTX3 hampers its pharmacological exploitation. In this context, the acetylated pentapeptide Ac-ARPCA-NH2 (ARPCA), corresponding to the N-terminal amino acid sequence PTX3(100-104), was identified as a minimal FGF2-binding peptide able to antagonize the biological activity of FGF2. Here, we demonstrate that ARPCA binds FGF8b and inhibits its capacity to form FGFR1-mediated ternary complexes with heparan sulphate proteoglycans. As a FGF8b antagonist, ARPCA inhibits FGFR1 activation and signalling in endothelial cells, hampering the angiogenic activity exerted in vitro and in vivo by FGF8b. Also, ARPCA suppresses the angiogenic and tumorigenic potential of prototypic androgen/FGF8b-dependent Shionogi 115 mammary carcinoma cells and of androgen/FGF8b/FGF2-dependent TRAMP-C2 prostate cancer cells. In conclusion, ARPCA represents a novel FGF8b antagonist with translational implications for the therapy of steroid hormone-regulated tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Giacomini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Sara Matarazzo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Katiuscia Pagano
- NMR Laboratory, Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole, CNR, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Ragona
- NMR Laboratory, Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole, CNR, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Rezzola
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Michela Corsini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Emanuela Di Salle
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Presta
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Roberto Ronca
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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21
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Fornai F, Carrizzo A, Ferrucci M, Damato A, Biagioni F, Gaglione A, Puca AA, Vecchione C. Brain diseases and tumorigenesis: The good and bad cops of pentraxin3. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2015; 69:70-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2015.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Revised: 10/15/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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22
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Wang ZD, Wei SQ, Wang QY. Targeting oncogenic KRAS in non-small cell lung cancer cells by phenformin inhibits growth and angiogenesis. Am J Cancer Res 2015; 5:3339-3349. [PMID: 26807315 PMCID: PMC4697681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/22/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumors require a vascular supply to grow and can achieve this via the expression of pro-angiogenic growth factors. Many potential oncogenic mutations have been identified in tumor angiogenesis. Somatic mutations in the small GTPase KRAS are the most common activating lesions found in human cancer, and are generally associated with poor response to standard therapies. Biguanides, such as the diabetes therapeutics metformin and phenformin, have demonstrated anti-tumor activity both in vitro and in vivo. The extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) signaling is known to be a major cellular target of biguanides. Based on KRAS activates several down-stream effectors leading to the stimulation of the RAF/mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (RAF/MEK/ERK) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathways, we investigated the anti-tumor effects of biguanides on the proliferation of KRAS-mutated tumor cells in vitro and on KRAS-driven tumor growth in vivo. In cancer cells harboring oncogenic KRAS, phenformin switches off the ERK pathway and inhibit the expression of pro-angiogenic molecules. In tumor xenografts harboring the KRAS mutation, phenformin extensively modifies the tumor growth causing abrogation of angiogenesis. These results strongly suggest that significant therapeutic advantage may be achieved by phenformin anti-angiogenesis for the treatment of tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Dong Wang
- Department of Oncology, Eighth Hospital of ChangshaNo. 22 Xingsha Avenue, Changsha 410100, Hunan Province, China
| | - Sheng Quan Wei
- Department of Respiration, Shanxi Baoji People’s HospitalNo. 24 Xinhua Lane, Jinger Road, Baoji 721000, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Qin Yi Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Missouri-ColumbiaMO 65211-2200, USA
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23
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Ronca R, Giacomini A, Di Salle E, Coltrini D, Pagano K, Ragona L, Matarazzo S, Rezzola S, Maiolo D, Torrella R, Moroni E, Mazzieri R, Escobar G, Mor M, Colombo G, Presta M. Long-Pentraxin 3 Derivative as a Small-Molecule FGF Trap for Cancer Therapy. Cancer Cell 2015; 28:225-39. [PMID: 26267536 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2015.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Revised: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 07/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The fibroblast growth factor (FGF)/FGF receptor (FGFR) system plays a crucial role in cancer by affecting tumor growth, angiogenesis, drug resistance, and escape from anti-angiogenic anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. The soluble pattern recognition receptor long-pentraxin 3 (PTX3) acts as a multi-FGF antagonist. Here we demonstrate that human PTX3 overexpression in transgenic mice driven by the Tie2 promoter inhibits tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis in heterotopic, orthotopic, and autochthonous FGF-dependent tumor models. Using pharmacophore modeling of the interaction of a minimal PTX3-derived FGF-binding pentapeptide with FGF2, we identified a small-molecule chemical (NSC12) that acts as an extracellular FGF trap with significant implications in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Ronca
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Arianna Giacomini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Emanuela Di Salle
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Daniela Coltrini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Katiuscia Pagano
- NMR Laboratory, Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole, CNR, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Ragona
- NMR Laboratory, Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole, CNR, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Matarazzo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Sara Rezzola
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Daniele Maiolo
- Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory and INSTM, School of Engineering, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Rubben Torrella
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, CNR, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Moroni
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, CNR, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Mazzieri
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Giulia Escobar
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, 20132 Milan, Italy; Vita Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Mor
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy
| | - Giorgio Colombo
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, CNR, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Presta
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
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Ronca R, Giacomini A, Rusnati M, Presta M. The potential of fibroblast growth factor/fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling as a therapeutic target in tumor angiogenesis. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2015; 19:1361-77. [PMID: 26125971 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2015.1062475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are endowed with a potent pro-angiogenic activity. Activation of the FGF/FGF receptor (FGFR) system occurs in a variety of human tumors. This may lead to neovascularization, supporting tumor progression and metastatic dissemination. Thus, a compelling biologic rationale exists for the development of anti-FGF/FGFR agents for the inhibition of tumor angiogenesis in cancer therapy. AREAS COVERED A comprehensive search on PubMed was performed to identify studies on the role of the FGF/FGFR system in angiogenesis. Endothelial FGFR signaling, the pro-angiogenic function of canonical FGFs, and their role in human tumors are described. In addition, experimental approaches aimed at the identification and characterization of nonselective and selective FGF/FGFR inhibitors and their evaluation in clinical trials are summarized. EXPERT OPINION Different approaches can be envisaged to inhibit the FGF/FGFR system, a target for the development of 'two-compartment' anti-angiogenic/anti-tumor agents, including FGFR selective and nonselective small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, anti-FGFR antibodies, and FGF ligand traps. Further studies are required to define the correlation between tumor vascularization and activation of the FGF/FGFR system and for the identification of cancer patients more likely to benefit from anti-FGF/FGFR treatments. In addition, advantages and disadvantages about the use of selective versus non-selective FGF inhibitors remain to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Ronca
- a University of Brescia, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine , Brescia, Italy +39 030 371 7311 ;
| | - Arianna Giacomini
- a University of Brescia, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine , Brescia, Italy +39 030 371 7311 ;
| | - Marco Rusnati
- a University of Brescia, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine , Brescia, Italy +39 030 371 7311 ;
| | - Marco Presta
- a University of Brescia, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine , Brescia, Italy +39 030 371 7311 ;
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25
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Yu L, Yan M, Simkin J, Ketcham PD, Leininger E, Han M, Muneoka K. Angiogenesis is inhibitory for mammalian digit regeneration. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 1:33-46. [PMID: 27499862 PMCID: PMC4895301 DOI: 10.1002/reg2.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2014] [Revised: 08/21/2014] [Accepted: 08/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The regenerating mouse digit tip is a unique model for investigating blastema formation and epimorphic regeneration in mammals. The blastema is characteristically avascular and we previously reported that blastema expression of a known anti‐angiogenic factor gene, Pedf, correlated with a successful regenerative response (Yu, L., Han, M., Yan, M., Lee, E. C., Lee, J. & Muneoka, K. (2010). BMP signaling induces digit regeneration in neonatal mice. Development, 137, 551–559). Here we show that during regeneration Vegfa transcripts are not detected in the blastema but are expressed at the onset of differentiation. Treating the amputation wound with vascular endothelial growth factor enhances angiogenesis but inhibits regeneration. We next tested bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9), another known mediator of angiogenesis, and found that BMP9 is also a potent inhibitor of digit tip regeneration. BMP9 induces Vegfa expression in the digit stump suggesting that regenerative failure is mediated by enhanced angiogenesis. Finally, we show that BMP9 inhibition of regeneration is completely rescued by treatment with pigment epithelium‐derived factor. These studies show that precocious angiogenesis is inhibitory for regeneration, and provide compelling evidence that the regulation of angiogenesis is a critical factor in designing therapies aimed at stimulating mammalian regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Yu
- Division of Developmental Biology Department of Cell and Molecular Biology Tulane University New Orleans LA 79118 USA
| | - Mingquan Yan
- Division of Developmental Biology Department of Cell and Molecular Biology Tulane University New Orleans LA 79118 USA
| | - Jennifer Simkin
- Division of Developmental Biology Department of Cell and Molecular Biology Tulane University New Orleans LA 79118 USA
| | - Paulina D Ketcham
- Division of Developmental Biology Department of Cell and Molecular Biology Tulane University New Orleans LA 79118 USA
| | - Eric Leininger
- Division of Developmental Biology Department of Cell and Molecular Biology Tulane University New Orleans LA 79118 USA
| | - Manjong Han
- Division of Developmental Biology Department of Cell and Molecular Biology Tulane University New Orleans LA 79118 USA
| | - Ken Muneoka
- Division of Developmental Biology Department of Cell and Molecular Biology Tulane University New Orleans LA 79118 USA
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Ronca R, Di Salle E, Giacomini A, Leali D, Alessi P, Coltrini D, Ravelli C, Matarazzo S, Ribatti D, Vermi W, Presta M. Long Pentraxin-3 Inhibits Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition in Melanoma Cells. Mol Cancer Ther 2013; 12:2760-71. [DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-13-0487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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27
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Tobia C, Gariano G, De Sena G, Presta M. Zebrafish embryo as a tool to study tumor/endothelial cell cross-talk. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2013; 1832:1371-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2013.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2012] [Revised: 01/14/2013] [Accepted: 01/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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28
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Ronca R, Alessi P, Coltrini D, Di Salle E, Giacomini A, Leali D, Corsini M, Belleri M, Tobia C, Garlanda C, Bonomi E, Tardanico R, Vermi W, Presta M. Long pentraxin-3 as an epithelial-stromal fibroblast growth factor-targeting inhibitor in prostate cancer. J Pathol 2013; 230:228-38. [PMID: 23424081 DOI: 10.1002/path.4181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2012] [Revised: 01/18/2013] [Accepted: 02/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) exert autocrine/paracrine functions in prostate cancer by stimulating angiogenesis and tumour growth. Here dihydrotestosterone (DHT) up-regulates FGF2 and FGF8b production in murine TRAMP-C2 prostate cancer cells, activating a FGF-dependent autocrine loop of stimulation. The soluble pattern recognition receptor long pentraxin-3 (PTX3) acts as a natural FGF antagonist that binds FGF2 and FGF8b via its N-terminal domain. We demonstrate that recombinant PTX3 protein and the PTX3-derived pentapeptide Ac-ARPCA-NH2 abolish the mitogenic response of murine TRAMP-C2 cells and human LNCaP prostate cancer cells to DHT and FGFs. Also, PTX3 hampers the angiogenic activity of DHT-activated TRAMP-C2 cells on the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). Accordingly, human PTX3 overexpression inhibits the mitogenic activity exerted by DHT or FGFs on hPTX3_TRAMP-C2 cell transfectants and their angiogenic activity. Also, hPTX3_TRAMP-C2 cells show a dramatic decrease of their angiogenic and tumourigenic potential when grafted in syngeneic or immunodeficient athymic male mice. A similar inhibitory effect is observed when TRAMP-C2 cells overexpress only the FGF-binding N-terminal PTX3 domain. In keeping with the anti-tumour activity of PTX3 in experimental prostate cancer, immunohistochemical analysis of prostate needle biopsies from primary prostate adenocarcinoma patients shows that parenchymal PTX3 expression, abundant in basal cells of normal glands, is lost in high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and in invasive tumour areas. These results identify PTX3 as a potent FGF antagonist endowed with anti-angiogenic and anti-neoplastic activity in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Ronca
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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29
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Basile A, Moschetta M, Ditonno P, Ria R, Marech I, De Luisi A, Berardi S, Frassanito MA, Angelucci E, Derudas D, Specchia G, Curci P, Pavone V, Rossini B, Ribatti D, Bottazzi B, Mantovani A, Presta M, Dammacco F, Vacca A. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) inhibits plasma cell/stromal cell cross-talk in the bone marrow of multiple myeloma patients. J Pathol 2012; 229:87-98. [PMID: 22847671 DOI: 10.1002/path.4081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2012] [Revised: 06/27/2012] [Accepted: 07/22/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a soluble pattern recognition receptor that binds with high affinity and selectivity to fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2), thus inhibiting its pro-angiogenic activity. Here we investigated the effects of PTX3 on monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and multiple myeloma (MM) patient-derived bone marrow (BM) plasma cells (PCs), endothelial cells (ECs), and fibroblasts (FBs), and assessed whether PTX3 can modulate the cross-talk between PCs and those microenvironment cells. PTX3 and FGF2 expression was evaluated by ELISA. Functional studies, including cell viability, wound healing, chemotaxis, and Matrigel(®) assays, were performed on MGUS and MM ECs and FBs upon the PTX3 treatment. Through western blot PTX3-induced modulation in FGF2/FGF receptor signalling pathways was evaluated in MGUS and MM ECs and FBs through western blot. Co-cultures between MM ECs/FBs and human PC lines were used to evaluate possible PTX3 indirect effects on MM PCs. Adhesion molecules were studied by flow cytometry. PTX3 provides a direct time- and dose-dependent apoptotic effect on MM ECs and FBs, but not on either MM primary PCs or human PC lines. PTX3 inhibits migration of MM ECs and FBs in a dose-dependent manner, and impacts in vitro and in vivo FGF2-mediated MM angiogenesis. Co-cultures of PCs and ECs/FBs show that PTX3 treatment indirectly impairs PC viability and adhesion. We conclude that PTX3 is an anti-angiogenic factor in MM and behaves as a cytotoxic molecule on MM cells by inhibiting the cross-talk between PCs and ECs/FBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Basile
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
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30
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Chen J, Matzuk MM, Zhou XJ, Lu CY. Endothelial pentraxin 3 contributes to murine ischemic acute kidney injury. Kidney Int 2012; 82:1195-207. [PMID: 22895517 PMCID: PMC3499641 DOI: 10.1038/ki.2012.268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a receptor for damage-associated molecular pattern molecules and also the lipopolysaccharide receptor, is required for early endothelial activation leading to maximal inflammation and injury during murine ischemic acute kidney injury. DNA microarray analysis of ischemic kidneys from TLR4-sufficient and -deficient mice showed that pentraxin 3 (PTX3) was upregulated only on the former while transgenic knockout of PTX3 ameliorated acute kidney injury. PTX3 was expressed predominantly on peritubular endothelia of the outer medulla of the kidney in control mice. Acute kidney injury increased PTX3 protein in the kidney and the plasma where it may be a biomarker of the injury. Stimulation by hydrogen peroxide, or the TLR4 ligands recombinant human high-mobility group protein B1 or lipopolysaccharide, induced PTX3 expression in the Mile Sven 1 endothelial cell line and in primary renal endothelial cells, suggesting that endothelial PTX3 was induced by pathways involving TLR4 and reactive oxygen species. This increase was inhibited by conditional endothelial knockout of myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88, a mediator of a TLR4 intracellular signaling pathway. Compared to wild-type mice, PTX3 knockout mice had decreased endothelial expression of cell adhesion molecules at 4 h of reperfusion, possibly contributing to a decreased early maladaptive inflammation in the kidneys of knockout mice. At 24 h of reperfusion, PTX3 knockout increased expression of endothelial adhesion molecules when regulatory and reparative leukocytes enter the kidney. Thus, endothelial PTX3 plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of ischemic acute kidney injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianlin Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine (Nephrology), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-8856, USA
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31
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Lucchese G. A peptide talk between JC virus and the human host: from silent infection to autoimmunity. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2012; 34:1067-74. [PMID: 22594935 DOI: 10.3109/08923973.2012.686510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Analysis of JC virus (JCV) polyprotein for peptide sharing with the human proteome reveals that the virus has hundreds of pentapeptide sequences in common with the human proteins. The datum is interesting in light of the fundamental role exerted by short amino acid sequences in protein-protein interactions and, consequently, in biochemical reactions and immune recognition. Searching for new approaches to understand the JCV infection scenarios, from the immunoevasion phenomenon underlying the viral asymptomatic stay in the human host to the (re)activation phase and associated pathogenic sequelae, the present study describes the diffuse pentapeptide communication network between JCV and the human host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guglielmo Lucchese
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bari, Italy.
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32
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Pagano K, Torella R, Foglieni C, Bugatti A, Tomaselli S, Zetta L, Presta M, Rusnati M, Taraboletti G, Colombo G, Ragona L. Direct and allosteric inhibition of the FGF2/HSPGs/FGFR1 ternary complex formation by an antiangiogenic, thrombospondin-1-mimic small molecule. PLoS One 2012; 7:e36990. [PMID: 22606323 PMCID: PMC3351436 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2012] [Accepted: 04/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are recognized targets for the development of therapies against angiogenesis-driven diseases, including cancer. The formation of a ternary complex with the transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptors (FGFRs), and heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPGs) is required for FGF2 pro-angiogenic activity. Here by using a combination of techniques including Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Molecular Dynamics, Surface Plasmon Resonance and cell-based binding assays we clarify the molecular mechanism of inhibition of an angiostatic small molecule, sm27, mimicking the endogenous inhibitor of angiogenesis, thrombospondin-1. NMR and MD data demonstrate that sm27 engages the heparin-binding site of FGF2 and induces long-range dynamics perturbations along FGF2/FGFR1 interface regions. The functional consequence of the inhibitor binding is an impaired FGF2 interaction with both its receptors, as demonstrated by SPR and cell-based binding assays. We propose that sm27 antiangiogenic activity is based on a twofold-direct and allosteric-mechanism, inhibiting FGF2 binding to both its receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katiuscia Pagano
- Laboratorio NMR, Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Milano, Italy
| | - Rubben Torella
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Milano, Italy
| | - Chiara Foglieni
- Department of Oncology, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Antonella Bugatti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Simona Tomaselli
- Laboratorio NMR, Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Milano, Italy
| | - Lucia Zetta
- Laboratorio NMR, Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Milano, Italy
| | - Marco Presta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Rusnati
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giulia Taraboletti
- Department of Oncology, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Colombo
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Milano, Italy
- * E-mail: (LR); (GC)
| | - Laura Ragona
- Laboratorio NMR, Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Milano, Italy
- * E-mail: (LR); (GC)
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33
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Leali D, Inforzato A, Ronca R, Bianchi R, Belleri M, Coltrini D, Di Salle E, Sironi M, Norata GD, Bottazzi B, Garlanda C, Day AJ, Presta M. Long pentraxin 3/tumor necrosis factor-stimulated gene-6 interaction: a biological rheostat for fibroblast growth factor 2-mediated angiogenesis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2012; 32:696-703. [PMID: 22267482 PMCID: PMC3551298 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.111.243998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Angiogenesis is regulated by the balance between pro- and antiangiogenic factors and by extracellular matrix protein interactions. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is a major proangiogenic inducer inhibited by the interaction with the soluble pattern recognition receptor long pentraxin 3 (PTX3). PTX3 is locally coexpressed with its ligand tumor necrosis factor-stimulated gene-6 (TSG-6), a secreted glycoprotein that cooperates with PTX3 in extracellular matrix assembly. Here, we characterized the effect of TSG-6 on PTX3/FGF2 interaction and FGF2-mediated angiogenesis. METHODS AND RESULTS Solid phase binding and surface plasmon resonance assays show that TSG-6 and FGF2 bind the PTX3 N-terminal domain with similar affinity. Accordingly, TSG-6 prevents FGF2/PTX3 interaction and suppresses the inhibition exerted by PTX3 on heparan sulfate proteoglycan/FGF2/FGF receptor complex formation and on FGF2-dependent angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Also, endogenous PTX3 exerts an inhibitory effect on vascularization induced by FGF2 in a murine subcutaneous Matrigel plug assay, the inhibition being abolished in Ptx3-null mice or by TSG-6 treatment in wild-type animals. CONCLUSION TSG-6 reverts the inhibitory effects exerted by PTX3 on FGF2-mediated angiogenesis through competition of FGF2/PTX3 interaction. This may provide a novel mechanism to control angiogenesis in those pathological settings characterized by the coexpression of TSG-6 and PTX3, in which the relative levels of these proteins may fine-tune the angiogenic activity of FGF2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Leali
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
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34
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Liekens S, Bronckaers A, Belleri M, Bugatti A, Sienaert R, Ribatti D, Nico B, Gigante A, Casanova E, Opdenakker G, Pérez-Pérez MJ, Balzarini J, Presta M. The thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor 5'-O-tritylinosine (KIN59) is an antiangiogenic multitarget fibroblast growth factor-2 antagonist. Mol Cancer Ther 2012; 11:817-29. [PMID: 22302099 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-11-0738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
5'-O-Tritylinosine (KIN59) is an allosteric inhibitor of the angiogenic enzyme thymidine phosphorylase. Previous observations showed the capacity of KIN59 to abrogate thymidine phosphorylase-induced as well as developmental angiogenesis in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Here, we show that KIN59 also inhibits the angiogenic response triggered by fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) but not by VEGF in the CAM assay. Immunohistochemical and reverse transcriptase PCR analyses revealed that the expression of laminin, the major proteoglycan of the basement membrane of blood vessels, is downregulated by KIN59 administration in control as well as in thymidine phosphorylase- or FGF2-treated CAMs, but not in CAMs treated with VEGF. Also, KIN59 abrogated FGF2-induced endothelial cell proliferation, FGF receptor activation, and Akt signaling in vitro with no effect on VEGF-stimulated biologic responses. Accordingly, KIN59 inhibited the binding of FGF2 to FGF receptor-1 (FGFR1), thus preventing the formation of productive heparan sulphate proteoglycan/FGF2/FGFR1 ternary complexes, without affecting heparin interaction. In keeping with these observations, systemic administration of KIN59 inhibited the growth and neovascularization of subcutaneous tumors induced by FGF2-transformed endothelial cells injected in immunodeficient nude mice. Taken together, the data indicate that the thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor KIN59 is endowed with a significant FGF2 antagonist activity, thus representing a promising lead compound for the design of multitargeted antiangiogenic cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Liekens
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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35
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Rosca EV, Koskimaki JE, Rivera CG, Pandey NB, Tamiz AP, Popel AS. Anti-angiogenic peptides for cancer therapeutics. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2011; 12:1101-16. [PMID: 21470139 DOI: 10.2174/138920111796117300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2010] [Accepted: 06/30/2010] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Peptides have emerged as important therapeutics that are being rigorously tested in angiogenesis-dependent diseases due to their low toxicity and high specificity. Since the discovery of endogenous proteins and protein fragments that inhibit microvessel formation (thrombospondin, endostatin) several peptides have shown promise in pre-clinical and clinical studies for cancer. Peptides have been derived from thrombospondin, collagens, chemokines, coagulation cascade proteins, growth factors, and other classes of proteins and target different receptors. Here we survey recent developments for anti-angiogenic peptides with length not exceeding 50 amino acid residues that have shown activity in pre-clinical models of cancer or have been tested in clinical trials; some of the peptides have been modified and optimized, e.g., through L-to-D and non-natural amino acid substitutions. We highlight technological advances in peptide discovery and optimization including computational and bioinformatics tools and novel experimental techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena V Rosca
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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36
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Leali D, Alessi P, Coltrini D, Ronca R, Corsini M, Nardo G, Indraccolo S, Presta M. Long pentraxin-3 inhibits FGF8b-dependent angiogenesis and growth of steroid hormone-regulated tumors. Mol Cancer Ther 2011; 10:1600-10. [PMID: 21764903 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-11-0286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor-8b (FGF8b) exerts nonredundant autocrine/paracrine functions in steroid hormone-regulated tumors. Previous observations had shown that the soluble pattern recognition receptor long pentraxin-3 (PTX3) is a natural selective antagonist for a restricted number of FGF family members, inhibiting FGF2 but not FGF1 and FGF4 activity. Here, we assessed the capacity of PTX3 to antagonize FGF8b and to inhibit the vascularization and growth of steroid hormone-regulated tumors. Surface plasmon resonance analysis shows that PTX3 binds FGF8b with high affinity (K(d) = 30-90 nmol/L). As a consequence, PTX3 prevents the binding of FGF8b to its receptors, inhibits FGF8b-driven ERK1/2 activation, cell proliferation, and chemotaxis in endothelial cells, and suppresses FGF8b-induced neovascularization in vivo. Also, PTX3 inhibits dihydrotestosterone (DHT)- and FGF8b-driven proliferation of androgen-regulated Shionogi 115 (S115) mouse breast tumor cells. Furthermore, DHT-treated, PTX3 overexpressing hPTX3_S115 cell transfectants show a reduced proliferation rate in vitro and a limited angiogenic activity in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane and murine s.c. Matrigel plug assays. Accordingly, hPTX3_S115 cells show a dramatic decrease of their tumorigenic activity when grafted in immunodeficient male mice. These results identify PTX3 as a novel FGF8b antagonist endowed with antiangiogenic and antineoplastic activity with possible implications for the therapy of hormonal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Leali
- Unit of General Pathology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
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37
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Taraboletti G, Rusnati M, Ragona L, Colombo G. Targeting tumor angiogenesis with TSP-1-based compounds: rational design of antiangiogenic mimetics of endogenous inhibitors. Oncotarget 2011; 1:662-73. [PMID: 21317461 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.101108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibitors of angiogenesis are an important addition to conventional chemotherapy. Among different "druggable" angiogenic factors, fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) is an attractive target for novel therapies because of its intricated involvement in tumor neovascularization, tumor cell proliferation and migration, and the acquisition of resistance to antiangiogenic therapies. FGF-2 bioavailability and activity is affected by several natural ligands, including the endogenous inhibitor of angiogenesis thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1). We hypothesized that the FGF-2-binding sequence of TSP-1 might serve as a template for the development of non-peptide inhibitors of angiogenesis. Computational biology and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy approaches, major investigative tools in the characterizations of protein-protein interaction (PPI), were used to map the residues at the TSP-1/FGF-2 interface. The translation of this three-dimensional information into a pharmacophore model allowed screening a small molecule databases, identifying three FGF-2-binding, antiangiogenic small molecules, mimetic of TSP-1. Pharmacophore-based approaches are thus feasible tools to exploit naturally occurring PPI, by generating a set of lead compounds mimetic of endogenous proteins, as a starting point for the development of novel therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Taraboletti
- Department of Oncology, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Bergamo, Italy.
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38
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Tomaselli S, Meli M, Plescia J, Zetta L, Altieri DC, Colombo G, Ragona L. Combined in silico and experimental approach for drug design: the binding mode of peptidic and non-peptidic inhibitors to hsp90 N-terminal domain. Chem Biol Drug Des 2011; 76:382-91. [PMID: 20925690 DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-0285.2010.01015.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a prime target for antitumor therapies. The information obtained by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations is combined with NMR data to provide a cross-validated atomic resolution model of the complementary interactions of heat shock protein 90 with a peptidic (shepherdin) and a non-peptidic (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-d-ribofuranoside, AICAR) inhibitor, showing antiproliferative and proapoptotic activity in multiple tumor cell lines. This approach highlights the relevant role of imidazolic moiety in the interaction of both antagonist molecules. In 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-d-ribofuranoside bound state, one conformation of those present in solution is selected, where imidazolic, H4 and H5 protons have a key role in defining a non-polar region contacting heat shock protein 90 surface. The dynamic equilibrium between N-type and S-type puckered forms of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-d-ribofuranoside moiety is shown to be functional to inhibitor binding. The first experimental structural data on these inhibitors are presented and discussed as hints for future design of improved molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Tomaselli
- Istituto per lo Studio Delle Macromolecole, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Milano, Italy
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39
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Inforzato A, Baldock C, Jowitt TA, Holmes DF, Lindstedt R, Marcellini M, Rivieccio V, Briggs DC, Kadler KE, Verdoliva A, Bottazzi B, Mantovani A, Salvatori G, Day AJ. The angiogenic inhibitor long pentraxin PTX3 forms an asymmetric octamer with two binding sites for FGF2. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:17681-92. [PMID: 20363749 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.085639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The inflammation-associated long pentraxin PTX3 plays key roles in innate immunity, female fertility, and vascular biology (e.g. it inhibits FGF2 (fibroblast growth factor 2)-mediated angiogenesis). PTX3 is composed of multiple protomers, each composed of distinct N- and C-terminal domains; however, it is not known how these are organized or contribute to its functional properties. Here, biophysical analyses reveal that PTX3 is composed of eight identical protomers, associated through disulfide bonds, forming an elongated and asymmetric, molecule with two differently sized domains interconnected by a stalk. The N-terminal region of the protomer provides the main structural determinant underlying this quaternary organization, supporting formation of a disulfide-linked tetramer and a dimer of dimers (a non-covalent tetramer), giving rise to the asymmetry of the molecule. Furthermore, the PTX3 octamer is shown to contain two FGF2 binding sites, where it is the tetramers that act as the functional units in ligand recognition. Thus, these studies provide a unifying model of the PTX3 oligomer, explaining both its quaternary organization and how this is required for its antiangiogenic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Inforzato
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom
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40
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Colombo G, Margosio B, Ragona L, Neves M, Bonifacio S, Annis DS, Stravalaci M, Tomaselli S, Giavazzi R, Rusnati M, Presta M, Zetta L, Mosher DF, Ribatti D, Gobbi M, Taraboletti G. Non-peptidic thrombospondin-1 mimics as fibroblast growth factor-2 inhibitors: an integrated strategy for the development of new antiangiogenic compounds. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:8733-42. [PMID: 20056600 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.085605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Endogenous inhibitors of angiogenesis, such as thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), are promising sources of therapeutic agents to treat angiogenesis-driven diseases, including cancer. TSP-1 regulates angiogenesis through different mechanisms, including binding and sequestration of the angiogenic factor fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), through a site located in the calcium binding type III repeats. We hypothesized that the FGF-2 binding sequence of TSP-1 might serve as a template for the development of inhibitors of angiogenesis. Using a peptide array approach followed by binding assays with synthetic peptides and recombinant proteins, we identified a FGF-2 binding sequence of TSP-1 in the 15-mer sequence DDDDDNDKIPDDRDN. Molecular dynamics simulations, taking the full flexibility of the ligand and receptor into account, and nuclear magnetic resonance identified the relevant residues and conformational determinants for the peptide-FGF interaction. This information was translated into a pharmacophore model used to screen the NCI2003 small molecule databases, leading to the identification of three small molecules that bound FGF-2 with affinity in the submicromolar range. The lead compounds inhibited FGF-2-induced endothelial cell proliferation in vitro and affected angiogenesis induced by FGF-2 in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay. These small molecules, therefore, represent promising leads for the development of antiangiogenic agents. Altogether, this study demonstrates that new biological insights obtained by integrated multidisciplinary approaches can be used to develop small molecule mimics of endogenous proteins as therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Colombo
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Milan 20131, Italy
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41
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Rusnati M, Bugatti A, Mitola S, Leali D, Bergese P, Depero LE, Presta M. Exploiting Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) Technology for the Identification of Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF2) Antagonists Endowed with Antiangiogenic Activity. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2009; 9:6471-503. [PMID: 22454596 PMCID: PMC3312455 DOI: 10.3390/s90806471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2009] [Revised: 08/17/2009] [Accepted: 08/19/2009] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel formation, is implicated in various physiological/pathological conditions, including embryonic development, inflammation and tumor growth. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) is a heparin-binding angiogenic growth factor involved in various physiopathological processes, including tumor neovascularization. Accordingly, FGF2 is considered a target for antiangiogenic therapies. Thus, numerous natural/synthetic compounds have been tested for their capacity to bind and sequester FGF2 in the extracellular environment preventing its interaction with cellular receptors. We have exploited surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique in search for antiangiogenic FGF2 binders/antagonists. In this review we will summarize our experience in SPR-based angiogenesis research, with the aim to validate SPR as a first line screening for the identification of antiangiogenic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Rusnati
- Unit of General Pathology and Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy; E-Mails: (M.R.); (A.B.); (S.M.); (D.L.)
| | - Antonella Bugatti
- Unit of General Pathology and Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy; E-Mails: (M.R.); (A.B.); (S.M.); (D.L.)
| | - Stefania Mitola
- Unit of General Pathology and Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy; E-Mails: (M.R.); (A.B.); (S.M.); (D.L.)
| | - Daria Leali
- Unit of General Pathology and Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy; E-Mails: (M.R.); (A.B.); (S.M.); (D.L.)
| | - Paolo Bergese
- Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory and Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy; E-Mails: (P.B.); (L.E.D.)
| | - Laura E. Depero
- Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory and Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy; E-Mails: (P.B.); (L.E.D.)
| | - Marco Presta
- Unit of General Pathology and Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy; E-Mails: (M.R.); (A.B.); (S.M.); (D.L.)
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