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Zamora M, Harris D, Davies N, Ebnet J, Radermacher P, Brucker C, Waller C, Robles JP, Bertsch T, Clapp C, Triebel J. Immunometric and functional measurement of endogenous vasoinhibin in human sera. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1345996. [PMID: 38742198 PMCID: PMC11089174 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1345996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Circulating levels of the antiangiogenic protein vasoinhibin, a fragment of prolactin, are of interest in vasoproliferative retinopathies, preeclampsia, and peripartum cardiomyopathy; however, it is difficult to determine the circulating levels of vasoinhibin due to the lack of quantitative assays. Methods This study used human serum samples to assess the concentration and bioactivity of vasoinhibin using a novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for human vasoinhibin, which employs an anti-vasoinhibin monoclonal antibody, a human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation assay, and a chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) angiogenesis assay. Results Serum samples from 17 pregnant women without (one group) and with preeclampsia and pregnancy induced hypertension (another group) demonstrated endogenous vasoinhibin concentrations in the range of 5-340 ng/ml. Immunoactive vasoinhibin levels were significantly higher in preeclampsia serum compared to healthy pregnancy serum (mean 63.09 ± 22.15 SD vs. 19.67 ± 13.34 ng/ml, p = 0.0003), as was the bioactive vasoinhibin level as determined by the HUVEC proliferation assay (56.12 ± 19.83 vs. 13.38 ± 4.88 ng/ml, p < 0.0001). There was a correlation between the concentration of vasoinhibin measured by ELISA and the HUVEC proliferation assay (Pearson r = 0.95, p < 0.0001). Healthy serum demonstrated a proangiogenic effect in the CAM assay (p < 0.05, compared to control), while serum from preeclamptic patients demonstrated an antiangiogenic effect (p < 0.05 vs. control), as did recombinant human vasoinhibin and a synthetic circular retro-inverse vasoinhibin analogue (CRIVi45-51). The antiangiogenic effects in the CAM assay and the inhibition of HUVEC proliferation were abolished by addition of the ELISA anti-vasoinhibin monoclonal antibody, but not by mouse IgG. Discussion These results demonstrate the first quantitation of endogenous vasoinhibin in human sera and the elevation of it levels and antiangiogenic activity in sera from women with preeclampsia. The development and implementation of a quantitative assay for vasoinhibin overcomes a long-standing barrier and suggests the thorough clinical verification of vasoinhibin as a relevant biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Zamora
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Laboratory Medicine and Transfusion Medicine, Nuremberg General Hospital & Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, Mexico
| | - David Harris
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Laboratory Medicine and Transfusion Medicine, Nuremberg General Hospital & Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Nils Davies
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Laboratory Medicine and Transfusion Medicine, Nuremberg General Hospital & Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Johannes Ebnet
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Laboratory Medicine and Transfusion Medicine, Nuremberg General Hospital & Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Peter Radermacher
- Institute of Anesthesiological Pathophysiology and Process Engineering, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Cosima Brucker
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Nuremberg General Hospital & Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Christiane Waller
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Nuremberg General Hospital & Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Juan Pablo Robles
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Thomas Bertsch
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Laboratory Medicine and Transfusion Medicine, Nuremberg General Hospital & Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Carmen Clapp
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Jakob Triebel
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Laboratory Medicine and Transfusion Medicine, Nuremberg General Hospital & Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
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2
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Núñez-Amaro CD, López M, Adán-Castro E, Robles-Osorio ML, García-Franco R, García-Roa M, Villalpando-Gómez Y, Ramírez-Neria P, Pineiro N, Rubio-Mijangos JF, Sánchez J, Ramírez-Hernández G, Siqueiros-Márquez L, Díaz-Lezama N, López-Star E, Bertsch T, Marínez de la Escalera G, Triebel J, Clapp C. Levosulpiride for the treatment of diabetic macular oedema: a phase 2 randomized clinical trial. Eye (Lond) 2024; 38:520-528. [PMID: 37673971 PMCID: PMC10858020 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-023-02715-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE The prokinetic levosulpiride elevates vasoinhibin levels in the vitreous of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) suggesting clinical benefits due to the anti-vasopermeability and anti-angiogenic properties of vasoinhibin. We investigated the biological activity of levosulpiride in centre-involving diabetic macular oedema (DME). PATIENTS/METHODS Prospective, randomized, double-blinded, dual-centre, phase 2 trial in patients with centre-involving DME orally treated with placebo (n = 17) or levosulpiride (n = 17) for 8 weeks or in patients with PDR undergoing elective pars plana vitrectomy and receiving placebo (n = 18) or levosulpiride (n = 18) orally for the 1 week before vitrectomy. RESULTS Levosulpiride improved changes from baseline in best-corrected visual acuity (p ≤ 0.037), central foveal thickness (CFT, p ≤ 0.013), and mean macular volume (MMV, p ≤ 0.002) at weeks 4, 6, and 8 compared to placebo. At 8 weeks, the proportion of eyes gaining ≥5 ETDRS letters at 4 m (41% vs. 28%), losing ≥21 μm in CFT (55% vs. 28%), and dropping ≥0.06 mm3 in MMV (65% vs. 29%) was higher after levosulpiride than placebo. The overall grading of visual and structural parameters improved with levosulpiride (p = 0.029). Levosulpiride reduced VEGF (p = 0.025) and PlGF (p = 0.008) levels in the vitreous of PDR patients. No significant adverse side-effects were detected. CONCLUSIONS Oral levosulpiride for 8 weeks improved visual and structural outcomes in patients with centre-involving DME by mechanisms that may include intraocular upregulation of vasoinhibin and downregulation of VEGF and PlGF. Larger clinical trials evaluating long-term efficacy and safety are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos D Núñez-Amaro
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro (UAQ), Querétaro, México
| | - Mariana López
- Instituto Mexicano de Oftalmología (IMO), Querétaro, México
| | - Elva Adán-Castro
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, México
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Nayeli Pineiro
- Instituto Mexicano de Oftalmología (IMO), Querétaro, México
| | | | - Jorge Sánchez
- Instituto de la Retina del Bajío (INDEREB), Querétaro, México
| | - Gabriela Ramírez-Hernández
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, México
| | - Lourdes Siqueiros-Márquez
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, México
| | - Nundehui Díaz-Lezama
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, México
| | | | - Thomas Bertsch
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Laboratory Medicine and Transfusion Medicine, Nuremberg General Hospital and Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
| | | | - Jakob Triebel
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Laboratory Medicine and Transfusion Medicine, Nuremberg General Hospital and Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Carmen Clapp
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, México.
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Garza-Rodríguez ML, Rodríguez-Sanchez IP, González-Álvarez R, Luna M, Burciaga-Flores CH, Alcorta-Nuñez F, Solis-Coronado O, Bautista de Lucio VM, Ramírez-Correa GA, Vidal-Gutiérrez O, Pérez-Ibave DC. Prolactin Expression in the Baboon ( Papio hamadryas) Eye. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:2288. [PMID: 36078009 PMCID: PMC9455022 DOI: 10.3390/ani12172288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Prolactin (PRL) is a hormone expressed in lactotrophs cells of the pituitary gland in primates. Extra pituitary expression of PRL has been reported, including the eye; however, expression in the developing eye of primates is limited. The aim of the study was determining the expression of PRL and PRL receptor (PRLR) (mRNAs and proteins) in adult and fetal baboon (Papio hamadryas) ocular tissues. METHODS We analyzed PRL and PRLR in baboon eyes tissues by immunofluorescence. The mRNAs of PRL and PRLR were detected by RT-PCR, cDNA was cloned, and sequenced. Furthermore, we performed a phylogenetic analysis to identify the evolutionary forces that underlie the divergence of PRL and PRLR primate genes. RESULTS We observed the expression of PRL and PRLR (mRNAs and proteins) in all retinal cell lineages of fetal and adult baboon. PRL and PRLR fit the hypothesis of evolutionary purifying gene selection. CONCLUSIONS mRNA and protein of PRL and PRLR are expressed in fetal and adult baboon retinal tissue. PRL may trigger autocrine and paracrine-specific actions in retinal cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Lourdes Garza-Rodríguez
- Servicio de Oncología, Hospital Universitario “Dr. José Eleuterio González”, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey 64440, Mexico
| | - Iram Pablo Rodríguez-Sanchez
- Laboratorio de Fisiología Molecular y Estructural, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza 66455, Mexico
| | | | - Maricela Luna
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla 76230, Mexico
| | - Carlos Horacio Burciaga-Flores
- Servicio de Oncología, Hospital Universitario “Dr. José Eleuterio González”, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey 64440, Mexico
| | - Fernando Alcorta-Nuñez
- Servicio de Oncología, Hospital Universitario “Dr. José Eleuterio González”, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey 64440, Mexico
| | - Orlando Solis-Coronado
- Servicio de Oncología, Hospital Universitario “Dr. José Eleuterio González”, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey 64440, Mexico
- División de Anatomía Patológica, Hospital General “Dr. Manuel Gea González”, Secretaría de Salud, Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico
| | - Víctor Manuel Bautista de Lucio
- Departamento de Microbiología y Proteómica Ocular, Instituto de Oftalmología “Fundación de Asistencia Privada Conde de Valenciana”, Ciudad de México 06800, Mexico
| | - Genaro A. Ramírez-Correa
- Department of Molecular Science, University of Texas Health Rio Grande Valley, McAllen, TX 78550, USA
| | - Oscar Vidal-Gutiérrez
- Servicio de Oncología, Hospital Universitario “Dr. José Eleuterio González”, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey 64440, Mexico
| | - Diana Cristina Pérez-Ibave
- Servicio de Oncología, Hospital Universitario “Dr. José Eleuterio González”, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey 64440, Mexico
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Triebel J, Robles JP, Zamora M, Clapp C, Bertsch T. New horizons in specific hormone proteolysis. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2022; 33:371-377. [PMID: 35397984 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2022.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Proteolysis of protein hormones is primarily acknowledged in the context of breakdown and metabolic clearance by hepatorenal elimination. However, less explored is the specific proteolytic processing of large protein hormones, for which canonical signaling pathways were already established [e.g., prolactin (PRL)], to generate unique messengers that impact cellular functions via pathways unrelated to the receptors of their precursor molecules. Yet, the proteolysis of PRL to generate new messengers evolved under positive selection, and cleaved protein hormones regulate essential functions to maintain homeostasis at the organismal, tissue, or organ levels. The cleavage sites at which proteolysis occurs and the proteases with their determinants define a hormone-metabolism junction at which specific proteolytic cleavage, pathological alteration, and hepatorenal elimination occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Triebel
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Laboratory Medicine and Transfusion Medicine, Nuremberg General Hospital and Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany.
| | - Juan Pablo Robles
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, México
| | - Magdalena Zamora
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Laboratory Medicine and Transfusion Medicine, Nuremberg General Hospital and Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany; Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, México
| | - Carmen Clapp
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, México
| | - Thomas Bertsch
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Laboratory Medicine and Transfusion Medicine, Nuremberg General Hospital and Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
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5
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Ortiz G, Ledesma-Colunga MG, Wu Z, García-Rodrigo JF, Adan N, Martinez-Diaz OF, De Los Ríos EA, López-Barrera F, Martínez de la Escalera G, Clapp C. Vasoinhibin is Generated and Promotes Inflammation in Mild Antigen-induced Arthritis. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6550860. [PMID: 35305012 PMCID: PMC9272195 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory arthritis defines a family of diseases influenced by reproductive hormones. Vasoinhibin, a fragment of the hormone prolactin (PRL), has antiangiogenic and proinflammatory properties. We recently showed that vasoinhibin reduces joint inflammation and bone loss in severe antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) by an indirect mechanism involving the inhibition of pannus vascularization. This unexpected finding led us to hypothesize that a severe level of inflammation in AIA obscured the direct proinflammatory action of vasoinhibin while allowing the indirect anti-inflammatory effect via its antiangiogenic properties. In agreement with this hypothesis, here we show that the intra-articular injection of an adeno-associated virus type-2 vector encoding vasoinhibin reduced joint inflammation in a severe AIA condition, but elevated joint inflammation in a mild AIA model. The proinflammatory effect, unmasked in mild AIA, resulted in joint swelling, enhanced leukocyte infiltration, and upregulation of expression of genes encoding proinflammatory mediators (Il1b, Il6, Inos, Mmp3), adhesion molecule (Icam1), and chemokines (Cxcl1, Cxcl2, Cxcl3, Ccl2). Furthermore, vasoinhibin induced the expression of proinflammatory mediators and chemokines in cultured synovial fibroblasts through nuclear factor-κB. Finally, matrix metalloproteases and cathepsin D, upregulated in the arthritic joint, cleaved PRL to vasoinhibin, and vasoinhibin levels increased in the circulation of mice subjected to AIA. We suggest that vasoinhibin is generated during inflammatory arthritis and acts on synovial fibroblasts and endothelial cells to initially promote and later inhibit inflammation, respectively. These opposite effects may work together to help keep joint inflammation under balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina Ortiz
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Qro., 76230, México
| | - Maria G Ledesma-Colunga
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Qro., 76230, México
| | - Zhijian Wu
- Ocular Gene Therapy Laboratory, Neurobiology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jose F García-Rodrigo
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Qro., 76230, México
| | - Norma Adan
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Qro., 76230, México
| | - Oscar F Martinez-Diaz
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Qro., 76230, México
| | - Ericka A De Los Ríos
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Qro., 76230, México
| | - Fernando López-Barrera
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Qro., 76230, México
| | | | - Carmen Clapp
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Qro., 76230, México
- Correspondence: Carmen Clapp, PhD, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, Qro. 76230, México.
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Adán-Castro E, Siqueiros-Márquez L, Ramírez-Hernández G, Díaz-Lezama N, Ruíz-Herrera X, Núñez FF, Núñez-Amaro CD, Robles-Osorio ML, Bertsch T, Triebel J, Martínez de la Escalera G, Clapp C. Sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinaemia increases retinal vasoinhibin and protects against diabetic retinopathy in rats. J Neuroendocrinol 2022; 34:e13091. [PMID: 35078262 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Excessive vasopermeability and angiogenesis compromise vision in diabetic macular oedema (DME) and diabetic retinopathy (DR). Vasoinhibin is a fragment of the hormone prolactin (PRL) that inhibits diabetes-induced retinal hypervasopermeability and ischaemia-induced retinal angiogenesis in rodents. Hyperprolactinaemia generated by the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist, levosulpiride, is associated with higher levels of vasoinhibin in the vitreous of patients with DR, implying a beneficial outcome due to vasoinhibin-mediated inhibition of retinal vascular alterations. Here, we tested whether hyperprolactinaemia induced by racemic sulpiride increases intraocular vasoinhibin levels and inhibits retinal hypervasopermeability in diabetic rats. Diabetes was generated with streptozotocin and, 4 weeks later, rats were treated for 2 weeks with sulpiride or osmotic minipumps delivering PRL. ELISA, Western blot, and Evans blue assay were used to evaluate serum PRL, retinal vasoinhibin, and retinal vasopermeability, respectively. Hyperprolactinaemia in response to sulpiride or exogenous PRL was associated with increased levels of vasoinhibin in the retina and reduced retinal hypervasopermeability. Furthermore, sulpiride decreased retinal haemorrhages in response to the intravitreal administration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Neither sulpiride nor exogenous PRL modified blood glucose levels or bodyweight. We conclude that sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinaemia inhibits the diabetes- and VEGF-mediated increase in retinal vasopermeability by promoting the intraocular conversion of endogenous PRL to vasoinhibin. These findings support the therapeutic potential of sulpiride and its levorotatory enantiomer, levosulpiride, against DME and DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elva Adán-Castro
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, México
| | | | | | - Nundehui Díaz-Lezama
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, México
| | - Xarubet Ruíz-Herrera
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, México
| | - Francisco Freinet Núñez
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, México
| | - Carlos D Núñez-Amaro
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Querétaro, México
| | | | - Thomas Bertsch
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Laboratory Medicine and Transfusion Medicine, Nuremberg General Hospital & Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Jakob Triebel
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Laboratory Medicine and Transfusion Medicine, Nuremberg General Hospital & Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
| | | | - Carmen Clapp
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, México
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Robles JP, Zamora M, Siqueiros-Marquez L, Adan-Castro E, Ramirez-Hernandez G, Nuñez FF, Lopez-Casillas F, Millar RP, Bertsch T, Martínez de la Escalera G, Triebel J, Clapp C. The HGR motif is the antiangiogenic determinant of vasoinhibin: implications for a therapeutic orally active oligopeptide. Angiogenesis 2022; 25:57-70. [PMID: 34097181 PMCID: PMC8813873 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-021-09800-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The hormone prolactin acquires antiangiogenic and antivasopermeability properties after undergoing proteolytic cleavage to vasoinhibin, an endogenous prolactin fragment of 123 or more amino acids that inhibits the action of multiple proangiogenic factors. Preclinical and clinical evidence supports the therapeutic potential of vasoinhibin against angiogenesis-related diseases including diabetic retinopathy, peripartum cardiomyopathy, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer. However, the use of vasoinhibin in the clinic has been limited by difficulties in its production. Here, we removed this barrier to using vasoinhibin as a therapeutic agent by showing that a short linear motif of just three residues (His46-Gly47-Arg48) (HGR) is the functional determinant of vasoinhibin. The HGR motif is conserved throughout evolution, its mutation led to vasoinhibin loss of function, and oligopeptides containing this sequence inhibited angiogenesis and vasopermeability with the same potency as whole vasoinhibin. Furthermore, the oral administration of an optimized cyclic retro-inverse vasoinhibin heptapeptide containing HGR inhibited melanoma tumor growth and vascularization in mice and exhibited equal or higher antiangiogenic potency than other antiangiogenic molecules currently used as anti-cancer drugs in the clinic. Finally, by unveiling the mechanism that obscures the HGR motif in prolactin, we anticipate the development of vasoinhibin-specific antibodies to solve the on-going challenge of measuring endogenous vasoinhibin levels for diagnostic and interventional purposes, the design of vasoinhibin antagonists for managing insufficient angiogenesis, and the identification of putative therapeutic proteins containing HGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Pablo Robles
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, México
| | - Magdalena Zamora
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, México
| | | | - Elva Adan-Castro
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, México
| | | | - Francisco Freinet Nuñez
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, México
| | - Fernando Lopez-Casillas
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), México City, México
| | - Robert P Millar
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Thomas Bertsch
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Laboratory Medicine and Transfusion Medicine, Nuremberg General Hospital & Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
| | | | - Jakob Triebel
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Laboratory Medicine and Transfusion Medicine, Nuremberg General Hospital & Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Carmen Clapp
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, México.
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8
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Clapp C, Ortiz G, García-Rodrigo JF, Ledesma-Colunga MG, Martínez-Díaz OF, Adán N, Martínez de la Escalera G. Dual Roles of Prolactin and Vasoinhibin in Inflammatory Arthritis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:905756. [PMID: 35721729 PMCID: PMC9202596 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.905756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The term inflammatory arthritis defines a family of diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), caused by an overactive immune system, and influenced by host aspects including sex, reproductive state, and stress. Prolactin (PRL) is a sexually dimorphic, reproductive, stress-related hormone long-linked to RA under the general assumption that it aggravates the disease. However, this conclusion remains controversial since PRL has both negative and positive outcomes in RA that may depend on the hormone circulating levels, synthesis by joint tissues, and complex interactions at the inflammatory milieu. The inflamed joint is rich in matrix metalloproteases that cleave PRL to vasoinhibin, a PRL fragment with proinflammatory effects and the ability to inhibit the hyperpermeability and growth of blood vessels. This review addresses this field with the idea that explanatory mechanisms lie within the PRL/vasoinhibin axis, an integrative framework influencing not only the levels of systemic and local PRL, but also the proteolytic conversion of PRL to vasoinhibin, as vasoinhibin itself has dual actions on joint inflammation. In this review, we discuss recent findings from mouse models suggesting the upregulation of endogenous vasoinhibin by the pro-inflammatory environment and showing dichotomous actions and signaling mechanisms of PRL and vasoinhibin on joint inflammation that are cell-specific and context-dependent. We hypothesize that these opposing actions work together to balance the inflammatory response and provide new insights for understanding the pathophysiology of RA and the development of new treatments.
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Triebel J, Bertsch T, Clapp C. Prolactin and vasoinhibin are endogenous players in diabetic retinopathy revisited. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:994898. [PMID: 36157442 PMCID: PMC9500238 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.994898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME) are major causes for visual loss in adults. Nearly half of the world's population with diabetes has some degree of DR, and DME is a major cause of visual impairment in these patients. Severe vision loss occurs because of tractional retinal detachment due to retinal neovascularization, but the most common cause of moderate vision loss occurs in DME where excessive vascular permeability leads to the exudation and accumulation of extracellular fluid and proteins in the macula. Metabolic control stands as an effective mean for controlling retinal vascular alterations in some but not all patients with diabetes, and the search of other modifiable factors affecting the risk for diabetic microvascular complications is warranted. Prolactin (PRL) and its proteolytic fragment, vasoinhibin, have emerged as endogenous regulators of retinal blood vessels. PRL acquires antiangiogenic and anti-vasopermeability properties after undergoing proteolytic cleavage to vasoinhibin, which helps restrict the vascularization of ocular organs and, upon disruption, promotes retinal vascular alterations characteristic of DR and DME. Evidence is linking PRL (and other pituitary hormones) and vasoinhibin to DR and recent preclinical and clinical evidence supports their translation into novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Triebel
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Laboratory Medicine and Transfusion Medicine, General Hospital Nuremberg and Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Jakob Triebel,
| | - Thomas Bertsch
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Laboratory Medicine and Transfusion Medicine, General Hospital Nuremberg and Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Carmen Clapp
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico
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Luo Y, Yin J, Fang R, Liu J, Wang L, Zhang H, Zhang M, Lei Z, Liang S, Cui W, Zhang Z, Wu K, Hui X. The tumour neovasculature-homing dimeric peptide GX1 demonstrates antiangiogenic activity in the retinal neovasculature. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 912:174574. [PMID: 34662566 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Identification of molecules specific to the retinal neovasculature will promote antiangiogenic therapy with enhanced targeting ability. The specificity of phage-displayed peptide GX1 (a cyclic 7-mer peptide motif CGNSNPKSC) to gastric cancer neovasculature has been extensively confirmed both in vitro and in vivo. To investigate the potential application of GX1 in antiangiogenic therapy targeting retinal angiogenesis-related diseases, we performed immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analyses. GX1 demonstrated positive staining in the retinal neovasculature in an oxygen-induced mouse model of retinopathy (OIR) as well as in rat retinal microvasculature endothelial cells (RMECs), confirming the major role of the GX1 receptor during retinal angiogenesis. Dimeric GX1 was synthesized to increase the binding affinity to the GX1 receptor, and the antiangiogenic effects were examined in RMECs in vitro and the retinal neovasculature in the OIR in vivo. Cell proliferation was evaluated using a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, revealing that compared with the GX1 monomer, dimeric GX1 significantly inhibited RMEC proliferation (P < 0.05). This finding may be attributed to the enhanced (P < 0.05) apoptosis induced by dimeric GX1 in RMECs based on results obtained from TUNEL, flow cytometric and cell cycle analyses. In RMECs, in vitro cell migration and tube formation were significantly inhibited following exposure to dimeric GX1. Intravitreal administration of dimeric GX1 resulted in a greater reduction in the retinal neovascularization in vivo than administration of the GX1 monomer (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dimeric GX1 showed greater inhibition of angiogenesis than monomeric GX1 and could be a promising agent for antiangiogenic therapy in retinal angiogenesis-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Luo
- Department of Geriatric Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Jipeng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology & Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Shaanxi Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Rutang Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology & Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Shaanxi Xi'an, 710032, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated No. 986 Hospital of Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Shaanxi Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Jingtao Liu
- Department of Geriatric Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi Xi'an, 710061, China; Department of Nuclear Medicine, Affiliated No. 986 Hospital of Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Shaanxi Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Geriatric Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Haiping Zhang
- Department of Geriatric Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Zhijie Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology & Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Shaanxi Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Shuhui Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology & Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Shaanxi Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Wei Cui
- Department of Geriatric Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Zhiyong Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi Xi'an, 710061, China.
| | - Kaichun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology & Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Shaanxi Xi'an, 710032, China.
| | - Xiaoli Hui
- Department of Geriatric Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi Xi'an, 710061, China.
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Iturriaga-Goyon E, Buentello-Volante B, Magaña-Guerrero FS, Garfias Y. Future Perspectives of Therapeutic, Diagnostic and Prognostic Aptamers in Eye Pathological Angiogenesis. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061455. [PMID: 34200613 PMCID: PMC8227682 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides that are currently used in clinical trials due to their selectivity and specificity to bind small molecules such as proteins, peptides, viral particles, vitamins, metal ions and even whole cells. Aptamers are highly specific to their targets, they are smaller than antibodies and fragment antibodies, they can be easily conjugated to multiple surfaces and ions and controllable post-production modifications can be performed. Aptamers have been therapeutically used for age-related macular degeneration, cancer, thrombosis and inflammatory diseases. The aim of this review is to highlight the therapeutic, diagnostic and prognostic possibilities associated with aptamers, focusing on eye pathological angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Iturriaga-Goyon
- MD/PhD (PECEM) Program, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico;
- Cell and Tissue Biology, Research Unit, Institute of Ophthalmology, Conde de Valenciana, Chimalpopoca 14, Mexico City 06800, Mexico; (B.B.-V.); (F.S.M.-G.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Beatriz Buentello-Volante
- Cell and Tissue Biology, Research Unit, Institute of Ophthalmology, Conde de Valenciana, Chimalpopoca 14, Mexico City 06800, Mexico; (B.B.-V.); (F.S.M.-G.)
| | - Fátima Sofía Magaña-Guerrero
- Cell and Tissue Biology, Research Unit, Institute of Ophthalmology, Conde de Valenciana, Chimalpopoca 14, Mexico City 06800, Mexico; (B.B.-V.); (F.S.M.-G.)
| | - Yonathan Garfias
- Cell and Tissue Biology, Research Unit, Institute of Ophthalmology, Conde de Valenciana, Chimalpopoca 14, Mexico City 06800, Mexico; (B.B.-V.); (F.S.M.-G.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
- Correspondence:
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