1
|
Coffman-D'Annibale K, Myojin Y, Monge C, Xie C, Hrones DM, Wood BJ, Levy EB, Kleiner D, Figg WD, Steinberg SM, Redd B, Greten TF. VB-111 (ofranergene obadenovec) in combination with nivolumab in patients with microsatellite stable colorectal liver metastases: a single center, single arm, phase II trial. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008079. [PMID: 38184304 PMCID: PMC10773432 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008079] [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] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microsatellite stable colorectal liver metastases (MSS CLM) maintain an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Historically, immune-based approaches have been ineffective. VB-111 (ofranergene obadenovec) is a genetically-modified adenoviral vector targeting the TME; its unique dual mechanism induces an immune response and disrupts neovascularization. Checkpoint inhibition may synergize the immune response induced by viral-mediated anti-angiogenic gene therapy. We aimed to examine the safety and antitumor activity of VB-111 and nivolumab in patients with refractory MSS CLM and to characterize immunological treatment-response. METHODS This was a phase II study of adult patients with histologically-confirmed MSS CLM who progressed on prior therapy. A priming dose of VB-111 1×1013 viral particles was given intravenously 2 weeks prior to starting biweekly nivolumab 240 mg and continued every 6 weeks. The combination continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary objectives were overall response rate and safety/tolerability. Secondary objectives included median overall survival and progression-free survival. Correlative studies were performed on paired tumor biopsies and blood. RESULTS Between August 2020 and December 2021, 14 patients were enrolled with median age 50.5 years (40-75), and 14% were women. Median follow-up was 5.5 months. Of the 10 evaluable patients, the combination of VB-111 and nivolumab failed to demonstrate radiographic responses; at best, 2 patients had stable disease. Median overall survival was 5.5 months (95% CI: 2.3 to 10.8), and median progression-free survival was 1.8 months (95% CI: 1.4 to 1.9). The most common grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events were fever/chills, influenza-like symptoms, and lymphopenia. No treatment-related deaths were reported. Qualitative analysis of immunohistochemical staining of paired tumor biopsies did not demonstrate significant immune infiltration after treatment, except for one patient who had exceptional survival (26.0 months). Immune analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed an increase of PD-1highKi67highCD8+ T cells and HLA-DRhigh T cells after VB-111 priming dose. Plasma cytokines interleukin-10 and tumor necrosis factor-α increased after treatment with both drugs. CONCLUSION In patients with MSS CLM, VB-111 and nivolumab did not improve overall response rate or survival but were tolerated with minimal toxicities. While challenging to distinguish between antiviral or antitumor, correlative studies demonstrated an immune response with activation and proliferation of CD8+ T cells systemically that was poorly sustained. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04166383.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelley Coffman-D'Annibale
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Yuta Myojin
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Cecilia Monge
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Changqing Xie
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Donna Mabry Hrones
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Bradford J Wood
- Center for Interventional Oncology, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, NIH Clinical Center & Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Elliot B Levy
- Center for Interventional Oncology, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, NIH Clinical Center & Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - David Kleiner
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - William Douglas Figg
- Molecular Pharmacology Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Seth M Steinberg
- Biostatistics and Data Management Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Bernadette Redd
- Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Tim F Greten
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Liver Cancer Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Functional Characterization of Transgenic Mice Overexpressing Human 15-Lipoxygenase-1 (ALOX15) under the Control of the aP2 Promoter. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054815. [PMID: 36902243 PMCID: PMC10003068 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Arachidonic acid lipoxygenases (ALOX) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory, hyperproliferative, neurodegenerative, and metabolic diseases, but the physiological function of ALOX15 still remains a matter of discussion. To contribute to this discussion, we created transgenic mice (aP2-ALOX15 mice) expressing human ALOX15 under the control of the aP2 (adipocyte fatty acid binding protein 2) promoter, which directs expression of the transgene to mesenchymal cells. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and whole-genome sequencing indicated transgene insertion into the E1-2 region of chromosome 2. The transgene was highly expressed in adipocytes, bone marrow cells, and peritoneal macrophages, and ex vivo activity assays proved the catalytic activity of the transgenic enzyme. LC-MS/MS-based plasma oxylipidome analyses of the aP2-ALOX15 mice suggested in vivo activity of the transgenic enzyme. The aP2-ALOX15 mice were viable, could reproduce normally, and did not show major phenotypic alterations when compared with wildtype control animals. However, they exhibited gender-specific differences with wildtype controls when their body-weight kinetics were evaluated during adolescence and early adulthood. The aP2-ALOX15 mice characterized here can now be used for gain-of-function studies evaluating the biological role of ALOX15 in adipose tissue and hematopoietic cells.
Collapse
|
3
|
Sethuraman M, Dronadula N, Bi L, Wacker BK, Knight E, De Bleser P, Dichek DA. Novel expression cassettes for increasing apolipoprotein AI transgene expression in vascular endothelial cells. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21079. [PMID: 36473901 PMCID: PMC9726828 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25333-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Transduction of endothelial cells (EC) with a vector that expresses apolipoprotein A-I (APOAI) reduces atherosclerosis in arteries of fat-fed rabbits. However, the effects on atherosclerosis are partial and might be enhanced if APOAI expression could be increased. With a goal of developing an expression cassette that generates higher levels of APOAI mRNA in EC, we tested 4 strategies, largely in vitro: addition of 2 types of enhancers, addition of computationally identified EC-specific cis-regulatory modules (CRM), and insertion of the rabbit APOAI gene at the transcription start site (TSS) of sequences cloned from genes that are highly expressed in cultured EC. Addition of a shear stress-responsive enhancer did not increase APOAI expression. Addition of 2 copies of a Mef2c enhancer increased APOAI expression from a moderately active promoter/enhancer but decreased APOAI expression from a highly active promoter/enhancer. Of the 11 CRMs, 3 increased APOAI expression from a moderately active promoter (2-7-fold; P < 0.05); none increased expression from a highly active promoter/enhancer. Insertion of the APOAI gene into the TSS of highly expressed EC genes did not increase expression above levels obtained with a moderately active promoter/enhancer. New strategies are needed to further increase APOAI transgene expression in EC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meena Sethuraman
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Lianxiang Bi
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Bradley K Wacker
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ethan Knight
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Pieter De Bleser
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Data Mining and Modeling for Biomedicine, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - David A Dichek
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhang DY, Singer L, Sonabend AM, Lukas RV. Gene Therapy for the Treatment of Malignant Glioma. ADVANCES IN ONCOLOGY 2021; 1:189-202. [PMID: 37476488 PMCID: PMC10358332 DOI: 10.1016/j.yao.2021.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Y. Zhang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Superior Street SQ-601, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Lauren Singer
- Department of Neurology, Rush University Medical Center, Rush University, 1725 West Harrison Street Suite #1106, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Adam M. Sonabend
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 259 East Erie Street Suite #1950, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rimas V. Lukas
- Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 710 North Lake Shore Drive, Abbott Hall 1114, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cloughesy TF, Brenner A, de Groot JF, Butowski NA, Zach L, Campian JL, Ellingson BM, Freedman LS, Cohen YC, Lowenton-Spier N, Rachmilewitz Minei T, Fain Shmueli S, Wen PY. A randomized controlled phase III study of VB-111 combined with bevacizumab vs bevacizumab monotherapy in patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GLOBE). Neuro Oncol 2021; 22:705-717. [PMID: 31844890 PMCID: PMC7229248 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noz232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ofranergene obadenovec (VB-111) is an anticancer viral therapy that demonstrated in a phase II study a survival benefit for patients with recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM) who were primed with VB-111 monotherapy that was continued after progression with concomitant bevacizumab. Methods This pivotal phase III randomized, controlled trial compared the efficacy and safety of upfront combination of VB-111 and bevacizumab versus bevacizumab monotherapy. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive VB-111 1013 viral particles every 8 weeks in combination with bevacizumab 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks (combination arm) or bevacizumab monotherapy (control arm). The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), and secondary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR) by Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) criteria and progression-free survival (PFS). Results Enrolled were 256 patients at 57 sites. Median exposure to VB-111 was 4 months. The study did not meet its primary or secondary goals. Median OS was 6.8 versus 7.9 months in the combination versus control arm (hazard ratio, 1.20; 95% CI: 0.91–1.59; P = 0.19) and ORR was 27.3% versus 21.9% (P = 0.26). A higher rate of grades 3–5 adverse events was reported in the combination arm (67% vs 40%), mainly attributed to a higher rate of CNS and flu-like/fever events. Trends for improved survival with combination treatment were seen in the subgroup of patients with smaller tumors and in patients who had a posttreatment febrile reaction. Conclusions In this study, upfront concomitant administration of VB-111 and bevacizumab failed to improve outcomes in rGBM. Change of treatment regimen, with the lack of VB-111 monotherapy priming, may explain the differences from the favorable phase II results. Clinical trials registration NCT02511405
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy F Cloughesy
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Andrew Brenner
- University of Texas Health San Antonio Cancer Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - John F de Groot
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Nicholas A Butowski
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Leor Zach
- Oncology Institute, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer, Israel
| | - Jian L Campian
- Division of Medical Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Benjamin M Ellingson
- UCLA Brain Tumor Imaging Laboratory, Center for Computer Vision and Imaging Biomarkers, Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Laurence S Freedman
- Biostatistics and Biomathematics Unit, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer, Israel
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Patrick Y Wen
- Center for Neuro-Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Arend RC, Monk BJ, Herzog TJ, Moore KN, Shapira-Frommer R, Ledermann JA, Tewari KS, Secord AA, Rachmilewitz Minei T, Freedman LS, Miller A, Shmueli SF, Lavi M, Penson RT. Utilizing an interim futility analysis of the OVAL study (VB-111-701/GOG 3018) for potential reduction of risk: A phase III, double blind, randomized controlled trial of ofranergene obadenovec (VB-111) and weekly paclitaxel in patients with platinum resistant ovarian cancer. Gynecol Oncol 2021; 161:496-501. [PMID: 33637348 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2021.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Report the results from a preplanned interim analysis of a phase III, double blind, randomized controlled study of ofranergene obadenovec (VB-111), a targeted anti-cancer gene therapy, in combination with paclitaxel in patients with platinum resistant ovarian cancer (PROC). METHODS The OVAL (NCT03398655) study is an on-going study where patients are randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to weekly paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 with VB-111 or placebo. The protocol specifies a pre-planned unblinded futility interim analysis of CA-125 response per GCIG criteria in the first 60 evaluable patients. The futility rule determined for this analysis was that the response rate of VB-111 must be greater than the response rate of placebo by at least 10% in order to continue the study. Coincident with the interim analysis, the blinded CA-125 response rate was estimated as a proportion of the first 60 evaluable patients with CA-125 response per GCIG criteria. Post-treatment fever is provided as a possible surrogate marker of VB-111 therapy activity. RESULTS The median age of the evaluable patients was 62 years (range 41-82); 97% had high-grade serous cancer; 58% had been treated with 3 or more previous lines of therapy, 70% received prior anti-angiogenic treatment, 43% received prior PARP inhibitors. CA-125 response in the VB-111 and weekly paclitaxel treated arm met the pre-specified interim criterion of an absolute advantage of 10% or higher compared to the control. Blinded results show a 53% CA-125 response rate (32/60) with 15% complete response (n=9). Assuming balanced randomization and an absolute advantage of 10% or higher to the VB-111 arm, it may be deducted that the response in the VB-111 treatment arm is 58% or higher. Among patients with post-treatment fever, the CA-125 response rate was 69%. CONCLUSIONS At the time of the interim analysis, response rate findings are comparable to the responses seen in a similar patient population in the phase I/II study. The independent data and safety monitoring committee (iDSMC) recommended continuing the OVAL trial as planned. No new safety signals were identified.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca C Arend
- University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA.
| | - Bradley J Monk
- Arizona Oncology (US Oncology Network), University of Arizona College of Medicine, Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Thomas J Herzog
- University of Cincinnati Cancer Institute, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kathleen N Moore
- Stephenson Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Laurence S Freedman
- Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Austin Miller
- NRG Oncology, Statistical and Data Center, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Brenner AJ, Peters KB, Vredenburgh J, Bokstein F, Blumenthal DT, Yust-Katz S, Peretz I, Oberman B, Freedman LS, Ellingson BM, Cloughesy TF, Sher N, Cohen YC, Lowenton-Spier N, Rachmilewitz Minei T, Yakov N, Mendel I, Breitbart E, Wen PY. Safety and efficacy of VB-111, an anticancer gene therapy, in patients with recurrent glioblastoma: results of a phase I/II study. Neuro Oncol 2020; 22:694-704. [PMID: 31844886 PMCID: PMC7229257 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noz231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND VB-111 is a non-replicating adenovirus carrying a Fas-chimera transgene, leading to targeted apoptosis of tumor vascular endothelium and induction of a tumor-specific immune response. This phase I/II study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of VB-111 with and without bevacizumab in recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM). METHODS Patients with rGBM (n = 72) received VB-111 in 4 treatment groups: subtherapeutic (VB-111 dose escalation), limited exposure (LE; VB-111 monotherapy until progression), primed combination (VB-111 monotherapy continued upon progression with combination of bevacizumab), and unprimed combination (upfront combination of VB-111 and bevacizumab). The primary endpoint was median overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints were safety, overall response rate, and progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS VB-111 was well tolerated. The most common adverse event was transient mild-moderate fever. Median OS time was significantly longer in the primed combination group compared with both LE (414 vs 223 days; hazard ratio [HR], 0.48; P = 0.043) and unprimed combination (414 vs 141.5 days; HR, 0.24; P = 0.0056). Patients in the combination phase of the primed combination group had a median PFS time of 90 days compared with 60 in the LE group (HR, 0.36; P = 0.032), and 63 in the unprimed combination group (P = 0.72). Radiographic responders to VB-111 exhibited characteristic, expansive areas of necrosis in the areas of initial enhancing disease. CONCLUSIONS Patients with rGBM who were primed with VB-111 monotherapy that continued after progression with the addition of bevacizumab showed significant survival and PFS advantage, as well as specific imaging characteristics related to VB-111 mechanism of action. These results warrant further assessment in a randomized controlled study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Brenner
- University of Texas Health San Antonio Mays Cancer Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Katherine B Peters
- Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - James Vredenburgh
- Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
| | - Felix Bokstein
- Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Deborah T Blumenthal
- Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shlomit Yust-Katz
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, Davidoff Cancer Center at Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikvah, Israel and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Idit Peretz
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, Davidoff Cancer Center at Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikvah, Israel and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Bernice Oberman
- Biostatistics and Biomathematics Unit, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Laurence S Freedman
- Biostatistics and Biomathematics Unit, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Benjamin M Ellingson
- UCLA Brain Tumor Imaging Laboratory, Center for Computer Vision and Imaging Biomarkers, Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Timothy F Cloughesy
- Department of Neurology, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Patrick Y Wen
- Center for Neuro-Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Arend RC, Beer HM, Cohen YC, Berlin S, Birrer MJ, Campos SM, Rachmilewitz Minei T, Harats D, Wall JA, Foxall ME, Penson RT. Ofranergene obadenovec (VB-111) in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer; favorable response rates in a phase I/II study are associated with an immunotherapeutic effect. Gynecol Oncol 2020; 157:578-584. [PMID: 32265057 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.02.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Report final results of a phase I/II study of VB-111, a targeted anti-cancer gene therapy with a dual mechanism: anti angiogenic/vascular disruption and induction of an anti-tumor directed immune response, in combination with paclitaxel in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. METHODS Study NCT01711970 was a prospective, open label, dose escalation study assessing combination treatment of VB-111 and weekly paclitaxel. In the Phase I part of the study, patients were treated with escalating doses of intravenous VB-111 and paclitaxel. In Phase 2, patients were treated with therapeutic doses of VB-111 and paclitaxel 80 mg/m2. Assessments included safety, overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), and tumor response (CA-125 and RECIST). RESULTS 21 patients with recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer were enrolled. 17/21 received the therapeutic dose. Patients had a median of 3 prior lines of therapy. Half of the subjects were platinum refractory, and half were previously treated with antiangiogenics. No DLTs were observed. VB-111 was well tolerated and associated with mild flu-like symptoms. In the therapeutic dose cohort, a 58% CA-125 GCIG response rate was seen in evaluable patients. The median OS was 16.6 months in patients treated with therapeutic dose compared to 5.8 months in sub-therapeutic dose (p = 0.028). Tumor specimens taken after treatment demonstrated tumor infiltrated with cytotoxic CD8 T-cells in regions of apoptotic cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with VB-111 in combination with paclitaxel was safe and well tolerated. Favorable tumor responses and overall survival outcomes were associated with induction of an immunotherapeutic effect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca C Arend
- University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Hannah M Beer
- University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | | | - Michael J Birrer
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AK, USA
| | | | | | | | - Jaclyn A Wall
- University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - McKenzie E Foxall
- University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Sultan M, Ben-Shushan D, Peled M, Kamari Y, Isman S, Barshack I, Kuban RJ, Kühn H, Harats D, Shaish A. Specific overexpression of 15-lipoxygenase in endothelial cells promotes cancer cell death in an in vivo Lewis lung carcinoma mouse model. Adv Med Sci 2020; 65:111-119. [PMID: 31923770 DOI: 10.1016/j.advms.2019.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Lipoxygenases (LOX) have been implicated in carcinogenesis, however both pro- and anti-carcinogenic effects have been reported in different cancer models. Using transgenic mice, which specifically overexpress human 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15) in endothelial cells (EC), we previously demonstrated significant inhibition of tumor development. In the Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) model, the primary tumor developed similarly in both wild type (WT) and ALOX15 overexpressing mice. However, metastases development was significantly inhibited in the transgenic mice. Here, we explored the molecular basis for the anti-metastatic effect of endothelial cell specific ALOX15 overexpression. MATERIALS/METHODS We used ALOX15 overexpressing mice, and in-vitro cell model to evaluate the molecular effect of ALOX15 on EC and LLC cells. RESULTS When LLC cells were injected in WT and ALOX15 overexpressing mice, we observed a higher degree of apoptosis and necrosis in primary and metastatic tumors of ALOX15 overexpressing animals. These anti-carcinogenic and anti-metastatic effects were paralleled by augmented expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A; p21) and of the peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor (PPAR)γ and by downregulation of the steady state concentrations of connexin26 mRNA. Consistent with these in vivo effects, ALOX15 overexpression in LLC and HeLa cancer cells in vitro significantly reduced cell viability in culture. In contrast, similar treatment of non-cancerous B2B epithelial cells did not impact cell viability. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our data suggests that endothelial cell specific overexpression of ALOX15 promotes apoptosis and necrosis in primary and metastatic tumors in mice, by upregulation of P21 and PPARγ expression in adjacent cancer cells.
Collapse
|
10
|
Jin Y, Van Nostrand D, Cheng L, Liu M, Chen L. Radioiodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2018; 125:111-120. [PMID: 29650270 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2018.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2017] [Revised: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is usually curable with surgery, radioactive iodine (RAI), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) suppression. However, local recurrence and/or distant metastases occur in approximately 15% of cases during follow-up, and nearly two-thirds of these patients will become RAI-refractory (RR-DTC) with a poor prognosis. This review focuses on the most challenging and rapidly evolving aspects of RR-DTC, and we discuss the considerable improvement in more accurately defining RR-DTC, more effective therapeutic strategies, and describe the diagnosis, pathogenesis, and future prospects of RR-DTC. Along with the detection of serum thyroglobulin and anatomic imaging modalities, such as ultrasound and computer tomography, radionuclide molecular imaging plays a vital role in the evaluation of RR-DTC. In addition, continual progress has been made in the management of RR-DTC, including watchful waiting under appropriate TSH suppression, local treatment approaches, and systemic therapies (molecular targeted therapy, redifferentiation therapy, gene therapy, and cancer immunotherapy). These all hold promise to change the natural history of RR-DTC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Jin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China.
| | - Douglas Van Nostrand
- MedStar Health Research Institute and Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, 20010, United States.
| | - Lingxiao Cheng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China.
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China.
| | - Libo Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Blackburn NJR, Vulesevic B, McNeill B, Cimenci CE, Ahmadi A, Gonzalez-Gomez M, Ostojic A, Zhong Z, Brownlee M, Beisswenger PJ, Milne RW, Suuronen EJ. Methylglyoxal-derived advanced glycation end products contribute to negative cardiac remodeling and dysfunction post-myocardial infarction. Basic Res Cardiol 2017; 112:57. [DOI: 10.1007/s00395-017-0646-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
|
12
|
Gruslova A, Cavazos DA, Miller JR, Breitbart E, Cohen YC, Bangio L, Yakov N, Soundararajan A, Floyd JR, Brenner AJ. VB-111: a novel anti-vascular therapeutic for glioblastoma multiforme. J Neurooncol 2015; 124:365-72. [PMID: 26108658 PMCID: PMC4584173 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-015-1853-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is among the most highly vascularized of solid tumors, contributing to the infiltrative nature of the disease, and conferring poor outcome. Due to the critical dependency of GBM on growth of new endothelial vasculature, we evaluated the preclinical activity of a novel adenoviral gene therapy that targets the endothelium within newly formed blood vessels for apoptosis. VB-111, currently in phase II clinical trials, consists of a non-replicating Adenovirus 5 (El deleted) carrying a proapoptotic human Fas-chimera (transgene) under the control of a modified murine promoter (PPE-1-3×) which specifically targets endothelial cells within the tumor vasculature. Here we report that a single intravenous dose of 2.5 × 10(11) or 1 × 10(11) VPs was sufficient to extend survival in nude rats bearing U87MG-luc2 or nude mice bearing U251-luc, respectively. Bioluminescence imaging of nude rats showed that VB-111 effectively inhibited tumor growth within four weeks of treatment. This was confirmed in a select group of animals by MRI. In our mouse model we observed that 3 of 10 nude mice treated with VB-111 completely lost U251 luciferase signal and were considered long term survivors. To assess the antiangiogenic effects of VB-111, we evaluated the tumor-associated microvaculature by CD31, a common marker of neovascularization, and found a significant decrease in the microvessel density by IHC. We further assessed the neovasculature by confocal microscopy and found that VB-111 inhibits vascular density in two separate mouse models bearing U251-RFP xenografts. Collectively, this study supports the clinical development of VB-111 as a treatment for GBM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Gruslova
- Cancer Therapy and Research Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA
| | - David A Cavazos
- Cancer Therapy and Research Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA
| | - Jessica R Miller
- Cancer Therapy and Research Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA
| | - Eyal Breitbart
- VBL Therapeutics, 6 Jonathan Netanyahu St., Or Yehuda, 60376, Israel
| | - Yael C Cohen
- VBL Therapeutics, 6 Jonathan Netanyahu St., Or Yehuda, 60376, Israel
| | - Livnat Bangio
- VBL Therapeutics, 6 Jonathan Netanyahu St., Or Yehuda, 60376, Israel
| | - Niva Yakov
- VBL Therapeutics, 6 Jonathan Netanyahu St., Or Yehuda, 60376, Israel
| | - Anu Soundararajan
- Cancer Therapy and Research Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA
| | - John R Floyd
- Cancer Therapy and Research Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA
| | - Andrew J Brenner
- Cancer Therapy and Research Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Tesic N, Kamensek U, Sersa G, Kranjc S, Stimac M, Lampreht U, Preat V, Vandermeulen G, Butinar M, Turk B, Cemazar M. Endoglin (CD105) Silencing Mediated by shRNA Under the Control of Endothelin-1 Promoter for Targeted Gene Therapy of Melanoma. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2015; 4:e239. [PMID: 25942402 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2015.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Endoglin (CD105), a transforming growth factor (TGF)-β coreceptor, and endothelin-1, a vasoconstrictor peptide, are both overexpressed in tumor endothelial and melanoma cells. Their targeting is therefore a promising therapeutic approach for melanoma tumors. The aim of our study was to construct a eukaryotic expression plasmid encoding the shRNA molecules against CD105 under the control of endothelin-1 promoter and to evaluate its therapeutic potential both in vitro in murine B16F10-luc melanoma and SVEC4-10 endothelial cells and in vivo in mice bearing highly metastatic B16F10-luc tumors. Plasmid encoding shRNA against CD105 under the control of the constitutive U6 promoter was used as a control. We demonstrated the antiproliferative and antiangiogenic effects of both plasmids in SVEC4-10 cells, as well as a moderate antitumor and pronounced antimetastatic effect in B16F10-luc tumors in vivo. Our results provide evidence that targeting melanoma with shRNA molecules against CD105 under the control of endothelin-1 promoter is a feasible and effective treatment, especially for the reduction of metastatic spread.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natasa Tesic
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Isola, Slovenia
| | - Urska Kamensek
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Simona Kranjc
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Monika Stimac
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ursa Lampreht
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Veronique Preat
- Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Advanced Drug Delivery and Biomaterials, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Belgium
| | - Gaelle Vandermeulen
- Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Advanced Drug Delivery and Biomaterials, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Belgium
| | - Miha Butinar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Boris Turk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Cemazar
- 1] Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Isola, Slovenia [2] Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Uetake Y, Ikeda H, Irie R, Tejima K, Matsui H, Ogura S, Wang H, Mu S, Hirohama D, Ando K, Sawamura T, Yatomi Y, Fujita T, Shimosawa T. High-salt in addition to high-fat diet may enhance inflammation and fibrosis in liver steatosis induced by oxidative stress and dyslipidemia in mice. Lipids Health Dis 2015; 14:6. [PMID: 25888871 PMCID: PMC4337194 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-015-0002-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background It is widely known that salt is an accelerating factor for the progression of metabolic syndrome and causes cardiovascular diseases, most likely due to its pro-oxidant properties. We hypothesized that excessive salt intake also facilitates the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is frequently associated with metabolic syndrome. Methods We examined the exacerbating effect of high-salt diet on high-fat diet-induced liver injury in a susceptible model to oxidative stress, apoE knockout and lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) transgenic mice. Results High-salt diet led to NASH in high-fat diet-fed LOX-1 transgenic/apoE knockout mice without affecting high-fat diet-induced dyslipidemia or hepatic triglyceride accumulation. Additionally, a high-salt and high-fat diet stimulated oxidative stress production and inflammatory reaction to a greater extent than did a high-fat diet in the liver of LOX-1 transgenic/apoE knockout mice. Conclusions We demonstrated that high-salt diet exacerbated NASH in high-fat diet-fed LOX-1 transgenic /apoE knockout mice and that this effect was associated with the stimulation of oxidative and inflammatory processes; this is the first study to suggest the important role of excessive salt intake in the development of NASH. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12944-015-0002-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuzaburo Uetake
- Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. .,Office for Research Ethics Support, The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Hitoshi Ikeda
- Clinical Laboratory, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. .,Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Rie Irie
- Department of Pathology, Kawasaki Municipal Hospital, Kawasaki, Japan.
| | - Kazuaki Tejima
- Department of Gastroenterology, Toshiba General Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Hiromitsu Matsui
- Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Sayoko Ogura
- Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. .,Division of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Hong Wang
- Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - ShengYu Mu
- Division of Clinical Epigenetics, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Daigoro Hirohama
- Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Katsuyuki Ando
- Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Tatsuya Sawamura
- Department of Vascular Physiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka, Japan. .,Department of Physiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Nagano, Japan.
| | - Yutaka Yatomi
- Clinical Laboratory, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Toshiro Fujita
- Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. .,Division of Clinical Epigenetics, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Tatsuo Shimosawa
- Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. .,Clinical Laboratory, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Geoffrion M, Du X, Irshad Z, Vanderhyden BC, Courville K, Sui G, D'Agati VD, Ott-Braschi S, Rabbani N, Thornalley PJ, Brownlee M, Milne RW. Differential effects of glyoxalase 1 overexpression on diabetic atherosclerosis and renal dysfunction in streptozotocin-treated, apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Physiol Rep 2014; 2:2/6/e12043. [PMID: 24920125 PMCID: PMC4208644 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.12043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The reactive dicarbonyls, glyoxal and methylglyoxal (MG), increase in diabetes and may participate in the development of diabetic complications. Glyoxal and MG are detoxified by the sequential activities of glyoxalase 1 (GLO1) and glyoxalase 2. To determine the contribution of these dicarbonyls to the etiology of complications, we have genetically manipulated GLO1 levels in apolipoprotein E‐null (Apoe−/−) mice. Male Apoe−/− mice, hemizygous for a human GLO1 transgene (GLO1TGApoe−/− mice) or male nontransgenic Apoe−/− litter mates were injected with streptozotocin or vehicle and 6 or 20 weeks later, aortic atherosclerosis was quantified. The GLO1 transgene lessened streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced increases in immunoreactive hydroimidazolone (MG‐H1). Compared to nondiabetic mice, STZ‐treated GLO1TGApoe−/− and Apoe−/− mice had increased serum cholesterol and triglycerides and increased atherosclerosis at both times after diabetes induction. While the increased GLO1 activity in the GLO1TGApoe−/− mice failed to protect against diabetic atherosclerosis, it lessened glomerular mesangial expansion, prevented albuminuria and lowered renal levels of dicarbonyls and protein glycation adducts. Aortic atherosclerosis was also quantified in 22‐week‐old, male normoglycemic Glo1 knockdown mice on an Apoe−/− background (Glo1KDApoe−/− mice), an age at which Glo1KD mice exhibit albuminuria and renal pathology similar to that of diabetic mice. In spite of ~75% decrease in GLO1 activity and increased aortic MG‐H1, the Glo1KDApoe−/− mice did not show increased atherosclerosis compared to age‐matched Apoe−/− mice. Thus, manipulation of GLO1 activity does not affect the development of early aortic atherosclerosis in Apoe−/− mice but can dictate the onset of kidney disease independently of blood glucose levels. Increased levels of methylglyoxal and methylglyoxal‐derived advanced glycation end products may contribute to the development of diabetic complications. We show that overexpression of an enzyme that participates in the pathway of methylglyoxal detoxification, glyoxalase 1, protects streptozotocin‐treated, apolipoprotein E‐deficient mice from diabetic kidney disease but not from diabetes‐induced accelerated aortic atherosclerosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michèle Geoffrion
- Atherosclerosis, Genetics and Cell Biology Group, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xueliang Du
- Diabetes Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Zehra Irshad
- Clinical Sciences Research Laboratories, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, U.K
| | - Barbara C Vanderhyden
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kerri Courville
- Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Guangzhi Sui
- Diabetes Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | | | - Sylvie Ott-Braschi
- Atherosclerosis, Genetics and Cell Biology Group, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Naila Rabbani
- Clinical Sciences Research Laboratories, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, U.K
| | - Paul J Thornalley
- Clinical Sciences Research Laboratories, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, U.K
| | - Michael Brownlee
- Diabetes Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Ross W Milne
- Atherosclerosis, Genetics and Cell Biology Group, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Effect of human 15-lipoxygenase-1 metabolites on vascular function in mouse mesenteric arteries and hearts. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat 2013; 106:8-15. [PMID: 23872364 DOI: 10.1016/j.prostaglandins.2013.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2013] [Revised: 06/26/2013] [Accepted: 07/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Lipoxygenases regulate vascular function by metabolizing arachidonic acid (AA) to dilator eicosanoids. Previously, we showed that endothelium-targeted adenoviral vector-mediated gene transfer of the human 15-lipoxygenase-1 (h15-LO-1) enhances arterial relaxation through the production of vasodilatory hydroxyepoxyeicosatrienoic acid (HEETA) and trihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (THETA) metabolites. To further define this function, a transgenic (Tg) mouse line that overexpresses h15-LO-1 was studied. Western blot, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR results confirmed expression of 15-LO-1 transgene in tissues, especially high quantity in coronary arterial wall, of Tg mice. Reverse-phase HPLC analysis of [(14)C]-AA metabolites in heart tissues revealed enhanced 15-HETE synthesis in Tg vs. WT mice. Among the 15-LO-1 metabolites, 15-HETE, erythro-13-H-14,15-EETA, and 11(R),12(S),15(S)-THETA relaxed the mouse mesenteric arteries to the greatest extent. The presence of h15-LO-1 increased acetylcholine- and AA-mediated relaxation in mesenteric arteries of Tg mice compared to WT mice. 15-LO-1 was most abundant in the heart; therefore, we used the Langendorff heart model to test the hypothesis that elevated 15-LO-1 levels would increase coronary flow following a short ischemia episode. Both peak flow and excess flow of reperfused hearts were significantly elevated in hearts from Tg compared to WT mice being 2.03 and 3.22 times greater, respectively. These results indicate that h15-LO-1-derived metabolites are highly vasoactive and may play a critical role in regulating coronary blood flow.
Collapse
|
17
|
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Therapeutic angiogenesis is a strategy of inducing new collateral vessels and stimulating new capillaries that enhance tissue oxygen exchange in ischemic cardiovascular disorders, including acute myocardial infarction, chronic cardiac ischemia, peripheral artery disease and stroke. AREAS COVERED Over the last 10 years, promising results of early clinical trials have generated great expectation on the potential of therapeutic angiogenesis. However, even if large randomized placebo-controlled and double-blinded Phase II clinical trials have confirmed the feasibility, safety and potential effectiveness of therapeutic angiogenesis, they provided very limited evidence of its efficacy in terms of clinical benefit. EXPERT OPINION Results of the latest trials on therapeutic angiogenesis have not provided satisfactory results. Much is still unknown about the optimal delivery of angiogenic factors. Trials using alternative growth factors, dose regimens and methods of delivery are needed to enhance the treatment benefit of therapeutic angiogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Ribatti
- University of Bari Medical School, National Cancer Institute, Giovanni Paolo II, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, Piazza G. Cesare, 11, Policlinico, 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Tesic N, Cemazar M. In Vitro Targeted Gene Electrotransfer to Endothelial Cells with Plasmid DNA Containing Human Endothelin-1 Promoter. J Membr Biol 2013; 246:783-91. [DOI: 10.1007/s00232-013-9548-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2013] [Accepted: 04/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
|
19
|
Brenner AJ, Cohen YC, Breitbart E, Bangio L, Sarantopoulos J, Giles FJ, Borden EC, Harats D, Triozzi PL. Phase I dose-escalation study of VB-111, an antiangiogenic virotherapy, in patients with advanced solid tumors. Clin Cancer Res 2013; 19:3996-4007. [PMID: 23589178 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-12-2079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE VB-111 is an antiangiogenic agent consisting of a nonreplicating adenovirus vector (Ad-5) with a modified murine pre-proendothelin promoter leading to apoptosis of tumor vasculature by expressing a Fas-chimera transgene in angiogenic endothelial cells. In a phase I dose-escalation study, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, and efficacy of a single dose of VB-111 in patients with advanced solid tumors were evaluated. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN VB-111 was administered as a single i.v. infusion at escalating doses from 1 × 10(10) (cohort 1) to 1 × 10(13) (cohort 7) viral particles (VP) in successive cohorts. Assessments included pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles, tumor response, and overall survival. RESULTS Thirty-three patients were enrolled. VB-111 was safe and well-tolerated; self-limited fever and chills were seen at doses above 3 × 10(11) VPs. Transgene expression was not detected in blood but was detected in an aspirate from a subcutaneous metastasis after treatment. One patient with papillary thyroid carcinoma had a partial response. CONCLUSIONS VB-111 was safe and well tolerated in patients with advanced metastatic cancer at a single administration of up to 1 × 10(13) VPs. Evidence of transgene expression in tumor tissue and tumor response was observed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Brenner
- Institute for Drug Development, Cancer Therapy and Research Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Reddi HV, Madde P, Cohen YC, Bangio L, Breitbart E, Harats D, Bible KC, Eberhardt NL. Antitumor Activity of VB-111, a Novel Antiangiogenic Virotherapeutic, in Thyroid Cancer Xenograft Mouse Models. Genes Cancer 2012; 2:993-5. [PMID: 22701765 DOI: 10.1177/1947601912437933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2012] [Accepted: 01/14/2012] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
VB-111 is an engineered antiangiogenic adenovirus that expresses Fas-c in angiogenic blood vessels and has previously been shown to have significant antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo in Lewis lung carcinoma, melanoma, and glioblastoma models. To evaluate the efficacy of VB-111 in thyroid cancer, we conducted in vivo xenograft nude mouse studies using multiple thyroid cancer-derived cell lines models. VB-111 treatment resulted in 26.6% (P = 0.0596), 34.4% (P = 0.0046), and 37.6% (P = 0.0249) inhibition of tumor growth in follicular, papillary and anaplastic thyroid cancer models, respectively. No toxicity was observed in any model. All tumor types showed a consistent and significant reduction of CD-31 staining (P < 0.05), reflecting a reduction of angiogenic activity in the tumors, consistent with the intended targeting of the virus. A phase 2 clinical trial of VB-111 in patients with advanced differentiated thyroid cancer is ongoing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H V Reddi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Sansbury BE, Cummins TD, Tang Y, Hellmann J, Holden CR, Harbeson MA, Chen Y, Patel RP, Spite M, Bhatnagar A, Hill BG. Overexpression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase prevents diet-induced obesity and regulates adipocyte phenotype. Circ Res 2012; 111:1176-89. [PMID: 22896587 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.112.266395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Endothelial dysfunction is a characteristic feature of diabetes and obesity in animal models and humans. Deficits in nitric oxide production by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) are associated with insulin resistance, which is exacerbated by high-fat diet. Nevertheless, the metabolic effects of increasing eNOS levels have not been studied. OBJECTIVE The current study was designed to test whether overexpression of eNOS would prevent diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. METHODS AND RESULTS In db/db mice and in high-fat diet-fed wild-type C57BL/6J mice, the abundance of eNOS protein in adipose tissue was decreased without significant changes in eNOS levels in skeletal muscle or aorta. Mice overexpressing eNOS (eNOS transgenic mice) were resistant to diet-induced obesity and hyperinsulinemia, although systemic glucose intolerance remained largely unaffected. In comparison with wild-type mice, high-fat diet-fed eNOS transgenic mice displayed a higher metabolic rate and attenuated hypertrophy of white adipocytes. Overexpression of eNOS did not affect food consumption or diet-induced changes in plasma cholesterol or leptin levels, yet plasma triglycerides and fatty acids were decreased. Metabolomic analysis of adipose tissue indicated that eNOS overexpression primarily affected amino acid and lipid metabolism; subpathway analysis suggested changes in fatty acid oxidation. In agreement with these findings, adipose tissue from eNOS transgenic mice showed higher levels of PPAR-α and PPAR-γ gene expression, elevated abundance of mitochondrial proteins, and a higher rate of oxygen consumption. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that increased eNOS activity prevents the obesogenic effects of high-fat diet without affecting systemic insulin resistance, in part, by stimulating metabolic activity in adipose tissue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian E Sansbury
- Institute of Molecular Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Mitsos S, Katsanos K, Koletsis E, Kagadis GC, Anastasiou N, Diamantopoulos A, Karnabatidis D, Dougenis D. Therapeutic angiogenesis for myocardial ischemia revisited: basic biological concepts and focus on latest clinical trials. Angiogenesis 2011; 15:1-22. [PMID: 22120824 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-011-9240-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2011] [Accepted: 11/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic angiogenesis is based on the premise that the development of new blood vessels can be augmented by exogenous administration of the appropriate growth factors. Over the last years, successful preclinical studies and promising results of early clinical trials have created great excitement about the potential of therapeutic angiogenesis for patients with advanced ischemic heart disease. The authors provide an overview of the biology of angiogenesis, the basic characteristics of angiogenic factors, and the different routes of their delivery. They discuss experimental studies in animal models of myocardial ischemia and outline available clinical studies on therapeutic angiogenesis for myocardial ischemia. Related safety issues are also addressed followed by a critical perspective about the future of proangiogenic therapies for ischemic cardiovascular disorders. Despite the established proof of concept and reasonable safety, however, results of the latest trials on therapeutic angiogenesis for myocardial ischemia have provided inconsistent results and the definite means of inducing clinically useful therapeutic angiogenesis remain elusive. More studies are required to gain further insights into the biology of angiogenesis and address pharmacological limitations of current approaches of angiogenic therapy. The authors hope and envisage that in the not-too-distant future, these investigative efforts will lead to important new strategies for treatment of myocardial ischemic syndromes. Means of non-invasive individualized pharmacological therapeutic neovascularization may be the next major advance in the treatment of ischaemic heart disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sofoclis Mitsos
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Onassion Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
|
24
|
Rodríguez-Pascual F, Busnadiego O, Lagares D, Lamas S. Role of endothelin in the cardiovascular system. Pharmacol Res 2011; 63:463-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2011.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2010] [Revised: 01/13/2011] [Accepted: 01/29/2011] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
|
25
|
Vascular bed-specific regulation of the von Willebrand factor promoter in the heart and skeletal muscle. Blood 2010; 117:342-51. [PMID: 20980682 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2010-06-287987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A region of the human von Willebrand factor (VWF) gene between -2812 and the end of the first intron (termed vWF2) was previously shown to direct expression in the endothelium of capillaries and a subset of larger blood vessels in the heart and skeletal muscle. Here, our goal was to delineate the DNA sequences responsible for this effect. A series of constructs containing deletions or mutations of vWF2 coupled to LacZ were targeted to the Hprt locus of mice, and the resulting animals were analyzed for reporter gene expression. The findings demonstrate that DNA sequences between -843 and -620 are necessary for expression in capillary but not large vessel endothelium in heart and skeletal muscle. Further, expression of VWF in capillaries and larger vessels of both tissues required the presence of a native or heterologous intron. In vitro assays implicated a role for ERG-binding ETS motif at -56 in mediating basal expression of VWF. In Hprt-targeted mice, mutation of the ETS consensus motif resulted in loss of LacZ expression in the endothelium of the heart and skeletal muscle. Together, these data indicate that distinct DNA modules regulate vascular bed-specific expression of VWF.
Collapse
|
26
|
Kern TS, Du Y, Miller CM, Hatala DA, Levin LA. Overexpression of Bcl-2 in vascular endothelium inhibits the microvascular lesions of diabetic retinopathy. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2010; 176:2550-8. [PMID: 20363911 DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2010.091062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies on the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy have focused on correcting adverse biochemical alterations, but there have been fewer efforts to enhance prosurvival pathways. Bcl-2 is the archetypal member of a group of antiapoptotic proteins. In this study, we investigated the ability of overexpressing Bcl-2 in vascular endothelium to protect against early stages of diabetic retinopathy. Transgenic mice overexpressing Bcl-2 regulated by the pre-proendothelin promoter were generated, resulting in increased endothelial Bcl-2. Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin, and mice were sacrificed at 2 months of study to measure superoxide generation, leukostasis, and immunohistochemistry, and at 7 months to assess retinal histopathology. Diabetes of 2 months duration caused a significant decrease in expression of Bcl-2 in retina, upregulation of Bax in whole retina and isolated retinal microvessels, and increased generation of retinal superoxide and leukostasis. Seven months of diabetes caused a significant increase in the number of degenerate (acellular) capillaries in diabetic animals. Furthermore, overexpression of Bcl-2 in the vascular endothelium inhibited the diabetes-induced degeneration of retinal capillaries and aberrant superoxide generation, but had no effect on Bax expression or leukostasis. Therefore, overexpression of Bcl-2 in endothelial cells inhibits the capillary degeneration that is characteristic of the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, and this effect seems likely to involve inhibition of oxidative stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy S Kern
- Center for Diabetes Research, Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Dong Z, Nör JE. Transcriptional targeting of tumor endothelial cells for gene therapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2009; 61:542-53. [PMID: 19393703 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2009.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2008] [Accepted: 02/05/2009] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
It is well known that angiogenesis plays a critical role in the pathobiology of tumors. Recent clinical trials have shown that inhibition of angiogenesis can be an effective therapeutic strategy for patients with cancer. However, one of the outstanding issues in anti-angiogenic treatment for cancer is the development of toxicities related to off-target effects of drugs. Transcriptional targeting of tumor endothelial cells involves the use of specific promoters for selective expression of therapeutic genes in the endothelial cells lining the blood vessels of tumors. Recently, several genes that are expressed specifically in tumor-associated endothelial cells have been identified and characterized. These discoveries have enhanced the prospectus of transcriptionally targeting tumor endothelial cells for cancer gene therapy. In this manuscript, we review the promoters, vectors, and therapeutic genes that have been used for transcriptional targeting of tumor endothelial cells, and discuss the prospects of such approaches for cancer gene therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhihong Dong
- Angiogenesis Research Laboratory, Department of Restorative Sciences, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Peled M, Shaish A, Katav A, Greenberger S, Barshack I, Tal R, Bangio L, Breitbart E, Harats D. Systemic Administration of a Conditionally Replicating Adenovirus, Targeted to Angiogenesis, Reduced Lung Metastases Burden in Cotton Rats. Clin Cancer Res 2009; 15:1664-73. [DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-08-1670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
29
|
Tal R, Shaish A, Rofe K, Feige E, Varda-Bloom N, Afek A, Barshack I, Bangio L, Hodish I, Greenberger S, Peled M, Breitbart E, Harats D. Endothelial-targeted Gene Transfer of Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1α Augments Ischemic Neovascularization Following Systemic Administration. Mol Ther 2008; 16:1927-1936. [DOI: 10.1038/mt.2008.191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2008] [Accepted: 08/12/2008] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
|
30
|
Harja E, Bu DX, Hudson BI, Chang JS, Shen X, Hallam K, Kalea AZ, Lu Y, Rosario RH, Oruganti S, Nikolla Z, Belov D, Lalla E, Ramasamy R, Yan SF, Schmidt AM. Vascular and inflammatory stresses mediate atherosclerosis via RAGE and its ligands in apoE-/- mice. J Clin Invest 2008; 118:183-94. [PMID: 18079965 DOI: 10.1172/jci32703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 287] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2007] [Accepted: 10/24/2007] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial dysfunction is a key triggering event in atherosclerosis. Following the entry of lipoproteins into the vessel wall, their rapid modification results in the generation of advanced glycation endproduct epitopes and subsequent infiltration of inflammatory cells. These inflammatory cells release receptor for advanced glycation endproduct (RAGE) ligands, specifically S100/calgranulins and high-mobility group box 1, which sustain vascular injury. Here, we demonstrate critical roles for RAGE and its ligands in vascular inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and atherosclerotic plaque development in a mouse model of atherosclerosis, apoE-/- mice. Experiments in primary aortic endothelial cells isolated from mice and in cultured human aortic endothelial cells revealed the central role of JNK signaling in transducing the impact of RAGE ligands on inflammation. These data highlight unifying mechanisms whereby endothelial RAGE and its ligands mediate vascular and inflammatory stresses that culminate in atherosclerosis in the vulnerable vessel wall.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evis Harja
- Division of Surgical Science, Department of Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Mitsuoka H, Kume N, Hayashida K, Inui-Hayashiada A, Aramaki Y, Toyohara M, Jinnai T, Nishi E, Kita T. Interleukin 18 stimulates release of soluble lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (sLOX-1). Atherosclerosis 2008; 202:176-82. [PMID: 18514661 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2008.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2008] [Revised: 04/01/2008] [Accepted: 04/04/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) appears to play crucial roles in atherosclerotic plaque rupture. We previously reported that circulating soluble LOX-1 (sLOX-1) levels are elevated in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and that sLOX-1 can be a specific and sensitive biomarker for ACS. A proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 18 (IL-18) and its receptor are prominently expressed in atherosclerotic plaques. In addition, circulating IL-18 levels were reported to be high in ACS. In this study, we have examined if IL-18 can stimulate shedding of LOX-1 and subsequent release of sLOX-1. After transfection with LOX-1 cDNA, HEK-293T cells were incubated with or without IL-18. Cell-conditioned media and total cell lysates were subjected to immunoblot analyses with an anti-LOX-1 monoclonal antibody. In addition, ADAM10 cDNA, ADAM10 siRNA or control vector were also co-transfected into HEK-293T cells, and the cell-conditioned media and total cell lysates were subjected to LOX-1 immunoblotting after treatment with or without IL-18. The cell-conditioned medium/total cell lysate ratios in the amounts of LOX-1 or sLOX-1 were determined as sLOX-1 cleavage ratios. IL-18 (10-100ng/mL) stimulation increased the sLOX-1 cleavage by 3-4-fold in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. ADAM10 overexpression alone similarly enhanced the sLOX-1 cleavage. ADAM10 inhibition by ADAM10 siRNA transfection significantly suppressed IL-18-induced sLOX-1 cleavage. IL-18 similarly enhanced sLOX-1 cleavage in TNF-alpha-activated cultured endothelial cells, as well as LOX-1 transgenic mice in vivo. IL-18 appears one of the stimuli that enhance sLOX-1 release in ACS and ADAM10 may be involved in this process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hirokazu Mitsuoka
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Levanon K, Varda-Bloom N, Greenberger S, Barshack I, Goldberg I, Orenstein A, Breitbart E, Shaish A, Harats D. Vascular Wall Maturation and Prolonged Angiogenic Effect by Endothelial-Specific Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Expression. Pathobiology 2006; 73:149-58. [PMID: 17085959 DOI: 10.1159/000095561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2006] [Accepted: 07/10/2006] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The implementation of angiogenic gene therapy at clinics is hindered by the transience of the therapeutic effect. Recruiting vascular wall smooth muscle cells, a process termed 'maturation', can stabilize newly formed vessels. OBJECTIVE To induce angiogenesis followed by vessel maturation in a murine ischemic limb model by endothelial cell-specific promoter regulated expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). METHODS We constructed adenoviral vectors containing angiogenic factors VEGF and PDGF-B regulated by a modified preproendothelin-1 (PPE-1-3x) promoter and investigated their angiogenic effect in a murine ischemic limb model. RESULTS VEGF gene therapy increased perfusion and the vessel density in the limb shortly after expression with PPE-1-3x promoter or cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter vectors, but only PPE-1-3xVEGF treatment exhibited a sustained effect. Expression of PDGF-B by PPE-1-3x promoter resulted in morphological maturation of the vasculature and further increased the perfusion, while nonspecific expression of PDGF-B with CMV promoter had no therapeutic effect. Regulation of dual therapy with VEGF and PDGF-B by PPE-1-3x promoter resulted in an early-onset, sustained angiogenic effect accompanied by vessel maturation. CONCLUSIONS Systemic gene therapy with the angiogenic factors VEGF and PDGF-B under angiogenic- endothelial cell-specific regulation was effective in inducing functionally and morphologically mature vasculature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keren Levanon
- Institute of Lipids and Atherosclerosis Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Vallender TW, Lahn BT. Localized methylation in the key regulator gene endothelin-1 is associated with cell type-specific transcriptional silencing. FEBS Lett 2006; 580:4560-6. [PMID: 16870175 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2006.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2006] [Revised: 06/17/2006] [Accepted: 07/06/2006] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation can contribute to the stable transcriptional silencing of mammalian genes. Often times, these genes are important developmental regulators, and their silencing in cell types where they are not supposed to be active is important for the phenotypic stability of the cells. To identify key developmental regulator genes whose expression in terminally differentiated cells may be inhibited by DNA methylation, mouse dermal fibroblasts were demethylated with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, and changes in gene expression monitored by microarray analysis. Endothelin-1 (Et1 or Edn1), which encodes a cytokine with diverse regulatory functions, was among the genes upregulated following demethylation. We found that CpG dinucleotides within a short region in intron 1 of the gene have dramatically higher levels of methylation in Et1-non-expressing fibroblasts and chondrocytes as compared to the Et1-expressing mouse cell line, mIMCD-3. Strong evolutionary conservation of this region implies its role in the cis-regulation of Et1 transcription. To confirm that should Et1 in dermal fibroblasts become aberrantly activated, it could indeed lead to the dysregulation of many downstream genes, we exposed fibroblasts to exogenous ET1 peptide and assayed for transcriptional changes by microarray. ET1 treatment resulted in significant expression changes - primarily downregulation - of a significant number of genes. In particular, Tgfbeta2 and Tgfbeta3 were among the downregulated genes, which in turn alter the expression status of their many target genes. These data suggest that the stable silencing of Et1 through its associated DNA methylation in intron 1 is critical for the developmental stability of dermal fibroblasts, and perhaps other cell types as well.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tammy W Vallender
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Human Genetics, and University of Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Peled M, Shaish A, Frishman L, Cohen H, Tal R, Harats D. Endothelin B Receptor Antagonist Increases Preproendothelin-1 Transcription in Bovine Aortic Endothelial Cells and In Vivo. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2006; 47:668-72. [PMID: 16775506 DOI: 10.1097/01.fjc.0000211755.54691.ba] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Endothelin-1 (ET-1) receptor antagonists increase plasma immunoreactive ET-1 levels. However, their effect on preproendothelin-1 (PPE-1) mRNA levels is still controversial. Few studies have found a decrease in PPE-1 mRNA levels in endothelial cells treated with the nonselective ETA/B receptor antagonist, and others demonstrated that an ETB blockade by the selective antagonist BQ788 increases PPE-1 mRNA levels. We studied the effect of ETA and ETB selective receptor antagonists on PPE-1 transcription, both in vitro and in vivo. Endothelial cells, transiently transfected with PPE-1 luciferase plasmid, were treated with ET-1 receptor antagonists. Bosentan, a dual ETA/B receptor antagonist, and BQ788 (ETB receptor antagonist) treatment resulted in a 1.6-fold and 1.3-fold increase, respectively in luciferase activity as compared with the untreated control. In contrast, the ETA receptor antagonist, BQ123, had no effect on luciferase activity. Transgenic mice that express the luciferase gene under the control of PPE-1 promoter were treated with Bosentan. Luciferase activity, PPE-1 mRNA levels, and plasma immunoreactive ET-1 levels were increased by 1.6-fold to 2.0-fold in the Bosentan-treated group compared with the untreated, control group. ET-1 receptor blockade increased PPE-1 transcription both in vitro and in vivo. The increased transcription can be attributed to ETB receptor blockade, because BQ-788, but not BQ-123, increased PPE-1 transcription.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Peled
- Institute of Lipid and Atherosclerosis Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Zhang JH, Kawashima S, Yokoyama M, Huang P, Hill CE. Increased eNOS accounts for changes in connexin expression in renal arterioles during diabetes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 288:1000-8. [PMID: 16892422 DOI: 10.1002/ar.a.20369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that connexin (Cx) expression is considerably higher in the preglomerular compared to postglomerular vasculature and that these differences are accentuated during diabetes. Since nitric oxide (NO) has been reported to alter Cx expression in endothelial cells and muscle cells and NO bioavailability is altered in diabetes, we hypothesized that NO may be responsible for the changes during diabetes. Cx expression was studied using immunohistochemistry in mice in which eNOS expression was either upregulated (eNOS transgenic) or downregulated (eNOS knockout). Diabetes was induced intraperitoneally with a single dose of alloxan or multiple low doses of streptozotocin. Expression of Cx40 in smooth muscle cells of afferent arterioles was increased, while expression of Cx43 in endothelial cells of efferent arterioles was absent in eNOS transgenic mice, similar to the changes occurring in wild-type mice during diabetes. Expression of Cx40 and Cx43 in eNOS knockout mice was not different from control; however, induction of diabetes in eNOS knockout mice failed to produce any changes in Cx40 or Cx43 in either afferent or efferent arterioles. Immunohistochemistry showed that eNOS expression was increased in the endothelium of renal arterioles in wild-type diabetic and eNOS transgenic mice, but absent from arterioles of eNOS knockout mice. We conclude that changes occurring in Cx expression in afferent and efferent arterioles during diabetes may result from increased eNOS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian Hong Zhang
- Division of Neuroscience, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2602, Australia
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Sun P, Xiong H, Kim TH, Ren B, Zhang Z. Positive inter-regulation between beta-catenin/T cell factor-4 signaling and endothelin-1 signaling potentiates proliferation and survival of prostate cancer cells. Mol Pharmacol 2005; 69:520-31. [PMID: 16291872 DOI: 10.1124/mol.105.019620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Both malignant and normal prostate epithelial cells produce endothelin-1 (ET-1), a critical factor in prostate cancer (CaP) progression. beta-Catenin (beta-cat), a key component of the Wnt signaling pathway, is also implicated in CaP progression via beta-cat/T cell factor (Tcf) signaling. We recently demonstrated that beta-cat/Tcf-4 regulates transcription of ET-1 in colon cancer cells. In the present study, we found that Tcf-4 specifically bound to and activated the ET-1 promoter in vivo in human CaP cells and mouse prostate tissue. Expression of ET-1 in DU145 CaP cells was down-regulated by knocking down endogenous beta-cat or Tcf-4. Ectopic activation of beta-cat/Tcf-4 signaling significantly elevated expression of ET-1 in LNCaP cells. In addition, genetic ablation of beta-cat significantly inhibited transcription of ET-1 in primary prostate epithelial cells. Meanwhile, exogenous ET-1 enhanced beta-cat/Tcf signaling and ET-1 expression in DU145 cells, which was blocked by both selective phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (LY294002) and endothelin-A receptor antagonist cyclo(L-Leu-D-Trp-D-Asp-L-Pro-D-Val) (BQ123). Furthermore, knockdown of either beta-cat or Tcf-4 substantially reduced cell proliferation and potentiated paclitaxel-induced apoptosis in DU145 cells, which largely were rescued by treatment with exogenous ET-1. Together, our results suggest that beta-cat/Tcf-4 signaling transcriptionally activates ET-1 in CaP cells; meanwhile, ET-1 enhances beta-cat/Tcf-4 signaling and in turn further increases ET-1 expression in a PI3K-dependent manner. The positive inter-regulation between beta-cat/Tcf-4 signaling and ET-1 signaling potentiates proliferation and survival of CaP cells, thereby representing a novel mechanism that contributes to CaP progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ping Sun
- Burnham Institute for Medical Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Harats D, Ben-Shushan D, Cohen H, Gonen A, Barshack I, Goldberg I, Greenberger S, Hodish I, Harari A, Varda-Bloom N, Levanon K, Grossman E, Chaitidis P, Kühn H, Shaish A. Inhibition of carcinogenesis in transgenic mouse models over-expressing 15-lipoxygenase in the vascular wall under the control of murine preproendothelin-1 promoter. Cancer Lett 2005; 229:127-34. [PMID: 16157225 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2005.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2004] [Revised: 02/08/2005] [Accepted: 02/11/2005] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Oxygenases are a family of enzymes that dioxygenate unsaturated fatty acids, thus initiating membrane oxidation and signaling molecule synthesis. The lipoxygenases (LOs), a family of lipid-peroxidizing enzymes that induce structural and metabolic changes in the cell in a number of pathophysiological conditions, belong to the oxygenases family. This class of enzymes has several subgroups, named 5-, 8-, 12- and 15-LOs, and these LO-isoforms are capable of oxygenating arachidonic and linoleic acid. 15-LOs were reported to play an inhibitory role in tumor angiogenesis and, consequently, they slow down carcinogenesis. It has been suggested that its anti-carcinogenic effect is conferred by promoting cell differentiation and apoptosis. Using transgenic mice that over-express 15-LO-1 in endothelial cells under the regulation of the murine preproendothelin-1 promoter, we studied its effect on tumor and metastasis growth. We found that 15-LO-1 inhibited tumor and metastasis growth in the transgenic mice in two different models of cancer (mammary gland and Lewis lung carcinoma). This inhibition was concomitant with a higher number of apoptotic cells in the metastases of the transgenic mice and with a complicated network of multiple small blood vessels. This finding targets 15-LO as a new candidate in the treatment of carcinogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dror Harats
- Institute of Lipid and Atherosclerosis Research, Sheba Medical Center and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 52621 Hashomer Tel, Israel.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Abstract
Lipoxygenases (LOXs) form a heterogeneous family of lipid-peroxidizing enzymes, and several LOX-isoforms (12/15-LOX, 5-LOX) have been implicated in atherogenesis. However, the precise role of these enzymes is still a matter of discussion. 12/15-LOXs are capable of oxidizing lipoproteins (low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL)) to atherogenic forms, and functional inactivation of this enzyme in murine atherosclerosis models slows down lesion formation. In contrast, rabbits that overexpress this enzyme were protected from lesion formation when fed a lipid-rich diet. To contribute to this discussion, we recently investigated the impact of 12/15-LOX overexpression on in vitro foam cell formation. When 12/15-LOX-transfected J774 cells were incubated in culture with modified LDL, we found that intracellular lipid deposition was reduced in the transfected cells when compared with the corresponding control transfectants. This paper briefly summarizes the current status of knowledge on the biological activity of different LOX-isoforms in atherogenesis and will also provide novel experimental data characterizing the role of 12/15-LOX in cellular LDL modification and for in vitro foam cell formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hartmut Kühn
- Institute of Biochemistry, University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Inoue K, Arai Y, Kurihara H, Kita T, Sawamura T. Overexpression of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 induces intramyocardial vasculopathy in apolipoprotein E-null mice. Circ Res 2005; 97:176-84. [PMID: 15961718 DOI: 10.1161/01.res.0000174286.73200.d4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial dysfunction induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and vasculopathy. Increased expression of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1), the receptor for OxLDL in endothelial cells, has been demonstrated in the atherosclerotic plaques from experimental atherosclerotic animal models and human clinical samples. In vitro, activation of LOX-1 alters the expression of several endothelial cell genes that are involved in endothelial dysfunction. To investigate the role of LOX-1 in terms of both endothelial dysfunction and resultant vascular changes, we generated mice overexpressing LOX-1 (LOXtg) in C57BL/6 and apolipoprotein E-null mice (apoEKO) backgrounds. We found that the expression of the transgene was prominent in coronary vessels and cardiomyocytes. The enhancement of OxLDL uptake in LOXtg mice was consistent with the expression level of LOX-1. Under hyperlipidemic conditions, both OxLDL and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine accumulated in the coronary arteries of LOXtg/apoEKO mice. The expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, as well as the number of macrophages around blood vessels, were significantly increased in LOXtg/apoEKO mice compared with control littermates. There were no differences in either the hemodynamic profile or the plasma lipid profile between the 2 groups of animals. LOXtg/apoEKO mice displayed accelerated intramyocardial vasculopathy, and the atheroma-like lesion area was increased 10-fold in the LOXtg/apoEKO mice compared with nontransgenic littermates after 3-weeks on the high-fat diet. Thus, it is demonstrated that LOX-1 overexpression promotes inflammatory intramyocardial vasculopathy in a hyperlipidemic mouse model, and this effect is probably mediated through the endothelial dysfunction induced by overexpression of LOX-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiko Inoue
- Department of Vascular Physiology, National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, 565-8565 Osaka, Japan
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Afek A, Zurgil N, Bar-Dayan Y, Polak-Charcon S, Goldberg I, Deutsch M, Kopolovich J, Keren G, Harats D, George J. Overexpression of 15-lipoxygenase in the vascular endothelium is associated with increased thymic apoptosis in LDL receptor-deficient mice. Pathobiology 2005; 71:261-6. [PMID: 15459485 DOI: 10.1159/000080060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2003] [Accepted: 04/08/2004] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND 15-Lipoxygenase (15-LO) is a nonheme iron-containing enzyme that catalyzes the peroxidation of fatty acids. Herein, we studied the effect of 15-LO overexpression in the vascular endothelium on thymocyte apoptosis by evaluating thymuses from low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (LDL-RD) mice and LDL-RD/15-LO mice. Thymuses were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and by TUNEL whereas in vitro studies were carried out by employing freshly isolated thymocytes from the respective mice and evaluation of apoptosis by propidium iodide and annexin V cytometry. METHODS AND RESULTS The apoptotic index in LDL-RD/15-LO mice was significantly higher than in the LDL-RD mice. In the thymic medulla the difference was smaller, although still significant. Freshly isolated thymus cells from LDL-RD/15-LO mice exhibited a higher rate of spontaneous cell death than controls. Incubation of thymus cells in the presence of the cell-permeable caspase-3 inhibitor DEVD-CMK resulted in a decrease in the frequency of apoptotic cells in LDL-RD/15-LO thymocytes, whereas no effect was evident in control thymocytes. The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine causes the increase in apoptosis in both groups. CONCLUSION LDL-RD/15-LO mice exhibit increased thymocyte apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro. These findings may suggest a role for 15-LO in the natural selection of thymocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Afek
- Institute of Pathology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Yang LL, Arab S, Liu P, Stewart DJ, Husain M. The role of endothelin-1 in myocarditis and inflammatory cardiomyopathy: old lessons and new insights. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2005; 83:47-62. [PMID: 15759050 DOI: 10.1139/y05-002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Endothelin-1 has emerged as an important participant in the pathophysiology of a variety of cardiovascular diseases, where it may act on endocrine, paracrine and autocrine bases. Here we review its regulated biosynthesis, receptor-mediated signaling, and functional consequences in the heart, with particular emphasis on cardiac development and disease. Exploring published data employing molecular genetic mouse models of endothelin dysregulation, we highlight its heretofore underappreciated role as a pro-inflammatory cytokine. We also present novel micro-array data from one such mouse model, which implicate the specific downstream pathways that may mediate endothelin-1's effects.Key words: endothelin-1, cardiac development, inflammation, transgenic mice, gene expression profiling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li L Yang
- Heart and Stroke Richard Lewar Centre of Excellence, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Greenberger S, Shaish A, Varda-Bloom N, Levanon K, Breitbart E, Goldberg I, Barshack I, Hodish I, Yaacov N, Bangio L, Goncharov T, Wallach D, Harats D. Transcription-controlled gene therapy against tumor angiogenesis. J Clin Invest 2004; 113:1017-24. [PMID: 15057308 PMCID: PMC379319 DOI: 10.1172/jci20007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2003] [Accepted: 01/28/2004] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
A major drawback of current approaches to antiangiogenic gene therapy is the lack of tissue-specific targeting. The aim of this work was to trigger endothelial cell-specific apoptosis, using adenoviral vector-mediated delivery of a chimeric death receptor derived from the modified endothelium-specific pre-proendothelin-1 (PPE-1) promoter. In the present study, we constructed an adenovirus-based vector that targets tumor angiogenesis. Transcriptional control was achieved by use of a modified endothelium-specific promoter. Expression of a chimeric death receptor, composed of Fas and TNF receptor 1, resulted in specific apoptosis of endothelial cells in vitro and sensitization of cells to the proapoptotic effect of TNF-alpha. The antitumoral activity of the vectors was assayed in two mouse models. In the model of B16 melanoma, a single systemic injection of virus to the tail vein caused growth retardation of tumor and reduction of tumor mass with central tumor necrosis. When the Lewis lung carcinoma lung-metastasis model was applied, i.v. injection of vector resulted in reduction of lung-metastasis mass, via an antiangiogenic mechanism. Moreover, by application of the PPE-1-based transcriptional control, a humoral immune response against the transgene was avoided. Collectively, these data provide evidence that transcriptionally controlled, angiogenesis-targeted gene therapy is feasible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shoshana Greenberger
- Institute of Lipid and Atherosclerosis Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Greenberger S, Shaish A, Varda-Bloom N, Levanon K, Breitbart E, Goldberg I, Barshack I, Hodish I, Yaacov N, Bangio L, Goncharov T, Wallach D, Harats D. Transcription-controlled gene therapy against tumor angiogenesis. J Clin Invest 2004. [DOI: 10.1172/jci200420007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
|
44
|
Minami T, Kuivenhoven JA, Evans V, Kodama T, Rosenberg RD, Aird WC. Ets motifs are necessary for endothelial cell-specific expression of a 723-bp Tie-2 promoter/enhancer in Hprt targeted transgenic mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2003; 23:2041-7. [PMID: 12893685 DOI: 10.1161/01.atv.0000089326.63053.9a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Tie-2 is an endothelial cell-specific receptor tyrosine kinase that is involved in the remodeling of blood vessels and angiogenesis. Our goal was to characterize Tie-2 promoter function as a means of providing insight into the mechanisms of endothelial cell-specific gene regulation. METHODS AND RESULTS When targeted to the Hprt locus of mice, a small Tie-2 promoter fragment (containing a 300-bp intronic enhancer coupled upstream to a 423-bp core promoter) (T-short) directed widespread endothelial cell expression in vivo. The T-short promoter contains 2 clusters of Ets sites, one in the first exon, the other in the intronic enhancer. In cultured endothelial cells, a combined mutation of the Ets motifs resulted in a significant reduction in promoter activity. Consistent with these results, the same Ets mutations resulted in a loss of detectable expression of the T-short promoter in all vascular beds with the notable exception of the brain. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the T-short promoter contains information for widespread expression in the vascular tree, Ets sites are necessary for in vivo promoter activity, and the shorter Tie-2 fragment may be useful as a tool to direct heterologous gene expression within the intact endothelium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Minami
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro Tokyo, 153-8904.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Abstract
Cancer gene therapy has been one of the most exciting areas of therapeutic research in the past decade. In this review, we discuss strategies to restrict transcription of transgenes to tumour cells. A range of promoters which are tissue-specific, tumour-specific, or inducible by exogenous agents are presented. Transcriptional targeting should prevent normal tissue toxicities associated with other cancer treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy. In addition, the specificity of these strategies should provide improved targeting of metastatic tumours following systemic gene delivery. Rapid progress in the ability to specifically control transgenes will allow systemic gene delivery for cancer therapy to become a real possibility in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tracy Robson
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim, BT37 0QB, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - David G. Hirst
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim, BT37 0QB, Northern Ireland, UK
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review recent advances in the field of endothelial cell heterogeneity, and to apply this knowledge to an understanding of site-specific vasculopathy, including acute lung injury. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION Published research and review articles in the English language related to endothelial cell biology and endothelial cell heterogeneity. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS The results of published studies have been used to provide a perspective of endothelial cell phenotypes in health and disease. CONCLUSIONS The structure and function of endothelial cells are differentially regulated in space and time. Far from being a giant monopoly of homogeneous cells, the endothelium represents a consortium of smaller enterprises of cells located within blood vessels of different tissues. Although united in certain functions, each enterprise is uniquely adapted to meet the demands of the underlying tissue. The endothelium may also vary in its response to pathophysiologic stimuli and therefore contribute to the focal nature of vasculopathic disease states. In acute lung injury, the unique properties of the endothelium may conspire with systemic imbalances to localize pathology to the pulmonary vasculature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William C Aird
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Minami T, Donovan DJ, Tsai JC, Rosenberg RD, Aird WC. Differential regulation of the von Willebrand factor and Flt-1 promoters in the endothelium of hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase-targeted mice. Blood 2002; 100:4019-25. [PMID: 12393668 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2002-03-0955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
An important limitation of standard transgenic assays is that multiple copies of the transgene are inserted randomly into the mouse genome, resulting in line-to-line variation in expression. One way to control for these variables is to target a single copy of the transgene to a defined locus of the mouse genome by homologous recombination. In the present study, we have used such an approach to target the promoters of 2 different genes, namely von Willebrand factor (VWF) and Flt-1, to the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (Hprt) gene locus. Consistent with previous findings in standard transgenic animals, we report that the VWF promoter contains information for expression in a subset of endothelial cells in the heart, skeletal muscle, and brain. In contrast, the Flt-1 promoter directs expression in all vascular beds except for the liver. The Flt-1 transgene was active in the endothelium of tumor xenografts, whereas the VWF promoter was not. Under in vitro conditions, conditioned medium from tumor cells resulted in a significant up-regulation of Flt-1 mRNA and promoter activity, but no change in VWF levels. Taken together, these results suggest that (1) Hprt locus targeting is a valuable tool for studying vascular bed-specific gene regulation, (2) the VWF and Flt-1 promoters are regulated by distinct transcriptional mechanisms in the intact endothelium, and (3) tumor angiogenesis results in the differential activation of endothelial cell-specific promoters.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Culture Media, Conditioned/pharmacology
- Embryo, Mammalian
- Endothelium, Vascular/metabolism
- Extracellular Matrix Proteins/genetics
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Hypoxanthine Phosphoribosyltransferase/deficiency
- Hypoxanthine Phosphoribosyltransferase/genetics
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, Transgenic
- Myosin Heavy Chains
- Neoplasms, Experimental/blood supply
- Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/genetics
- Nonmuscle Myosin Type IIB
- Organ Specificity
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis
- RNA, Messenger/drug effects
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1
- von Willebrand Factor/genetics
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Minami
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Trebus F, Heydeck D, Schimke I, Gerth C, Kühn H. Transient experimental anemia in cholesterol-fed rabbits induces systemic overexpression of the reticulocyte-type 15-lipoxygenase and protects from aortic lipid deposition. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2002; 67:419-28. [PMID: 12468263 DOI: 10.1054/plef.2002.0452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein has been implicated in atherogenesis and the lipid peroxidizing enzyme 12/15-lipoxygenase (12/15-LOX) was suggested to be involved. For this study, we induced a strong and long-lasting systemic overexpression of the 15-LOX, in female New Zealand White rabbits by transient experimental anemia. After the hematopoietic parameters had returned to normal, these animals and age-matched controls were fed a lipid-rich Western-type diet for 10 weeks. Analyzing the lipid deposition in the aortic wall, we found that the 15-LOX overexpressing rabbits deposited significantly (P<0.01) less cholesteryl linoleate in the thoracic aorta than the corresponding controls. Similar results were obtained when free cholesterol and cholesteryl oleate were quantified. However, in the aortic arch where lipid deposition was much more severe a similar trend was observed, but the effects were not significant any more. Comparative determination (lipoxygenase overexpressing vs. control animals) of various plasma parameters as well as histological inspections of major organs did not reveal any indications for major organ malfunction. These data suggest that transient experimental anemia, which is accompanied by a long-lasting overexpression of the reticulocyte-type 15-LOX protects cholesterol-fed rabbits from lipid deposition in the aortic wall.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Trebus
- Institute of Biochemistry, University Clinics Charité, Humboldt University, Monbijoustr, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Kuhn H, Walther M, Kuban RJ. Mammalian arachidonate 15-lipoxygenases structure, function, and biological implications. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat 2002; 68-69:263-90. [PMID: 12432923 DOI: 10.1016/s0090-6980(02)00035-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Lipoxygenases (LOXs) constitute a heterogeneous family of lipid peroxidizing enzymes capable of oxygenating polyunsaturated fatty acids to their corresponding hydroperoxy derivatives. In mammals, LOXs are classified with respect to their positional specificity of arachidonic acid oxygenation into 5-, 8-, 12-, and 15-LOXs. Arachidonate 15-LOXs may be sub-classified into a reticulocyte-type (type-1) and an epidermis-type (type-2) enzyme. Since the leukocyte-type 12-LOXs are very similar to the reticulocyte-type 15-LOXs, these enzymes are designated 12/15-LOXs. Several LOX isoforms, in particular the reticulocyte-type 15-LOX and the human 5-LOX, are well characterized with respect to their structural and functional properties On the other hand, the biological role of most LOX-isozymes including the reticulocyte-type 15-LOC is far from clear. This review is intended to summarize the recent developments in 15-LOX research with particular emphasis to molecular enzymology and regulation of gene expression. In addition, the major hypotheses on the physiological and patho-physiological roles of 15-LOXs will be discussed briefly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hartmut Kuhn
- Institute of Biochemistry, University Clinics Charité, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Eren M, Painter CA, Atkinson JB, Declerck PJ, Vaughan DE. Age-dependent spontaneous coronary arterial thrombosis in transgenic mice that express a stable form of human plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. Circulation 2002; 106:491-6. [PMID: 12135951 DOI: 10.1161/01.cir.0000023186.60090.fb] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) regulates fibrinolysis and has been reported to be an independent risk factor for ischemic cardiovascular events. This study describes the age-dependent development of spontaneous coronary arterial thrombi that are associated with evidence of subendocardial myocardial infarction in mice transgenic for human PAI-1. METHODS AND RESULTS We generated two independent transgenic mice founder lines that express a stable variant of active human PAI-1 under control of the murine preproendothelin-1 (mPPET-1) promoter. Backcrossed homozygous transgenic animals from founder line I had plasma PAI-1 levels of 23+/-12 ng/mL. PAI-1 transgenic animals younger than 4 months do not exhibit any evidence of arterial or venous thrombosis. Ninety percent of transgenic animals (n=10) older than 6 months developed spontaneous occlusions of typically multiple, penetrating coronary arteries, with histological evidence of subendocardial infarction identified in 50% of animals. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that chronically elevated levels of PAI-1 are associated with age-dependent coronary arterial thrombosis in mice transgenic for human PAI-1. This is the first study of a murine model of coronary thrombosis that occurs in the absence of severe hypercholesterolemia or multiple genetic manipulations. These findings provide new evidence to support the hypothesis that PAI-1 excess contributes to the development of coronary arterial thrombosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mesut Eren
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn 37232-6300, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|