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Heikal LA, El-Habashy SE, El-Kamel AH, Mehanna RA, Ashour AA. Bioactive baicalin rhamno-nanocapsules as phytotherapeutic platform for treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. Int J Pharm 2024; 661:124458. [PMID: 38996823 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Leukemia, particularly acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is considered a serious health condition with high prevalence among adults. Accordingly, finding new therapeutic modalities for AML is urgently needed. This study aimed to develop a biocompatible nanoformulation for effective oral delivery of the phytomedicine; baicalin (BAC) for AML treatment. Lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) based on bioactive natural components; rhamnolipids (RL) as a biosurfactant and the essential oil linalool (LIN), were prepared using a simple phase-inversion method. The elaborated BAC-LNCs displayed 61.1 nm diameter and 0.2 PDI. Entrapment efficiency exceeded 98 % with slow drug release and high storage-stability over 3 months. Moreover, BAC-LNCs enhanced BAC oral bioavailability by 2.3-fold compared to BAC suspension in rats with higher half-life and mean residence-time. In vitro anticancer studies confirmed the prominent cytotoxicity of BAC-LNCs on the human leukemia monocytes (THP-1). BAC-LNCs exerted higher cellular association, apoptotic capability and antiproliferative activity with DNA synthesis-phase arrest. Finally, a mechanistic study performed through evaluation of various tumor biomarkers revealed that BAC-LNCs downregulated the angiogenic marker, vascular endothelial growth-factor (VEGF) and the anti-apoptotic marker (BCl-2) and upregulated the apoptotic markers (Caspase-3 and BAX). The improved efficacy of BAC bioactive-LNCs substantially recommends their pharmacotherapeutic potential as a promising nanoplatform for AML treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamia A Heikal
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Salma E El-Habashy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Amal H El-Kamel
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Radwa A Mehanna
- Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; Center of Excellence for Research in Regenerative Medicine and Applications (CERRMA), Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Asmaa A Ashour
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
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2
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Hohlstein P, Schumacher E, Abu Jhaisha S, Adams JK, Pollmanns MR, Schneider CV, Hamesch K, Horvathova K, Wirtz TH, Tacke F, Trautwein C, Weiskirchen R, Koch A. Soluble Neuropilin-1 Is Elevated in Sepsis and Correlates with Organ Dysfunction and Long-Term Mortality in Critical Illness. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5438. [PMID: 38791476 PMCID: PMC11121523 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Critical illness and sepsis may cause organ failure and are recognized as mortality drivers in hospitalized patients. Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is a multifaceted transmembrane protein involved in the primary immune response and is expressed in immune cells such as T and dendritic cells. The soluble form of NRP-1 (sNRP-1) acts as an antagonist to NRP-1 by scavenging its ligands. The aim of this study was to determine the value of sNRP-1 as a biomarker in critical illness and sepsis. We enrolled 180 critically ill patients admitted to a medical intensive care unit and measured serum sNRP-1 concentrations at admission, comparing them to 48 healthy individuals. Critically ill and septic patients showed higher levels of sNRP-1 compared to healthy controls (median of 2.47 vs. 1.70 nmol/L, p < 0.001). Moreover, sNRP-1 was also elevated in patients with sepsis compared to other critical illness (2.60 vs. 2.13 nmol/L, p = 0.01), irrespective of disease severity or organ failure. In critically ill patients, sNRP-1 is positively correlated with markers of kidney and hepatic dysfunction. Most notably, critically ill patients not surviving in the long term (one year after admission) showed higher concentrations of sNRP-1 at the time of ICU admission (p = 0.036), with this association being dependent on the presence of organ failure. Critically ill and septic patients exhibit higher serum concentrations of circulating sNRP-1, which correlates to organ failure, particularly hepatic and kidney dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Hohlstein
- Department for Gastroenterology, Metabolic Disorders and Intensive Care Medicine, RWTH-University Hospital Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (P.H.); (E.S.); (S.A.J.); (J.K.A.); (M.R.P.); (C.V.S.); (K.H.); (T.H.W.); (C.T.)
| | - Eileen Schumacher
- Department for Gastroenterology, Metabolic Disorders and Intensive Care Medicine, RWTH-University Hospital Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (P.H.); (E.S.); (S.A.J.); (J.K.A.); (M.R.P.); (C.V.S.); (K.H.); (T.H.W.); (C.T.)
| | - Samira Abu Jhaisha
- Department for Gastroenterology, Metabolic Disorders and Intensive Care Medicine, RWTH-University Hospital Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (P.H.); (E.S.); (S.A.J.); (J.K.A.); (M.R.P.); (C.V.S.); (K.H.); (T.H.W.); (C.T.)
| | - Jule K. Adams
- Department for Gastroenterology, Metabolic Disorders and Intensive Care Medicine, RWTH-University Hospital Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (P.H.); (E.S.); (S.A.J.); (J.K.A.); (M.R.P.); (C.V.S.); (K.H.); (T.H.W.); (C.T.)
| | - Maike R. Pollmanns
- Department for Gastroenterology, Metabolic Disorders and Intensive Care Medicine, RWTH-University Hospital Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (P.H.); (E.S.); (S.A.J.); (J.K.A.); (M.R.P.); (C.V.S.); (K.H.); (T.H.W.); (C.T.)
| | - Carolin V. Schneider
- Department for Gastroenterology, Metabolic Disorders and Intensive Care Medicine, RWTH-University Hospital Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (P.H.); (E.S.); (S.A.J.); (J.K.A.); (M.R.P.); (C.V.S.); (K.H.); (T.H.W.); (C.T.)
| | - Karim Hamesch
- Department for Gastroenterology, Metabolic Disorders and Intensive Care Medicine, RWTH-University Hospital Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (P.H.); (E.S.); (S.A.J.); (J.K.A.); (M.R.P.); (C.V.S.); (K.H.); (T.H.W.); (C.T.)
| | | | - Theresa H. Wirtz
- Department for Gastroenterology, Metabolic Disorders and Intensive Care Medicine, RWTH-University Hospital Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (P.H.); (E.S.); (S.A.J.); (J.K.A.); (M.R.P.); (C.V.S.); (K.H.); (T.H.W.); (C.T.)
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum (CVK) and Campus Charité Mitte (CCM), Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Christian Trautwein
- Department for Gastroenterology, Metabolic Disorders and Intensive Care Medicine, RWTH-University Hospital Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (P.H.); (E.S.); (S.A.J.); (J.K.A.); (M.R.P.); (C.V.S.); (K.H.); (T.H.W.); (C.T.)
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC), RWTH-University Hospital Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | - Alexander Koch
- Department for Gastroenterology, Metabolic Disorders and Intensive Care Medicine, RWTH-University Hospital Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (P.H.); (E.S.); (S.A.J.); (J.K.A.); (M.R.P.); (C.V.S.); (K.H.); (T.H.W.); (C.T.)
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Zorn KE, Cunningham AM, Meyer AE, Carlson KS, Rao S. Pediatric Myeloid Sarcoma, More than Just a Chloroma: A Review of Clinical Presentations, Significance, and Biology. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1443. [PMID: 36900239 PMCID: PMC10000481 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Myeloid sarcomas (MS), commonly referred to as chloromas, are extramedullary tumors of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with varying incidence and influence on outcomes. Pediatric MS has both a higher incidence and unique clinical presentation, cytogenetic profile, and set of risk factors compared to adult patients. Optimal treatment remains undefined, yet allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and epigenetic reprogramming in children are potential therapies. Importantly, the biology of MS development is poorly understood; however, cell-cell interactions, epigenetic dysregulation, cytokine signaling, and angiogenesis all appear to play key roles. This review describes pediatric-specific MS literature and the current state of knowledge about the biological determinants that drive MS development. While the significance of MS remains controversial, the pediatric experience provides an opportunity to investigate mechanisms of disease development to improve patient outcomes. This brings the hope of better understanding MS as a distinct disease entity deserving directed therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin E. Zorn
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology/Transplantation, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | | | | | - Karen Sue Carlson
- Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Sridhar Rao
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology/Transplantation, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
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Borrmann M, Brandes F, Kirchner B, Klein M, Billaud JN, Reithmair M, Rehm M, Schelling G, Pfaffl MW, Meidert AS. Extensive blood transcriptome analysis reveals cellular signaling networks activated by circulating glycocalyx components reflecting vascular injury in COVID-19. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1129766. [PMID: 36776845 PMCID: PMC9909741 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1129766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Degradation of the endothelial protective glycocalyx layer during COVID-19 infection leads to shedding of major glycocalyx components. These circulating proteins and their degradation products may feedback on immune and endothelial cells and activate molecular signaling cascades in COVID-19 associated microvascular injury. To test this hypothesis, we measured plasma glycocalyx components in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection of variable disease severity and identified molecular signaling networks activated by glycocalyx components in immune and endothelial cells. Methods We studied patients with RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia, patients with COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and healthy controls (wildtype, n=20 in each group) and measured syndecan-1, heparan sulfate and hyaluronic acid. The in-silico construction of signaling networks was based on RNA sequencing (RNAseq) of mRNA transcripts derived from blood cells and of miRNAs isolated from extracellular vesicles from the identical cohort. Differentially regulated RNAs between groups were identified by gene expression analysis. Both RNAseq data sets were used for network construction of circulating glycosaminoglycans focusing on immune and endothelial cells. Results Plasma concentrations of glycocalyx components were highest in COVID-19 ARDS. Hyaluronic acid plasma levels in patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia who later developed ARDS during hospital treatment (n=8) were significantly higher at hospital admission than in patients with an early recovery. RNAseq identified hyaluronic acid as an upregulator of TLR4 in pneumonia and ARDS. In COVID-19 ARDS, syndecan-1 increased IL-6, which was significantly higher than in pneumonia. In ARDS, hyaluronic acid activated NRP1, a co-receptor of activated VEGFA, which is associated with pulmonary vascular hyperpermeability and interacted with VCAN (upregulated), a proteoglycan important for chemokine communication. Conclusions Circulating glycocalyx components in COVID-19 have distinct biologic feedback effects on immune and endothelial cells and result in upregulation of key regulatory transcripts leading to further immune activation and more severe systemic inflammation. These consequences are most pronounced during the early hospital phase of COVID-19 before pulmonary failure develops. Elevated levels of circulating glycocalyx components may early identify patients at risk for microvascular injury and ARDS. The timely inhibition of glycocalyx degradation could provide a novel therapeutic approach to prevent the development of ARDS in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Borrmann
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Florian Brandes
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Benedikt Kirchner
- Division of Animal Physiology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Matthias Klein
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Marlene Reithmair
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Markus Rehm
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany,Department of Anesthesiology and intensive Care Medicine, Hospital Agatharied, Hausham, Germany
| | - Gustav Schelling
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany,*Correspondence: Gustav Schelling,
| | - Michael W. Pfaffl
- Division of Animal Physiology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Agnes S. Meidert
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
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Impaired VEGF-A-Mediated Neurovascular Crosstalk Induced by SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein: A Potential Hypothesis Explaining Long COVID-19 Symptoms and COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects? Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10122452. [PMID: 36557705 PMCID: PMC9784975 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10122452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Long coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is a newly discovered syndrome characterized by multiple organ manifestations that persist for weeks to months, following the recovery from acute disease. Occasionally, neurological and cardiovascular side effects mimicking long COVID-19 have been reported in recipients of COVID-19 vaccines. Hypothetically, the clinical similarity could be due to a shared pathogenic role of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) protein produced by the virus or used for immunization. The S protein can bind to neuropilin (NRP)-1, which normally functions as a coreceptor for the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A. By antagonizing the docking of VEGF-A to NRP-1, the S protein could disrupt physiological pathways involved in angiogenesis and nociception. One consequence could be the increase in unbound forms of VEGF-A that could bind to other receptors. SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals may exhibit increased plasma levels of VEGF-A during both acute illness and convalescence, which could be responsible for diffuse microvascular and neurological damage. A few studies suggest that serum VEGF-A may also be a potential biomarker for long COVID-19, whereas evidence for COVID-19 vaccines is lacking and merits further investigation.
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Okamoto S, Miyano K, Kitakaze K, Kato H, Yamauchi A, Kajikawa M, Itsumi M, Kawai C, Kuribayashi F. Coculture in vitro with endothelial cells induces cytarabine resistance of acute myeloid leukemia cells in a VEGF-A/VEGFR-2 signaling-independent manner. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 587:78-84. [PMID: 34872003 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.11.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
An interaction between acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells and endothelial cells in the bone marrow seems to play a critical role in chemosensitivity on leukemia treatment. The endothelial niche reportedly enhances the paracrine action of the soluble secretory proteins responsible for chemoresistance in a vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A)/VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) signaling pathway-dependent manner. To further investigate the contribution of VEGF-A/VEGFR-2 signaling to the chemoresistance of AML cells, a biochemical assay system in which the AML cells were cocultured with human endothelial EA.hy926 cells in a monolayer was developed. By coculture with EA.hy926 cells, this study revealed that the AML cells resisted apoptosis induced by the anticancer drug cytarabine. SU4312, a VEGFR-2 inhibitor, attenuated VEGFR-2 phosphorylation and VEGF-A/VEGFR-2 signaling-dependent endothelial cell migration; thus, this inhibitor was observed to block VEGF-A/VEGFR-2 signaling. Interestingly, this inhibitor did not reverse the chemoresistance. When VEGFR-2 was knocked out in EA.hy926 cells using the CRISPR-Cas9 system, the cytarabine-induced apoptosis of AML cells did not significantly change compared with that of wild-type cells. Thus, coculture-induced chemoresistance appears to be independent of VEGF-A/VEGFR-2 signaling. When the transwell, a coculturing device, separated the AML cells from the EA.hy926 cells in a monolayer, the coculture-induced chemoresistance was inhibited. Given that the migration of VEGF-A/VEGFR-2 signaling-dependent endothelial cells is necessary for the endothelial niche formation in the bone marrow, VEGF-A/VEGFR-2 signaling contributes to chemoresistance by mediating the niche formation process, but not to the chemoresistance of AML cells in the niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuichiro Okamoto
- Department of Biochemistry, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan; Shuichiro Okamoto, Department of Biochemistry, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan.
| | - Kei Miyano
- Department of Biochemistry, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan; Kei Miyano, Department of Biochemistry, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan.
| | - Keisuke Kitakaze
- Department of Pharmacology, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan
| | - Hitomi Kato
- Second Year Medical Student in Fiscal Year of 2019, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan
| | - Akira Yamauchi
- Department of Biochemistry, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan
| | - Mizuho Kajikawa
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Showa Pharmaceutical University, 3-3165 Higashi-Tamagawagakuen, Machida, Tokyo, 194-8543, Japan
| | - Momoe Itsumi
- Department of Oral Microbiology and Immunology Showa University School of Dentistry1-5-8 Hatanodai Shinagawa, Tokyo, 142-8555, Japan
| | - Chikage Kawai
- Department of Biochemistry, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan
| | - Futoshi Kuribayashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan
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Rachner TD, Kasimir-Bauer S, Goebel A, Erdmann K, Hoffmann O, Rauner M, Hofbauer LC, Kimmig R, Bittner AK. Soluble Neuropilin-1 is an independent marker of poor prognosis in early breast cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2021; 147:2233-2238. [PMID: 33884469 PMCID: PMC8236462 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-021-03635-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Background Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is a transmembrane protein that acts as a multifunctional non-tyrosine kinase receptor with an established role in development and immunity. NRP-1 also regulates tumor biology, and high expression levels of tissue NRP-1 have been associated with a poor prognosis. Recently, ELISA-based quantification of soluble NRP-1 (sNRP-1) has become available, but little is known about the prognostic value of sNRP-1 in malignancies. Materials and methods We measured sNRP-1 in the serum of 509 patients with primary early breast cancer (BC) at the time of diagnosis using ELISA. Results Mean serum values of sNRP-1 were 1.88 ± 0.52 nmol/l (= 130.83 ± 36.24 ng/ml). SNRP-1 levels weakly correlated with age, and were higher in peri- and postmenopausal patients compared to premenopausal patients, respectively (p < 0.0001). Low levels of sNRP-1 were associated with a significant survival benefit compared to high sNRP-1 levels at baseline (p = 0.005; HR 1.94; 95%CI 1.23–3.06). These findings remained significant after adjustment for tumor stage including lymph node involvement, grading, hormone receptor, HER2 status, and age (p = 0.022; HR 1.78; 95%CI 1.09–2.91). Conclusion Our findings warrant further investigations into the prognostic and therapeutic potential of sNRP-1 in BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tilman D Rachner
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolic Bone Diseases, Diabetes and Bone Diseases, Department of Medicine III, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany. .,Center for Healthy Ageing, Department of Medicine III, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany. .,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Sabine Kasimir-Bauer
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Andy Goebel
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolic Bone Diseases, Diabetes and Bone Diseases, Department of Medicine III, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.,Center for Healthy Ageing, Department of Medicine III, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Department of Urology, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Kati Erdmann
- Department of Urology, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany
| | - Oliver Hoffmann
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Martina Rauner
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolic Bone Diseases, Diabetes and Bone Diseases, Department of Medicine III, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.,Center for Healthy Ageing, Department of Medicine III, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Department of Urology, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lorenz C Hofbauer
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolic Bone Diseases, Diabetes and Bone Diseases, Department of Medicine III, TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.,Center for Healthy Ageing, Department of Medicine III, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Department of Urology, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Rainer Kimmig
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Bittner
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Moin ASM. The relationship of soluble neuropilin-1 to severe COVID-19 risk factors in polycystic ovary syndrome. Metabol Open 2021; 9:100079. [PMID: 33521617 PMCID: PMC7834728 DOI: 10.1016/j.metop.2021.100079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Abu Saleh Md Moin
- Diabetes Research Center (DRC), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), 34110, Doha, Qatar
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9
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Moin ASM, Al-Qaissi A, Sathyapalan T, Atkin SL, Butler AE. Soluble Neuropilin-1 Response to Hypoglycemia in Type 2 Diabetes: Increased Risk or Protection in SARS-CoV-2 Infection? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:665134. [PMID: 34248841 PMCID: PMC8261232 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.665134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neuropilin-1(NRP1) is a cofactor that enhances SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus cell infectivity when co-expressed with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2). The Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) is activated in type 2 diabetes (T2D); therefore, the aim of this study was to determine if hypoglycaemia-induced stress in T2D would potentiate serum NRP1(sNRP1) levels, reflecting an increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS A case-control study of aged-matched T2D (n = 23) and control (n = 23) subjects who underwent a hyperinsulinemic clamp over 1-hour to hypoglycemia(<40mg/dl) with subsequent timecourse of 4-hours and 24-hours. Slow Off-rate Modified Aptamer (SOMA)-scan plasma protein measurement determined RAS-related proteins: renin (REN), angiotensinogen (AGT), ACE2, soluble NRP1(sNRP1), NRP1 ligands (Vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF and Class 3 Semaphorins, SEM3A) and NRP1 proteolytic enzyme (A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase 9, ADAM9). RESULTS Baseline RAS overactivity was present with REN elevated and AGT decreased in T2D (p<0.05); ACE2 was unchanged. Baseline sNRP1, VEGF and ADAM9 did not differ between T2D and controls and remained unchanged in response to hypoglycaemia. However, 4-hours post-hypoglycemia, sNRP1, VEGF and ADAM9 were elevated in T2D(p<0.05). SEMA3A was not different at baseline; at hypoglycemia, SEMA3A decreased in controls only. Post-hypoglycemia, SEMA3A levels were higher in T2D versus controls. sNRP1 did not correlate with ACE2, REN or AGT. T2D subjects stratified according to ACE inhibitor (ACEi) therapies showed no difference in sNRP1 levels at either glucose normalization or hypoglycaemia. CONCLUSION Hypoglycemia potentiated both plasma sNRP1 level elevation and its ligands VEGF and SEMA3A, likely through an ADAM9-mediated mechanism that was not associated with RAS overactivity or ACEi therapy; however, whether this is protective or promotes increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection in T2D is unclear. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION https://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT03102801.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abu Saleh Md Moin
- Diabetes Research Center (DRC), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha, Qatar
| | - Ahmed Al-Qaissi
- Academic Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Hull York Medical School, Hull, United Kingdom
- Department of Endocrinology, Leeds Medical School, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Thozhukat Sathyapalan
- Academic Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Hull York Medical School, Hull, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen L. Atkin
- Department of Research, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Bahrain, Adliya, Bahrain
| | - Alexandra E. Butler
- Diabetes Research Center (DRC), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha, Qatar
- *Correspondence: Alexandra E. Butler, ;
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10
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Di Matteo A, Belloni E, Pradella D, Cappelletto A, Volf N, Zacchigna S, Ghigna C. Alternative splicing in endothelial cells: novel therapeutic opportunities in cancer angiogenesis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2020; 39:275. [PMID: 33287867 PMCID: PMC7720527 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01753-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) is a pervasive molecular process generating multiple protein isoforms, from a single gene. It plays fundamental roles during development, differentiation and maintenance of tissue homeostasis, while aberrant AS is considered a hallmark of multiple diseases, including cancer. Cancer-restricted AS isoforms represent either predictive biomarkers for diagnosis/prognosis or targets for anti-cancer therapies. Here, we discuss the contribution of AS regulation in cancer angiogenesis, a complex process supporting disease development and progression. We consider AS programs acting in a specific and non-redundant manner to influence morphological and functional changes involved in cancer angiogenesis. In particular, we describe relevant AS variants or splicing regulators controlling either secreted or membrane-bound angiogenic factors, which may represent attractive targets for therapeutic interventions in human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Di Matteo
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare, "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via Abbiategrasso 207, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Elisa Belloni
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare, "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via Abbiategrasso 207, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Davide Pradella
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare, "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via Abbiategrasso 207, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Ambra Cappelletto
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Nina Volf
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149, Trieste, Italy. .,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Claudia Ghigna
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare, "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via Abbiategrasso 207, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
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11
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De Vlaeminck Y, Bonelli S, Awad RM, Dewilde M, Rizzolio S, Lecocq Q, Bolli E, Santos AR, Laoui D, Schoonooghe S, Tamagnone L, Goyvaerts C, Mazzone M, Breckpot K, Van Ginderachter JA. Targeting Neuropilin-1 with Nanobodies Reduces Colorectal Carcinoma Development. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123582. [PMID: 33266104 PMCID: PMC7760077 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123582] [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] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Neuropilin-1 is a co-receptor for semaphorins and vascular endothelial growth factor family members. Neuropilin-1 can be expressed on tumor cells, tumor-infiltrating myeloid and lymphoid cells and has been linked to a tumor-promoting environment. We investigated nanobodies (Nbs) targeting neuropilin-1 for their potential to hamper colorectal carcinoma development in mice. Our data suggest that targeting neuropilin-1 in cancer using neuropilin-1 blocking Nbs delays tumor growth and extends the survival through a shift in the anti-tumor macrophage/pro-tumor macrophage ratio and activation of colorectal cancer-specific CD8+ T cells. These findings provide a rationale for the further development of Nbs targeting human neuropilin-1 and bringing them from the bench to the bedside. Abstract Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is a co-receptor for semaphorins and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family members that can be expressed on cancer cells and tumor-infiltrating myeloid, endothelial and lymphoid cells. It has been linked to a tumor-promoting environment upon interaction with semaphorin 3A (Sema3A). Nanobodies (Nbs) targeting NRP-1 were generated for their potential to hamper the NRP-1/Sema3A interaction and their impact on colorectal carcinoma (CRC) development was evaluated in vivo through the generation of anti-NRP-1-producing CRC cells. We observed that tumor growth was significantly delayed and survival prolonged when the anti-NRP-1 Nbs were produced in vivo. We further analyzed the tumor microenvironment and observed that the pro-inflammatory MHC-IIhigh/trophic MHC-IIlow macrophage ratio was increased in tumors that produce anti-NRP-1 Nbs. This finding was corroborated by an increase in the expression of genes associated with MHC-IIhigh macrophages and a decrease in the expression of MHC-IIlow macrophage-associated genes in the macrophage pool sorted from anti-NRP-1 Nb-producing tumors. Moreover, we observed a significantly higher percentage of tumor-associated antigen-specific CD8+ T cells in tumors producing anti-NRP-1 Nbs. These data demonstrate that an intratumoral expression of NRP-1/Sema3A blocking biologicals increases anti-tumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannick De Vlaeminck
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (Y.D.V.); (R.M.A.); (Q.L.); (C.G.)
| | - Stefano Bonelli
- Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1040 Brussels, Belgium; (S.B.); (E.B.); (D.L.); (S.S.)
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Robin Maximilian Awad
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (Y.D.V.); (R.M.A.); (Q.L.); (C.G.)
| | - Maarten Dewilde
- VIB Discovery Sciences, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (M.D.); (A.R.S.)
| | | | - Quentin Lecocq
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (Y.D.V.); (R.M.A.); (Q.L.); (C.G.)
| | - Evangelia Bolli
- Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1040 Brussels, Belgium; (S.B.); (E.B.); (D.L.); (S.S.)
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ana Rita Santos
- VIB Discovery Sciences, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (M.D.); (A.R.S.)
| | - Damya Laoui
- Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1040 Brussels, Belgium; (S.B.); (E.B.); (D.L.); (S.S.)
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Steve Schoonooghe
- Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1040 Brussels, Belgium; (S.B.); (E.B.); (D.L.); (S.S.)
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Luca Tamagnone
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00100 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli”, IRCCS, 00100 Rome, Italy
| | - Cleo Goyvaerts
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (Y.D.V.); (R.M.A.); (Q.L.); (C.G.)
| | - Massimiliano Mazzone
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (Y.D.V.); (R.M.A.); (Q.L.); (C.G.)
- Correspondence: (K.B.); (J.A.V.G.)
| | - Jo A. Van Ginderachter
- Laboratory for Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1040 Brussels, Belgium; (S.B.); (E.B.); (D.L.); (S.S.)
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
- Correspondence: (K.B.); (J.A.V.G.)
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12
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Neuropilin: Handyman and Power Broker in the Tumor Microenvironment. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1223:31-67. [PMID: 32030684 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-35582-1_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Neuropilin-1 and neuropilin-2 form a small family of transmembrane receptors, which, due to the lack of a cytosolic protein kinase domain, act primarily as co-receptors for various ligands. Performing at the molecular level both the executive and organizing functions of a handyman as well as of a power broker, they are instrumental in controlling the signaling of various receptor tyrosine kinases, integrins, and other molecules involved in the regulation of physiological and pathological angiogenic processes. In this setting, the various neuropilin ligands and interaction partners on various cells of the tumor microenvironment, such as cancer cells, endothelial cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and immune cells, are surveyed. The suitability of various neuropilin-targeting substances and the intervention in neuropilin-mediated interactions is considered as a possible building block of tumor therapy.
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13
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Napolitano V, Tamagnone L. Neuropilins Controlling Cancer Therapy Responsiveness. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20082049. [PMID: 31027288 PMCID: PMC6515012 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20082049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropilins (NRPs) are cell surface glycoproteins, acting as co-receptors for secreted Semaphorins (SEMAs) and for members of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family; they have been initially implicated in axon guidance and angiogenesis regulation, and more recently in cancer progression. In addition, NRPs have been shown to control many other fundamental signaling pathways, especially mediated by tyrosine kinase receptors (RTKs) of growth factors, such as HGF (hepatocyte growth factor), PDGF (platelet derived growth factor) and EGF (epidermal growth factor). This enables NRPs to control a range of pivotal mechanisms in the cancer context, from tumor cell proliferation and metastatic dissemination, to tumor angiogenesis and immune escape. Moreover, cancer treatment failures due to resistance to innovative oncogene-targeted drugs is typically associated with the activity of alternative RTK-dependent pathways; and neuropilins’ capacity to control oncogenic signaling cascades supports the hypothesis that they could elicit such mechanisms in cancer cells, in order to escape cytotoxic stress and therapeutic attacks. Intriguingly, several studies have recently assayed the impact of NRPs inhibition in combination with diverse anti-cancer drugs. In this minireview, we will discuss the state-of-art about the relevance of NRPs as potential predictive biomarkers of drug response, and the rationale to target these proteins in combination with other anticancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Napolitano
- Cancer Cell Biology Laboratory, Candiolo Cancer Institute-FPO, IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy.
| | - Luca Tamagnone
- Istituto di Istologia ed Embriologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 10168 Rome, Italy.
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, 10168 Rome, Italy.
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14
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Niland S, Eble JA. Neuropilins in the Context of Tumor Vasculature. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20030639. [PMID: 30717262 PMCID: PMC6387129 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20030639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropilin-1 and Neuropilin-2 form a small family of plasma membrane spanning receptors originally identified by the binding of semaphorin and vascular endothelial growth factor. Having no cytosolic protein kinase domain, they function predominantly as co-receptors of other receptors for various ligands. As such, they critically modulate the signaling of various receptor tyrosine kinases, integrins, and other molecules involved in the regulation of physiological and pathological angiogenic processes. This review highlights the diverse neuropilin ligands and interacting partners on endothelial cells, which are relevant in the context of the tumor vasculature and the tumor microenvironment. In addition to tumor cells, the latter contains cancer-associated fibroblasts, immune cells, and endothelial cells. Based on the prevalent neuropilin-mediated interactions, the suitability of various neuropilin-targeted substances for influencing tumor angiogenesis as a possible building block of a tumor therapy is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Niland
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany.
| | - Johannes A Eble
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany.
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15
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Muench D, Rezzoug F, Thomas SD, Xiao J, Islam A, Miller DM, Sedoris KC. Quadruplex-forming oligonucleotide targeted to the VEGF promoter inhibits growth of non-small cell lung cancer cells. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211046. [PMID: 30682194 PMCID: PMC6347295 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is commonly overexpressed in a variety of tumor types including lung cancer. As a key regulator of angiogenesis, it promotes tumor survival, growth, and metastasis through the activation of the downstream protein kinase B (AKT) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2) activation. The VEGF promoter contains a 36 bp guanine-rich sequence (VEGFq) which is capable of forming quadruplex (four-stranded) DNA. This sequence has been implicated in the down-regulation of both basal and inducible VEGF expression and represents an ideal target for inhibition of VEGF expression. RESULTS Our experiments demonstrate sequence-specific interaction between a G-rich quadruplex-forming oligonucleotide encoding a portion of the VEGFq sequence and its double stranded target sequence, suggesting that this G-rich oligonucleotide binds specifically to its complementary C-rich sequence in the genomic VEGF promoter by strand invasion. We show that treatment of A549 non-small lung cancer cells (NSCLC) with this oligonucleotide results in decreased VEGF expression and growth inhibition. The VEGFq oligonucleotide inhibits proliferation and invasion by decreasing VEGF mRNA/protein expression and subsequent ERK 1/2 and AKT activation. Furthermore, the VEGFq oligonucleotide is abundantly taken into cells, localized in the cytoplasm/nucleus, inherently stable in serum and intracellularly, and has no effect on non-transformed cells. Suppression of VEGF expression induces cytoplasmic accumulation of autophagic vacuoles and increased expression of LC3B, suggesting that VEGFq may induce autophagic cell death. CONCLUSION Our data strongly suggest that the G-rich VEGFq oligonucleotide binds specifically to the C-rich strand of the genomic VEGF promoter, via strand invasion, stabilizing the quadruplex structure formed by the genomic G-rich sequence, resulting in transcriptional inhibition. Strand invading oligonucleotides represent a new approach to specifically inhibit VEGF expression that avoids many of the problems which have plagued the therapeutic use of oligonucleotides. This is a novel approach to specific inhibition of gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Muench
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Francine Rezzoug
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Shelia D. Thomas
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Jingjing Xiao
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Ashraful Islam
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Donald M. Miller
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Kara C. Sedoris
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
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16
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Zhu C, Kros JM, Cheng C, Mustafa D. The contribution of tumor-associated macrophages in glioma neo-angiogenesis and implications for anti-angiogenic strategies. Neuro Oncol 2018; 19:1435-1446. [PMID: 28575312 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nox081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
"Tumor-associated macrophages" (TAMs) form a significant cell population in malignant tumors and contribute to tumor growth, metastasis, and neovascularization. Gliomas are characterized by extensive neo-angiogenesis, and knowledge of the role of TAMs in neovascularization is important for future anti-angiogenic therapies. The phenotypes and functions of TAMs are heterogeneous and more complex than a classification into M1 and M2 inflammation response types would suggest. In this review, we provide an update on the current knowledge of the ontogeny of TAMs, focusing on diffuse gliomas. The role of TAMs in the regulation of the different processes in tumor angiogenesis is highlighted and the most recently discovered mechanisms by which TAMs mediate resistance against current antivascular therapies are mentioned. Novel compounds tested in clinical trials are discussed and brought in relation to different TAM-related angiogenesis pathways. In addition, potential therapeutic targets used to intervene in TAM-regulated tumor angiogenesis are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changbin Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands; Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, DIGD, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Johan M Kros
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands; Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, DIGD, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Caroline Cheng
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands; Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, DIGD, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Dana Mustafa
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands; Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, DIGD, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
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17
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Targeted drug delivery for tumor therapy inside the bone marrow. Biomaterials 2018; 155:191-202. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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18
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Salemi M, Mohammadi S, Ghavamzadeh A, Nikbakht M. Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Targeting by Curcumin and Thalidomide in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2017; 18:3055-3061. [PMID: 29172279 PMCID: PMC5773791 DOI: 10.22034/apjcp.2017.18.11.3055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs) are blood disorders that exhibit uncontrolled growth and reduction of apoptosis rates. As with other malignancies, progression may be result of induction and formation of new blood vessels influenced by disease conditions. Cancer cells produce a variety of factors which play important roles in angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is critical for many malignancies, including AMLs. Curcumin, as a natural compound, is able to enhance apoptosis via a mechanism affecting regulatory genes. As a new strategy we here evaluated anti-VEGF properties of curcumin, alone and in combination with thalidomide, in leukemic cell lines. Growth inhibitory effects were assessed by MTT assay and apoptosis was detected by annexin/PI staining in U937 and KG-1 cell lines. mRNA expression levels of VEGF isoforms were evaluated by qRT-PCR. Curcumin inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in both KG-1 and U937 cells and this effect was stronger in combination with thalidomide. In KG-1 cells, the level of VEGF (A, B, C and D) mRNA was decreased in curcumin-treated as compared to untreated cells. Maximum effects were obtained at the concentration of 40 μM curcumin in U937 cells. Taken together, the results indicate that the VEGF autocrine loop may have an impact on AML development and progression and could be considered as a therapeutic target. Thalidomide as a VEGF inhibitor in combination with curcumin appears to have a synergistic impact on inhibition of cell proliferation and promotion of apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdieh Salemi
- Medical Biotechnology Research Center, Ashkezar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ashkezar, Yazd, Iran.
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19
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Kalitin NN, Dudina GA, Semochkin SV, Karamysheva AF. [Analysis of VEGF-A/VEGFR1/VEGFR2 gene expression in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome]. TERAPEVT ARKH 2017; 89:39-44. [PMID: 28766539 DOI: 10.17116/terarkh201789739-44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
AIM To assess the significance of gene expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and its interacting receptors VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 as potential diagnostic and prognostic molecular markers in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). MATERIAL AND METHODS A real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was used to investigate the gene expression of VEGF-A, VEGFR1, and VEGFR2 in the mononuclear cell fractions obtained from 24 patients with MDS. RESULTS The expression of the 3 genes was identified in all the patients examined. There was the highest expression level of the VEGF-A gene (p<0.0001), whereas the expression of the VEGFR1 gene was higher than that of the VEGFR2 gene (p<0.001). The expression of the VEGF-A gene proved to be higher in patients at a higher risk of acute leukemia and positively correlated with the expression levels of the VEGFR1 gene (p<0.05) rather than that of the VEGFR2 gene. At the same time, patients with higher VEGFR1 gene expression had significantly lower overall survival rates (r=-0.5; p<0.05). Patients with intermediate-2 or high-risk acute leukemia showed an increase in the average expression levels of VEGF-A and VEGFR1 and a reduction in VEGFR2 expression. CONCLUSION This investigation revealed correlations between the number of blast cells in patients with MDS and the expression levels of the VEGF-A gene and between the overall survival of patients with MDS and the expression levels of the VEGFR1 gene rather than those of the VEGF-A and VEGFR2 genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- N N Kalitin
- N.N. Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | - G A Dudina
- A.S. Loginov Moscow Clinical Research and Practical Center, Moscow Healthcare Department, Moscow, Russia
| | - S V Semochkin
- N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | - A F Karamysheva
- N.N. Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia
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20
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Dong X, Guo W, Zhang S, Wu T, Sun Z, Yan S, Zheng S. Elevated expression of neuropilin-2 associated with unfavorable prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Onco Targets Ther 2017; 10:3827-3833. [PMID: 28814881 PMCID: PMC5546826 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s139044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropilin-2 (NRP2) is a single-pass transmembrane glycoprotein and has recently been detected in several human cancer cells. However, its clinical relevance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. This study aimed at evaluating NRP2 expression and clinicopathological significance in HCC patients. Tissue microarray of 190 HCC patients from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University was established, and immunohistochemical staining was performed for NRP2. The Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard model were used to analyze the survival rate. We found that NRP2 expression in HCC was significantly associated with tumor histological degree (P=0.023) and cirrhosis (P=0.040). Furthermore, NRP2-positive HCC patients demonstrated shorter disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) than those of NRP2-negative patients. Then, the multivariate Cox analysis showed that hazard ratios of NRP2-positive patients with DFS and OS were 2.167 (95% CI: 1.626, 2.889) and 2.317 (95% CI: 1.548, 3.469), respectively. Our results suggested that NRP2 expression was considered as an independent factor for the prediction of unfavorable prognosis in HCC patients, and we believe that NRP2 could serve as a biomarker of poor prognosis and a novel target in treating HCC tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaogang Dong
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province
| | - Wenjia Guo
- Department of Cancer Research Institute, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
| | - Shizhen Zhang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianchun Wu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province
| | - Zhongquan Sun
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province
| | - Sheng Yan
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province
| | - Shusen Zheng
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province
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miR-125b promotes MLL-AF9-driven murine acute myeloid leukemia involving a VEGFA-mediated non-cell-intrinsic mechanism. Blood 2017; 129:1491-1502. [PMID: 28053194 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2016-06-721027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The hematopoietic stem cell-enriched miR-125 family microRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators of hematopoiesis. Overexpression of miR-125a or miR-125b is frequent in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and the overexpression of these miRNAs in mice leads to expansion of hematopoietic stem cells accompanied by perturbed hematopoiesis with mostly myeloproliferative phenotypes. However, whether and how miR-125 family miRNAs cooperate with known AML oncogenes in vivo, and how the resultant leukemia is dependent on miR-125 overexpression, are not well understood. We modeled the frequent co-occurrence of miR-125b overexpression and MLL translocations by examining functional cooperation between miR-125b and MLL-AF9 By generating a knock-in mouse model in which miR-125b overexpression is controlled by doxycycline induction, we demonstrated that miR-125b significantly enhances MLL-AF9-driven AML in vivo, and the resultant leukemia is partially dependent on continued overexpression of miR-125b Surprisingly, miR-125b promotes AML cell expansion and suppresses apoptosis involving a non-cell-intrinsic mechanism. MiR-125b expression enhances VEGFA expression and production from leukemia cells, in part by suppressing TET2 Recombinant VEGFA recapitulates the leukemia-promoting effects of miR-125b, whereas knockdown of VEGFA or inhibition of VEGF receptor 2 abolishes the effects of miR-125b In addition, significant correlation between miR-125b and VEGFA expression is observed in human AMLs. Our data reveal cooperative and dependent relationships between miR-125b and the MLL oncogene in AML leukemogenesis, and demonstrate a miR-125b-TET2-VEGFA pathway in mediating non-cell-intrinsic leukemia-promoting effects by an oncogenic miRNA.
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Politikos I, T Kim H, Karantanos T, Brown J, McDonough S, Li L, Cutler C, Antin JH, Ballen KK, Ritz J, Boussiotis VA. Angiogenic Factors Correlate with T Cell Immune Reconstitution and Clinical Outcomes after Double-Unit Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation in Adults. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2017; 23:103-112. [PMID: 27777141 PMCID: PMC5489056 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2016.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a valuable graft source for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in patients who lack adult donors. UCB transplantation (UCBT) in adults results in delayed immune reconstitution, leading to high infection-related morbidity and mortality. Angiogenic factors and markers of endothelial dysfunction have biologic and prognostic significance in conventional HSCT, but their role in UCBT has not been investigated. Furthermore, the interplay between angiogenesis and immune reconstitution has not been studied. Here we examined whether angiogenic cytokines, angiopoietin-1 (ANG-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), or markers of endothelial injury, thrombomodulin (TM) and angiopoietin-2 (ANG-2), associate with thymic regeneration as determined by T cell receptor excision circle (TREC) values and recovery of T cell subsets, as well as clinical outcomes in adult recipients of UCBT. We found that plasma levels of ANG-1 significantly correlated with the reconstitution of naive CD4+CD45RA+ and CD8+CD45RA+ T cell subsets, whereas plasma levels of VEGF displayed a positive correlation with CD4+CD45RO+ T cells and regulatory T cells and a weak correlation with TRECs. Assessment of TM and ANG-2 revealed a strong inverse correlation of both factors with naive T cells and TRECs. The angiogenic capacity of each patient's plasma, as determined by an in vitro angiogenesis assay, positively correlated with VEGF levels and with reconstitution of CD4+ T cell subsets. Higher VEGF levels were associated with worse progression-free survival and higher risk of relapse, whereas higher levels of TM were associated with chronic graft-versus-host disease and nonrelapse mortality. Thus, angiogenic factors may serve as valuable markers associated with T cell reconstitution and clinical outcomes after UCBT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Politikos
- Hematology-Oncology and Cancer Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Haesook T Kim
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Theodoros Karantanos
- Hematology-Oncology and Cancer Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Julia Brown
- Hematology-Oncology and Cancer Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sean McDonough
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lequn Li
- Hematology-Oncology and Cancer Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Corey Cutler
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joseph H Antin
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Karen K Ballen
- Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jerome Ritz
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Vassiliki A Boussiotis
- Hematology-Oncology and Cancer Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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Ting-Fang Shih T. Angiogenesis in hematological malignancy – Evaluated by dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. JOURNAL OF CANCER RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrpr.2016.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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Meyer LAT, Fritz J, Pierdant-Mancera M, Bagnard D. Current drug design to target the Semaphorin/Neuropilin/Plexin complexes. Cell Adh Migr 2016; 10:700-708. [PMID: 27906605 PMCID: PMC5160035 DOI: 10.1080/19336918.2016.1261785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Semaphorin/Neuropilin/Plexin (SNP) complexes control a wide range of biological processes. Consistently, activity deregulation of these complexes is associated with many diseases. The increasing knowledge on SNP had in turn validated these molecular complexes as novel therapeutic targets. Targeting SNP activities by small molecules, antibodies and peptides or by soluble semaphorins have been proposed as new therapeutic approach. This review is focusing on the latest demonstration of this potential and discusses some of the key questions that need to be addressed before translating SNP targeting into clinically relevant approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lionel A. T. Meyer
- INSERM U1109 – MN3T Lab, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle, Labex Medalis, University of Strasbourg, France
| | - Justine Fritz
- INSERM U1109 – MN3T Lab, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle, Labex Medalis, University of Strasbourg, France
| | - Marie Pierdant-Mancera
- INSERM U1109 – MN3T Lab, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle, Labex Medalis, University of Strasbourg, France
| | - Dominique Bagnard
- INSERM U1109 – MN3T Lab, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle, Labex Medalis, University of Strasbourg, France
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A genetic variant in NRP1 is associated with worse response to ranibizumab treatment in neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Pharmacogenet Genomics 2016; 26:20-7. [PMID: 26426212 PMCID: PMC4890827 DOI: 10.1097/fpc.0000000000000180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to investigate the role of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in the neuropilin-1 (NRP1) gene in treatment response to antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD). METHODS Four SNPs in the NRP1 gene (rs2229935, rs2247383, rs2070296, and rs2804495) were genotyped in a study cohort of 377 nvAMD patients who received the loading dose of three monthly ranibizumab injections. Treatment response was assessed as the change in visual acuity after three monthly loading injections compared with baseline. RESULTS SNP rs2070296 was associated with change in visual acuity after 3 months of treatment. Patients carrying the GA or AA genotypes performed significantly worse than individuals carrying the GG genotype (P=0.01). A cumulative effect of rs2070296 in the NRP1 gene and rs4576072 located in the VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2 or KDR) gene, previously associated with treatment response, was observed. Patients carrying two risk alleles performed significantly worse than patients carrying zero or one risk allele (P=0.03), and patients with more than two risk alleles responded even worse to the therapy (P=3×10). The combined effect of these two SNPs on the response was also seen after 6 and 12 months of treatment. CONCLUSION This study suggests that genetic variation in NRP1, a key molecule in VEGFA-driven neovascularization, influences treatment response to ranibizumab in nvAMD patients. The results of this study may be used to generate prediction models for treatment response, which in the future may help tailor medical care to individual needs.
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Otte A, Rauprich F, von der Ohe J, Yang Y, Kommoss F, Feuerhake F, Hillemanns P, Hass R. c-Met inhibitors attenuate tumor growth of small cell hypercalcemic ovarian carcinoma (SCCOHT) populations. Oncotarget 2016; 6:31640-58. [PMID: 26436697 PMCID: PMC4741630 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A cellular model (SCCOHT-1) of the aggressive small cell hypercalcemic ovarian carcinoma demonstrated constitutive chemokine and growth factor production including HGF. A simultaneous presence of c-Met in 41% SCCOHT-1 cells suggested an autocrine growth mechanism. Expression of c-Met was also observed at low levels in the corresponding BIN-67 cell line (6.5%) and at high levels in ovarian adenocarcinoma cells (NIH:OVCAR-3 (84.4%) and SK-OV-3 (99.3%)). Immunohistochemistry of c-Met expression in SCCOHT tumors revealed a heterogeneous distribution between undetectable levels and 80%. Further characterization of SCCOHT-1 and BIN-67 cells by cell surface markers including CD90 and EpCAM demonstrated similar patterns with differences to the ovarian adenocarcinoma cells. HGF stimulation of SCCOHT-1 cells was associated with c-Met phosphorylation at Tyr1349 and downstream Thr202/Tyr204 phosphorylation of p44/42 MAP kinase. This HGF-induced signaling cascade was abolished by the c-Met inhibitor foretinib. Cell cycle analysis after foretinib treatment demonstrated enhanced G2 accumulation and increasing apoptosis within 72 h. Moreover, the IC50 of foretinib revealed 12.4 nM in SCCOHT-1 cells compared to 411 nM and 481 nM in NIH:OVCAR-3 and SK-OV-3 cells, respectively, suggesting potential therapeutic effects. Indeed, SCCOHT-1 and BIN-67 tumor xenografts in NODscid mice exhibited an approximately 10-fold and 5-fold reduced tumor size following systemic application of foretinib, respectively. Furthermore, foretinib-treated tumors revealed a significantly reduced vascularization and little if any c-Met-mediated signal transduction. Similar findings of reduced proliferative capacity and declined tumor size were observed after siRNA-mediated c-Met knock-down in SCCOHT-1 cells demonstrating that in vivo inhibition of these pathways contributed to an attenuation of SCCOHT tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Otte
- Biochemistry and Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Finn Rauprich
- Biochemistry and Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Juliane von der Ohe
- Biochemistry and Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Yuanyuan Yang
- Biochemistry and Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Friedrich Kommoss
- Synlab MVZ Pathologie Mannheim GmbH, Referral Center for Gynecopathology, Mannheim, Germany
| | | | - Peter Hillemanns
- Biochemistry and Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ralf Hass
- Biochemistry and Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Lee H, Chung HJ, Park TG. Perspectives On: Local and Sustained Delivery of Angiogenic Growth Factors. J BIOACT COMPAT POL 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/0883911506073363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
This review emphasizes the role of angiogenesis in tissue engineering, introduces various angiogenic growth factors, and highlights current status of delivery systems for angiogenic growth factors using natural and synthetic biomaterials. A short overview of angiogenic growth factors is presented, followed by the introduction of emerging strategies for designing smart delivery carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyukjin Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 305-701, Korea
| | - Hyun Jung Chung
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 305-701, Korea
| | - Tae Gwan Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 305-701, Korea,
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Raimondi C, Brash JT, Fantin A, Ruhrberg C. NRP1 function and targeting in neurovascular development and eye disease. Prog Retin Eye Res 2016; 52:64-83. [PMID: 26923176 PMCID: PMC4854174 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2016.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Revised: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Neuropilin 1 (NRP1) is expressed by neurons, blood vessels, immune cells and many other cell types in the mammalian body and binds a range of structurally and functionally diverse extracellular ligands to modulate organ development and function. In recent years, several types of mouse knockout models have been developed that have provided useful tools for experimental investigation of NRP1 function, and a multitude of therapeutics targeting NRP1 have been designed, mostly with the view to explore them for cancer treatment. This review provides a general overview of current knowledge of the signalling pathways that are modulated by NRP1, with particular focus on neuronal and vascular roles in the brain and retina. This review will also discuss the potential of NRP1 inhibitors for the treatment for neovascular eye diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Raimondi
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - James T Brash
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Alessandro Fantin
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Christiana Ruhrberg
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK.
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29
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Guo HF, Vander Kooi CW. Neuropilin Functions as an Essential Cell Surface Receptor. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:29120-6. [PMID: 26451046 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.r115.687327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The Neuropilins (Nrps) are a family of essential cell surface receptors involved in multiple fundamental cellular signaling cascades. Nrp family members have key functions in VEGF-dependent angiogenesis and semaphorin-dependent axon guidance, controlling signaling and cross-talk between these fundamental physiological processes. More recently, Nrp function has been found in diverse signaling and adhesive functions, emphasizing their role as pleiotropic co-receptors. Pathological Nrp function has been shown to be important in aberrant activation of both canonical and alternative pathways. Here we review key recent insights into Nrp function in human health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hou-Fu Guo
- From the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry and Center for Structural Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536
| | - Craig W Vander Kooi
- From the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry and Center for Structural Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536
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30
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Assis PA, De Figueiredo-Pontes LL, Lima ASG, Leão V, Cândido LA, Pintão CT, Garcia AB, Saggioro FP, Panepucci RA, Chahud F, Nagler A, Falcão RP, Rego EM. Halofuginone inhibits phosphorylation of SMAD-2 reducing angiogenesis and leukemia burden in an acute promyelocytic leukemia mouse model. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2015; 34:65. [PMID: 26099922 PMCID: PMC4486128 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-015-0181-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Background Halofuginone (HF) is a low-molecular-weight alkaloid that has been demonstrated to interfere with Metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and Tumor Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) function and, to present antiangiogenic, antiproliferative and proapoptotic properties in several solid tumor models. Based on the fact that high levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and increased angiogenesis have been described in acute myeloid leukemia and associated with disease progression, we studied the in vivo effects of HF using an Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) mouse model. Methods NOD/SCID mice were transplanted with leukemic cells from hCG-PML/RARA transgenic mice (TM) and treated with HF 150 μg/kg/day for 21 days. The leukemic infiltration and the percentage of VEGF+ cells were evaluated by morphology and flow cytometry. The effect of HF on the gene expression of several pro- and antiangiogenic factors, phosphorylation of SMAD2 and VEGF secretion was assessed in vitro using NB4 and HUVEC cells. Results HF treatment resulted in hematological remission with decreased accumulation of immature cell and lower amounts of VEGF in BM of leukemic mice. In vitro, HF modulated gene expression of several pro- and antiangiogenic factors, reduced VEGF secretion and phosphorylation of SMAD2, blocking TGF-β-signaling. Conclusion Taken together, our results demonstrate that HF inhibits SMAD2 signaling and reduces leukemia growth and angiogenesis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13046-015-0181-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A Assis
- Hematology and Oncology Divisions of the Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049900, Brazil.
| | - Lorena L De Figueiredo-Pontes
- Hematology and Oncology Divisions of the Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049900, Brazil.
| | - Ana Silvia G Lima
- Hematology and Oncology Divisions of the Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049900, Brazil.
| | - Vitor Leão
- Hematology and Oncology Divisions of the Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049900, Brazil.
| | - Larissa A Cândido
- Hematology and Oncology Divisions of the Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049900, Brazil.
| | - Carolina T Pintão
- Hematology and Oncology Divisions of the Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049900, Brazil.
| | - Aglair B Garcia
- Hematology and Oncology Divisions of the Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049900, Brazil.
| | - Fabiano P Saggioro
- Pathology Department, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049900, Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo A Panepucci
- Hematology and Oncology Divisions of the Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049900, Brazil.
| | - Fernando Chahud
- Pathology Department, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049900, Brazil.
| | - Arnon Nagler
- Hematology Division and Cord Blood Bank, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Hashomer, 6997801, Israel.
| | - Roberto P Falcão
- Hematology and Oncology Divisions of the Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049900, Brazil.
| | - Eduardo M Rego
- Hematology and Oncology Divisions of the Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049900, Brazil.
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Abstract
Neuropilins (NRPs) are highly conserved transmembrane glycoproteins that possess pleiotropic functions. Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) and its homologue neuropilin-2 interact as coreceptors with both class 3 semaphorins and vascular endothelial growth factor and are involved in neuronal guidance and angiogenesis, respectively. The contribution of NRPs to tumor angiogenesis has been highlighted in previous studies, leading to the development of NRP antagonists as novel anti-angiogenesis therapies. However, more recent studies have demonstrated that NRPs have a much broader spectrum of activity in the integration of different pathways in physiological and pathological conditions. A few studies investigated the role of NRPs in both malignant and non-neoplastic liver diseases. In normal liver, NRP1 is expressed in hepatic stellate cells and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. NRP1 expression in hepatocytes has been associated with malignant transformation and may play an important role in tumor behavior. A contribution of NRPs in sinusoidal remodeling during liver regeneration has been also noted. Studies in chronic liver diseases have indicated that, besides its influence on angiogenesis, NRP1 might contribute to the progression of liver fibrosis owing to its effects on other growth factors, including transforming growth factor β1. As a result, NRP1 has been identified as a promising therapeutic target for future antifibrotic therapies based on the simultaneous blockade of multiple growth factor signaling pathways. In this review, the structure of NRPs and their interactions with various ligands and associated cell surface receptors are described briefly. The current understanding of the roles of the NRPs in liver diseases including tumors, regeneration and fibrogenesis, are also summarized.
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Graziani G, Lacal PM. Neuropilin-1 as Therapeutic Target for Malignant Melanoma. Front Oncol 2015; 5:125. [PMID: 26090340 PMCID: PMC4453476 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that acts as a co-receptor for various members of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family. Its ability to bind or modulate the activity of a number of other extracellular ligands, such as class 3 semaphorins, TGF-β, HGF, FGF, and PDGF, has suggested the involvement of NRP-1 in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. Actually, this co-receptor has been implicated in axon guidance, angiogenesis, and immune responses. NRP-1 is also expressed in a variety of cancers (prostate, lung, pancreatic, or colon carcinoma, melanoma, astrocytoma, glioblastoma, and neuroblastoma), suggesting a critical role in tumor progression. Moreover, a growing amount of evidence indicates that NRP-1 might display important functions independently of other VEGF receptors. In particular, in the absence of VEGFR-1/2, NRP-1 promotes melanoma invasiveness, through the activation of selected integrins, by stimulating VEGF-A and metalloproteinases secretion and modulating specific signal transduction pathways. This review is focused on the role of NRP-1 in melanoma aggressiveness and on the evidence supporting its use as target of therapies for metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grazia Graziani
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata" , Rome , Italy
| | - Pedro M Lacal
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, "Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata", Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico , Rome , Italy
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Lu J, Cheng Y, Zhang G, Tang Y, Dong Z, McElwee KJ, Li G. Increased expression of neuropilin 1 in melanoma progression and its prognostic significance in patients with melanoma. Mol Med Rep 2015; 12:2668-76. [PMID: 25954957 PMCID: PMC4464456 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.3752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2014] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropilin 1 (NRP1), a receptor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), promotes angiogenesis, tumor growth, tumor invasion and metastasis. However, the function of NRP1 in melanoma progression, as well as the effect of NRP1 expression on the prognosis of patients with melanoma remains unknown. In the present study, NRP1 expression was examined in 460 cases of melanocytic lesions (28 common nevi, 51 dysplastic nevi, 250 primary melanoma and 131 metastatic melanoma) at different stages, using a tissue microarray. The correlation of NRP1 expression with melanoma progression, and its prognostic value in patients with melanoma was examined. In addition, the correlation between matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and NRP1 expression in patients with melanoma was analyzed. The results demonstrated that NRP1 expression was significantly increased in primary (56%) and metastatic melanoma (62%), compared with common nevi (11%) and dysplastic nevi (24%). Notably, increased NRP1 expression was correlated with a poorer overall, and disease-specific, 10-year survival (P=0.03 and P=0.002, respectively). Multivariate Cox regression analyses indicated that NRP1 is an independent prognostic marker for melanoma. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation between NRP1 and MMP2 expression in melanoma biopsies was observed, and their concomitant expression was closely correlated with melanoma patient survival, further supporting the hypothesis that the expression of NRP1 is associated with melanoma invasion and metastasis. In conclusion, increased NRP1 expression is associated with disease progression and reduced survival in patients with melanoma, and is a promising prognostic molecular marker for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Lu
- Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, Research Pavilion, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z IL8, Canada
| | - Yabin Cheng
- Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, Research Pavilion, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z IL8, Canada
| | - Guohong Zhang
- Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, Research Pavilion, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z IL8, Canada
| | - Yun Tang
- Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, Research Pavilion, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z IL8, Canada
| | - Ziming Dong
- Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P.R. China
| | - Kevin J McElwee
- Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, Research Pavilion, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z IL8, Canada
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, Research Pavilion, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z IL8, Canada
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Wei L, Wang X, Li C, Li X, Yin Y, Li G. Colorimetric assay for protein detection based on "nano-pumpkin" induced aggregation of peptide-decorated gold nanoparticles. Biosens Bioelectron 2015; 71:348-352. [PMID: 25932793 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2015.04.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2015] [Revised: 04/14/2015] [Accepted: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Small peptide can be used as an effective biological recognition element and provide an alternative tool for protein detection. However, the development of peptide-based detecting strategy still remains elusive due to the difficulty of signal transduction. Herein, we report a peptide-based colorimetric strategy for the detection of disease biomarker by using vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (Flt-1) as an example. In this strategy, N-terminal aromatic residue-containing peptide modified gold nanoparticles (GNPs) can form bulky aggregate by the introduction of cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) that can selectively accommodate two N-terminal aromatic residue of peptides simultaneously regardless of their sequences. However, in the presence of Flt-1, the peptide can specifically bind to the protein molecule and the N-terminal aromatic residue will be occupied, resulting in little aggregation of GNPs. By taking advantage of the highly affinitive peptide and efficiency cross-linking effect of CB[8] to GNPs, colorimetric assay for protein detection can be achieved with a detection limit of 0.2 nM, which is comparable with traditional methods. The feasibility of our method has also been demonstrated in spiked serum sample, indicating potential application in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luming Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, PR China
| | - Xiaoying Wang
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, PR China
| | - Chao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, PR China
| | - Xiaoxi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, PR China
| | - Yongmei Yin
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, PR China
| | - Genxi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, PR China; Laboratory of Biosensing Technology, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China.
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Mishra R, Kumar D, Tomar D, Chakraborty G, Kumar S, Kundu GC. The potential of class 3 semaphorins as both targets and therapeutics in cancer. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2014; 19:427-42. [PMID: 25434284 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2014.986095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Semaphorins have been originally identified as a family of evolutionary conserved soluble or membrane-associated proteins involved in diverse developmental phenomena. This family of proteins profoundly influences numerous pathophysiological processes, including organogenesis, cardiovascular development and immune response. Apart from steering the neural networking process, these are implicated in a broad range of biological operations including regulation of tumor progression and angiogenesis. AREAS COVERED Members of class 3 semaphorin family are known to modulate various cellular processes involved in malignant transformation. Some of the family members trigger diverse signaling processes involved in tumor progression and angiogenesis by binding with plexin and neuropilin. A better understanding of the various signaling mechanisms by which semaphorins modulate tumor progression and angiogenesis may serve as crucial tool in crafting new semaphorin-based anticancer therapy. These include treatment with recombinant tumor suppressive semaphorins or inhibition of tumor-promoting semaphorins by their specific siRNAs, small-molecule inhibitors or specific receptors using neutralizing antibodies or blocking peptides that might serve as novel strategies for effective management of cancers. EXPERT OPINION This review focuses on all the possible avenues to explore various members of class 3 semaphorin family to serve as therapeutics for combating cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalin Mishra
- Loboratory of Tumor Biology, Angiogenesis and Nanomedicine Research, National Center for Cell Science (NCCS) , Pune 411007 , India
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Nasarre P, Gemmill RM, Drabkin HA. The emerging role of class-3 semaphorins and their neuropilin receptors in oncology. Onco Targets Ther 2014; 7:1663-87. [PMID: 25285016 PMCID: PMC4181631 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s37744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The semaphorins, discovered over 20 years ago, are a large family of secreted or transmembrane and glycophosphatidylinositol -anchored proteins initially identified as axon guidance molecules crucial for the development of the nervous system. It has now been established that they also play important roles in organ development and function, especially involving the immune, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems, and in pathological disorders, including cancer. During tumor progression, semaphorins can have both pro- and anti-tumor functions, and this has created complexities in our understanding of these systems. Semaphorins may affect tumor growth and metastases by directly targeting tumor cells, as well as indirectly by interacting with and influencing cells from the micro-environment and vasculature. Mechanistically, semaphorins, through binding to their receptors, neuropilins and plexins, affect pathways involved in cell adhesion, migration, invasion, proliferation, and survival. Importantly, neuropilins also act as co-receptors for several growth factors and enhance their signaling activities, while class 3 semaphorins may interfere with this. In this review, we focus on the secreted class 3 semaphorins and their neuropilin co-receptors in cancer, including aspects of their signaling that may be clinically relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Nasarre
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, The Hollings Cancer Center and Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Robert M Gemmill
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, The Hollings Cancer Center and Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Harry A Drabkin
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, The Hollings Cancer Center and Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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Lee SJ, Yoo JJ, Atala A. Recent Applications of Polymeric Biomaterials and Stem Cells in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. POLYMER-KOREA 2014. [DOI: 10.7317/pk.2014.38.2.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Chaudhary B, Khaled YS, Ammori BJ, Elkord E. Neuropilin 1: function and therapeutic potential in cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2014; 63:81-99. [PMID: 24263240 PMCID: PMC11028473 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-013-1500-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2013] [Accepted: 11/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Neuropilin 1 (NRP1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that acts as a co-receptor for a number of extracellular ligands including class III/IV semaphorins, certain isoforms of vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor beta. An exact understanding of the role of NRP1 in the immune system has been obscured by the differences in NRP1 expression observed between mice and humans. In mice, NRP1 is selectively expressed on thymic-derived Tregs and greatly enhances immunosuppressive function. In humans, NRP1 is expressed on plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) where it aids in priming immune responses and on a subset of T regulatory cells (Tregs) isolated from secondary lymph nodes. Preliminary studies that show NRP1 expression on T cells confers enhanced immunosuppressive activity. However, the mechanism by which this activity is mediated remains unclear. NRP1 expression has also been identified on activated T cells and Tregs isolated from inflammatory microenvironments, suggesting NRP1 might represent a novel T cell activation marker. Of clinical interest, NRP1 may enhance Treg tumour infiltration and a decrease in NRP1+ Tregs correlates with successful chemotherapy, suggesting a specific role for NRP1 in cancer pathology. As a therapeutic target, NRP1 allows simultaneous targeting of NRP1-expressing tumour vasculature, NRP1+ Tregs and pDCs. With the development of anti-NRP1 monoclonal antibodies and cell-penetrating peptides, NRP1 represents a promising new target for cancer therapies. This paper reviews current knowledge on the role and function of NRP1 in Tregs and pDCs, both in physiological and cancer settings, as well as its potential as a therapeutic target in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belal Chaudhary
- Biomedical Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, The Crescent, Peel Building G25, Manchester, M5 4WT UK
| | - Yazan S. Khaled
- Biomedical Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, The Crescent, Peel Building G25, Manchester, M5 4WT UK
- Institutes of Cancer, Inflammation & Repair, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Basil J. Ammori
- Biomedical Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, The Crescent, Peel Building G25, Manchester, M5 4WT UK
- Institutes of Cancer, Inflammation & Repair, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Eyad Elkord
- Biomedical Research Centre, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, The Crescent, Peel Building G25, Manchester, M5 4WT UK
- Institutes of Cancer, Inflammation & Repair, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, PO Box 17666, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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Oliveira-Ferrer L, Wellbrock J, Bartsch U, Penas EMM, Hauschild J, Klokow M, Bokemeyer C, Fiedler W, Schuch G. Combination therapy targeting integrins reduces glioblastoma tumor growth through antiangiogenic and direct antitumor activity and leads to activation of the pro-proliferative prolactin pathway. Mol Cancer 2013; 12:144. [PMID: 24257371 PMCID: PMC4176123 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-12-144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2012] [Accepted: 11/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tumors may develop resistance to specific angiogenic inhibitors via activation of alternative pathways. Therefore, multiple angiogenic pathways should be targeted to achieve significant angiogenic blockade. In this study we investigated the effects of a combined application of the angiogenic inhibitors endostatin and tumstatin in a model of human glioblastoma multiforme. Results Inhibitors released by stably transfected porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAE) showed anti-angiogenic activity in proliferation and wound-healing assays with endothelial cells (EC). Interestingly, combination of endostatin and tumstatin (ES + Tum) also reduced proliferation of glioma cells and additionally induced morphological changes and apoptosis in vitro. Microencapsulated PAE-cells producing these inhibitors were applied for local therapy in a subcutaneous glioblastoma model. When endostatin or tumstatin were applied separately, in vivo tumor growth was inhibited by 58% and 50%, respectively. Combined application of ES + Tum, in comparison, resulted in a significantly more pronounced inhibition of tumor growth (83%). cDNA microarrays of tumors treated with ES + Tum revealed an up-regulation of prolactin receptor (PRLR). ES + Tum-induced up-regulation of PRLR in glioma cells was also found in in vitro. Moreover, exogenous PRLR overexpression in vitro led to up-regulation of its ligand prolactin and increased proliferation suggesting a functional autocrine growth loop in these cells. Conclusion Our data indicate that integrin-targeting factors endostatin and tumstatin act additively by inhibiting glioblastoma growth via reduction of vessel density but also directly by affecting proliferation and viability of tumor cells. Treatment with the ES + Tum-combination activates the PRLR pro-proliferative pathway in glioblastoma. Future work will show whether the prolactin signaling pathway represents an additional target to improve therapeutic strategies in this entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Oliveira-Ferrer
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, University Cancer Center Hamburg (UCCH), Universtity Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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Sallam TH, El Telbany MASE, Mahmoud HM, Iskander MA. Significance of neuropilin-1 expression in acute myeloid leukemia. Turk J Haematol 2013; 30:300-6. [PMID: 24385810 PMCID: PMC3878529 DOI: 10.4274/tjh.2011.0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2011] [Accepted: 05/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Neuropilin-1 is a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor that acts as a mediator of angiogenesis. Its importance in hematological malignancies such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of neuropilin-1 expression in AML patients by both flow cytometry and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in regard to its diagnostic and prognostic values. MATERIALS AND METHODS Bone marrow aspirates of 44 patients with de novo AML and 12 relapsed AML patients were examined in this study. Ten subjects with nonhematological malignancy serving as the control group were also included. RESULTS Neuropilin-1 expression by flow cytometry showed a highly significant increase in de novo and relapsed AML patients with a mean of 27.1±17.5% and 21.5±16.6%, respectively, compared to control group's mean of 3.4±1.9%. A cut-off value of 6% was established as differentiating patients from the control group. By real-time PCR, no statistical significance was found in de novo and relapsed AML patients with a mean of 1.9±3.6 IU/L and 0.3±0.2 IU/L, respectively, compared to the control group's mean of 0.3±0.1 IU/L. Neuropilin-1 surface expression by flow cytometry showed a significant correlation with total leukocyte count and a negative correlation with hemoglobin level in de novo AML patients. In relapsed AML patients, positive significant correlations were found with age, bone marrow blast percentage, and CD14. Neuropilin-1 mRNA level by real-time PCR showed a positive significant correlation with peripheral blood blast percentage and CD117 and a negative correlation with hemoglobin level in de novo AML patients. In relapsed patients, a positive correlation was found with lactate dehydrogenase. CONCLUSION Neuropilin-1 can be used as a tool for diagnosis and prognosis in AML patients. CONFLICT OF INTEREST None declared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarif H Sallam
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Hanan M Mahmoud
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mutea A Iskander
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Sanaa University, Sanaa, Yemen
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Chen H, Ding X, Gao Y, Jiang X, Liu X, Chen Y, Gao J, Zhou X, Cai Z, Sun Q. Inhibition of angiogenesis by a novel neutralizing antibody targeting human VEGFR-3. MAbs 2013; 5:956-61. [PMID: 23995616 DOI: 10.4161/mabs.26239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR-3) is a receptor for the vascular endothelial growth factor C and D (VEGF-C and D) and plays a critical role in the development of embryonic vascular system and regulation of tumor lymphangiogenesis. In this report, we generated a novel panel of 17 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against human VEGFR-3 and determined their ability to inhibit the proliferation of human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells and angiogenesis of chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). Among these mAbs, BDD073 was demonstrated to inhibit the interaction of soluble VEGFR-3 with VEGF-D and the proliferation of HEL cells. Furthermore, in chick embryo CAM angiogenesis experiments, the angiogenesis induced by recombinant glutathione-S-transferase-VEGF-D was decreased in the presence of antibody BDD073. These data suggest that this novel neutralizing antibody against human VEGFR-3 could be a tool for the investigations into the biology of VEGFR-3, and potentially a reagent for blocking VEGF-D-induced angiogenesis and lymphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chen
- The Second People's Hospital of Shenzhen; The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University; Shenzhen, PR China; Epithelial Cell Biology Research Center; School of Biomedical Sciences; Faculty of Medicine; The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Xiuyun Ding
- Department of Immunology; Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine; Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Gao
- Department of Immunology; Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine; Beijing, P.R. China; Antibody Engineering Laboratory; Beijing Proteome Research Center; Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Xiaohua Jiang
- Epithelial Cell Biology Research Center; School of Biomedical Sciences; Faculty of Medicine; The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Xiaolan Liu
- Department of Immunology; Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine; Beijing, P.R. China; Antibody Engineering Laboratory; Beijing Proteome Research Center; Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of Immunology; Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine; Beijing, P.R. China; Antibody Engineering Laboratory; Beijing Proteome Research Center; Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Jianen Gao
- Department of Immunology; Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine; Beijing, P.R. China; Antibody Engineering Laboratory; Beijing Proteome Research Center; Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Xiaping Zhou
- The Second People's Hospital of Shenzhen; The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University; Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Zhiming Cai
- The Second People's Hospital of Shenzhen; The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University; Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Qihong Sun
- Department of Immunology; Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine; Beijing, P.R. China; Antibody Engineering Laboratory; Beijing Proteome Research Center; Beijing, P.R. China
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Song G, Li Y, Zhang Z, Ren X, Li H, Zhang W, Wei R, Pan S, Shi L, Bi K, Jiang G. c-myc but not Hif-1α-dependent downregulation of VEGF influences the proliferation and differentiation of HL-60 cells induced by ATRA. Oncol Rep 2013; 29:2378-84. [PMID: 23588859 DOI: 10.3892/or.2013.2395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2012] [Accepted: 02/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in solid tumor growth, progression and metastasis as well as in the proliferation and differentiation of hematological malignancies. However, the molecular mechanism that modulates VEGF expression and secretion in leukemia cells has not yet to be elucidated. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of the signal pathway in modulating the expression of VEGF in HL-60 cells. Specific siRNAs targeting VEGF were transfected into HL-60 cells and the VEGF expression was measured with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot assay. The cell proliferation of HL-60 cells was detected by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and the differentiation of HL-60 cells induced by all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) was detected by the RT-PCR assay and flow cytometry assay for CD11b. The upstream transcription factors that were related to VEGF expression such as P53, SP-1, c-jun, VHL, cox-2, c-myc and stat3 were detected by RT-PCR assay. In addition, the chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay was used to reveal the role of c-myc by binding the target gene VEGF. The results demonstrated the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α-related signaling pathway, not the same as in solid tumors, might not play a key role in modulating VEGF expression. c-myc contributes to the modulation of VEGF expression by targeting the promoter of VEGF, which was indicated by the ChIP assay. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that VEGF plays an important role in the differentiation and proliferation of HL-60 cells; c-myc-dependent downregulation of VEGF induced by ATRA contributes to the differentiation of HL-60 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanhua Song
- Department of Hemato-Oncology, Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory for Modern Medicine and Technology of Shandong Province, Shandong, Jinan, Shandong 250062, PR China
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Kampen KR, Ter Elst A, de Bont ESJM. Vascular endothelial growth factor signaling in acute myeloid leukemia. Cell Mol Life Sci 2013; 70:1307-17. [PMID: 22833169 PMCID: PMC11113417 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-012-1085-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2012] [Revised: 06/19/2012] [Accepted: 07/09/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
This review is designed to provide an overview of the current literature concerning vascular endothelial growth factor signaling (VEGF) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Aberrant VEGF signaling operates in the bone marrow of AML patients and is related to a poor prognosis. The altered signaling pathway demonstrated to interfere in several autocrine and paracrine signaling pathways. VEGF signaling promotes autocrine AML blast cell proliferation, survival, and chemotherapy resistance. In addition, VEGF signaling can mediate paracrine vascular endothelial cell-controlled angiogenesis in AML. Both effects presumably explain the association of high VEGF levels and poor therapeutic outcome. More recently, researches focusing on bone marrow stem cell niches demonstrate a role for VEGF signaling in the preservation of several cell types within these niches. The bone marrow niches are proposed to be a protective microenvironment for AML cells that could be responsible for relapses in AML patients. This implies the need of sophisticated VEGF-targeted therapeutics in AML therapy strategies. This review highlights our current understanding of aberrant VEGF signaling in AML, appoints the interference of VEGF signaling in the AML-associated microenvironment, and reflects the novelty of current VEGF-targeted therapeutics used in clinical trails for the treatment of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim R Kampen
- Division of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Department of Pediatrics, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Piechnik A, Dmoszynska A, Omiotek M, Mlak R, Kowal M, Stilgenbauer S, Bullinger L, Giannopoulos K. The VEGF receptor, neuropilin-1, represents a promising novel target for chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients. Int J Cancer 2013; 133:1489-96. [PMID: 23447383 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.28135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2012] [Accepted: 02/20/2013] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis has been shown to substantially contribute to the progression of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) represents a receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which has been reported to be overexpressed in several malignancies. In our study, we characterized mRNA levels of VEGF receptors including NRP1 in a large cohort of CLL patients (n = 114), additionally we performed a detailed characterization of NRP1 expression on B cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs). The expression of NRP1 was significantly higher on leukemic lymphocytes compared to control B lymphocytes on mRNA and protein levels (22.72% vs. 0.2%, p = 0.0003, respectively), Tregs (42.6% vs. 16.05%, p = 0.0003) and PDCs (100% vs. 98% p < 0.0001). In functional studies, we found higher NRP1 expression on CLL cells after stimulation with VEGF. The correlation between expression of VEGF receptors: FLT1, NRP1 and FOXP3 expression (r(2) = 0.53, p < 0.0001 and r(2) = 0.49, p < 0.0001, respectively) was observed. Earlier we described the specific Treg reduction during the therapy with thalidomide in vivo. Now we observe the reduction of the NRP1 expression on Tregs in vitro, thereby suggesting a possible target of thalidomide action. In conclusion, NRP1 might represent an interesting link between angiogenesis and tolerance mechanisms and represents interesting target for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Piechnik
- Department of Experimental Hematooncology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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Soluble Flt-1 gene delivery in acute myeloid leukemic cells mediating a nonviral gene carrier. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:752603. [PMID: 23509773 PMCID: PMC3581295 DOI: 10.1155/2013/752603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2012] [Revised: 10/28/2012] [Accepted: 11/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic factor involved in angiogenesis-mediated progression of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Studies have reported the role of soluble form of fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlT-1) delivery as an antitumor agent by inhibiting VEGF. This study investigates the outcome of delivery of a VEGF165 antagonist, soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, namely sFLT-1, mediating lipofectamine 2000 in acute myeloid leukemic cells. A recombinant plasmid expressing sFLT-1 was constructed and transfected into the K562 and HL60 cells using lipofectamine 2000 transfection reagent. sFLT-1 expression/secretion in pVAX-sFLT-1 transfected cells was verified by RT-PCR and western blot. MTS assay was carried out to evaluate the effect of sFLT-1 on human umbilical vein endothelial cells and K562 and HL60 cells in vitro. Treatment with pVAX-sFLT-1 showed no association between sFLT-1 and proliferation of infected K562 and HL60 cells, while it demonstrated a significant inhibitory impact on the proliferation of HUVECs. The results of the current study imply that the combination of nonviral gene carrier and sFLT-1 possesses the potential to provide efficient tool for the antiangiogenic gene therapy of AML.
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Macdonald DA, Assouline SE, Brandwein J, Kamel-Reid S, Eisenhauer EA, Couban S, Caplan S, Foo A, Walsh W, Leber B. A phase I/II study of sorafenib in combination with low dose cytarabine in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome from the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group: trial IND.186. Leuk Lymphoma 2012; 54:760-6. [PMID: 23061485 DOI: 10.3109/10428194.2012.737917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Sorafenib is active in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC) Clinical Trials Group initiated a phase I/II study of the combination of sorafenib with cytarabine in older patients with AML or high-risk MDS who were unsuitable for intensive chemotherapy. FLT3 mutational status was determined in all patients. Twenty-one patients were enrolled (four MDS, 17 AML) with a median age of 77 years. The recommended phase II dose (RP2D) was cytarabine 10 mg bid days 1-10 and sorafenib 600 mg/day days 2-28. Dose-limiting toxicities were fatigue, sepsis and skin rash. Of 15 evaluable patients treated at the RP2D, two patients responded. The overall response rate for eligible patients was 10%. FLT3 mutations were found in only three patients. We conclude that this combination of sorafenib and cytarabine has limited activity in this unselected cohort of elderly patients with AML/MDS in which FLT3 mutations seemed underrepresented.
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Almendros I, Montserrat JM, Torres M, Bonsignore MR, Chimenti L, Navajas D, Farré R. Obesity and intermittent hypoxia increase tumor growth in a mouse model of sleep apnea. Sleep Med 2012; 13:1254-60. [PMID: 23149216 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2012.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2012] [Revised: 07/15/2012] [Accepted: 08/16/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intermittent hypoxia and obesity which are two pathological conditions commonly found in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), potentially enhance cancer progression. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether obesity and/or intermittent hypoxia (IH) mimicking OSA affect tumor growth. METHODS A subcutaneous melanoma was induced in 40 mice [22 obese (40-45g) and 18 lean (20-25g)] by injecting 10(6) B16F10 cells in the flank. Nineteen mice (10 obese/9 lean) were subjected to IH (6h/day for 17days). A group of 21 mice (12 obese/9 lean) were kept under normoxia. At day 17, tumors were excised, weighed and processed to quantify necrosis and endothelial expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and CD-31. VEGF in plasma was also assessed. RESULTS In lean animals, IH enhanced tumor growth from 0.81±0.17 to 1.95±0.32g. In obese animals, a similar increase in tumor growth (1.94±0.18g) was observed under normoxia, while adding IH had no further effect (1.69±0.23g). IH only promoted an increase in tumoral necrosis in lean animals. However, obesity under normoxic conditions increased necrosis, VEGF and CD-31 expression in tumoral tissue. Plasma VEGF strongly correlated with tumor weight (ρ=0.76, p<0.001) in the whole sample; it increased in lean IH-treated animals from 66.40±3.47 to 108.37±9.48pg/mL, p<0.001), while the high baseline value in obese mice (106.90±4.32pg/mL) was unaffected by IH. CONCLUSIONS Obesity and IH increased tumor growth, but did not appear to exert any synergistic effects. Circulating VEGF appeared as a crucial mediator of tumor growth in both situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Almendros
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Servei Pneumologia, Hospital Clínic, Spain
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Hota PK, Buck M. Plexin structures are coming: opportunities for multilevel investigations of semaphorin guidance receptors, their cell signaling mechanisms, and functions. Cell Mol Life Sci 2012; 69:3765-805. [PMID: 22744749 PMCID: PMC11115013 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-012-1019-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2012] [Revised: 04/09/2012] [Accepted: 04/11/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Plexin transmembrane receptors and their semaphorin ligands, as well as their co-receptors (Neuropilin, Integrin, VEGFR2, ErbB2, and Met kinase) are emerging as key regulatory proteins in a wide variety of developmental, regenerative, but also pathological processes. The diverse arenas of plexin function are surveyed, including roles in the nervous, cardiovascular, bone and skeletal, and immune systems. Such different settings require considerable specificity among the plexin and semaphorin family members which in turn are accompanied by a variety of cell signaling networks. Underlying the latter are the mechanistic details of the interactions and catalytic events at the molecular level. Very recently, dramatic progress has been made in solving the structures of plexins and of their complexes with associated proteins. This molecular level information is now suggesting detailed mechanisms for the function of both the extracellular as well as the intracellular plexin regions. Specifically, several groups have solved structures for extracellular domains for plexin-A2, -B1, and -C1, many in complex with semaphorin ligands. On the intracellular side, the role of small Rho GTPases has been of particular interest. These directly associate with plexin and stimulate a GTPase activating (GAP) function in the plexin catalytic domain to downregulate Ras GTPases. Structures for the Rho GTPase binding domains have been presented for several plexins, some with Rnd1 bound. The entire intracellular domain structure of plexin-A1, -A3, and -B1 have also been solved alone and in complex with Rac1. However, key aspects of the interplay between GTPases and plexins remain far from clear. The structural information is helping the plexin field to focus on key questions at the protein structural, cellular, as well as organism level that collaboratoria of investigations are likely to answer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasanta K. Hota
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106 USA
| | - Matthias Buck
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106 USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106 USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106 USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106 USA
- Center for Proteomics and Bioinformatics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106 USA
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Song G, Li Y, Jiang G. Role of VEGF/VEGFR in the pathogenesis of leukemias and as treatment targets (Review). Oncol Rep 2012; 28:1935-44. [PMID: 22993103 DOI: 10.3892/or.2012.2045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2012] [Accepted: 08/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis plays an important role in solid tumor growth, progression and metastasis. Evidence suggests that the progression of hematolymphoid malignancies also depends on the induction of new blood vessel formation under the influence of acute leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloproliferative neoplasms, multiple myeloma and lymphomas. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the most important proangiogenic agent that activates receptors on vascular endothelial cells and promotes blood vessel regeneration. It has been demonstrated that VEGF/VEGF receptor (VEGFR) expression is upregulated in several types of hematolymphoid tumor cells accompanied with angiogenesis. The levels of VEGF/VEGFR are correlated with the treatment, relapse and prognosis of hematolymphoid tumors. In order for VEGF family and their receptors as antiangiogenic targets to treat solid tumors, several antiangiogenic agents targeting VEGF-related pathways have been used for the treatment of hematolymphoid malignancies in clinical trials. The results demonstrate a promising therapeutic intervention in multiple types of hematolymphoid tumors. This review aims to summarize recent advances in understanding the role of VEGF and angiogenesis in leukemias, mainly focusing on their upstream transcriptors, downstream targets and the correlation of VEGF/VEGFR with the treatment, relapse or prognosis of leukemia. The progress of VEGF and its receptors as attractive targets for therapies are also discussed in clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanhua Song
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Traditional Chinese Medicine Immunology, Key Laboratory for Rare and Uncommon Diseases of Shandong Province, Department of Hemato-Oncology, Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Health for Biotech-Drug, Key Laboratory for Modern Medicine and Technology of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
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Younan S, Elhoseiny S, Hammam A, Gawdat R, El-Wakil M, Fawzy M. Role of neuropilin-1 and its expression in Egyptian acute myeloid and acute lymphoid leukemia patients. Leuk Res 2011; 36:169-73. [PMID: 21978468 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2011.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2011] [Revised: 07/25/2011] [Accepted: 08/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Neuropilins are expressed in tumors vasculature and cells. Their expression is thought to be correlated with tumor angiogenesis and progression. In this study, we analyzed NRP-1 expression level in 40 acute leukemia patients [20 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 20 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)] and 10 healthy controls using Real-Time Quantitative Reverse-Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTQ-PCR) aiming to show Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) gene expression pattern in acute leukemia patients and its role in disease severity and progression. NRP-1 was expressed in 80% and 95% of ALL and AML respectively with levels higher in patients than controls and in ALL than AML patients. NRP-1 levels were significantly correlated with blast percentage and complete remission. We conclude that NRP-1 is significantly associated with acute leukemia and that its level might serve as an indicator for disease severity and progression. NRP-1 signaling may represent a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of acute leukemia subsets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Younan
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Kasr El Aini Hospital, Cairo University, El Saraya Street, Infront of El Manial Palace, Cairo 11451, Egypt.
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