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Kong JH, Kim YD, Park SP, Kim Y. Aqueous Humor Cytokine Levels and Choroidal Thicknesses of Patients with Age‐related Macular Degeneration and Pachychoroid Neovasculopathy. JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 2022. [DOI: 10.3341/jkos.2022.63.4.361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: We sought correlations between the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT) and changes in the levels of aqueous humor cytokines before and after anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor (anti‐VEGF) treatment of patients with neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (nAMD) and pachychoroid neovasculopathy.Methods: We measured changes in the SCT and levels of aqueous humor cytokines (VEGF, soluble VEGF receptor‐2 [sVEGFR‐ 2], platelet‐derived growth factor [PDGF]‐AA, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 [MCP‐1], interleukin [IL]‐6, and IL‐8) after anti‐ VEGF treatment of 11 eyes of 11 nAMD patients and nine eyes of nine pachychoroid neovasculopathy patients. The aqueous humor cytokine levels were compared between the two groups.Results: After anti‐VEGF treatment, the aqueous levels of VEGF and PDGF‐AA decreased significantly, whereas that of sVEGFR‐2 increased. The amount of change in sVEGFR‐2 concentration before and after anti‐VEGF treatment correlated with the SCT and its change after treatment. nAMD patients with relatively thin SCTs and smaller SCT changes after anti‐VEGF treatment showed greater increases in sVEGFR‐2 levels following treatment. We found significant correlations among the MCP‐1, IL‐6, and IL‐8 levels in the nAMD group, and between the sVEGFR‐2 and MCP‐1, and MCP‐1 and PDGF‐AA, levels in the pachychoroid neovasculopathy group.Conclusions: Patients with nAMD exhibited significant increases in aqueous sVEGFR‐2 levels following anti‐VEGF treatment and significant correlations among the levels of the inflammatory cytokines MCP‐1, IL‐6, and IL‐8, suggesting that angiogenic factors and inflammatory cytokines may affect the pathophysiologies of the two diseases differently.
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Hidman J, Larsson A, Thulin M, Karlsson T. Increased Plasma GDF15 Is Associated with Altered Levels of Soluble VEGF Receptors 1 and 2 in Symptomatic Multiple Myeloma. Acta Haematol 2021; 145:326-333. [PMID: 34818652 DOI: 10.1159/000519888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In multiple myeloma, there is an increase in bone marrow microvascular density and enhanced renal lymphangiogenesis. Increased levels of the proangiogenic protein growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF15) have previously been reported to be associated with poor prognosis in myeloma. A possible association between GDF15 and the soluble forms of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (sVEGFR) 1 and 2 has not yet been investigated, and a role for these receptors in pathological angiogenesis in myeloma is still to be defined. METHODS Plasma levels of GDF15 and sVEGFR1 and 2 were determined by ELISA in patients with smouldering multiple myeloma (sMM), patients with symptomatic multiple myeloma (abbreviated as MM), and healthy controls. The levels were compared between the three groups, and correlation coefficients were calculated, as were Kaplan-Meier curves for GDF15 and sVEGFR1 and sVEGFR2. RESULTS Levels of GDF15 were significantly higher in MM than in both patients with sMM and controls. A gradual decrease in mean sVEGFR1 concentration was observed, with MM > sMM > controls. Mean sVEGFR2 was lower in patients with MM than in controls. There was a positive correlation between GDF15 and sVEGFR1, and GDF15 correlated negatively with sVEGFR2. High GDF15 (>3 ng/mL) was associated with poor prognosis. CONCLUSION In multiple myeloma, increased expression of GDF15 correlates positively with sVEGFR1 and negatively with sVEGFR2. It is possible that the altered levels of sVEGFR1 and 2 contribute to the increased angio- and lymphangiogenesis observed in myeloma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josefin Hidman
- Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Medicine, Västmanland County Hospital, Västerås, Sweden
| | - Anders Larsson
- Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Måns Thulin
- School of Mathematics and Maxwell Institute for Mathematical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Torbjörn Karlsson
- Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Haematology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
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Association between ABO and Duffy blood types and circulating chemokines and cytokines. Genes Immun 2021; 22:161-171. [PMID: 34103707 PMCID: PMC8185309 DOI: 10.1038/s41435-021-00137-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Blood group antigens are inherited traits that may play a role in immune and inflammatory processes. We investigated associations between blood groups and circulating inflammation-related molecules in 3537 non-Hispanic white participants selected from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Whole-genome scans were used to infer blood types for 12 common antigen systems based on well-characterized single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Serum levels of 96 biomarkers were measured on multiplex fluorescent bead-based panels. We estimated marker associations with blood type using weighted linear or logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, smoking status, and principal components of population substructure. Bonferroni correction was used to control for multiple comparisons, with two-sided p values < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Among the 1152 associations tested, 10 were statistically significant. Duffy blood type was associated with levels of CXCL6/GCP2, CXCL5/ENA78, CCL11/EOTAXIN, CXCL1/GRO, CCL2/MCP1, CCL13/MCP4, and CCL17/TARC, whereas ABO blood type was associated with levels of sVEGFR2, sVEGFR3, and sGP130. Post hoc pairwise t-tests showed that individuals with type Fy(a+b−) had the lowest mean levels of all Duffy-associated markers, while individuals with type A blood had the lowest mean levels of all ABO-associated markers. Additional work is warranted to explore potential clinical implications of these differences.
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Shibata MA, Shibata E, Tanaka Y, Shiraoka C, Kondo Y. Soluble Vegfr3 gene therapy suppresses multi-organ metastasis in a mouse mammary cancer model. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:2837-2849. [PMID: 32539229 PMCID: PMC7419054 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence on the association of VEGF-C with lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis implicates lymphatic vessels as a potential target in anti-cancer therapy. To evaluate whether blocking VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 signaling can inhibit multi-organ metastases, a mouse metastatic mammary cancer model was subjected to gene therapy using a soluble VEGFR-3 expression vector (psVEGFR-3). We showed that psVEGFR-3 significantly diminished cell growth in vitro with or without added VEGF-C, and significantly reduced primary tumor growth and tumor metastases to wide-spectrum organs in vivo. Although apoptotic cell death and angiogenesis levels did not differ between the control and psVEGFR-3 groups, cell proliferation and lymphangiogenesis in the mammary tumors were significantly decreased in the psVEGFR-3 group. Furthermore, lymphatic vessel invasion was significantly inhibited in this group. Real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed significantly high expression of the Vegfr3 gene due to gene therapy, and the transcriptional levels of Pcna and Lyve1 tended to decrease in the psVEGFR-3 group. Immunofluorescence staining indicated that phospho-tyrosine expression was considerably lower in tumor cells of psVEGFR-3-treated mammary carcinomas than those of control tumors. Double immunofluorescence staining indicated that phospho-tyrosine+ /LYVE-1+ (a lymphatic vessel marker) tended to decrease in psVEGFR-3-treated mammary carcinomas compared with control mice, indicating a decline in the activity of the VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 axis. These findings showed that a blockade of VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 signaling caused by sVEGFR-3 sequestered VEGF-C and prevented the side-effects of anti-angiogenesis and suppressed overall metastases, suggesting their high clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masa-Aki Shibata
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan
| | - Eiko Shibata
- Department of Molecular Innovation in Lipidology, National Cerebral & Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Tanaka
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan
| | - Chinatsu Shiraoka
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan
| | - Yoichi Kondo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan
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Wang K, Liu Y, Huang S, Li H, Hou J, Huang J, Chen J, Feng K, Liang M, Chen G, Wu Z. Does an imbalance in circulating vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) cause atrial fibrillation in patients with valvular heart disease? J Thorac Dis 2019; 11:5509-5516. [PMID: 32030270 DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2019.11.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Background The pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear. Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) can stimulate fibrosis within the atrium and ventricle. We hypothesized that there is a relationship between the serum VEGFs/soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (sVEGFRs) levels and AF in patients with valvular heart disease (VHD). This provides a new paradigm for studying AF. Methods The plasma levels of VEGF-A, VEGF-C, sVEGFR-1 and sVEGFR-2 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A total of 100 people, consisting of AF patients (long-standing, persistent AF; n=49), sinus rhythm (SR) patients (n=31) and healthy controls (n=20), were included in this study. Results The plasma levels of VEGF-A were significantly higher in AF patients compared to healthy control (P<0.05). The plasma levels of sVEGFR-1 were significantly higher in AF compared to SR (P<0.05). The plasma levels of sVEGFR-2 were significantly lower in AF patients compared to SR patients and healthy controls (both P<0.05). There was a significant and negative correlation between AF and the sVEGFR-2 levels in the groups (r=-0.432, P=0.000). Conclusions An imbalance in VEGFs and sVEGFRs may contribute to AF by breaking the balance of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Additionally, sVEGFR-2 may be an important biomarker of AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keke Wang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.,Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yanyan Liu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Medicine University, Guangzhou 510405, China
| | - Suiqing Huang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.,Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation, Ministry of Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Huayang Li
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jian Hou
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.,Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation, Ministry of Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jiaxing Huang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jiantao Chen
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Kangni Feng
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Mengya Liang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Guangxian Chen
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zhongkai Wu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.,Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation, Ministry of Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
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Zarychta E, Rhone P, Bielawski K, Michalska M, Rość D, Ruszkowska-Ciastek B. Anti-angiogenic efficacy in invasive breast carcinoma patients depends on clinicopathological determinants. Adv Med Sci 2019; 64:216-223. [PMID: 30818220 DOI: 10.1016/j.advms.2019.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The biggest problem with the occurrence of breast cancer is late diagnosis, which is associated with high mortality rates. The aim of the study was to appraise the number of circulating endothelial precursors and the concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and the soluble forms of its receptors, sVEGFR1 and sVEGFR2, in breast cancer patients with respect to clinicopathological features. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study involved 85 women of Caucasian ethnicity aged 45-66 with primary breast cancer without distant metastases (M0). Inclusion criteria were as follows: histopathological examination confirming the diagnosis of primary breast cancer, without previous radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Immunohistochemistry evaluation of oestrogen and progesterone receptors, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, Ki67 expression was made in all cases. In the EDTA-plasma, the concentrations of VEGF-A and its soluble receptors, sVEGFR1 and sVEGFR2, were measured applying immunoassay techniques. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were identified with the immune-phenotype CD45-, CD34+, CD133+, CD31+ using flow cytometry. RESULTS Older women with breast cancer had significantly higher concentrations of VEGF-A as well as sVEGFR2 compared with their younger counterparts. A significantly higher concentration of the soluble form of VEGF receptor type 1 in patients with T1 breast cancer in relation to T2 cases was noted. Also, negative correlations between circulating EPCs and histological grading as well as a soluble form of VEGFR2 with histological grading of breast cancer according to the Elston-Ellis classification were observed. CONCLUSIONS Anti-angiogenic potential is divergent in relation to the clinicopathological determinants.
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Shibata MA, Hamaoka H, Morimoto J, Kanayama T, Maemura K, Ito Y, Iinuma M, Kondo Y. Synthetic α-mangostin dilaurate strongly suppresses wide-spectrum organ metastasis in a mouse model of mammary cancer. Cancer Sci 2018; 109:1660-1671. [PMID: 29601143 PMCID: PMC5980246 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously reported that, in a mouse model of mammary cancer, α‐mangostin alone exhibits anti‐metastatic properties. To enhance this anti‐metastatic effect, we examined the efficacy of synthetic α‐mangostin dilaurate (MGD), prepared by adding lauric acid to α‐mangostin, in the same experimental system wherein mice bearing mammary tumors are exposed to dietary MGD at 0, 2000 and 4000 ppm. Lauric acid has a high propensity for lymphatic absorption, which is the most common pathway of initial dissemination of many solid malignancies. Both mammary tumor volumes and wide‐spectrum organ metastasis were markedly reduced at 2000 and 4000 ppm: furthermore, survival in the 4000‐ppm group was significantly greater than in control mice. Apoptosis in mammary carcinomas was also significantly increased in the 4000‐ppm group, whereas blood microvessel density and lymphatic vessel invasion were markedly reduced. In real‐time PCR analyses of tumor samples, increased p21 and decreased Pcna expression were observed with 4000 ppm but values were not statistically significant when compared to expression in control tumors. However, exposure to 4000 ppm significantly decreased expression of phospho‐Akt (Ser473/Thr308) as compared to the control, indicating a role in the anti‐tumorigenic effects of MGD. These findings suggest that MGD may be useful for adjuvant therapy and chemoprevention and that conjugated medium‐chain fatty acids may enhance the efficacy of certain chemotherapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masa-Aki Shibata
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hitomi Hamaoka
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan
| | - Junji Morimoto
- Laboratory Animal Center, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tadashi Kanayama
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kentaro Maemura
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuko Ito
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Yoichi Kondo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan
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Hedgehog signalling pathway orchestrates angiogenesis in triple-negative breast cancers. Br J Cancer 2017; 116:1425-1435. [PMID: 28441382 PMCID: PMC5520095 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2017.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several evidences suggest a marked angiogenic dependency in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) tumorigenesis and a potential sensitivity to anti-angiogenic agents. Herein, the putative role of Hedgehog (Hh) pathway in regulating TNBC-dependent angiogenesis was investigated. METHODS Expression and regulation of the Hh pathway transcription factor glioma-associated oncogene homolog1 protein (GLI1) were studied on the endothelial compartment and on TNBC-initiated angiogenesis. To evaluate the translational relevance of our findings, the combination of paclitaxel with the Smo inhibitor NVP-LDE225 was tested in TNBC xenografted mice. RESULTS Tissue microarray analysis on 200 TNBC patients showed GLI1 overexpression paired with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) expression. In vitro, Hh pathway promotes TNBC progression in an autocrine manner, regulating the VEGF/VEGFR2 loop on cancer cell surface, and in a paracrine manner, orchestrating tumour vascularisation. These effects were counteracted by Smo pharmacological inhibition. In TNBC xenografted mice, scheduling NVP-LDE225 rather than bevacizumab provided a better sustained inhibition of TNBC cells proliferation and endothelial cells organisation. CONCLUSIONS This study identifies the Hh pathway as one of the main regulators of tumour angiogenesis in TNBC, thus suggesting Hh inhibition as a potential new anti-angiogenic therapeutic option to be clinically investigated in GLI1 overexpressing TNBC patients.
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Klingenberg M, Becker J, Eberth S, Kube D, Wilting J. The NADPH oxidase inhibitor imipramine-blue in the treatment of Burkitt lymphoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2014; 13:833-41. [PMID: 24482381 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-13-0688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Burkitt lymphoma is a rare malignancy arising from B cells. Current chemotherapeutic regimens achieve excellent overall survival rates in children, but less impressive rates in adults. There are cases with poor outcome caused by toxic effects of the therapy, tumor lysis syndrome, or metastatic spread of lymphomas to the central nervous system. Modulators of reactive oxygen species are currently discussed as potential drugs for the treatment of cancer. The NADPH oxidase 4 inhibitor imipramine-blue might satisfy the aforementioned requirements, and was studied here. We used MTT assay, crystal violet assay, and thymidine 3H-incorporation assay to analyze the effects of imipramine-blue on Burkitt lymphoma (BL2, BL2B95, BL30B95, BL41B95), neuroblastoma (KELLY, SH-SY5Y, SMS-KAN), cervix carcinoma (HeLa), breast cancer (MDA-MB231), angiosarcoma (AS-M), human embryonic kidney (HEK293WT), and nonmalignant (FLP1) cell lines. The effects of imipramine-blue on BL2B95 cells in vivo were investigated in xenografts on the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). We report that imipramine-blue is a potent growth inhibitor for several cancer cell lines in vitro with IC(50) values comparable to those of doxorubicin (0.16-7.7 μmol/L). Tumor size of BL2B95 cells inoculated in the CAM was reduced significantly (P < 0.05) after treatment with 10 μmol/L imipramine-blue. Lymphogenic dissemination of BL2B95 and the formation of blood and lymphatic vessels in experimental tumors were not affected. We show that imipramine-blue can be used to decrease the viability of cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Imipramine-blue reduces the size of experimental Burkitt lymphoma significantly but does not affect the dissemination of BL2B95 cells, angiogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Klingenberg
- Authors' Affiliations: Departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Hematology and Oncology, University Medicine Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
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Abstract
In this issue of Blood, Singh et al establish the existence of a new soluble isoform of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (sVEGFR-3), which is synthesized and secreted by corneal epithelial cells; they show that sVEGFR-3 modulates lymphangiogenesis by impounding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) C and rendering it unable to activate its cognate receptors, thereby maintaining the natural alymphatic disposition of the cornea.
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Wu ZY, Chen T, Zhao Q, Huang JH, Chen JX, Zheng CP, Xu XE, Wu JY, Xu LY, Li EM. Altered expression of endogenous soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 is involved in the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. J Histochem Cytochem 2013; 61:340-7. [PMID: 23392734 DOI: 10.1369/0022155413480181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (esVEGFR-2), a new splicing variant of VEGFR-2, was shown to be the first endogenous specific inhibitor of lymphatic vessel growth. The expression of esVEGFR-2 and its clinicopathological roles in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are unclear. In this article, quantitative RT-PCR was employed to detect the mRNA levels of esVEGFR-2 and VEGF-C in 90 paired primary ESCC tissues, along with immunohistochemical staining to measure esVEGFR-2 protein in 182 ESCC primary tissues. Correlations between esVEGFR-2 expression and clinicopathological features were also analyzed. Compared with the corresponding non-neoplastic esophageal mucosa tissues, the mRNA level of esVEGFR-2 was decreased, whereas the mRNA level of VEGF-C was increased in ESCCs. Downregulation of esVEGFR-2 mRNA level was significantly correlated with pTNM stages (χ(2) = 7.790, p=0.02). Immunohistochemical staining of esVEGFR-2 was inclined to be reduced in ESCC tissues; lower esVEGFR-2 protein expression was related to better prognosis (χ(2) = 6.366, p=0.012), whereas higher esVEGFR-2 protein accumulation in ESCC tissues was an independent prognostic factor for poor survival of patients (hazard ratio, 1.606; 95% confidence interval, 1.042-2.476; p=0.032). Taken together, altered expression of esVEGFR-2 is correlated with progression of ESCC. esVEGFR-2 might serve as a new independent prognostic marker for ESCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Yong Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, P. R. China
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Shibata MA, Ambati J, Shibata E, Yoshidome K, Harada-Shiba M. Mammary cancer gene therapy targeting lymphangiogenesis: VEGF-C siRNA and soluble VEGF receptor-2, a splicing variant. Med Mol Morphol 2012; 45:179-84. [PMID: 23224595 DOI: 10.1007/s00795-012-0576-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2012] [Accepted: 03/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis contributes significantly to cancer mortality, and the most common pathway of initial dissemination is via the afferent ducts of the lymphatics. Overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C has been associated with lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis in a multitude of human neoplasms, including breast cancers. We recently reported that both VEGF-C siRNA and endogenous soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (esVEGFR-2, a new splicing variant) inhibit VEGF-C function and metastasis in a mouse model of metastatic mammary cancer. Here we briefly review our previous experimental work, specifically targeting tumor lymphangiogenesis, in which metastatic mouse mammary cancers received direct intratumoral injections of either expression vectors VEGF-C siRNA or esVEGFR-2, or the empty plasmid vector, once a week for 6 or 8 weeks, followed by in vivo gene electrotransfer of the injected tumors. Throughout our study, both tumor lymphangiogenesis and the multiplicity of lymph node metastasis were significantly inhibited, with an overall reduction in tumor growth, by both VEGF-C siRNA and esVEGFR-2; further, a significant reduction in the number of dilated lymphatic vessels containing intraluminal cancer cells was observed with both treatments. Thus, therapeutic strategies targeting lymphangiogenesis may have great clinical significance for the treatment of metastatic human breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masa-Aki Shibata
- Laboratory of Anatomy and Histopathology, Faculty of Health Science, Osaka Health Science University, 1-9-27 Temma, Osaka 530-0043, Japan.
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Aweimer A, Stachon T, Tannapfel A, Köller M, Truss MC, Stachon A. Regulation of soluble VEGFR-2 secreted by microvascular endothelial cells derived from human BPH. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 2011; 15:157-64. [PMID: 22183775 DOI: 10.1038/pcan.2011.63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, it was reported that the soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (sVEGFR-2) is secreted by microvascular endothelial cells from human BPH (HPECs). The purpose of this study was to investigate the modulation of sVEGFR-2 by common endothelial cell stimulators. In addition, the physiological role of sVEGFR-2 with regard to the VEGF-stimulated proliferation of HPEC was investigated. METHODS HPECs were isolated and cultured from fresh BPH tissue. After the incubation of HPECs either with adenosine triphosphate (ATP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 or IL-12, the secretion of sVEGFR-2 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. For measurement of HPEC proliferation influenced by sVEGFR-2, VEGF-stimulated HPEC was cultured with/without sVEGFR-2. Cell proliferation was assessed with the Alamar Blue method. RESULTS The sVEGFR-2 secretion was increased by ATP and decreased by IL-12 and IL-8, respectively. IL-6 did not show any significant effect on sVEGFR-2 secretion of HPECs. HPEC proliferation was significantly inhibited by sVEGFR-2. CONCLUSIONS In this study, our data suggest that the secretion of sVEGFR-2 by microvascular endothelial cells from prostate origin is influenced by multiple endothelial cell stimulators. Furthermore, our data suggest that sVEGFR-2 acts as an antiangiogenic factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Aweimer
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Transfusion, and Laboratory Medicine, University Clinic BG Bergmannsheil, BG-University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
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Guillaudeau A, Durand K, Rabinovitch-Chable H, Pommepuy I, Mesturoux L, Robert S, Chaunavel A, Moreau JJ, Labrousse F. Adult diffuse gliomas produce mRNA transcripts encoding EGFR isoforms lacking a tyrosine kinase domain. Int J Oncol 2011; 40:1142-52. [PMID: 22159595 PMCID: PMC3680776 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2011.1287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2011] [Accepted: 09/27/2011] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene encodes four alternatively spliced mRNA, variants 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively, encoding the whole isoform a (EGFR) and truncated isoforms b, c and d, all of which lack the receptor’s intracellular domain. In addition, a mutant EGFRvIII differs from isoform a in a truncated extracellular domain. The expression pattern of these isoforms is unknown in adult diffuse gliomas. Thus, we investigated in 47 cases: i) EGFR protein expression by immunohistochemistry using an extracellular domain-recognizing antibody (Ext-Ab) and an intracellular domain specific one (Int-Ab), ii) mRNA expression of EGFRv1, -v2, -v3, -v4 and -vIII by RT-PCR and iii) EGFR amplification by fluorescent in situ hybridization. The relation of these data with histological criteria and patient outcome was studied. The immunostaining was stronger with the Ext-Ab than with the Int-Ab. EGFRv1, -v2, -v3 and -v4 mRNA expression were highly correlated. They were expressed in all tumors, with highest levels in glioblastomas. EGFRv1 strong levels and the presence of vIII mRNAs were more closely associated with Int-Ab staining. EGFR gene amplification concerned only glioblastomas and was associated with the presence of EGFRvIII and high levels of EGFRv2, -v3 and -v4 transcripts. A pejorative outcome was associated with: histology (glioblastomas), EGFR amplification, strong Int-Ab labeling and high levels of variant mRNAs. Our results indicated that the full-length EGFR and mutant EGFRvIII are not the sole EGFR isoform expressed in diffuse gliomas. This could explain discordant immunohistochemical results reported in the literature and may have therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angélique Guillaudeau
- Department of Pathology, Dupuytren University Hospital, 2 Avenue Martin Luther King, F-87042 Limoges, France
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Shibata MA, Iinuma M, Morimoto J, Kurose H, Akamatsu K, Okuno Y, Akao Y, Otsuki Y. α-Mangostin extracted from the pericarp of the mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana Linn) reduces tumor growth and lymph node metastasis in an immunocompetent xenograft model of metastatic mammary cancer carrying a p53 mutation. BMC Med 2011; 9:69. [PMID: 21639868 PMCID: PMC3121600 DOI: 10.1186/1741-7015-9-69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2011] [Accepted: 06/03/2011] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mangosteen fruit has a long history of medicinal use in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Recently, the compound α-mangostin, which is isolated from the pericarp of the fruit, was shown to induce cell death in various types of cancer cells in in vitro studies. This led us to investigate the antitumor growth and antimetastatic activities of α-mangostin in an immunocompetent xenograft model of mouse metastatic mammary cancer having a p53 mutation that induces a metastatic spectrum similar to that seen in human breast cancers. METHODS Mammary tumors, induced by inoculation of BALB/c mice syngeneic with metastatic BJMC3879luc2 cells, were subsequently treated with α-mangostin at 0, 10 and 20 mg/kg/day using mini-osmotic pumps and histopathologically examined. To investigate the mechanisms of antitumor ability by α-mangostin, in vitro studies were also conducted. RESULTS Not only were in vivo survival rates significantly higher in the 20 mg/kg/day α-mangostin group versus controls, but both tumor volume and the multiplicity of lymph node metastases were significantly suppressed. Apoptotic levels were significantly increased in the mammary tumors of mice receiving 20 mg/kg/day and were associated with increased expression of active caspase-3 and -9. Other significant effects noted at this dose level were decreased microvessel density and lower numbers of dilated lymphatic vessels containing intraluminal tumor cells in mammary carcinoma tissues. In vitro, α-mangostin induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and G1-phase arrest and S-phase suppression in the cell cycle. Since activation by Akt phosphorylation plays a central role in a variety of oncogenic processes, including cell proliferation, anti-apoptotic cell death, angiogenesis and metastasis, we also investigated alterations in Akt phosphorylation induced by α-mangostin treatment both in vitro and in vivo. Quantitative analysis and immunohistochemistry showed that α-mangostin significantly decreased the levels of phospho-Akt-threonine 308 (Thr308), but not serine 473 (Ser473), in both mammary carcinoma cell cultures and mammary carcinoma tissues in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Since lymph node involvement is the most important prognostic factor in breast cancer patients, the antimetastatic activity of α-mangostin as detected in mammary cancers carrying a p53 mutation in the present study may have specific clinical applications. In addition, α-mangostin may have chemopreventive benefits and/or prove useful as an adjuvant therapy, or as a complementary alternative medicine in the treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masa-Aki Shibata
- Laboratory of Anatomy and Histopathology, Faculty of Health Science, Osaka Health Science University, Osaka, Japan.
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Blei F. Literature Watch. Lymphat Res Biol 2011. [DOI: 10.1089/lrb.2011.9103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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