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Kang Y, Li H, Liu Y, Li Z. Regulation of VEGF-A expression and VEGF-A-targeted therapy in malignant tumors. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2024; 150:221. [PMID: 38687357 PMCID: PMC11061008 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-024-05714-5] [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: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), a highly conserved dimeric glycoprotein, is a key regulatory gene and a marker molecule of angiogenesis. The upregulation of VEGF-A facilitates the process of tumor vascularization, thereby fostering the initiation and progression of malignant neoplasms. Many genes can adjust the angiogenesis of tumors by changing the expression of VEGF-A. In addition, VEGF-A also exhibits immune regulatory properties, which directly or indirectly suppresses the antitumor activity of immune cells. The emergence of VEGF-A-targeted therapy alone or in rational combinations has revolutionized the treatment of various cancers. This review discusses how diverse mechanisms in various tumors regulate VEGF-A expression to promote tumor angiogenesis and the role of VEGF-A in tumor immune microenvironment. The application of drugs targeting VEGF-A in tumor therapy is also summarized including antibody molecule drugs and traditional Chinese medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Kang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Chinese Ministry of Health, Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Huiting Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Chinese Ministry of Health, Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yiping Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Chinese Ministry of Health, Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zheng Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Chinese Ministry of Health, Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Wang D, Li H, Zeng T, Chen Q, Huang W, Huang Y, Liao Y, Jiang Q. Exosome-transmitted ANGPTL1 suppresses angiogenesis in glioblastoma by inhibiting the VEGFA/VEGFR2/Akt/eNOS pathway. J Neuroimmunol 2024; 387:578266. [PMID: 38150891 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2023.578266] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly vascularized malignancy that relies on new vessel generation, and thus targeting angiogenesis has been a promising anti-GBM approach. ANGPTL1 is well-known for its anti-angiogenic property; nevertheless, its role in GBM is yet to be explored. Recently, the crucial role of exosomes (Exos) as intercellular communication mediators has gained prominence in GBM therapy. This work aimed to explore the role of exosomal ANGPTL1 in GBM angiogenesis and its mechanisms. METHODS Bioinformatic analysis was performed to evaluate ANGPTL expression in GBM. Human GBM cell lines (U87 and U251) and a xenograft mouse model were employed. Exos were isolated from oe-NC- and oe-ANGPTL-transfected bone mesenchymal stem cells and identified. Cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis were detected. Immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, western blotting, co-immunoprecipitation, and immunohistochemistry were used to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying exosomal ANGPTL1 against GBM angiogenesis. Besides, tube generation and transmission electron microscope assays were conducted to assess GBM angiogenesis. RESULTS Low ANGPTL1 expression was observed in GBM tumor tissues and cells. Functionally, e-ANGPTL-Exos inhibited GBM malignant progression and angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanically, e-ANGPTL-Exos reduced VEGFA expression and blocked the VEGFR2/Akt/eNOS pathway in GBM cells and tumor tissues. Co-immunoprecipitation revealed a link between ANGPTL1 and VEGFA in GBM cells. Notably, oe-VEGFA abolished the suppressive functions of e-ANGPTL-Exos in GBM progression and angiogenesis and the VEGFR2/Akt/eNOS axis. The VEGFR2 inhibitor, vandetanib, eliminated the promotive effects of oe-VEGFA on GBM angiogenesis with suppressed VEGFR2/Akt/eNOS pathway. CONCLUSIONS Exosomal ANGPTL1 suppressed GBM angiogenesis by inhibiting the VEGFA/VEGFR2/Akt/eNOS axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou 341000, China.
| | - Huichen Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou 341000, China
| | - Tianxiang Zeng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou 341000, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou 341000, China
| | - Weilong Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou 341000, China
| | - Yujing Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou 341000, China
| | - Yuqing Liao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou 341000, China
| | - Qiuhua Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou 341000, China.
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Lungu CN, Mehedinti MC. Molecular Motifs in Vascular Morphogenesis: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA) as the Leading Promoter of Angiogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12169. [PMID: 37569543 PMCID: PMC10418718 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissular hypoxia stimulates vascular morphogenesis. Vascular morphogenesis shapes the cell and, consecutively, tissue growth. The development of new blood vessels is intermediated substantially through the tyrosine kinase pathway. There are several types of receptors inferred to be located in the blood vessel structures. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is the leading protagonist of angiogenesis. VEGF-A's interactions with its receptors VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and VEGFR3, together with disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 1 (ADAMTS1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and neuropilin-1 (NRP1), independently, are studied computationally. Peripheral artery disease (PAD), which results in tissue ischemia, is more prevalent in the senior population. Presently, medical curatives used to treat cases of PAD-antiplatelet and antithrombotic agents, statins, antihypertensive remedies with ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) impediments, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) or β- blockers, blood glucose control, and smoking cessation-are not effective. These curatives were largely established from the treatment of complaint cases of coronary disease. However, these medical curatives do not ameliorate lower limb perfusion in cases of PAD. Likewise, surgical or endovascular procedures may be ineffective in relieving symptoms. Eventually, after successful large vessel revascularization, the residual microvascular circulation may well limit the effectiveness of curatives in cases of PAD. It would thus feel rational to attempt to ameliorate perfusion in PAD by enhancing vascular rejuvenescence and function. Likewise, stimulating specific angiogenesis in these cases (PAD) can ameliorate the patient's symptomatology. Also, the quality of life of PAD patients can be improved by developing new vasodilative and angiogenetic molecules that stimulate the tyrosine kinase pathway. In this respect, the VEGFA angiogenetic pathway was explored computationally. Docking methodologies, molecular dynamics, and computational molecular design methodologies were used. VEGFA's interaction with its target was primarily studied. Common motifs in the vascular morphogenesis pathway are suggested using conformational energy and Riemann spaces. The results show that interaction with VEGFR2 and ADAMTS1 is pivotal in the angiogenetic process. Also, the informational content of two VEGFA complexes, VEGFR2 and ADAMTS1, is crucial in the angiogenesis process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudiu N. Lungu
- Departament of Functional and Morphological Science, Faculty of Medicine and Pharamacy, Dunarea de Jos University, 800010 Galati, Romania
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Guan J, Guan B, Shang H, Peng J, Yang H, Lin J. Babao Dan inhibits lymphangiogenesis of gastric cancer in vitro and in vivo via lncRNA-ANRIL/VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 signaling axis. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 154:113630. [PMID: 36058147 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common gastrointestinal malignancies in the world. Growing evidence emphasizes the critical role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in GC tumorigenesis. The aim of the research was to elucidate the effect and mechanism of Babao Dan (BBD) on lymphangiogenesis of GC in vitro and in vivo via lncRNA-ANRIL/VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 signaling axis. The present study investigated BBD significantly decreased the expression of lncRNA-ANRIL and VEGF-C in GC cells (AGS, BGC823, and MGC80-3) by using real-time quantitative polymerasechain reaction (RT-qPCR) and the secretion and expression of VEGF-C by (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) ELISA and western blot (WB). BBD significantly inhibited the tumor xenograft of GC growth and the expression of lncRNA-ANRIL, VEGF-C, VEGFR-3 and LYVE-1 in vivo. BBD reduced serum VEGF-C level. In vitro, BBD inhibited the tube formation and decreased the cell viability, proliferation and migration of HLECs by using tube formation, MTT, Hoechst and Transwell assays. In addition, WB assay found that BBD decreased the expression levels of VEGF-C, VEGFR-3, matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP-2) and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9), and RT-qPCR assay found that the mRNA expression levels of lncRNA-ANRIL, VEGF-C, VEGFR-3, MMP-2, MMP-9, CDK4, Cyclin D1, and Bcl-2 were down-regulated, and the expression of p21 and Bax were increased. Taken together, these results demonstrated that BBD inhibited lymphangiogenesis of GC in vitro and in vivo via the lncRNA-ANRIL/VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 signaling axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Guan
- Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, PR China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatrics, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, PR China
| | - Bin Guan
- Xiamen Traditional Chinese Medicine Co., Ltd., Xiamen 361100, PR China
| | - Haixia Shang
- Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, PR China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatrics, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, PR China
| | - Jun Peng
- Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, PR China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatrics, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, PR China; Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine (Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Fujian Province University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, PR China
| | - Hong Yang
- Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, PR China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatrics, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, PR China
| | - Jiumao Lin
- Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, PR China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatrics, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, PR China; Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine (Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Fujian Province University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, PR China.
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