The Impact of Ang-(1-9) and Ang-(3-7) on the Biological Properties of Prostate Cancer Cells by Modulation of Inflammatory and Steroidogenesis Pathway Genes

New insights into prostate Cancer from the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system

Prostate cancer is among the most common malignancies found in men, with multifactorial changes occurring altogether to disrupt the pathophysiology of this gland. The Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) is an extensively studied pathway that has newly attributed fundamental roles in cancer biology that impact cell growth, migration, metastasis, and death. These processes are significantly influenced by various components of the RAAS, including prorenin, AT1R, AT2R, and Ang 1-7/Mas receptors. Although the pathophysiology of prostate cancer is complex, targeting the RAAS shows promise as a therapeutic approach. RAAS dysregulation is evident in prostate cancer, and treatments traditionally used for cardiovascular diseases are being explored for cancer therapy. The RAAS pathway has significant effects on the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), the spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body (metastasis), and cell proliferation. In this pathway, angiotensin II and its receptors have crucial functions. Angiotensin II stimulates angiogenesis and cell proliferation through the AT1R, whereas the AT2R has the opposite effect by inhibiting cell growth. Additional pathways involving ACE2/Ang 1-7/Mas also provide potential targets for therapeutic intervention, mitigating the impact of the traditional ACE/Angiotensin II/AT1R pathway. The components of the RAAS influence multiple signalling pathways, such as Androgen Receptor (AR), NF-κB, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR, which enhances our understanding of how it contributes to the progression of prostate cancer. This also provides new possibilities for therapeutic interventions.

Counter-regulatory RAS peptides: new therapy targets for inflammation and fibrotic diseases?

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is an important cascade of enzymes and peptides that regulates blood pressure, volume, and electrolytes. Within this complex system of reactions, its counter-regulatory axis has attracted attention, which has been associated with the pathophysiology of inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. This review article analyzes the impact of different components of the counter-regulatory axis of the RAS on different pathologies. Of these peptides, Angiotensin-(1-7), angiotensin-(1-9) and alamandine have been evaluated in a wide variety of in vitro and in vivo studies, where not only they counteract the actions of the classical axis, but also exhibit independent anti-inflammatory and fibrotic actions when binding to specific receptors, mainly in heart, kidney, and lung. Other functional peptides are also addressed, which despite no reports associated with inflammation and fibrosis to date were found, they could represent a potential target of study. Furthermore, the association of agonists of the counter-regulatory axis is analyzed, highlighting their contribution to the modulation of the inflammatory response counteracting the development of fibrotic events. This article shows an overview of the importance of the RAS in the resolution of inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, offering an understanding of the individual components as potential treatments.

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) signaling pathways and cancer: foes versus allies

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), is an old system with new fundamental roles in cancer biology which influences cell growth, migration, death, and metastasis. RAAS signaling enhances cell proliferation in malignancy directly and indirectly by affecting tumor cells and modulating angiogenesis. Cancer development may be influenced by the balance between the ACE/Ang II/AT1R and the ACE2/Ang 1-7/Mas receptor pathways. The interactions between Ang II/AT1R and Ang I/AT2R as well as Ang1-7/Mas and alamandine/MrgD receptors in the RAAS pathway can significantly impact the development of cancer. Ang I/AT2R, Ang1-7/Mas, and alamandine/MrgD interactions can have anticancer effects while Ang II/AT1R interactions can be involved in the development of cancer. Evidence suggests that inhibitors of the RAAS, which are conventionally used to treat cardiovascular diseases, may be beneficial in cancer therapies.Herein, we aim to provide a thorough description of the elements of RAAS and their molecular play in cancer. Alongside this, the role of RAAS components in sex-dependent cancers as well as GI cancers will be discussed with the hope of enlightening new venues for adjuvant cancer treatment.

The alternative renin-angiotensin-system (RAS) signalling pathway in prostate cancer and its link to the current COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

The renin-angiotensin system is known to maintain blood pressure and body fluids. However, it has been found to consist of at least two major constituents, the classic and the alternative pathway, balancing and supporting each other's signalling in a very intricate way. Current research has shown that the renin-angiotensin system is involved in a broad range of biological processes and diseases, such as cancer and infectious diseases.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We conducted a literature review on the interaction of the renin-angiotensin system and prostate cancer and explored the research on the possible impact of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in this context. This review provides an update on contemporary knowledge into the alternative renin-angiotensin system, its role in cancer, specifically prostate cancer, and the implications of the current COVID-19 pandemic on cancer and cancer care.

CONCLUSION

In this work, we aim to demonstrate how shifting the RAS signalling pathway from the classic to the alternative axis seems to be a viable option in supporting treatment of specific cancers and at the same time demonstrating beneficial properties in supportive care. It however seems to be the case that the infection with SARS-CoV-2 and subsequent impairment of the renin-angiotensin-system could exhibit serious deleterious long-term effects even in oncology.

Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells as Key Players and Promising Therapy Targets in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most often diagnosed malignancy in men and one of the major causes of cancer death worldwide. Despite genetic predispositions, environmental factors, including a high-fat diet, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, infections of the prostate, and exposure to chemicals or ionizing radiation, play a crucial role in PC development. Moreover, due to a lack of, or insufficient T-cell infiltration and its immunosuppressive microenvironment, PC is frequently classified as a “cold” tumor. This is related to the absence of tumor-associated antigens, the lack of T-cell activation and their homing into the tumor bed, and the presence of immunological cells with regulatory functions, including myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), regulatory T cells (Treg), and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). All of them, by a variety of means, hamper anti-tumor immune response in the tumor microenvironment (TME), stimulating tumor growth and the formation of metastases. Therefore, they emerge as potential anti-cancer therapy targets. This article is focused on the function and role of MDSCs in the initiation and progression of PC. Clinical trials directly targeting this cell population or affecting its biological functions, thus limiting its pro-tumorigenic activity, are also presented.

The Influence of Angiotensin Peptides on Survival and Motility of Human High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Cells in Serum Starvation Conditions

High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the most frequent and malignant form of ovarian cancer. A local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been found in the ovary, and changes in selected components of this system were observed in pathological states and also in ovarian cancer. In the present study, we examined the effect of three peptides, Ang-(1-7), Ang-(1-9) and Ang-(3-7), on proliferation and motility of the OVPA8 cell line, a new well-defined and preclinical model of HGSOC. We confirmed the presence of mRNA for all angiotensin receptors in the tested cells. Furthermore, our findings indicate that all tested angiotensin peptides increased the metabolic serum in the medium by activation of cell defense mechanisms such as nuclear factor kappaB signaling pathway andapoptosis. Moreover, tested angiotensin peptides intensified serum starvation-induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. In the case of Ang-(3-7), a significant decrease in the number of Ki67 positive cells (Ki67+) and reduced percentage of activated ERK1/2 levels in ovarian cancer cells were additionally reported. The angiotensin-induced effect of the accumulation of cells in the G0/G1 phase was not observed in OVPA8 cells growing on the medium with 10% FBS. Moreover, in the case of Ang-(3-7), the tendency was quite the opposite. Ang-(1-7) but not Ang-(1-9) or Ang-(3-7) increased the mobility of reluctant-to-migrate OVAP8 cells cultured in the serum-free medium. In any cases, the changes in the expression of VIM and HIF1A gene, associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), were not observed. In conclusion, we speculate that the adaptation to starvation in nutrient-deprived tumors can be modulated by peptides from the renin-angiotensin system. The influence of angiotensin peptides on cancer cells is highly dependent on the availability of growth factors and nutrients.

Oxidative Stress Links Aging-Associated Cardiovascular Diseases and Prostatic Diseases

The incidence of chronic aging-associated diseases, especially cardiovascular and prostatic diseases, is increasing with the aging of society. Evidence indicates that cardiovascular diseases usually coexist with prostatic diseases or increase its risk, while the pathological mechanisms of these diseases are unknown. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of both cardiovascular and prostatic diseases. The levels of oxidative stress biomarkers are higher in patients with cardiovascular diseases, and these also contribute to the development of prostatic diseases, suggesting cardiovascular diseases may increase the risk of prostatic diseases via oxidative stress. This review summarizes the role of oxidative stress in cardiovascular and prostatic diseases and also focuses on the main shared pathways underlying these diseases, in order to provide potential prevention and treatment targets.