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Keber CU, Derigs M, Schultz C, Wegner M, Lingelbach S, Wischmann V, Hofmann R, Denkert C, Hegele A, Hänze J. Cellular and soluble immune checkpoint signaling forms PD-L1 and PD-1 in renal tumor tissue and in blood. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 71:2381-2389. [PMID: 35184226 PMCID: PMC9463294 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03166-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade therapy is a treatment option of various metastatic cancer diseases including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Approved antibody drugs target the co-inhibitory signaling of Programmed Cell Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1) and its receptor Programmed Cell Death-1 (PD-1). The combined evaluation of PD-L1 and PD-1 at the mRNA and protein levels in tumor tissue with differentiation of tumor and immune cells as well as of soluble forms (sPD-L1) and (sPD-1) in blood is of basic interest in assessing biomarker surrogates. Here, we demonstrate that PD-L1 determined as fraction of stained tumor cells (TPS-score) correlates with PD-L1-mRNA in tumor tissue, reflecting the predominant expression of PD-L1 in tumor cells. Conversely, PD-1 in immune cells of tumor tissue (IC-score) correlated with PD-1-mRNA tissue levels reflecting the typical PD-1 expression in immune cells. Of note, sPD-L1 in blood did not correlate with either the TPS-score of PD-L1 or with PD-L1-mRNA in tumor tissue. sPD-L1 released into the supernatant of cultured RCC cells closely followed the cellular PD-L1 expression as tested by interferon γ (IFNG) induction and siRNA knockdown of PD-L1. Further analysis in patients revealed that sPD-L1 significantly increased in blood following renal tumor resection. In addition, sPD-L1 correlated significantly with inflammation marker C-reactive protein (CRP) and with PD-L1 mRNA level in whole blood. These results indicate that the major source of sPD-L1 in blood may be peripheral blood cells and not primarily tumor tissue PD-L1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna U Keber
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Derigs
- Clinic for Urology and Pediatric Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Carolin Schultz
- Clinic for Urology and Pediatric Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Moritz Wegner
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Susanne Lingelbach
- Clinic for Urology and Pediatric Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Viktoria Wischmann
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Rainer Hofmann
- Clinic for Urology and Pediatric Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Carsten Denkert
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Axel Hegele
- Urological Center Mittelhessen, DRK Hospital Biedenkopf, Biedenkopf, Germany
| | - Jörg Hänze
- Clinic for Urology and Pediatric Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
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2
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Hänze J, Rexin P, Jakubowski P, Schreiber H, Heers H, Lingelbach S, Kinscherf R, Weihe E, Hofmann R, Hegele A. Prostate cancer tissues with positive TMPRSS2-ERG-gene-fusion status may display enhanced nerve density. Urol Oncol 2020; 38:3.e7-3.e15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2018.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Revised: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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3
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Hegele A, Heers H, Jakubowski P, Lingelbach S, Kinscherf R, Weihe E, Rexin P, Olbert PJ, Hofmann R, Haenze J. Correlation of RNA levels of certain members of the semaphorin/plexin/neuropilin family with the oncogenic ERG transcription factor in prostate cancer homogenate. J Clin Oncol 2016. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2016.34.15_suppl.e16561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hendrik Heers
- Department of Urology, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | - P Jakubowski
- Department of Urology, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Ralf Kinscherf
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Bilogy, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Eberhard Weihe
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Peter Rexin
- Institute of pathology, Phlipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Joerg Haenze
- Department of Urology, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
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4
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Di Fazio P, Waldegger P, Jabari S, Lingelbach S, Montalbano R, Ocker M, Slater EP, Bartsch DK, Illig R, Neureiter D, Wissniowski TT. Autophagy-related cell death by pan-histone deacetylase inhibition in liver cancer. Oncotarget 2016; 7:28998-9010. [PMID: 27058414 PMCID: PMC5045373 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a homeostatic, catabolic degradation process and cell fate essential regulatory mechanism. Protracted autophagy triggers cell death; its aberrant function is responsible for several malignancies. Panobinostat, a potent pan-deacetylase inhibitor, causes endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced cell death. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of autophagy in deacetylase inhibitor-triggered liver cancer cell death.HepG2 (p53wt) and Hep3B (p53 null) liver cancer cell lines were exposed to panobinostat. RT-qPCR and western blot confirmed autophagic factor modulation. Immuno-fluorescence, -precipitation and -histochemistry as well as transmission electron microscopy verified autophagosome formation. The cytotoxicity of panobinostat and autophagy modulators was detected using a real time cell viability assay.Panobinostat induced autophagy-related factor expression and aggregation. Map1LC3B and Beclin1 were significantly over-expressed in HepG2 xenografts in nude mice treated with panobinostat for 4 weeks. Subcellular distribution of Beclin1 increased with the appearance of autophagosomes-like aggregates. Cytosolic loss of p53, in HepG2, and p73, in Hep3B cells, and a corresponding gain of their nuclear level, together with modulation of DRAM1, were observed. Autophagosome aggregation was visible after 6 h of treatment. Treatment of cells stably expressing GFP-RFPtag Map1LC3B resulted in aggregation and a fluorescence switch, thus confirming autophagosome formation and maturation. Tamoxifen, an inducer of autophagy, caused only a block in cell proliferation; but in combination with panobinostat it resulted in cell death.Autophagy triggers cell demise in liver cancer. Its modulation by the combination of tamoxifen and panobinostat could be a new option for palliative treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Di Fazio
- 1 Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Petra Waldegger
- 2 Institute for Biomedical Aging Research, University of Innsbruck, Rennweg, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Samir Jabari
- 3 Institute for Anatomy I, University of Erlangen-Nurnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susanne Lingelbach
- 4 Department of Urology, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Roberta Montalbano
- 1 Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Ocker
- 5 Institute for Surgical Research, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- 8 Experimental Medicine Oncology, Bayer Pharma AG, Berlin Germany
| | - Emily P. Slater
- 1 Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Detlef K. Bartsch
- 1 Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Romana Illig
- 6 Institute of Pathology, Paracelsus Medical University/Salzburger Landeskliniken (SALK), Salzburg, Austria
| | - Daniel Neureiter
- 6 Institute of Pathology, Paracelsus Medical University/Salzburger Landeskliniken (SALK), Salzburg, Austria
| | - Thaddeus T. Wissniowski
- 7 Department of Gastroenterology and Endocrinology, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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Di Fazio P, Lingelbach S, Schobert R, Biersack B. 4,5-Diaryl imidazoles with hydroxamic acid appendages as anti-hepatoma agents. Invest New Drugs 2015; 33:104-8. [PMID: 25410728 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-014-0188-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most abundant tumour of the liver with rising patient numbers in the Western world countries. Despite newly approved drugs like protein kinase inhibitors the survival rate is still poor. METHODS In order to identify potential new drugs for the treatment of HCC we investigated the real-time cell viability, apoptosis induction (sub-G1 cells), and HDAC (histone deacetylase) activity of two hepatocellular cancer cell lines HepG2 and Hep3B treated with new imidazole-tethered hydroxamates. RESULTS The tested cinnamyl hydroxamates exhibited significant antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity in HCC cells as apparent from high sub-G1 cell levels in flow cytometric cell cycle analyses. In Hep3B cells HDAC inhibition was observed comparable in magnitude to that induced by the clinically applied HDAC inhibitor SAHA (Zolinza, Vorinostat). CONCLUSIONS The new imidazolyl hydroxamic acids lend themselves as a possible alternative to SAHA in the therapy of HCC. Even more so since similar 4,5-diarylimidazoles lacking only the hydroxamate functionality were previously shown in animal studies to be well tolerated and orally applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Di Fazio
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Philipps University Marburg, 35043, Marburg, Germany
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6
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Quint K, Tonigold M, Di Fazio P, Montalbano R, Lingelbach S, Rückert F, Alinger B, Ocker M, Neureiter D. Pancreatic cancer cells surviving gemcitabine treatment express markers of stem cell differentiation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Int J Oncol 2012; 41:2093-102. [PMID: 23026911 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2012.1648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2012] [Accepted: 09/03/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective response rates to standard chemotherapeutic regimens remain low in pancreatic cancer. Subpopulations of cells have been identified in various solid tumors which express stem cell-associated markers and are associated with increased resistance against radiochemotherapy. We investigated the expression of stem cell genes and markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in pancreatic cancer cells that survived high concentrations of gemcitabine treatment. Capan-1 and Panc-1 cells were continuously incubated with 1 and 10 µM gemcitabine. Surviving cells were collected after 1, 3 and 6 days. Expression of PDX-1, SHH, CD24, CD44, CD133, EpCAM, CBX7, OCT4, SNAIL, SLUG, TWIST, Ki-67, E-cadherin, β-catenin and vimentin were quantified by qPCR or immunocytochemistry. Migration was assessed by wound‑healing assay. SHH was knocked down using RNA interference. Five primary pancreatic cancer cell lines were used to validate the qPCR results. All investigated genes were upregulated after 6 days of gemcitabine incubation. Highest relative expression levels were observed for OCT4 (13.4-fold), CD24 (47.3-fold) and EpCAM (15.9-fold) in Capan-1 and PDX-1 (13.3‑fold), SHH (24.1-fold), CD44 (17.4-fold), CD133 (20.2-fold) and SLUG (15.2-fold) in Panc-1 cells. Distinct upregulation patterns were observed in the primary cells. Migration was increased in Panc-1 cells and changes in the expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin were typical of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in both cell lines. SHH knockdown reduced IC(50) from 30.1 to 27.6 nM in Capan-1 while it strongly inhibited proli-feration in Panc-1 cells. Cells surviving high-dose gemcitabine treatment express increased levels of stem cell genes, show characteristics associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition and retain their proliferative capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Quint
- Institute for Surgical Research, Philipps University of Marburg, D-35043 Marburg, Germany.
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7
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Quint K, Di Fazio P, Montalbano R, Lingelbach S, Ocker M. 1029 ATP-binding Cassette Transporter Inhibition by Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Nilotinib. Eur J Cancer 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/s0959-8049(12)71644-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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8
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Hoffmann S, Wunderlich A, Lingelbach S, Musholt PB, Musholt TJ, von Wasielewski R, Zielke A. Expression and secretion of endostatin in thyroid cancer. Ann Surg Oncol 2008; 15:3601-8. [PMID: 18818971 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-008-0170-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2008] [Revised: 08/13/2008] [Accepted: 08/13/2008] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In thyroid cancer (TC) endostatin was identified as a powerful negative regulator of tumor angiogenesis in vitro. It is currently being evaluated in phase I trials for antiangiogenic therapy in various solid tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate endostatin expression in archival TC specimens and its secretion following stimulation with thyrotropin (TSH) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in TC cell lines. METHODS Tissue microarrays of 44 differentiated and 7 anaplastic TC and their metastasis were immunostained for endostatin protein expression and compared with corresponding non-neoplastic thyroid tissue (NT). In vitro, six differentiated (FTC133, FTC236, HTC, HTC-TSHr, XTC, and TPC1) and three anaplastic (C643, Hth74, Kat4.0) TC cell lines were evaluated for basal as well as TSH (1-100 mU/ml) and EGF stimulated (1-100 ng/ml) endostatin. RESULTS Endostatin was detected in all TC and more than half of the NT. Endostatin expression was more frequent and intense in differentiated as compared to anaplastic TC. In vitro, basal endostatin secretion varied between 33 +/- 5 pg/ml (FTC236) and 549 +/- 65 pg/ml (TPC1) and was doubled in FTC, when the "primary" (FTC133) was compared with the metastasis (FTC236). Some cell lines showed TSH-induced (e.g., 60% in XTC) or EGF-induced (e.g., 120% in TPC1) upregulation of endostatin secretion, while others did not, despite documented receptor expression. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates endostatin expression in TC, metastasis and--less frequently and intensely--in NT, suggesting a possible association to tumor progression. In vitro, endostatin secretion of some cell lines is regulated by TSH and EGF, however the individual differences deserve further functional studies. These results support rather tumor-specific than histotype-specific expression and regulation of endostatin in TC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Hoffmann
- Department of Surgery, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, Germany.
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Hoffmann S, Burchert A, Wunderlich A, Wang Y, Lingelbach S, Hofbauer LC, Rothmund M, Zielke A. Differential effects of cetuximab and AEE 788 on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGF-R) in thyroid cancer cell lines. Endocrine 2007; 31:105-13. [PMID: 17873319 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-007-0008-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/1999] [Revised: 11/30/1999] [Accepted: 11/30/1999] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated the role of EGF and the effects of EGF-targeting drugs (Cetuximab, AEE 788) on growth, apoptosis, and autocrine VEGF-secretion of thyroid cancer (TC) cells. Autocrine activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) is commonly regarded to contribute to the malignant phenotype of TC cells and may therefore represent a rational therapeutic target. Out of a number of TC cell lines two anaplastic (Hth74, C643), one follicular (FTC133), and one papillary thyroid cancer cell line (TPC1) were analyzed in depth for VEGF-R-and EGF-R-expression, basal and EGF-stimulated (1-100 ng/ml) VEGF protein secretion and proliferation. Subsequently the antiprolifereative and antiangiogenic effect of cetuximab (Erbitux), a monoclonal antibody that blocks the EGF-R and AEE 788, a novel dual-kinase inhibitor of EGF-R and VEGF-R were assessed, and the downstream EGF-R signal transduction was analyzed by means of detecting phosphorylated pEGF-R, pVEGF-R, pAkt, and p-MAPK. EGF stimulated VEGF-mRNA expression and protein secretion in all TC cell lines. The EGF-R antagonist Cetuximab consistently decreased VEGF secretion in all TC cell lines (min. 15%, n.s. in C643 cells and max. 90% in Hth74 cells, P < 0.05), but did not affect tumor cell proliferation in vitro. In contrast, the EGF-R- and VEGF-R-kinase inhibitor AEE 788 not only reduced VEGF secretion (min. 55%, P < 0.05 in C643 and max. 75%, P < 0.05, in FTC133), but also exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of tumor cell proliferation (min. 75%, P < 0.05 in C643 and max. 95%, P < 0.05 in Hth74) and was a potent inductor of apoptosis in two of four TC cell lines. These effects were always accompanied by reduced levels of pEGF-R, pVEGF-R, pAkt, and pMAPK. Although inhibition of the EGF-receptor by Cetuximab potently disrupts autocrine secretion of VEGF, only the concurrent inhibition of the VEGF- and EGF receptor, e.g., by AEE 788 induces reduced proliferation and apoptosis in vitro. This suggests a particular rationale for the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors with dual modes of action such as AEE 788 in thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Hoffmann
- Department of Surgery, Philipps-University of Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, Marburg, 35043, Germany.
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Hoffmann S, Rockenstein A, Ramaswamy A, Celik I, Wunderlich A, Lingelbach S, Hofbauer LC, Zielke A. Retinoic acid inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth of thyroid cancer cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2007; 264:74-81. [PMID: 17101211 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2006.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2006] [Revised: 09/06/2006] [Accepted: 10/09/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The anti-proliferative effect of retinoic acid (RA) has been documented for various tumors. Some 40% of patients with advanced and poorly differentiated thyroid cancer have been shown to respond to RA with increased uptake of radioiodine. It has been suggested that these effects may be caused by redifferentiation. Presently, little is known about the effects of RA on tumor angiogenesis, a prerequisite for growth and metastatic spread. The aim of the current study was to determine, whether tumor-induced angiogenesis of thyroid cancer is affected by RA. In vitro, the effect of 0.1/10 microM 13-cis RA on tumor cell number (MTT assay) and secretion of VEGF (ELISA) was analyzed in three thyroid cancer cell lines (FTC 236, C634 and XTC), as well as in endothelial cells (HUVEC) over several passages. In vivo, tumor growth, VEGF-expression and microvessel density (VSD) of RA treated thyroid cancer cells after xenotransplantation to nude mice was evaluated by morphometric analysis. In vitro, thyroid cancer cell lines responded to RA with reduced proliferation, ranging from 26 to 34% after 2 weeks of treatment and with up to 80% reduced secretion of VEGF. In vivo, tumor volumes of animals receiving RA were reduced by 33% (FTC 236), 27% (C643) and 6% (XTC), respectively. VSD of experimental tumors was diminished in the FTC 236 (25%) and the C643 cell line (15%), and almost unchanged in XTC tumors (7%). In vivo, VEGF-expression and apoptosis were not significantly affected by RA. In vitro, proliferation of HUVEC was inhibited by conditioned medium of C643 cells pretreated with RA (0.1/10 microM), as well as by administration of RA (0.1/10 microM). This study confirms thyroid tumor cell growth to be inhibited by RA. It demonstrates a decrease of in vitro VEGF accumulation and reduction of VSD in experimental undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma, suggesting that reduced angiogenesis may be an important mechanism responsible for the therapeutic effect of RA in thyroid cancer. Moreover, a direct anti-proliferative effect of RA on human endothelial cells is suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Hoffmann
- Department of Surgery, Philipps-University of Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
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11
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Hoffmann S, Gläser S, Wunderlich A, Lingelbach S, Dietrich C, Burchert A, Müller H, Rothmund M, Zielke A. Targeting the EGF/VEGF-R system by tyrosine-kinase inhibitors--a novel antiproliferative/antiangiogenic strategy in thyroid cancer. Langenbecks Arch Surg 2006; 391:589-96. [PMID: 17053904 DOI: 10.1007/s00423-006-0104-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2006] [Accepted: 08/15/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
AIM In thyroid cancer (TC), endothelial growth factor (EGF) has been associated with dedifferentiation, tumor cell proliferation, and angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been documented to be the main stimulator of angiogenesis in the thyroid gland. Patients with undifferentiated thyroid cancer are in desperate need of new therapeutic strategies because common protocols of therapy usually fail. The aim of this study, therefore, was to evaluate two tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKI, ZD 1839 gefitinib and ZD 6474 vandetanib), directed against the EGF/VEGF receptor for possible antitumor therapy in thyroid cancer. METHODS EGF/VEGF-R was documented in anaplastic (Hth74, C643), follicular (FTC133), and papillary (TPC1) thyroid cancer cell lines by Western blot analysis. The antiproliferative effect of two TKI (0.1-10 microM) on thyroid cancer cell lines in vitro was quantified by MTT assay, the antiangiogenic effect by assessing secretion of VEGF by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (R&D Systems). ZD 1839 is mainly directed against EGF-R and ZD 6474 against VEGF-R (AstraZeneca, UK), single applications and combinations of compounds were evaluated. RESULTS EGF-R and VEGF-R as well as the phosphorylated receptor were documented in all of the cell lines. Administration of ZD1839 led to an up to 90% reduction of cell number in Hth74, 80% in C643, 50% in FTC133, and 90% in TPC1 (p < 0.05). ZD1839 induced a decrease of VEGF secretion between 30% in C643 and 90% in Hth74. Administration of ZD6474 led to an up to 95% reduction of cell number in Hth74, 85% in C643, 90% in FTC133, and 90% in TPC1 (p < 0.05). The ZD6474 induced decrease of VEGF secretion ranged between 20% (FTC133) and 60% (TPC1). Combinations of IC50 concentrations of TKI showed synergistic effects, resulting in additional inhibition of proliferation between 50 and 90% compared to single drug administration. CONCLUSION The EGF/EGF-R system resembles a powerful VEGF-stimulating pathway in all histiotypes of TC and can be inhibited by TKI. TKI directed against EGF-R as well as VEGF-R inhibit tumor cell proliferation and VEGF secretion in vitro. Combinations of TKI are more effective than strategies using single agents. It is suggested that targeting EGF-R/VEGF-R-mediated pathways may have therapeutic potential in some undifferentiated thyroid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Hoffmann
- Department of Surgery, Philipps-University of Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
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12
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Hoffmann S, Maschuw K, Hassan I, Wunderlich A, Lingelbach S, Ramaswamy A, Hofbauer LC, Zielke A. Functional thyrotropin receptor attenuates malignant phenotype of follicular thyroid cancer cells. Endocrine 2006; 30:129-38. [PMID: 17185801 DOI: 10.1385/endo:30:1:129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2006] [Revised: 07/06/2006] [Accepted: 07/06/2006] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Thyrotropin (TSH) is a thyroid-specific growth factor inducing differentiated function and growth of thyrocytes in vitro. In thyroid cancer, loss of TSH-receptor (TSHR) expression is a sign of de-differentiation and is believed to contribute to the malignant phenotype. The present studies aimed to determine the in vitro and in vivo effects of functioning TSHR in the follicular thyroid cancer cell line HTC, a subclone of FTC133 cells, lacking endogenous expression of TSHR, and HTCtshr+ cells transfected with human TSHR-cDNA. HTCtshr+ cells grew faster in vitro (doubling time 1.15 vs 1.56 d, p < 0.05) and TSH caused a dose-dependent growth response. Adhesion to and invasion through reconstituted basement membrane were reduced in HTCtshr+ cells, but when stimulated with TSH increased to levels comparable to naïve HTC cells. In vivo, tumor latency was 11 d for naïve HTC as compared to 21 d for HTCtshr+ xenografts. Smaller tumor volumes were registered for HTCtshr+ cells (250 +/- 217 vs 869 +/- 427 mm3, p < 0.05). Angiogenesis, as determined by vascular surface density (VSD) of experimental tumors, was enhanced in naïve HTC tumors (VSD 0.87 +/- 0.1 microm-1 vs 0.55 +/- 0.2 microm-1 in HTCtshr+, p < 0.05). VEGF secretion was more pronounced in naïve HTC cells stimulated with EGF, than in HTCtshr+ cells stimulated with either TSH or EGF. In conclusion, regained expression of functional TSHR in the follicular thyroid cancer cell line HTC alters in vitro features commonly associated with the malignant phenotype. Smaller tumors and reduced angiogenesis of xenotransplanted HTC cells with functioning TSHR suggest a less aggressive in vivo phenotype. The present data highlight the pivotal role of TSHR to affect transformed thyrocytes in vitro and in vivo. They also suggest a role for EGF as a modulator of angiogenesis in thyrocytes devoid of TSHR.
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MESH Headings
- Adenocarcinoma, Follicular/blood supply
- Adenocarcinoma, Follicular/genetics
- Adenocarcinoma, Follicular/metabolism
- Adenocarcinoma, Follicular/pathology
- Animals
- Antigens, CD34/biosynthesis
- Antigens, CD34/genetics
- Blotting, Northern
- Cell Adhesion/physiology
- Cell Growth Processes/physiology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Extracellular Matrix/physiology
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Immunohistochemistry
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/metabolism
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/pathology
- RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- Receptors, Thyrotropin/metabolism
- Thyroid Neoplasms/blood supply
- Thyroid Neoplasms/genetics
- Thyroid Neoplasms/metabolism
- Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology
- Transfection
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/biosynthesis
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- S Hoffmann
- Department of Surgery, Philipps-University of Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
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Hoffmann S, Maschuw K, Hassan I, Reckzeh B, Wunderlich A, Lingelbach S, Zielke A. Differential pattern of integrin receptor expression in differentiated and anaplastic thyroid cancer cell lines. Thyroid 2005; 15:1011-20. [PMID: 16187909 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2005.15.1011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Adhesion of tumor cells to the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a crucial step for the development of metastatic disease and is mediated by specific integrin receptor molecules (IRM). The pattern of metastatic spread differs substantially among the various histotypes of thyroid cancer (TC). However, IRM have only occasionally been characterized in TC until now. IRM expression was investigated in 10 differentiated (FTC133, 236, 238, HTC, HTC TSHr, XTC, PTC4.0/4.2, TPC1, Kat5) and two anaplastic TC cell lines (ATC, C643, Hth74), primary cultures of normal thyroid tissue (Thy1,3), and thyroid cancer specimens (TCS). Expression of 16 IRM (beta1-4, beta7, alpha1-6, alphaV, alphaIIb, alphaL, alphaM, alphaX) and of four IRM heterodimers (alpha2beta1, alpha5beta1, alphaVbeta3, alphaVbeta5), was analyzed by fluorescent-activated cell sorter (FACS) and immunohistochemical staining. Thyroid tumor cell adhesion to ECM proteins and their IRM expression in response to thyrotropin (TSH) was assessed. Follicular TC cell lines presented high levels of integrins alpha2, alpha3, alpha5, beta1, beta3 and low levels of alpha1, whereas papillary lines expressed a heterogenous pattern of IRM, dominated by alpha5 and beta1. ATC mainly displayed integrins alpha2, alpha3, alpha5, alpha6, beta1 and low levels of alpha1, alpha4 and alphaV. Integrin heterodimers correlated with monomer expression. Evaluation of TCS largely confirmed these results with few exceptions, namely alpha4, alpha6, and beta3. The ability of TC cell lines to adhere to purified ECM proteins correlated with IRM expression. TSH induced TC cell adhesion in a dose-dependent fashion, despite an unchanged array of IRM expression or level of a particular IRM. Thyroid carcinoma cell lines of different histogenetic background display profoundly different patterns of IRM expression that appear to correlate with tumor aggressiveness. In vitro adhesion to ECM proteins and IRM expression concur. Finally, TSH-stimulated adhesion of thyroid tumor cell lines to ECM may not be associated with altered IRM expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Hoffmann
- Department of Surgery, Philipps University of Marburg, Germany.
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Hoffmann S, Hofbauer LC, Scharrenbach V, Wunderlich A, Hassan I, Lingelbach S, Zielke A. Thyrotropin (TSH)-induced production of vascular endothelial growth factor in thyroid cancer cells in vitro: evaluation of TSH signal transduction and of angiogenesis-stimulating growth factors. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2004; 89:6139-45. [PMID: 15579770 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2004-1260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid tumor growth requires angiogenesis, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been shown to be the most important endothelial mitogen. TSH is the major thyrotropic hormone, but its impact to modulate VEGF production has not yet been studied. Several other growth factors have also been shown to affect thyroid cancer cell growth and function in vitro. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to 1) establish the effect of TSH on VEGF as well as 2) evaluate the TSH signal transduction of this effect, and 3) screen other growth factors for the ability to modulate VEGF in thyroid cancer cell lines. HTC, a follicular cancer cell line lacking endogenous TSH receptor (TSHr), its receptor positive variant (HTC TSHr), and a cell line of Huerthle cell origin (XTC) were used. After stimulation with growth factors in vitro [TSH; epidermal growth factor (EGF), IGF, placenta growth factor, TGF-alpha, TGF-beta1, fibroblast growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, and hepatocyte growth factor] cells were analyzed for VEGF gene expression by Northern blotting and for VEGF protein by enzyme immunoassay. TSHr signal transduction was evaluated by analyzing the effect of stimulators (cholera toxin, 8-bromo-cAMP, forskolin, and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate) and inhibitors (2',5'-dideoxyadenosine and staurosporine) on VEGF protein levels under basal and TSH-stimulated conditions. TSH increased VEGF mRNA and protein in a dose-dependent manner in HTC TSHr and XTC cells by up to 40%. The effects of TSH were mediated by protein kinase C (PKC), rather than protein kinase A (PKA), stimulation, because inhibition of PKC by staurosporine resulted in a decrease in VEGF production of up to 65%, whereas inhibition of the PKA signal transduction pathway (2',5'-dideoxyadenosine) resulted in only a minor decrease. TSH was not the most powerful stimulator of VEGF production. TGF-beta1 and EGF were 1.5- to 2-fold more potent. Placenta growth factor and TGF-alpha did not induce VEGF production in TSHr-positive HTC cells, whereas they did induce VEGF production in TSHr-negative HTC cells. In thyroid cancer cell lines, TSH induces VEGF production involving the PKC, rather than the PKA, pathway. However, EGF and TGF-beta increase the capacity of thyroid cancer cells to provide VEGF more effectively than TSH. In the absence of a functioning TSHr, additional growth factors, such as TGF-alpha, increase capacity for VEGF stimulation.
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Hamilton JA, Lingelbach S, Partridge NC, Martin TJ. Regulation of plasminogen activator production by bone-resorbing hormones in normal and malignant osteoblasts. Endocrinology 1985; 116:2186-91. [PMID: 2581769 DOI: 10.1210/endo-116-6-2186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The plasminogen activator (PA) activity of clonal rat osteogenic sarcoma cell (phenotypically osteoblast) and of osteoblast-rich rat calvarial cells is shown to be increased by treatment with the bone-resorbing hormones, PTH, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, prostaglandin E2, and epidermal growth factor. Dose-dependent increases were observed, after a lag period of 4 to 8 h. Stimulated and control PA activities were inhibited by actinomycin D and cycloheximide but not by cytosine arabinoside. Glucocorticoid hormones prevented the hormone stimulation, but other steroids did not. Calcitonin had no effect either on basal or on hormone-treated PA activity. Isobutyl-methylxanthine alone increased PA activity and enhanced responsiveness to PTH and to prostaglandin E2. These data point to a common pathway in the actions upon osteoblasts of several hormones with diverse initial cellular actions and raise the possibility that the PA/plasmin system may contribute to cellular mechanisms of bone turnover.
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