scholarly journals A Cyclic Peptide Epitope of an Under-Explored VEGF-B Loop 1 Demonstrated In Vivo Anti-Angiogenic and Anti-Tumor Activities

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Wang ◽  
Meng Xu ◽  
Haofeng Hu ◽  
Lun Zhang ◽  
Fei Ye ◽  
...  

Pathological angiogenesis is mainly initiated by the binding of abnormal expressed vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) to their receptors (VEGFRs). Blocking the VEGF/VEGFR interaction is a clinically proven treatment in cancer. Our previous work by epitope scan had identified cyclic peptides, mimicking the loop 1 of VEGF-A, VEGF-B and placental growth factor (PlGF), inhibited effectively the VEGF/VEGFR interaction in ELISA. We described here the docking study of these peptides on VEGFR1 to identify their binding sites. The cellular anti-angiogenic activities were examined by inhibition of VEGF-A induced cell proliferation, migration and tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The ability of these peptides to inhibit MAPK/ERK1/2 signaling pathway was examined as well. On chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model, a cyclic peptide named B-cL1 with most potent in vitro activity showed important in vivo anti-angiogenic effect. Finally, B-cL1 inhibited VEGF induced human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells proliferation. It showed anti-tumoral effect on SGC-7901 xenografted BALB/c nude mouse model. The cyclic peptides B-cL1 constitutes an anti-angiogenic peptide drug lead for the design of new and more potent VEGFR antagonists in the treatment of angiogenesis related diseases.

Biomedicines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 252
Author(s):  
Jang Mi Han ◽  
Ye Seul Choi ◽  
Dipesh Dhakal ◽  
Jae Kyung Sohng ◽  
Hye Jin Jung

Targeting angiogenesis is an attractive strategy for the treatment of angiogenesis-related diseases, including cancer. We previously identified 23-demethyl 8,13-deoxynargenicin (compound 9) as a novel nargenicin A1 analog with potential anticancer activity. In this study, we investigated the antiangiogenic activity and mode of action of compound 9. This compound was found to effectively inhibit in vitro angiogenic characteristics, including the proliferation, invasion, capillary tube formation, and adhesion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) stimulated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Furthermore, compound 9 suppressed the neovascularization of the chorioallantoic membrane of growing chick embryos in vivo. Notably, the antiangiogenic properties of compound 9 were related to the downregulation of VEGF/VEGFR2-mediated downstream signaling pathways, as well as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 expression in HUVECs. In addition, compound 9 was found to decrease the in vitro AGS gastric cancer cell-induced angiogenesis of HUVECs by blocking hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and VEGF expression in AGS cells. Collectively, our findings demonstrate for the first time that compound 9 is a promising antiangiogenic agent targeting both VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling in ECs and HIF-1α/VEGF pathway in tumor cells.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1601101
Author(s):  
Hyun Ju Kim ◽  
Mok-Ryeon Ahn

Apigenin has been reported to exert angiogenic and anticancer activities in vitro. The mechanism of inhibition of angiogenesis by apigenin, however, has not been well-established. In this study, we investigated whether apigenin not only inhibited tube formation but also induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Furthermore, strong antiangiogenic activity of apigenin was observed in the in vivo assay using chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). We also analyzed changes in survival signals and the apoptotic pathway through Western blotting. The results indicate that apigenin exerts its antiangiogenic effects through induction of endothelial apoptosis.


2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 3302-3310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Véronique Dartois ◽  
Jorge Sanchez-Quesada ◽  
Edelmira Cabezas ◽  
Ellen Chi ◽  
Chad Dubbelde ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Cyclic peptides with an even number of alternating d,l-α-amino acid residues are known to self-assemble into organic nanotubes. Such peptides previously have been shown to be stable upon protease treatment, membrane active, and bactericidal and to exert antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and other gram-positive bacteria. The present report describes the in vitro and in vivo pharmacology of selected members of this cyclic peptide family. The intravenous (i.v.) efficacy of six compounds with MICs of less than 12 μg/ml was tested in peritonitis and neutropenic-mouse thigh infection models. Four of the six peptides were efficacious in vivo, with 50% effective doses in the peritonitis model ranging between 4.0 and 6.7 mg/kg against methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA). In the thigh infection model, the four peptides reduced the bacterial load 2.1 to 3.0 log units following administration of an 8-mg/kg i.v. dose. Activity against methicillin-resistant S. aureus was similar to MSSA. The murine pharmacokinetic profile of each compound was determined following i.v. bolus injection. Interestingly, those compounds with poor efficacy in vivo displayed a significantly lower maximum concentration of the drug in serum and a higher volume of distribution at steady state than compounds with good therapeutic properties. S. aureus was unable to easily develop spontaneous resistance upon prolonged exposure to the peptides at sublethal concentrations, in agreement with the proposed interaction with multiple components of the bacterial membrane canopy. Although additional structure-activity relationship studies are required to improve the therapeutic window of this class of antimicrobial peptides, our results suggest that these amphipathic cyclic d,l-α-peptides have potential for systemic administration and treatment of otherwise antibiotic-resistant infections.


Blood ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 96 (13) ◽  
pp. 4039-4045
Author(s):  
Giovanni Bernardini ◽  
Gaia Spinetti ◽  
Domenico Ribatti ◽  
Grazia Camarda ◽  
Lucia Morbidelli ◽  
...  

Several chemokines have been shown to act as angiogenic molecules or to modulate the activity of growth factors such as fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The detection of the CC chemokine receptor (CCR) 8 message in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by reverse transcription– polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and RNase protection assay (RPA), prompted us to investigate the potential role exerted by the CC chemokine I-309, a known ligand of such receptor, in both in vitro and in vivo angiogenesis assays. We show here that I-309 binds to endothelial cells, stimulates chemotaxis and invasion of these cells, and enhances HUVEC differentiation into capillary-like structures in an in vitro Matrigel assay. Furthermore, I-309 is an inducer of angiogenesis in vivo in both the rabbit cornea and the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay (CAM).


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ikumi Tsuchiya ◽  
Takahiro Hosoya ◽  
Motoko Ushida ◽  
Kazuhiro Kunimasa ◽  
Toshiro Ohta ◽  
...  

Propolis, a resinous substance that honeybees collect to protect their beehive from enemies, is reported to have various biological activities. In our screening program to search for antiangiogenic compounds from propolis, the ethanol extracts of Okinawan propolis (EEOP) showed significant antiangiogenic activities in a tube formation assay with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)in vitroat 3.13 μg/mL and chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assayin vivoat 25 μg/egg. To elucidate the active compounds of EEOP and their mode of action, we isolated some prenylated flavonoids from EEOP and found that nymphaeol-A had the strongest antiangiogenic activity among them. Nymphaeol-A significantly reducedin vivoneovessel formation in the CAM assay at 25 μg/egg. At the molecular level, nymphaeol-A markedly inactivated mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), whose molecular activations signal new vessel formation in HUVECs. In addition, nymphaeol-A dose- and time-dependently induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in tube-forming HUVECs. Taken together, nymphaeol-A was shown to inhibit angiogenesis at least in part via inactivation of MEK1/2–ERK1/2 signaling and induction of caspase-dependent apoptosis. Okinawan propolis and its major component, nymphaeol-A, may be useful agents for preventing tumor-induced angiogenesis.


Marine Drugs ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrillo ◽  
Martínez-Poveda ◽  
Cheng-Sánchez ◽  
Guerra ◽  
Tobia ◽  
...  

Marine sponges are a prolific source of bioactive compounds. In this work, the putative antiangiogenic potential of a series of synthetic precursors of Solomonamide A, a cyclic peptide isolated from a marine sponge, was evaluated. By means of an in vitro screening, based on the inhibitory activity of endothelial tube formation, the compound Solo F–OH was selected for a deeper characterization of its antiangiogenic potential. Our results indicate that Solo F–OH is able to inhibit some key steps of the angiogenic process, including the proliferation, migration, and invasion of endothelial cells, as well as diminish their capability to degrade the extracellular matrix proteins. The antiangiogenic potential of Solo F–OH was confirmed by means of two different in vivo models: the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and the zebrafish yolk membrane (ZFYM) assays. The reduction in ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation in endothelial cells treated with Solo F–OH denotes that this compound could target the upstream components that are common to both pathways. Taken together, our results show a new and interesting biological activity of Solo F–OH as an inhibitor of the persistent and deregulated angiogenesis that characterizes cancer and other pathologies.


2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1400900 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seon-Il Park ◽  
Toshiro Ohta ◽  
Shigenori Kumazawa ◽  
Mira Jun ◽  
Mok-Ryeon Ahn

Propolis, a sticky material that honeybees collect from living plants, has been used for its pharmaceutical properties since ancient times. In this study, we examined the effects of ethanol extracts of Korean propolis (EEKP) from various geographic regions on the inhibition of angiogenesis, both in vitro and in vivo. The effects of EEKP were tested on in vitro models of angiogenesis, that is, tube formation and proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). All EEKP samples exhibited significant inhibitory effects on tube formation of HUVECs in a concentration-dependent manner (6.25-25 μg/mL). In addition, two EEKP samples, prepared from Uijeongbu and Pyoseon propolis, significantly suppressed the proliferation of HUVECs in a concentration-dependent manner (3.13-25 μg/mL). Furthermore, in an in vivo angiogenesis assay using the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) system, we found that the two EEKP samples significantly reduced the number of newly formed vessels. These results indicate that Korean propolis may have potential applications in the prevention and treatment of angiogenesis-related diseases such as cancer.


Blood ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 96 (13) ◽  
pp. 4039-4045 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Bernardini ◽  
Gaia Spinetti ◽  
Domenico Ribatti ◽  
Grazia Camarda ◽  
Lucia Morbidelli ◽  
...  

Abstract Several chemokines have been shown to act as angiogenic molecules or to modulate the activity of growth factors such as fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The detection of the CC chemokine receptor (CCR) 8 message in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by reverse transcription– polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and RNase protection assay (RPA), prompted us to investigate the potential role exerted by the CC chemokine I-309, a known ligand of such receptor, in both in vitro and in vivo angiogenesis assays. We show here that I-309 binds to endothelial cells, stimulates chemotaxis and invasion of these cells, and enhances HUVEC differentiation into capillary-like structures in an in vitro Matrigel assay. Furthermore, I-309 is an inducer of angiogenesis in vivo in both the rabbit cornea and the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay (CAM).


Author(s):  
Siddharth Shanbhag ◽  
Ahmad Rashad ◽  
Ellen Helgeland Nymark ◽  
Salwa Suliman ◽  
Catharina de Lange Davies ◽  
...  

Cell coculture strategies can promote angiogenesis within tissue engineering constructs. This study aimed to test the angiogenic potential of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) cocultured with gingiva-derived progenitor cells (GPC) as spheroids in a xeno-free environment. Human platelet lysate (HPL) was used as a cell culture supplement and as a hydrogel matrix (HPLG) for spheroid encapsulation. HUVEC and HUVEC + GPC (1:1 or 5:1) spheroids were encapsulated in various HPLG formulations. Angiogenesis was assessed via in vitro sprouting and in vivo chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays. HUVEC revealed characteristic in vitro sprouting in HPL/HPLG and this was significantly enhanced in cocultures with GPC (p < 0.05). A trend for greater sprouting was observed in 5:1 vs 1:1 HUVEC + GPC spheroids and in certain HPLG formulations (p > 0.05). Both HUVEC and HUVEC + GPC spheroids in HPLG revealed abundant and comparable neoangiogenesis in the CAM assay (p > 0.05). Spheroid coculture of HUVEC + GPC in HPLG represents a promising strategy to promote angiogenesis.


Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 3901-3901
Author(s):  
Bao-An Chen ◽  
Yue-Jiao Zhong ◽  
Cheng-Yin Huang ◽  
Feng Gao ◽  
Jian Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: An attempt was made to investigate the effect of platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) on the angiogenesis. Methods: Thrombin was adopted to activate the platelets to release PMPs. Flow cytometry(FCM)was adopted to evaluate the efficiencies of different concentrations of thrombin to produce PMPs and BCA was adopted to evaluate the content of PMPs. By the carrier of human umbilical vein cell line ECV-304 cultivated in vitro, investigate the effect of PMPs on the proliferation and apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells using MTT and FCM. PMPs were put into CAM and observe the effects of PMPs on angiogenesis in Chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). Results: The efficiencies of PMPs activated by 1.0U/ml thrombin were 50.1%; PMPs induced proliferation of human umbilical vein cell line ECV-304 in a dose dependent manner. At the concentration of 40ug/ml PMPs, the proliferation rate of human umbilical vein cell line ECV-304 was as 1.8±0.3 times as control and there was no difference with the group of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),which the proliferation rate was 1.9±0.5 times vs. control, p > 0.05;PMPs inhibited human umbilical vein cell line ECV-304 apoptosis. Compared with control group (apoptosis rate 9.4%±0.5%), apoptosis rate of PMPs (40μg/ml) is 3.9%±0.4%, which was significantly reduced, p<0.05. The addition of VEGF (10μl/ml) did not successfully prevented apoptosis of human umbilical vein cell line ECV-304 (apoptosis rate 8.0%±0.8%);After 72 h of incubation, showing an implant of PMPs by allantoic vessels developing radially towards it (implant) in a ’spoked-wheel’ pattern, at the concentration of 80μg/ml PMPs, number of vessel ramification is 112.5±11.31 and vessel area/CAM area is (6.19±1.29)%, compared with the VEGF(p>0.05). But there are not localized allantoic vessels developing in the NS control group(P<0.05). Conclusion: 1.0U/ml thrombin activated platelet could get the best efficiency of PMPs, which could stimulate proliferation of human umbilical vein cell line ECV-304 and inhibit its apoptosis and PMPs have certain promotive effect on the formation of capillary in chick chorioallantoic membranes.


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