Activities, localizations, and roles of serine proteases and their inhibitors in human brain tumor progression

Early diagnosis of Trichinella spiralis and Trichinella nativa: Expression of the serine protease gene at the invasive intestinal and muscular larva stages

Background and Aim

Diagnosis of trichinellosis at the intestinal stage during larval development is the primary challenge in the early detection and treatment of trichinellosis. The use of serine protease as a diagnostic marker for serological tests has been the subject of various studies, but data on Trichinella nativa serine protease in the intestinal phase are still insufficient for a proper diagnosis. This study aimed to establish the duration of the intestinal phase for early diagnosis and to determine the level of expression of the serine protease gene in T. nativa and Trichinella spiralis larvae.

Materials and Methods

We used European isolates from T. spiralis pigs and T. nativa larvae isolated from spontaneously infected wild carnivorous animals (wolf, Karaganda region) in Central Kazakhstan. Isolation of larvae from the meat of infected animals was carried out using the compressor method. For two species of Trichinella, 36 mice (in each group 18 mice) were infected with 250 larvae and euthanized by intramuscular injection of xylazine followed by an intravenous overdose of anestofol at 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, and 30 dpi (each day 3 infected mice) and one control group (3 mice). Sequencing and bioinformatics methods were used to determine the DNA and cDNA of the serine protease gene, and molecular methods (DNA extraction, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and sequence) were used to measure the accumulation of serine protease transcripts in isolated larvae.

Results

The results showed differences in the duration of intestinal phase between T. spiralis and T. nativa. The intestinal larvae of T. nativa were observed from 7 to 30 dpi, and the intensity of invasion increased up to 30 dpi (p < 0.001), while in the case of T. spiralis, the increase in larval growth in the intestinal phase decreased to 21 dpi, and only an increase of 1.6 ± 0.88 (p < 0.01) was detected at 30 dpi. T. nativa muscle larvae were detected at 21 dpi, compared with T. spiralis at 14 dpi. This characteristic was also reflected in the levels of serine protease transcripts in the samples. Accumulation was observed in both cases higher in the muscular stage of development, whereas the duration of the intestinal stage of T. nativa made it possible to detect serine protease at 30 dpi.

Conclusion

The intestinal stage of T. nativa lasts for 30 days, indicating that the use of T. nativa serine protease is useful for the identification of intestinal infection. Furthermore, this protein can be used to identify T. spiralis and T. nativa in laboratory samples. Serine protease can be used as a marker for serological diagnosis. Within the framework of the research topic, it is important to conduct further studies on the species specificity of the obtained recombinant protein. It is necessary to focus on identifying highly specific Trichinella proteins for early disease detection.

Plasminogen Activator System and Breast Cancer: Potential Role in Therapy Decision Making and Precision Medicine

Shifting from the historical TNM paradigm to the determination of molecular and genetic subtypes of tumors has been a major improvement to better picture cancerous diseases. The sharper the picture is, the better will be the possibility to develop subsequent strategies, thus achieving higher efficacy and prolonged survival eventually. Recent studies suggest that urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), uPA Receptor (uPAR), and plasmino-gen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) may play a critical role in cancer invasion and metastasis. Consistent with their role in cancer dissemination, high levels of uPA, PAI-1, and uPAR in multiple cancer types correlate with dismal prognosis. In this respect, upfront determination of uPA and PAI-1 as invasion markers has further opened up the possibilities for individualized therapy of breast cancer. Indeed, uPA and PAI-1 could help to classify patients on their risk for metastatic spreading and subsequent relapse, thus helping clinicians in their decision-making process to propose, or not propose, adjuvant therapy. This review covers the implications for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of uPA and PAI-1, and therefore how they could be major actors in the development of a precision medicine in breast cancer.

An antigenic recombinant serine protease from Trichinella spiralis induces protective immunity in BALB/c mice

In this study, we report the cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding a Trichinella serine protease gene (TspSP-1.3) from GenBank. The recombinant TspSP-1.3 protein (rTspSP-1.3) was expressed in an Escherichia coli expression system and purified with Ni-affinity chromatography. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis revealed that TspSP-1.3 was expressed at significantly higher levels in muscle larvae and adult worms than in newborn larvae. TspSP-1.3 was detected in excretory-secretory proteins of Trichinella spiralis with western blotting. Immunization with the rTspSP-1.3 antigen induced humoral immune responses, which manifested as elevated specific anti-rTspSP-1.3 IgG and IgE antibodies and a mixed Th1/Th2 response. To determine whether purified rTspSP-1.3 had good antigenicity and could be a vaccine candidate for the control of T. spiralis infection, we immunized BALB/c mice with rTspSP-1.3 and subsequently challenged the mice with T. spiralis larvae. The results showed that mice vaccinated with rTspSP-1.3 exhibited an average reduction in the muscle larvae burden of 39 % relative to the control group. These results suggest that TspSP-1.3 could be a novel vaccine candidate for controlling Trichinella infection.

Co-depletion of cathepsin B and uPAR induces G0/G1 arrest in glioma via FOXO3a mediated p27 upregulation

Background

Cathepsin B and urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) are both known to be overexpressed in gliomas. Our previous work and that of others strongly suggest a relationship between the infiltrative phenotype of glioma and the expression of cathepsin B and uPAR. Though their role in migration and adhesion are well studied the effect of these molecules on cell cycle progression has not been thoroughly examined.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Cathespin B and uPAR single and bicistronic siRNA plasmids were used to downregulate these molecules in SNB19 and U251 glioma cells. FACS analysis and BrdU incorporation assay demonstrated G0/G1 arrest and decreased proliferation with the treatments, respectively. Immunoblot and immunocyto analysis demonstrated increased expression of p27^Kip1 and its nuclear localization with the knockdown of cathepsin B and uPAR. These effects could be mediated by αVβ3/PI3K/AKT/FOXO pathway as observed by the decreased αVβ3 expression, PI3K and AKT phosphorylation accompanied by elevated FOXO3a levels. These results were further confirmed with the increased expression of p27^Kip1 and FOXO3a when treated with Ly294002 (10 µM) and increased luciferase expression with the siRNA and Ly294002 treatments when the FOXO binding promoter region of p27^Kip1 was used. Our treatment also reduced the expression of cyclin D1, cyclin D2, p-Rb and cyclin E while the expression of Cdk2 was unaffected. Of note, the Cdk2-cyclin E complex formation was reduced significantly.

Conclusion/Significance

Our study indicates that cathepsin B and uPAR knockdown induces G0/G1 arrest by modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and further increases expression of p27^Kip1 accompanied by the binding of FOXO3a to its promoter. Taken together, our findings provide molecular mechanism for the G0/G1 arrest induced by the downregulation of cathepsin B and uPAR in SNB19 and U251 glioma cells.

Biochemical study and in vitro insect immune suppression by a trypsin-like secreted protease from the nematode Steinernema carpocapsae

A trypsin-like serine protease was purified by gel filtration and anion-exchange chromatography from the excretory-secretory products of parasitic phase Steinernema carpocapsae. The purified protease exhibited a molecular mass of about 29 kDa by SDS-PAGE and displayed a pI of 6.3. This protease exhibited high activity with trypsin-specific substrate N-Ben-Phe-Val-Arg-p-nitroanilide and was highly sensitive to aprotinin and benzamidine. The purified trypsin protease digested the chromogenic substrate N-Ben-Phe-Val-Arg-p-nitroanilide with K(m), V(max) and k(cat) values of 594.2 mum, 0.496 mum/min and 22.8/s, respectively. The optimal pH and temperature for protease activity were 9 and 30 degrees C, respectively. Internal amino acid sequencing yielded 150 amino acids and these were homologous to other trypsin sequences. In vitro investigation was carried out to monitor prophenoloxidase suppression in Galleria mellonella by the purified protease; about 38.9-52.6% suppression of prophenoloxidase was observed. The purified protease affected insect haemocyte spreading, causing cells to become spherical or round. Protease-treated actin filaments were highly disorganized in haemocytes. In vitro, G. mellonella haemocytes recognized infective juveniles of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora; however, S. carpocapsae and Steinernema glaseri were not recognized. We provide experimental evidence that the purified trypsin has the potential to alter host haemocytes, actin filaments and to inhibit host haemolymph melanization.

Promising tumor-associated antigens for future prostate cancer therapy

Prostate cancer (CaP) is one of the most prevalent malignant diseases among men in Western countries. There is currently no cure for metastatic castrate-resistant CaP, and median survival for these patients is about 18 months; the high mortality rate seen is associated with widespread metastases. Progression of CaP from primary to metastatic disease is associated with several molecular and genetic changes that can affect the expression of specific tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) or receptors on the cell surface. Targeting TAAs is emerging as an area of promise for controlling late-stage and recurrent CaP. Several reviews have summarized the progress made in targeting signaling pathways for CaP but will not be discussed here. We describe some important CaP TAAs. These include prostate stem-cell antigen, prostate-specific membrane antigen, MUC1, epidermal growth factor receptor, platelet-derived growth factor and its receptor, urokinase plasminogen activator and its receptor, and extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer. We summarize recent advancements in our understanding of their role in CaP metastasis, as well as potential therapeutic options for targeting CaP TAAs. We also discuss the origin, identification, and characterization of prostate cancer stem cells (CSCs) and the potential benefits of targeting prostate CSCs to overcome chemoresistance and CaP recurrence.

Inhibition of micrometastatic prostate cancer cell spread in animal models by 213Bilabeled multiple targeted alpha radioimmunoconjugates

PURPOSE

To investigate the therapeutic potential of 213Bilabeled multiple targeted alpha-radioimmunoconjugates for treating prostate cancer (CaP) micrometastases in mouse models.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

PC-3 CaP cells were implanted s.c., in the prostate, and intratibially in NODSCID mice. The expression of multiple tumor-associated antigens on tumor xenografts and micrometastases was detected by immunohistochemistry. Targeting vectors were two monoclonal antibodies, and a plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 that binds to cell surface urokinase plasminogen activator, labeled with 213Bi using standard methodology. In vivo efficacy of multiple alpha conjugates (MTAT) at different activities was evaluated in these mouse models. Tumor growth was monitored during observations and local regional lymph node metastases were assessed at the end of experiments.

RESULTS

The take rate of PC-3 cells was 100% for each route of injection. The tumor-associated antigens (MUC1, urokinase plasminogen activator, and BLCA-38) were heterogeneously expressed on primary tumors and metastatic cancer clusters at transit. A single i.p. injection of MTAT (test) at high and low doses caused regression of the growth of primary tumors and prevented local lymph node metastases in a concentration-dependent fashion; it also caused cancer cells to undergo necrosis and apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that MTAT can impede primary PC-3 CaP growth at three different sites in vivo through induction of apoptosis, and can prevent the spread of cancer cells and target lymph node micrometastases in a concentration-dependent manner. MTAT, by targeting multiple antigens, can overcome heterogeneous antigen expression to kill small CaP cell clusters, thus providing a potent therapy for micrometastases.

Intraperitoneal injection of a hairpin RNA-expressing plasmid targeting urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) receptor and uPA retards angiogenesis and inhibits intracranial tumor growth in nude mice

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of using plasmid-expressed RNA interference (RNAi) targeting urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) receptor (uPAR) and uPA to treat human glioma.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

In the present study, we have used plasmid-based RNAi to simultaneously down-regulate the expression of uPAR and uPA in SNB19 glioma cell lines and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)--overexpressing 4910 human glioma xenografts in vitro and in vivo, and evaluate the i.p. route for RNAi-expressing plasmid administered to target intracranial glioma.

RESULTS

Plasmid-mediated RNAi targeting uPAR and uPA did not induce OAS1 expression as seen from reverse transcription-PCR analysis. In 4910 EGFR-overexpressing cells, down-regulation of uPAR and uPA induced the down-regulation of EGFR and vascular endothelial growth factor and inhibited angiogenesis in both in vitro and in vivo angiogenic assays. In addition, invasion and migration were inhibited as indicated by in vitro spheroid cell migration, Matrigel invasion, and spheroid invasion assays. We did not observe OAS1 expression in mice with preestablished intracranial tumors, which were given i.p. injections of plasmid-expressing small interfering RNA--targeting uPAR and uPA. Furthermore, the small interfering RNA plasmid targeting uPAR and uPA caused regression of preestablished intracranial tumors when compared with the control mice.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the plasmid-expressed RNAi targeting uPAR and uPA via the i.p. route has potential clinical applications for the treatment of glioma.

Interleukin-1β enhances the angiotensin-induced expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 through angiotensin receptor upregulation in human astrocytes

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) regulates not only fibrinolysis but extracellular matrix remodeling, and angiotensin II is known to play an important role in controlling the expression of PAI-1 in astrocytes. We have studied the effect of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), one of major cytokines also active in the nervous system, on the angiotensin II-induced expression of PAI-1 in human astrocytes. Cultures of normal human astrocytes were stimulated with IL-1beta and angiotensin II, and the expression of mRNAs for angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) and PAI-1 was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or real-time quantitative PCR. PAI-1 protein in astrocyte-conditioned medium was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IL-1beta enhanced the expression of AT1 in astrocytes in time- and concentration-dependent manners. After 24-h stimulation, 10 ng/ml IL-1beta and 10 nM angiotensin II increased the levels of PAI-1 protein in astrocyte-conditioned medium by 1.9-fold and 1.8-fold of the basal value, respectively. There was no synergistic effect when the cells were stimulated simultaneously with IL-1beta and angiotensin II. When the cells were stimulated, with angiotensin II, 16 h after the stimulation with IL-1beta, the production of PAI-1 was enhanced by 1.4-fold as compared to the cells stimulated only with IL-1beta. CV-11794, an AT1 antagonist, inhibited the enhanced PAI-1 production in response to angiotensin II. We conclude that IL-1beta increases angiotensin II-induced PAI-1 secretion by astrocytes through the induction of AT1, and the enhanced secretion of PAI-1 may modulate functions of plasminogen activators in the nervous system.

Tissue plasminogen activator expression in meningiomas and glioblastomas

OBJECTIVES

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting techniques were used to investigate and compare the expression of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in benign (meningioma) and malignant (glioblastoma) human brain tumours.

METHODS

A total of 22 tumour samples comprising 11 meningiomas and 11 glioblastomas with adjacent peritumoural tissue were analysed.

RESULTS

The mean tPA content of meningiomas was approximately half that of glioblastomas (55.40 (S.D. 34.58) versus 106.98 (S.D. 43.82) ng/ml, p=0.006). Comparing tPA quantity in tumour and peritumoural tissue, there was a significant difference for meningiomas (55.40 (S.D. 34.58) versus 28.35 (S.D. 22.55) ng/ml, p=0.05), but no difference for glioblastomas (106.98 (S.D. 43.82) versus 84.23 (S.D. 57.39) ng/ml, p=0.32). Comparing tumour with normal brain tissue, there was no difference for meningiomas (55.40 (S.D. 34.58) versus 33.08 (S.D. 21.55) ng/ml, p=0.22), but a significant difference for glioblastomas (106.98 (S.D. 43.82) versus 33.08 (S.D. 21.55) ng/ml, p=0.004). Western blotting showed that in the meningioma group, the molecular weight pattern was constant with a dominant well-defined band at 41kD. Peritumoural tissue demonstrated two bands, with the stronger band at 41kD and a slightly weaker band at 71kD. In the glioblastoma group, there was more heterogeneity, with a dominant 41kD band found in all tumour and peritumoural samples, together with additional bands at 34, 58 and 66kD.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that (1) tPA is present in larger quantities in glioblastoma compared to meningioma and normal brain, (2) tPA quantity is not significantly different in the peritumoural tissue adjacent to glioblastoma but is significantly less for meningioma, and (3) tPA is expressed in more heterogenous forms in glioblastoma. This present study therefore suggests that the expression of tPA in a brain tumour may be an additional prognostic factor in terms of its malignant and invasive potential.

Anti-angiogenic agents for the treatment of brain tumors

It is accepted that novel therapeutic approaches are needed for the majority of patients with malignant brain tumors. The vascularity of many primary brain tumors and the encouraging preclinical studies suggest that antiangiogenic agents have the potential to become an important component of multimodality treatment of patients with brain tumors. The understanding of the biology of angiogenesis is improving rapidly, offering the hope for more specific vascular targeting of brain tumor neovasculature. Neuroimaging techniques evaluating the angiogenic process and the impact of antiangiogenic agents will be an important tool for the rapid development of these novel therapeutic agents.

In vitro cytotoxicity of bismuth-213 (213Bi)-labeled-plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (alpha-PAI-2) on human breast cancer cells

Metastasis is the principal cause of death in breast cancer patients. New and improved treatments for eradicating micrometastases are needed. To this end, a novel alpha-emitting protein construct, 213Bi-labelled plasminogen activator inhibitor type-2 (PAI-2) (alpha-PAI-2), was evaluated in vitro. This construct exploits: (a) the overexpression of the cell-surface receptor bound urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) in the metastatic spread of breast cancer cells; (b) the binding and inhibition of receptor-bound uPA by PAI-2; and (c) the high cytotoxicity of alpha radiation. High labeling efficiencies and stability of 213Bi bound to human recombinant PAI-2 conjugated with cyclic diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid anhydride were achieved (greater than 90%). The uPA inhibitory activity of the chelated PAI-2 was maintained as determined by complex formation with uPA and by inhibition of uPA activity. Furthermore, the reactivity of alpha-PAI-2 was confirmed in a cell assay as this construct was highly cytotoxic to breast cancer cell lines that express active, receptor bound uPA. The specificity of alpha-PAI-2 targeting was shown using several controls. Firstly, an active uPA blocking agent that limits PAI-2 binding significantly improved cell survival by a factor greater than three. Secondly, a non-specific alpha-BSA construct had minimal cytotoxic effect. Moreover, alpha-PAI-2 was not cytotoxic to freshly isolated normal human leukocytes, confirming that cells which do not contain active, receptor bound uPA cannot be targeted by alpha-PAI-2. In conclusion, we have validated, in vitro, the potential of alpha-PAI-2 as a novel therapeutic agent for breast cancer.

Crystal structure of gamma-chymotrypsin in complex with 7-hydroxycoumarin

The 1.8 A crystal structure of 7-hydroxycoumarin (7-HC) bound to chymotrypsin reveals that this inhibitor forms a planar cinnamate acyl-enzyme complex. The phenyl ring of the bound inhibitor forms numerous van der Waals contacts in the S1 pocket of the enzyme, with the p-hydroxyl group donating a hydrogen bond to the main-chain oxygen atom of Ser217, and the o-hydroxyl group forming a water-mediated hydrogen bond with the carbonyl oxygen of Val227. The structure of the acyl-enzyme complex suggests that the mechanism of inhibition of 7-HC involves nucleophilic attack by the Ser195 O(gamma) atom on the carbonyl carbon atom of the inhibitor, accompanied by the breaking of the 2-pyrone ring of the inhibitor, and leading to the formation of a cinnamate acyl-enzyme derivative via a tetrahedral transition state. Comparisons with structures of photoreversible cinnamates bound to chymotrypsin reveal that although 7-HC interacts with the enzyme in a similar fashion, the binding of 7-HC to chymotrypsin takes place in a productive conformation in contrast to the photoreversible cinnamates. In summary, the 7-HC-chymotrypsin complex provides basic insight into the inhibition of chymotrypsin by natural coumarins and provides a structural basis for the design of more potent mechanism-based inhibitors against a wide range of biologically important chymotrypsin-like enzymes.

Serine protease inhibitors: novel therapeutic targets for stroke?

Although the thrombolytic activity of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) may be beneficial in the acute treatment of stroke, recent studies have suggested that this serine protease could also play a critical role in determining the extent of neuronal death after injury to the central nervous system (CNS). This hypothesis is based on several experimental results: t-PA-deficient mice are resistant to excitotoxic neuronal death induced by the intrahippocampal injection of kainate; the infarct volume induced by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery is reduced in t-PA knockout mice; and the intravenous injection of t-PA can under certain circumstances potentiate the infarct volume in animals subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion. In the CNS, the serine proteases have been identified to occur both in neurons and glial cells. Their enzymatic activity regulates the balance between the accumulation and the degradation of the extracellular matrix. They are involved in many physiologic functions, ranging from synaptic outgrowth during perinatal development to plasticity in adults. For instance, thrombin and t-PA are known to modulate neurite outgrowth and tissue remodeling in the early stages of development. In the adult brain, t-PA may contribute to the late phase of long-term potentiation and to the subsequent synaptic growth in the hippocampal mossy fiber pathway. This balance between the degradation and accumulation of the extracellular matrix may also be integral to various pathologic processes involved in acute brain injury. For example, compounds that modulate the activity of serine proteases exhibit neuroprotective activity. Based on the above, numerous studies have focused on the production and modulation of the endogenously produced serine protease inhibitors, termed serpins, such as type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor, neuroserpin, and protease nexin-1. In the present review, we will discuss the need to distinguish between the potentially neurotoxic effects of t-PA and its beneficial effect on reperfusion. We will present data supporting the idea that the modulation of serine protease activity may represent a novel and efficient strategy for the treatment of acute cerebral injury in humans.

Comparative molecular genetic profiles of anaplastic astrocytomas/glioblastomas multiforme and their subsequent recurrences

Malignant glial tumors (anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastomas multiforme) arise mostly either from the progression of low grade precursor lesions or rapidly in a de novo fashion and contain distinct genetic alterations. There is, however, a third subset of malignant gliomas in which genetic lesions remain to be identified. Following surgical resection, all gliomas appear to have an inherent tendency to recur. Comparative molecular analysis of ten primary malignant gliomas (three anaplastic astrocytomas and seven glioblastomas multiforme) with their recurrences identified two distinct subgroups of recurrent tumors. In one group, primary tumors harbored genetic aberrations frequently associated with linear progression or de novo formation pathways of glial tumorigenesis and maintained their genetic profiles upon recurrence. In the other subset with no detectable known genetic mutations at first presentation, the recurrent tumors sustained specific abnormalities associated with pathways of linear progression or de novo formation. These included loss of genes on chromosomes 17 and 10, mutations in the p53 gene, homozygous deletion of the DMBTA1 and p16 and/ or p15 genes and amplification and/or overexpression of CDK4 and alpha form of the PDGF receptor. Recurrent tumors from both groups also displayed an abnormal expression profile of the metalloproteinase, gel A, and its inhibitor, TIMP-2, consistent with their highly invasive behavior. Delineation of the molecular differences between malignant glioblastomas and their subsequent recurrences may have important implications for the development of rational clinical approaches for this neoplasm that remains refractory to existing therapeutic modalities.

Tumor angiogenesis--a new therapeutic target in gliomas

Tumor growth is critically dependent on angiogenesis, which is sprouting of new vessels from pre-existing vasculature. This process is regulated by inducers and inhibitors released from tumor cells, endothelial cells, and macrophages. Brain tumors, especially glioblastoma multiforme, have significant angiogenic activity primarily by the expression of the angiogenic factor VEGF Anti-angiogenic therapy represents a new promising therapeutic modality in solid tumors. Several agents are currently under evaluation in clinical trials. The present review describes the principal inducers and inhibitors of angiogenesis in tumors and summarizes what is known about their mechanisms of action in relation to CNS tumors. Potential areas for clinical use are also discussed.

Cisplatin but not BCNU inhibits urokinase-type plasminogen activator levels in human glioblastoma cell lines in vitro

Glioblastomas extensively invade the surrounding normal brain tissue, with a concomitant expression of various proteolytic enzymes, in particular urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA). In this study we used cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (cisplatin) and 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), commonly used anti-cancer drugs for the treatment of glioblastomas, to study the expression of uPA in three human glioblastoma cell lines in vitro. Cells were treated with 25 microM cisplatin and 50 microM BCNU, and uPA levels were estimated by fibrin zymography during a 72-h time course. Treatment of glioblastoma cells with cisplatin resulted in significantly decreased levels of uPA in serum-free conditioned medium and cell extracts, compared to BCNU-treated and untreated cell lines. Quantitative levels of uPA enzyme activity assessed by scanning laser densitometry and uPA protein by ELISA using antibody against uPA showed decreased levels of uPA in cisplatin-treated glioma cell lines relative to BCNU and untreated cell lines. Our results suggest that anti-tumor compound, cisplatin, may exert its anti-neoplastic effects by inhibiting uPA in malignant glioblastomas.

Regulation of angiogenesis in malignant gliomas

Gliomas are highly resistant to conventional therapeutic measures, requiring the development of novel treatments. Since gliomas are particularly vascular tumors, one approach involves treatments directed at inhibiting angiogenic mechanisms. Although multiple factors contribute to the ultimate vascularization of any tumor, some are especially relevant to gliomas. Early experimental work directed at inhibiting angiogenic pathways has shown promise toward achieving control of tumor growth. This article focuses on the evidence that angiogenesis and related vascular cell responses play important roles in glioma biology, and reviews those biochemical pathways known through experimentation to be involved in the vascular response to gliomas. Finally, contemporary vessel-targeted approaches that have been used to inhibit glioma growth are discussed.

Human glioma U-251 cells contain type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor in a rapidly releasable form

Because recent information suggests that the localized deposition of protease inhibitors is one mechanism by which cells regulate pericellular proteolysis during tissue invasion, the distribution of type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PA1-1) associated with the invasive human glioma cell line U-251 was investigated. Direct and reverse fibrin zymography indicated the presence of urokinase-like plasminogen activator (u-PA) and PAI-1 in U-251 conditioned media and cell lysates. PA1-1 antigen was detected immunologically in cytoplasmic granules present within cellular processes of U-251 cells and these organelles could be isolated on Percoll density gradients in a high density band. In contrast, u-PA activity and another secreted protein, amyloid beta-protein precursor, were only present in the low density region of the gradients. Functional analysis of PAI-1 in the granules contained within the high density fractions revealed the presence of active PAI-1. Incubation of U-251 cells with the secretagogue, 8-bromoadenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate, resulted in a 3-fold increase in the release of PAI-1 in the media conditioned by these cells. These data suggest that the human glioma cell line U-251 contains PAI-1 in a rapidly releasable form, which may provide another mechanism by which these tumors could regulate proteolytic activity in a localized manner.