1
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Mi T, Siriwibool S, Burgess K. Streamlined Protein-Protein Interface Loop Mimicry. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202307092. [PMID: 37849440 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202307092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic peptides comprising endocyclic organic fragments, "cyclo-organopeptides", can be probes for perturbing protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Finding loop mimics is difficult because of high conformational variability amongst targets. Backbone Matching (BM), introduced here, helps solve this problem in the illustrative cases by facilitating efficient evaluation of virtual cyclo-organopeptide core-structure libraries. Thus, 86 rigid organic fragments were selected to build a library of 602 cyclo-organopeptides comprising Ala and organic parts: "cyclo-{-(Ala)n -organo-}". The central hypothesis is "hit" library members have accessible low energy conformers corresponding to backbone structures of target protein loops, while library members which cannot attain this conformation are probably unworthy of further evaluation. BM thereby prioritizes candidate loop mimics, so that less than 10 cyclo-organopeptides are needed to be prepared to find leads for two illustrative PPIs: iNOS ⋅ SPSB2, and uPA ⋅ uPAR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianxiong Mi
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A & M University, 77842, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Siriwalee Siriwibool
- School of Chemistry, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, 30000, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
| | - Kevin Burgess
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A & M University, 77842, College Station, TX, USA
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2
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Lawaetz M, Binderup T, Christensen A, Juhl K, Lelkaitis G, Lykke E, Knudsen L, von Buchwald C, Kjaer A. Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor (uPAR) Expression and [ 64Cu]Cu-DOTA-AE105 uPAR-PET/CT in Patient-Derived Xenograft Models of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Mol Imaging Biol 2023; 25:1034-1044. [PMID: 37749438 PMCID: PMC10728257 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-023-01858-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE [64Cu]Cu-DOTA-AE105 urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR)-PET/CT is a novel and promising imaging modality for cancer visualization, although it has not been tested in head and neck cancer patients nor in preclinical models that closely resemble these heterogenous tumors, i.e., patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. The aim of the present study was to establish and validate oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) PDX models and to evaluate [64Cu]Cu-uPAR-PET/CT for tumor imaging in these models. PROCEDURES PDX flank tumor models were established by engrafting tumor tissue from three patients with locally advanced OSCC into immunodeficient mice. [64Cu]Cu-DOTA-AE105 was injected in passage 2 (P2) mice, and [64Cu]Cu-uPAR-PET/CT was performed 1 h and 24 h after injection. After the last PET scan, all animals were euthanized, and tumors dissected for autoradiography and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. RESULTS Three PDX models were established, and all of them showed histological stability and unchanged heterogenicity, uPAR expression, and Ki67 expression through passages. A significant correlation between uPAR expression and tumor growth was found. All tumors of all models (n=29) showed tumor uptake of [64Cu]Cu-DOTA-AE105. There was a clear visual concordance between the distribution of uPAR expression (IHC) and [64Cu]Cu-DOTA-AE105 uptake pattern in tumor tissue (autoradiography). No significant correlation was found between IHC (H-score) and PET-signal (SUVmax) (r=0.34; p=0.07). CONCLUSIONS OSCC PDX models in early passages histologically mimic donor tumors and could serve as a valuable platform for the development of uPAR-targeted imaging and therapeutic modalities. Furthermore, [64Cu]Cu-uPAR-PET/CT showed target- and tumor-specific uptake in OSCC PDX models demonstrating the diagnostic potential of this modality for OSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mads Lawaetz
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine and PET and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet & Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Tina Binderup
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine and PET and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet & Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Christensen
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine and PET and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet & Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Karina Juhl
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine and PET and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet & Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Giedrius Lelkaitis
- Department of Pathology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eva Lykke
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Line Knudsen
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine and PET and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet & Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian von Buchwald
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas Kjaer
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine and PET and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet & Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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3
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Leth JM, Newcombe EA, Grønnemose AL, Jørgensen JT, Qvist K, Clausen AS, Knudsen LBS, Kjaer A, Kragelund BB, Jørgensen TJD, Ploug M. Targeted imaging of uPAR expression in vivo with cyclic AE105 variants. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17248. [PMID: 37821532 PMCID: PMC10567728 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43934-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
A comprehensive literature reports on the correlation between elevated levels of urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and the severity of diseases with chronic inflammation including solid cancers. Molecular imaging is widely used as a non-invasive method to locate disease dissemination via full body scans and to stratify patients for targeted treatment. To date, the only imaging probe targeting uPAR that has reached clinical phase-II testing relies on a high-affinity 9-mer peptide (AE105), and several studies by positron emission tomography (PET) scanning or near-infra red (NIR) fluorescence imaging have validated its utility and specificity in vivo. While our previous studies focused on applying various reporter groups, the current study aims to improve uPAR-targeting properties of AE105. We successfully stabilized the small uPAR-targeting core of AE105 by constraining its conformational landscape by disulfide-mediated cyclization. Importantly, this modification mitigated the penalty on uPAR-affinity typically observed after conjugation to macrocyclic chelators. Cyclization did not impair tumor targeting efficiency of AE105 in vivo as assessed by PET imaging and a trend towards increased tracer uptake was observed. In future studies, we predict that this knowledge will aid development of new fluorescent AE105 derivatives with a view to optical imaging of uPAR to assist precision guided cancer surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Maja Leth
- Finsen Laboratory, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Estella Anne Newcombe
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory, Copenhagen N, Denmark
- REPIN, Copenhagen N, Denmark
- The Linderstrøm Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaloes Vej 5, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Anne Louise Grønnemose
- Finsen Laboratory, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Jesper Tranekjær Jørgensen
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen N, Denmark
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Katrine Qvist
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen N, Denmark
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Anne Skovsbo Clausen
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen N, Denmark
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Line Bruhn Schneider Knudsen
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen N, Denmark
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Andreas Kjaer
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen N, Denmark
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Birthe Brandt Kragelund
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory, Copenhagen N, Denmark
- REPIN, Copenhagen N, Denmark
- The Linderstrøm Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaloes Vej 5, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | | | - Michael Ploug
- Finsen Laboratory, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark.
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark.
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4
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Kumar AA, Vine KL, Ranson M. Recent Advances in Targeting the Urokinase Plasminogen Activator with Nanotherapeutics. Mol Pharm 2023. [PMID: 37119285 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
The aberrant proteolytic landscape of the tumor microenvironment is a key contributor of cancer progression. Overexpression of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and/or its associated cell-surface receptor (uPAR) in tumor versus normal tissue is significantly associated with worse clinicopathological features and poorer patient survival across multiple cancer types. This is linked to mechanisms that facilitate tumor cell invasion and migration, via direct and downstream activation of various proteolytic processes that degrade the extracellular matrix─ultimately leading to metastasis. Targeting uPA has thus long been considered an attractive anticancer strategy. However, poor bioavailability of several uPA-selective small-molecule inhibitors has limited early clinical progress. Nanodelivery systems have emerged as an exciting method to enhance the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of existing chemotherapeutics, allowing increased circulation time, improved bioavailability, and targeted delivery to tumor tissue. Combining uPA inhibitors with nanoparticle-based delivery systems thus offers a remarkable opportunity to overcome existing PK challenges associated with conventional uPA inhibitors, while leveraging potent candidates into novel targeted nanotherapeutics for an improved anticancer response in uPA positive tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashna A Kumar
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Kara L Vine
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Marie Ranson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
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5
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Li H, Wang Z, Yu S, Chen S, Zhou Y, Qu Y, Xu P, Jiang L, Yuan C, Huang M. Albumin-based drug carrier targeting urokinase receptor for cancer therapy. Int J Pharm 2023; 634:122636. [PMID: 36696930 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.122636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is a key participant in extracellular proteolysis, tissue remodeling and cell motility. uPAR overexpresses in most solid tumors and several hematologic malignancies, but has low levels on normal tissues, thus is advocated as a molecular target for cancer therapy. One of the obstacles for the evaluation of uPAR targeting agents in preclinical study is the species specificity, where targeting agents for human uPAR usually not bind to murine uPAR. Here, we develop a targeting agent that binds to both murine and human uPAR. This targeting agent is genetically fused to human serum albumin, a commonly used drug carrier, and the final construct is named as uPAR targeting carrier (uPARTC). uPARTC binds specifically to uPAR-overexpressing 293T/huPAR and 293T/muPAR as demonstrated by flow cytometry. A cytotoxic compound, celastrol, is embedded into uPARTC non-covalently. The resulting macromolecular complex show effective proliferation inhibition on both murine and human uPAR overexpressing cells, and exhibit potent antitumor efficacy on hepatoma H22-bearing mice. This work demonstrates that uPARTC is a promising tumor targeting drug carrier, which address the species-specificity challenge of uPAR targeting agents and can be used to load other cytotoxic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanlin Li
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fujian 350108, China
| | - Zhiyou Wang
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fujian 350108, China
| | - Shujuan Yu
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fujian 350108, China
| | - Shanli Chen
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fujian 350108, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fujian 350108, China
| | - Yuhan Qu
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China
| | - Peng Xu
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China
| | - Longguang Jiang
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fujian 350108, China
| | - Cai Yuan
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China.
| | - Mingdong Huang
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fujian 350108, China.
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6
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Zhou Y, Song M, Xie D, Yan S, Yu S, Xie S, Cai M, Li H, Shang L, Jiang L, Yuan C, Huang M, Li J, Xu P. Structural Dynamics-Driven Discovery of Anticancer and Antimetastatic Effects of Diltiazem and Glibenclamide Targeting Urokinase Receptor. J Med Chem 2023; 66:5415-5426. [PMID: 36854648 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Diltiazem and glibenclamide are commonly used hypotensive and antidiabetic drugs. This study reports the discovery of the potential antitumor and antimetastatic effects of these two drugs using a structural dynamics-driven virtual screening targeting urokinase receptor (uPAR). Owing to uPAR's high flexibility, currently resolved crystal structures of uPAR, all in ligand-bound states, provide limited representations of its physiological conformation. To improve the accuracy of screening, we performed a long-timescale molecular dynamics simulation and obtained the representative conformations of apo-uPAR as the targets for our screening. Experimentally, we demonstrated that diltiazem and glibenclamide bound uPAR with KD values in the micromolar range. In addition, both compounds effectively suppressed tumor growth and metastasis in a uPAR-dependent manner in vitro and in vivo. This work not only provides two potent uPAR inhibitors but also reports a proof-of-concept study on the potential off-label antitumor and antimetastatic uses of diltiazem and glibenclamide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhou
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China.,College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China
| | - Meiru Song
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China.,Henan Academy of Sciences, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, P. R. China
| | - Daoqing Xie
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China
| | - Shufeng Yan
- Sanming University, Sanming, Fujian 365004, P. R. China
| | - Shujuan Yu
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China
| | - Song Xie
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China
| | - Meiqin Cai
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China
| | - Hanlin Li
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China
| | - Le Shang
- Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Science, Fuzhou, Fujian 350109, P. R. China
| | - Longguang Jiang
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China
| | - Cai Yuan
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China
| | - Mingdong Huang
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China.,College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China
| | - Jinyu Li
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China
| | - Peng Xu
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Enzyme Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, P. R. China
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7
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Kim TI, Cho S, Jin H, Bae J, Park C, Kim Y. Activatable Fluorescent Probes Targeting Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor on the Cell Membrane. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202203739. [PMID: 36734188 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202203739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is a glycolipid-anchored protein located on the cell surface that is implicated in the promotion of metastasis. New fluorescent probes for the detection of uPAR expression that feature a rapid "turn-on" response are reported here. They consist of a donor-π-acceptor-based fluorophore conjugated with a uPAR-binding AE105 peptide. The resulting AE105-coupled uPAR-targeting probes are weakly emissive in aqueous buffer solutions; however, a fluorescence "turn-on" signal is instantly triggered upon specific binding to uPAR (KD =63.2 nM for P1 and 49.5 nM for P2), which restricts the rotational deactivation of the fluorophore. Applications of the probes were demonstrated in the imaging of uPAR overexpressed on the membrane of cancer cell and in a cell-based uPAR inhibitor assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae-Il Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute of Basic Sciences, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, Korea
| | - Siyoung Cho
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute of Basic Sciences, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, Korea
| | - Hanyong Jin
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, 977 Park Road, Yanji, Jilin Province, 133002, China
| | - Jeehyeon Bae
- School of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, Korea
| | - Chanhee Park
- Metareceptome Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, Korea
| | - Youngmi Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute of Basic Sciences, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, Korea
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8
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A novel urokinase plasminogen activator receptor-targeted peptide-based probe for in-vivo molecular imaging of glioblastoma. Nucl Med Commun 2023; 44:142-149. [PMID: 36630218 DOI: 10.1097/mnm.0000000000001644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
AIM The urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is a promising biomarker for cancer diagnosis and therapy. We herein fabricated a new type of uPAR-targeted imaging probe Al18F-NOTA-VC and preliminarily evaluated its potential application in PET imaging of the glioma model in vivo. METHODS Peptide VC was synthesized and identified by MALDI-TOF-MS. The IC50 between VC/precursor NOTA-VC and uPAR was then determined before the synthesis and purification of Al18F-NOTA-VC, followed by further studies of in-vitro properties of Al18F-NOTA-VC. Meanwhile, the AE105-based probe followed a similar procedure in-vitro test. Finally, the PET imaging properties, including uPAR-targeting ability and the metabolism of Al18F-NOTA-VC, were investigated. RESULTS The VC and NOTA-VC were obtained successfully and demonstrated a good affinity with uPAR. Followed by Al18F labeling successfully, excellent properties, including the serum stability, water solubility, and specificity of Al18F-NOTA-VC, were obtained in-vitro test compared with AE105 based probe. An excellent tumor uptake and renal excretion data of Al18F-NOTA-VC were acquired from in-vivo U87MG tumor model PET imaging, consistent with the subsequent biodistribution study. CONCLUSION In addition to the excellent specificity and high tumor/normal tissue contrast for uPAR-targeted PET imaging of U87MG tumor, Al18F-NOTA-VC possessed promising clearance ability by renal system route. These excellent properties facilitated Al18F-NOTA-VC to be a promising imaging agent for uPAR high-expressing tumors and, thus, provided a paradigm for developing peptide-based probes for uPAR-associated disease diagnosis.
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9
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Arancillo M, Lin CM, Burgess K. Piptide Chemotypes for Perturbation of the Interaction of Urokinase with Its Receptor. J Med Chem 2022; 65:12925-12932. [PMID: 36166370 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Only a few small molecules that disrupt the uPA and uPA receptor (uPAR) interaction have been discovered despite decades of research in the area, and none have been approved in clinical trials. Research reported here features two new ways of considering the problem of discovering small molecules to disrupt uPA•uPAR, specifically in terms of chemotype design and method of evaluation. Chemotypes used in this work are piptides (Arancillo . Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 2021, 60, 6653-6659) with side chains corresponding to the uPA loop that binds uPAR. Further, hybrids of 1 and another uPAR ligand developed in these labs (2), i.e., 3 and 4, were also designed and tested. All the piptide chemotypes bound uPAR at concentrations of 50 μM or less. Members of this series had Ki values <3 μM and showed favorable responses in cellular assays; these data are comparable with the best small molecule uPA•uPAR disruptors in the literature (from conventional screening).
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Affiliation(s)
- Maritess Arancillo
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, P.O. Box 30012, College Station, Texas 77842, United States
| | - Chen-Ming Lin
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, P.O. Box 30012, College Station, Texas 77842, United States
| | - Kevin Burgess
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, P.O. Box 30012, College Station, Texas 77842, United States
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10
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Zhai BT, Tian H, Sun J, Zou JB, Zhang XF, Cheng JX, Shi YJ, Fan Y, Guo DY. Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) as a therapeutic target in cancer. J Transl Med 2022; 20:135. [PMID: 35303878 PMCID: PMC8932206 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03329-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is an attractive target for the treatment of cancer, because it is expressed at low levels in healthy tissues but at high levels in malignant tumours. uPAR is closely related to the invasion and metastasis of malignant tumours, plays important roles in the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM), tumour angiogenesis, cell proliferation and apoptosis, and is associated with the multidrug resistance (MDR) of tumour cells, which has important guiding significance for the judgement of tumor malignancy and prognosis. Several uPAR-targeted antitumour therapeutic agents have been developed to suppress tumour growth, metastatic processes and drug resistance. Here, we review the recent advances in the development of uPAR-targeted antitumor therapeutic strategies, including nanoplatforms carrying therapeutic agents, photodynamic therapy (PDT)/photothermal therapy (PTT) platforms, oncolytic virotherapy, gene therapy technologies, monoclonal antibody therapy and tumour immunotherapy, to promote the translation of these therapeutic agents to clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing-Tao Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Huan Tian
- Xi'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 710021, China
| | - Jing Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Jun-Bo Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Xiao-Fei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Jiang-Xue Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Ya-Jun Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Yu Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China
| | - Dong-Yan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, and Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 712046, China.
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11
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Therapeutic Strategies Targeting Urokinase and Its Receptor in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030498. [PMID: 35158766 PMCID: PMC8833673 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have ascertained that uPA and uPAR do participate in tumor progression and metastasis and are involved in cell adhesion, migration, invasion and survival, as well as angiogenesis. Increased levels of uPA and uPAR in tumor tissues, stroma and biological fluids correlate with adverse clinic-pathologic features and poor patient outcomes. After binding to uPAR, uPA activates plasminogen to plasmin, a broad-spectrum matrix- and fibrin-degrading enzyme able to facilitate tumor cell invasion and dissemination to distant sites. Moreover, uPAR activated by uPA regulates most cancer cell activities by interacting with a broad range of cell membrane receptors. These findings make uPA and uPAR not only promising diagnostic and prognostic markers but also attractive targets for developing anticancer therapies. In this review, we debate the uPA/uPAR structure-function relationship as well as give an update on the molecules that interfere with or inhibit uPA/uPAR functions. Additionally, the possible clinical development of these compounds is discussed.
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12
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Urokinase plasminogen activator as an anti-metastasis target: inhibitor design principles, recent amiloride derivatives, and issues with human/mouse species selectivity. Biophys Rev 2022; 14:277-301. [PMID: 35340592 PMCID: PMC8921380 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-021-00921-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) is a widely studied anticancer drug target with multiple classes of inhibitors reported to date. Many of these inhibitors contain amidine or guanidine groups, while others lacking these groups show improved oral bioavailability. Most of the X-ray co-crystal structures of small molecule uPA inhibitors show a key salt bridge with the side chain carboxylate of Asp189 in the S1 pocket of uPA. This review summarises the different classes of uPA inhibitors, their binding interactions and experimentally measured inhibitory potencies and highlights species selectivity issues with attention to recently described 6-substituted amiloride and 5‑N,N-(hexamethylene)amiloride (HMA) derivatives.
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13
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Ismail AA, Shaker BT, Bajou K. The Plasminogen-Activator Plasmin System in Physiological and Pathophysiological Angiogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010337. [PMID: 35008762 PMCID: PMC8745544 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a process associated with the migration and proliferation of endothelial cells (EC) to form new blood vessels. It is involved in various physiological and pathophysiological conditions and is controlled by a wide range of proangiogenic and antiangiogenic molecules. The plasminogen activator–plasmin system plays a major role in the extracellular matrix remodeling process necessary for angiogenesis. Urokinase/tissue-type plasminogen activators (uPA/tPA) convert plasminogen into the active enzyme plasmin, which in turn activates matrix metalloproteinases and degrades the extracellular matrix releasing growth factors and proangiogenic molecules such as the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A). The plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is the main inhibitor of uPA and tPA, thereby an inhibitor of pericellular proteolysis and intravascular fibrinolysis, respectively. Paradoxically, PAI-1, which is expressed by EC during angiogenesis, is elevated in several cancers and is found to promote angiogenesis by regulating plasmin-mediated proteolysis and by promoting cellular migration through vitronectin. The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) also induces EC cellular migration during angiogenesis via interacting with signaling partners. Understanding the molecular functions of the plasminogen activator plasmin system and targeting angiogenesis via blocking serine proteases or their interactions with other molecules is one of the major therapeutic strategies scientists have been attracted to in controlling tumor growth and other pathological conditions characterized by neovascularization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa Anwar Ismail
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; (A.A.I.); (B.T.S.)
- Human Genetics & Stem Cells Research Group, Research Institute of Sciences & Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Baraah Tariq Shaker
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; (A.A.I.); (B.T.S.)
- Human Genetics & Stem Cells Research Group, Research Institute of Sciences & Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Khalid Bajou
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; (A.A.I.); (B.T.S.)
- Human Genetics & Stem Cells Research Group, Research Institute of Sciences & Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Correspondence:
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14
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S El Salamouni N, Buckley BJ, Jiang L, Huang M, Ranson M, Kelso MJ, Yu H. Disruption of Water Networks is the Cause of Human/Mouse Species Selectivity in Urokinase Plasminogen Activator (uPA) Inhibitors Derived from Hexamethylene Amiloride (HMA). J Med Chem 2021; 65:1933-1945. [PMID: 34898192 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) plays a critical role in tumor cell invasion and migration and is a promising antimetastasis target. 6-Substituted analogues of 5-N,N-(hexamethylene)amiloride (HMA) are potent and selective uPA inhibitors that lack the diuretic and antikaliuretic properties of the parent drug amiloride. However, the compounds display pronounced selectivity for human over mouse uPA, thus confounding interpretation of data from human xenograft mouse models of cancer. Here, computational and experimental findings reveal that residue 99 is a key contributor to the observed species selectivity, whereby enthalpically unfavorable expulsion of a water molecule by the 5-N,N-hexamethylene ring occurs when residue 99 is Tyr (as in mouse uPA). Analogue 7 lacking the 5-N,N-hexamethylene ring maintained similar water networks when bound to human and mouse uPA and displayed reduced selectivity, thus supporting this conclusion. The study will guide further optimization of dual-potent human/mouse uPA inhibitors from the amiloride class as antimetastasis drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nehad S El Salamouni
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Benjamin J Buckley
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,CONCERT-Translational Cancer Research Centre, Sydney, NSW 2750, Australia
| | - Longguang Jiang
- National Joint Biomedical Engineering Research Centre on Photodynamic Technologies, Fuzhou University, Fujian 350116, China
| | - Mingdong Huang
- National Joint Biomedical Engineering Research Centre on Photodynamic Technologies, Fuzhou University, Fujian 350116, China
| | - Marie Ranson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,CONCERT-Translational Cancer Research Centre, Sydney, NSW 2750, Australia
| | - Michael J Kelso
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Haibo Yu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
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15
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Metrangolo V, Ploug M, Engelholm LH. The Urokinase Receptor (uPAR) as a "Trojan Horse" in Targeted Cancer Therapy: Challenges and Opportunities. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215376. [PMID: 34771541 PMCID: PMC8582577 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Discovered more than three decades ago, the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) has now firmly established itself as a versatile molecular target holding promise for the treatment of aggressive malignancies. The copious abundance of uPAR in virtually all human cancerous tissues versus their healthy counterparts has fostered a gradual shift in the therapeutic landscape targeting this receptor from function inhibition to cytotoxic approaches to selectively eradicate the uPAR-expressing cells by delivering a targeted cytotoxic insult. Multiple avenues are being explored in a preclinical setting, including the more innovative immune- or stroma targeting therapies. This review discusses the current state of these strategies, their potentialities, and challenges, along with future directions in the field of uPAR targeting. Abstract One of the largest challenges to the implementation of precision oncology is identifying and validating selective tumor-driving targets to enhance the therapeutic efficacy while limiting off-target toxicity. In this context, the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) has progressively emerged as a promising therapeutic target in the management of aggressive malignancies. By focalizing the plasminogen activation cascade and subsequent extracellular proteolysis on the cell surface of migrating cells, uPAR endows malignant cells with a high proteolytic and migratory potential to dissolve the restraining extracellular matrix (ECM) barriers and metastasize to distant sites. uPAR is also assumed to choreograph multiple other neoplastic stages via a complex molecular interplay with distinct cancer-associated signaling pathways. Accordingly, high uPAR expression is observed in virtually all human cancers and is frequently associated with poor patient prognosis and survival. The promising therapeutic potential unveiled by the pleiotropic nature of this receptor has prompted the development of distinct targeted intervention strategies. The present review will focus on recently emerged cytotoxic approaches emphasizing the novel technologies and related limits hindering their application in the clinical setting. Finally, future research directions and emerging opportunities in the field of uPAR targeting are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Metrangolo
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.M.); (M.P.)
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Ploug
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.M.); (M.P.)
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars H. Engelholm
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.M.); (M.P.)
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-31-43-20-77
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16
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Leth JM, Ploug M. Targeting the Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor (uPAR) in Human Diseases With a View to Non-invasive Imaging and Therapeutic Intervention. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:732015. [PMID: 34490277 PMCID: PMC8417595 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.732015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction between the serine protease urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its glycolipid-anchored receptor (uPAR) focalizes plasminogen activation to cell surfaces, thereby regulating extravascular fibrinolysis, cell adhesion, and migration. uPAR belongs to the Ly6/uPAR (LU) gene superfamily and the high-affinity binding site for uPA is assembled by a dynamic association of its three consecutive LU domains. In most human solid cancers, uPAR is expressed at the invasive areas of the tumor-stromal microenvironment. High levels of uPAR in resected tumors or shed to the plasma of cancer patients are robustly associated with poor prognosis and increased risk of relapse and metastasis. Over the years, a plethora of different strategies to inhibit uPA and uPAR function have been designed and investigated in vitro and in vivo in mouse models, but so far none have been implemented in the clinics. In recent years, uPAR-targeting with the intent of cytotoxic eradication of uPAR-expressing cells have nonetheless gained increasing momentum. Another avenue that is currently being explored is non-invasive imaging with specific uPAR-targeted reporter-molecules containing positron emitting radionuclides or near-infrared (NIR) florescence probes with the overarching aim of being able to: (i) localize disease dissemination using positron emission tomography (PET) and (ii) assist fluorescence guided surgery using optical imaging. In this review, we will discuss these advancements with special emphasis on applications using a small 9-mer peptide antagonist that targets uPAR with high affinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Maja Leth
- Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Ploug
- Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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17
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Simón M, Jørgensen JT, Juhl K, Kjaer A. The use of a uPAR-targeted probe for photothermal cancer therapy prolongs survival in a xenograft mouse model of glioblastoma. Oncotarget 2021; 12:1366-1376. [PMID: 34262647 PMCID: PMC8274719 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of tumor-targeted probes that can efficiently reach cancerous tissue is an important focus of preclinical research. Photothermal cancer therapy (PTT) relies on light-absorbing molecules, which are directed towards tumor tissue and irradiated with an external source of light. This light is transformed into heat, causing localized hyperthermia and tumor death. The fluorescent probe indocyanine green (ICG) is already used as an imaging agent both preclinically and in clinical settings, but its use for PTT is yet to be fully exploited due to its short retention time and non-specific tumor targeting. Therefore, increasing ICG tumor uptake is necessary to improve treatment outcome. The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor, uPAR, is overexpressed in multiple tumor types. ICG-Glu-Glu-AE105, consisting of the uPAR-targeting peptide AE105 conjugated to ICG, has shown great potential for fluorescence-guided surgery. In this study, ICG-Glu-Glu-AE105 was evaluated as photothermal agent in a subcutaneous mouse model of human glioblastoma. We observed that the photothermal abilities of ICG-Glu-Glu-AE105 triggered high temperatures in the tumor during PTT, leading to tumor death and prolonged survival. This confirms the potential of ICG-Glu-Glu-AE105 as photothermal agent and indicates that it could be used as an add-on to the application of the probe for fluorescence-guided surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Simón
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rigshospitalet and University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesper Tranekjær Jørgensen
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rigshospitalet and University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Karina Juhl
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rigshospitalet and University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas Kjaer
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rigshospitalet and University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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18
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Kurbegovic S, Juhl K, Sørensen KK, Leth J, Willemoe GL, Christensen A, Adams Y, Jensen AR, von Buchwald C, Skjøth-Rasmussen J, Ploug M, Jensen KJ, Kjaer A. IRDye800CW labeled uPAR-targeting peptide for fluorescence-guided glioblastoma surgery: Preclinical studies in orthotopic xenografts. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:7159-7174. [PMID: 34158842 PMCID: PMC8210614 DOI: 10.7150/thno.49787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a devastating cancer with basically no curative treatment. Even with aggressive treatment, the median survival is disappointing 14 months. Surgery remains the key treatment and the postoperative survival is determined by the extent of resection. Unfortunately, the invasive growth with irregular infiltrating margins complicates an optimal surgical resection. Precise intraoperative tumor visualization is therefore highly needed and molecular targeted near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging potentially constitutes such a tool. The urokinase-type Plasminogen Activator Receptor (uPAR) is expressed in most solid cancers primarily at the invading front and the adjacent activated peritumoral stroma making it an attractive target for targeted fluorescence imaging. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a new uPAR-targeted optical probe, IRDye800CW-AE344, for fluorescence guided surgery (FGS). Methods: In the present study we characterized the fluorescent probe with regard to binding affinity, optical properties, and plasma stability. Further, in vivo imaging characterization was performed in nude mice with orthotopic human patient derived glioblastoma xenografts, and we performed head-to-head comparison within FGS between our probe and the traditional procedure using 5-ALA. Finally, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration was characterized in a 3D BBB spheroid model. Results: The probe effectively visualized GBM in vivo with a tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) above 4.5 between 1 to 12 h post injection and could be used for FGS of orthotopic human glioblastoma xenografts in mice where it was superior to 5-ALA. The probe showed a favorable safety profile with no evidence of any acute toxicity. Finally, the 3D BBB model showed uptake of the probe into the spheroids indicating that the probe crosses the BBB. Conclusion: IRDye800CW-AE344 is a promising uPAR-targeted optical probe for FGS and a candidate for translation into human use.
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19
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Shahdeo D, Kesarwani V, Suhag D, Ahmed J, Alshehri SM, Gandhi S. Self-assembled chitosan polymer intercalating peptide functionalized gold nanoparticles as nanoprobe for efficient imaging of urokinase plasminogen activator receptor in cancer diagnostics. Carbohydr Polym 2021; 266:118138. [PMID: 34044952 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Targeting cell surface receptors for specific drug delivery in cancer has garnered lot of attention. Urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), a surface biomarker, is overexpressed on many tumours including breast, colorectal, prostate, and ovarian cancers. Binding of growth factor domain (GFD) of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) with uPAR lead to its close conformation, and allow somatomedin B domain (SMB) of vitronectin binding by allosteric modulation. In-silico docking of uPAR with GFD and SMB peptides was performed to identify potential binding affinity. Herein, we report fluorescently labeled peptide functionalized AuNPs with a mixed self-assembled monolayer of intercalating chitosan polymer for efficient targeting and imaging of uPAR-positive cells. The biophysical characterization of nanoconjugates and uPAR-specific targeting was assessed by FACS, cell adhesion, and fluorescence imaging. AuNPs/chitosan/GFD+SMB peptides showed higher uptake as compared to AuNPs/chitosan/GFD, and AuNPs/chitosan/SMB that can be utilized as a tool for molecular targeting and imaging in metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepshikha Shahdeo
- DBT-National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (DBT-NIAB), Hyderabad 500032, Telangana, India
| | - Veerbhan Kesarwani
- DBT-National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (DBT-NIAB), Hyderabad 500032, Telangana, India
| | - Deepa Suhag
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Haryana, Manesar, Panchgaon, Haryana 122413, India
| | - Jahangeer Ahmed
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saad M Alshehri
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sonu Gandhi
- DBT-National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (DBT-NIAB), Hyderabad 500032, Telangana, India; Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida 201301, India.
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20
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Mahmood N, Rabbani SA. Fibrinolytic System and Cancer: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094358. [PMID: 33921923 PMCID: PMC8122389 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrinolysis is a crucial physiological process that helps to maintain a hemostatic balance by counteracting excessive thrombosis. The components of the fibrinolytic system are well established and are associated with a wide array of physiological and pathophysiological processes. The aberrant expression of several components, especially urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), its cognate receptor uPAR, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), has shown a direct correlation with increased tumor growth, invasiveness, and metastasis. As a result, targeting the fibrinolytic system has been of great interest in the field of cancer biology. Even though there is a plethora of encouraging preclinical evidence on the potential therapeutic benefits of targeting the key oncogenic components of the fibrinolytic system, none of them made it from “bench to bedside” due to a limited number of clinical trials on them. This review summarizes our existing understanding of the various diagnostic and therapeutic strategies targeting the fibrinolytic system during cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niaz Mahmood
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC H4A3J1, Canada;
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC H4A3J1, Canada
| | - Shafaat A. Rabbani
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC H4A3J1, Canada;
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC H4A3J1, Canada
- Correspondence:
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21
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The Urokinase Receptor: A Multifunctional Receptor in Cancer Cell Biology. Therapeutic Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22084111. [PMID: 33923400 PMCID: PMC8073738 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteolysis is a key event in several biological processes; proteolysis must be tightly controlled because its improper activation leads to dramatic consequences. Deregulation of proteolytic activity characterizes many pathological conditions, including cancer. The plasminogen activation (PA) system plays a key role in cancer; it includes the serine-protease urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA). uPA binds to a specific cellular receptor (uPAR), which concentrates proteolytic activity at the cell surface, thus supporting cell migration. However, a large body of evidence clearly showed uPAR involvement in the biology of cancer cell independently of the proteolytic activity of its ligand. In this review we will first describe this multifunctional molecule and then we will discuss how uPAR can sustain most of cancer hallmarks, which represent the biological capabilities acquired during the multistep cancer development. Finally, we will illustrate the main data available in the literature on uPAR as a cancer biomarker and a molecular target in anti-cancer therapy.
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22
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Yuan C, Guo Z, Yu S, Jiang L, Huang M. Development of inhibitors for uPAR: blocking the interaction of uPAR with its partners. Drug Discov Today 2021; 26:1076-1085. [PMID: 33486111 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) mediates a multitude of biological activities, has key roles in several clinical indications, including malignancies and inflammation, and, thus, has attracted intensive research over the past few decades. The pleiotropic functions of uPAR can be attributed to its interaction with an array of partners. Many inhibitors have been developed to intervene with the interaction of uPAR with these partners. Here, we review the development of these classes of uPAR inhibitor and their inhibitory mechanisms to promote the translation of these inhibitors to clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cai Yuan
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350116, China
| | - Zhanzhi Guo
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350116, China
| | - Shujuan Yu
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fujian, 350116, China
| | - Longguang Jiang
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fujian, 350116, China.
| | - Mingdong Huang
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fujian, 350116, China.
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23
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Xu D, Bum-Erdene K, Leth JM, Ghozayel MK, Ploug M, Meroueh SO. Small-Molecule Inhibition of the uPAR ⋅ uPA Interaction by Conformational Selection. ChemMedChem 2020; 16:377-387. [PMID: 33107192 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The urokinase receptor (uPAR) is a cell surface receptor that binds to the serine protease urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) with high affinity. This interaction is beneficial for extravascular fibrin clearance, but it has also been associated with a broad range of pathological conditions including cancer, atherosclerosis, and kidney disease. Here, starting with a small molecule that we previously discovered by virtual screening and cheminformatics analysis, we design and synthesize several derivatives that were tested for binding and inhibition of the uPAR ⋅ uPA interaction. To confirm the binding site and establish a binding mode of the compounds, we carried out biophysical studies using uPAR mutants, among them uPARH47C-N259C , a mutant previously developed to mimic the structure of uPA-bound uPAR. Remarkably, a substantial increase in potency is observed for inhibition of uPARH47C-N259C binding to uPA compared to wild-type uPAR, consistent with our use of the structure of uPAR in its uPA-bound state to design small-molecule uPAR ⋅ uPA antagonists. Combined with the biophysical studies, molecular docking followed by extensive explicit-solvent molecular dynamics simulations and MM-GBSA free energy calculations yielded the most favorable binding pose of the compound. Collectively, these results suggest that potent inhibition of uPAR binding to uPA with small molecules will likely only be achieved by developing small molecules that exhibit high-affinity to solution apo structures of uPAR, rather than uPA-bound structures of the receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.,Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Khuchtumur Bum-Erdene
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Julie M Leth
- Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark.,Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Mona K Ghozayel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Michael Ploug
- Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark.,Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Samy O Meroueh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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24
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Piccardo A, Ugolini M, Righi S, Bottoni G, Cistaro A, Paparo F, Giovanella L, Evangelista L. Copper, PET/CT and prostate cancer: a systematic review of the literature. THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE AND MOLECULAR IMAGING : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ITALIAN ASSOCIATION OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE (AIMN) [AND] THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RADIOPHARMACOLOGY (IAR), [AND] SECTION OF THE SOCIETY OF... 2020; 64:382-392. [PMID: 32900177 DOI: 10.23736/s1824-4785.20.03277-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Copper is an essential element that plays an important role in both cancer development and growth. Indeed, high levels of copper have been found in prostate cancer (PCa), and this finding have paved the way for the use of this element as a target for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Copper64 (64Cu) can be used alone, as 64CuCl2, and also as a precursor for the in-vitro radio-labelling of specific carriers for PET imaging in PCa, (e.g. associated to prostate-specific membrane antigen: PSMA). The use of 64Cu-PSMA can yield late acquisitions in which PET images are characterized by a higher target-to-background ratio. At the same time, the shorter positron range of 64Cu provides high spatial resolution, which leads to better detection of small lesions. In this context, the aim of this review was to systematically review studies evaluating the identification of PCa in humans by means of 64CuCl2 and other PET tracers radio-labelled with 64Cu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnoldo Piccardo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, EO Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy -
| | - Martina Ugolini
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, EO Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Sergio Righi
- Medical Physics Department, EO Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gianluca Bottoni
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, EO Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Angelina Cistaro
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, EO Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Luca Giovanella
- Clinic for Nuclear Medicine, Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Laura Evangelista
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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25
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Baart VM, Houvast RD, de Geus-Oei LF, Quax PHA, Kuppen PJK, Vahrmeijer AL, Sier CFM. Molecular imaging of the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor: opportunities beyond cancer. EJNMMI Res 2020; 10:87. [PMID: 32725278 PMCID: PMC7387399 DOI: 10.1186/s13550-020-00673-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) plays a multifaceted role in almost any process where migration of cells and tissue-remodeling is involved such as inflammation, but also in diseases as arthritis and cancer. Normally, uPAR is absent in healthy tissues. By its carefully orchestrated interaction with the protease urokinase plasminogen activator and its inhibitor (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1), uPAR localizes a cascade of proteolytic activities, enabling (patho)physiologic cell migration. Moreover, via the interaction with a broad range of cell membrane proteins, like vitronectin and various integrins, uPAR plays a significant, but not yet completely understood, role in differentiation and proliferation of cells, affecting also disease progression. The implications of these processes, either for diagnostics or therapeutics, have received much attention in oncology, but only limited beyond. Nonetheless, the role of uPAR in different diseases provides ample opportunity to exploit new applications for targeting. Especially in the fields of oncology, cardiology, rheumatology, neurology, and infectious diseases, uPAR-targeted molecular imaging could offer insights for new directions in diagnosis, surveillance, or treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- V M Baart
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - R D Houvast
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - L F de Geus-Oei
- Department of Radiology, Section of Nuclear Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Biomedical Photonic Imaging Group, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - P H A Quax
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - P J K Kuppen
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - A L Vahrmeijer
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - C F M Sier
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands. .,Percuros BV, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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26
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Mukai H, Watanabe Y. Review: PET imaging with macro- and middle-sized molecular probes. Nucl Med Biol 2020; 92:156-170. [PMID: 32660789 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2020.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Recent progress in radiolabeling of macro- and middle-sized molecular probes has been extending possibilities to use PET molecular imaging for dynamic application to drug development and therapeutic evaluation. Theranostics concept also accelerated the use of macro- and middle-sized molecular probes for sharpening the contrast of proper target recognition even the cellular types/subtypes and proper selection of the patients who should be treated by the same molecules recognition. Here, brief summary of the present status of immuno-PET, and then further development of advanced technologies related to immuno-PET, peptidic PET probes, and nucleic acids PET probes are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidefumi Mukai
- Laboratory for Molecular Delivery and Imaging Technology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan.
| | - Yasuyoshi Watanabe
- Laboratory for Pathophysiological and Health Science, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan.
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27
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Lin C, Arancillo M, Whisenant J, Burgess K. Unconventional Secondary Structure Mimics: Ladder‐Rungs. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202002639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chen‐Ming Lin
- Department of Chemistry Texas A&M University Box 30012 College Station TX 77842 USA
| | - Maritess Arancillo
- Department of Chemistry Texas A&M University Box 30012 College Station TX 77842 USA
| | - Jonathan Whisenant
- Department of Chemistry Texas A&M University Box 30012 College Station TX 77842 USA
| | - Kevin Burgess
- Department of Chemistry Texas A&M University Box 30012 College Station TX 77842 USA
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28
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Lin CM, Arancillo M, Whisenant J, Burgess K. Unconventional Secondary Structure Mimics: Ladder-Rungs. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:9398-9402. [PMID: 32176815 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202002639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Secondary structures tend to be recognizable because they have repeating structural motifs, but mimicry of these does not have to follow such well-defined patterns. Bioinformatics studies to match side-chain orientations of a novel hydantoin triazole chemotype (1) to protein-protein interfaces revealed it tends to align well across parallel and antiparallel sheets, like rungs on a ladder. One set of these overlays was observed for the protein-protein interaction uPA⋅uPAR. Consequently, chemotype 1 was made with appropriate side-chains to mimic uPA at this interface. Biophysical assays indicate these compounds did in fact bind uPAR, and elicit cellular responses that affected invasion, migration, and wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Ming Lin
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, Box 30012, College Station, TX, 77842, USA
| | - Maritess Arancillo
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, Box 30012, College Station, TX, 77842, USA
| | - Jonathan Whisenant
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, Box 30012, College Station, TX, 77842, USA
| | - Kevin Burgess
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, Box 30012, College Station, TX, 77842, USA
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29
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Lin H, Xu L, Yu S, Hong W, Huang M, Xu P. Therapeutics targeting the fibrinolytic system. Exp Mol Med 2020; 52:367-379. [PMID: 32152451 PMCID: PMC7156416 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-020-0397-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Revised: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The function of the fibrinolytic system was first identified to dissolve fibrin to maintain vascular patency. Connections between the fibrinolytic system and many other physiological and pathological processes have been well established. Dysregulation of the fibrinolytic system is closely associated with multiple pathological conditions, including thrombosis, inflammation, cancer progression, and neuropathies. Thus, molecules in the fibrinolytic system are potent therapeutic and diagnostic targets. This review summarizes the currently used agents targeting this system and the development of novel therapeutic strategies in experimental studies. Future directions for the development of modulators of the fibrinolytic system are also discussed. The fibrinolytic system was originally identified to dissolve blood clots, and is shown to have important roles in other pathological processes, including cancer progression, inflammation, and thrombosis. Molecules or therapeutics targeting fibrinolytic system have been successfully used in the clinical treatments of cancer and thrombotic diseases. The clinical studies and experimental models targeting fibrinolytic system are reviewed by Haili Lin at Sanming First Hosipital, Mingdong Huang at Fuzhou University in China, and Peng Xu at A*STAR in Singapore to demonstrate fibrinolytic system as novel therapeutic targets. As an example, the inhibition of fibrinolytic system protein can be used to suppress cancer prolifieration and metastasis. This review also discusses the potential therapeutic effects of inhibitiors of fibrinolytic system on inflammatory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haili Lin
- Department of Pharmacy, Sanming First Hospital, 365000, Sanming, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Luning Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, Sanming First Hospital, 365000, Sanming, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Shujuan Yu
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, 350116, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanjin Hong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Mingdong Huang
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, 350116, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China.
| | - Peng Xu
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore, 138673, Singapore.
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30
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Jiang Y, Lin L, Chen S, Jiang L, Kriegbaum MC, Gårdsvoll H, Hansen LV, Li J, Ploug M, Yuan C, Huang M. Crystal Structures of Human C4.4A Reveal the Unique Association of Ly6/uPAR/α-neurotoxin Domain. Int J Biol Sci 2020; 16:981-993. [PMID: 32140067 PMCID: PMC7053344 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.39919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Ly6/uPAR/α-neurotoxin domain (LU-domain) is characterized by the presence of 4-5 disulfide bonds and three flexible loops that extend from a core stacked by several conversed disulfide bonds (thus also named three-fingered protein domain). This highly structurally stable protein domain is typically a protein-binder at extracellular space. Most LU proteins contain only single LU-domain as represented by Ly6 proteins in immunology and α-neurotoxins in snake venom. For Ly6 proteins, many are expressed in specific cell lineages and in differentiation stages, and are used as markers. In this study, we report the crystal structures of the two LU-domains of human C4.4A alone and its complex with a Fab fragment of a monoclonal anti-C4.4A antibody. Interestingly, both structures showed that C4.4A forms a very compact globule with two LU-domain packed face to face. This is in contrast to the flexible nature of most LU-domain-containing proteins in mammals. The Fab combining site of C4.4A involves both LU-domains, and appears to be the binding site for AGR2, a reported ligand of C4.4A. This work reports the first structure that contain two LU-domains and provides insights on how LU-domains fold into a compact protein and interacts with ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunbin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Structure Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lin Lin
- Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Shanli Chen
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Longguang Jiang
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Mette C Kriegbaum
- Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.,Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, DK-2220 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Henrik Gårdsvoll
- Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.,Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, DK-2220 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Line V Hansen
- Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Jinyu Li
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Michael Ploug
- Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.,Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, DK-2220 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Cai Yuan
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350116, China
| | - Mingdong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Structure Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China.,College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
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31
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Juhl K, Christensen A, Rubek N, Karnov KKS, von Buchwald C, Kjaer A. Improved surgical resection of metastatic pancreatic cancer using uPAR targeted in vivo fluorescent guidance: comparison with traditional white light surgery. Oncotarget 2019; 10:6308-6316. [PMID: 31695839 PMCID: PMC6824874 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers. The five-year survival rates have been reported as 3%. Radical surgical tumor resection is critical for improved outcome and the low survival rate for pancreatic cancer is due to lack of other effective treatments and here optical guided surgery could be a solution for better surgical outcome. In the present study, we targeted the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) with a peptide conjugated with the fluophore ICG (ICG-Glu-Glu-AE105) for optical imaging. In the first part of the study we aimed to validate ICG-Glu-Glu-AE105 for resection of the primary tumor and metastases in an orthotopic human xenograft pancreatic cancer model. In the second part of the study we aimed to investigate if fluorescent-guided imaging could locate additional metastases following conventional removal of metastasis under normal white light surgery. Our study showed that ICG-Glu-Glu-AE105 was an excellent probe for intraoperative optical imaging with a mean tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) for the primary tumor of 3.5 and a TBR for the metastases of 3.4. Further, a benefit using intraoperative fluorescent guidance yielded identification of an additional 14% metastases compared to using normal white light surgery. In 4 of 8 mice there were identified additional metastases with uPAR optical imaging compared to white light. In conclusion, the uPAR-targeted optical probe ICG-Glu-Glu-AE105 enables intraoperative optical cancer imaging, including robotic surgery, and may be a benefit during intended radical resection of disseminated pancreas cancer by finding more metastasis than with traditional white light surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Juhl
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Christensen
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Niclas Rubek
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kirstine Kim Schmidt Karnov
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Kirstine Kim Schmidt Karnov sadly passed away before publishing of this article. We will miss her and our thoughts are with her family
| | - Christian von Buchwald
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas Kjaer
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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32
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Buckley BJ, Majed H, Aboelela A, Minaei E, Jiang L, Fildes K, Cheung CY, Johnson D, Bachovchin D, Cook GM, Huang M, Ranson M, Kelso MJ. 6-Substituted amiloride derivatives as inhibitors of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator for use in metastatic disease. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2019; 29:126753. [PMID: 31679971 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2019.126753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The oral K+-sparing diuretic amiloride shows anti-cancer side-activities in multiple rodent models. These effects appear to arise, at least in part, through moderate inhibition of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA, Ki = 2.4 µM), a pro-metastatic trypsin-like serine protease that is upregulated in many aggressive solid malignancies. In applying the selective optimization of side-activity (SOSA) approach, a focused library of twenty two 6-substituted amiloride derivatives were prepared, with multiple examples displaying uPA inhibitory potencies in the nM range. X-ray co-crystal structures revealed that the potency increases relative to amiloride arise from increased occupancy of uPA's S1β subsite by the appended 6-substituents. Leading compounds were shown to have high selectivity over related trypsin-like serine proteases and no diuretic or anti-kaliuretic effects in rats. Compound 15 showed anti-metastatic effects in a xenografted mouse model of late-stage lung metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Buckley
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Hiwa Majed
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Ashraf Aboelela
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Elahe Minaei
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Longguang Jiang
- National Joint Biomdical Engineering Research Centre on Photodynamic Technologies, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Karen Fildes
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, NSW 2522, Australia; Graduate School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Chen-Yi Cheung
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Otago 9016, New Zealand
| | - Darren Johnson
- Tri-institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY 10065, USA
| | - Daniel Bachovchin
- Tri-institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY 10065, USA; Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, NY 10065, USA
| | - Gregory M Cook
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Otago 9016, New Zealand
| | - Mingdong Huang
- National Joint Biomdical Engineering Research Centre on Photodynamic Technologies, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Marie Ranson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
| | - Michael J Kelso
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
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33
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Cornelis F M Sier
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Albinusdreef, Leiden, The Netherlands
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34
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Leth JM, Leth-Espensen KZ, Kristensen KK, Kumari A, Lund Winther AM, Young SG, Ploug M. Evolution and Medical Significance of LU Domain-Containing Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20112760. [PMID: 31195646 PMCID: PMC6600238 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20112760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteins containing Ly6/uPAR (LU) domains exhibit very diverse biological functions and have broad taxonomic distributions in eukaryotes. In general, they adopt a characteristic three-fingered folding topology with three long loops projecting from a disulfide-rich globular core. The majority of the members of this protein domain family contain only a single LU domain, which can be secreted, glycolipid anchored, or constitute the extracellular ligand binding domain of type-I membrane proteins. Nonetheless, a few proteins contain multiple LU domains, for example, the urokinase receptor uPAR, C4.4A, and Haldisin. In the current review, we will discuss evolutionary aspects of this protein domain family with special emphasis on variations in their consensus disulfide bond patterns. Furthermore, we will present selected cases where missense mutations in LU domain-containing proteins leads to dysfunctional proteins that are causally linked to genesis of human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Maja Leth
- Finsen Laboratory, Ole Maaloes Vej 5, Righospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Biotechnology Research Innovation Centre (BRIC), Ole Maaloes Vej 5, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Katrine Zinck Leth-Espensen
- Finsen Laboratory, Ole Maaloes Vej 5, Righospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Biotechnology Research Innovation Centre (BRIC), Ole Maaloes Vej 5, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Kristian Kølby Kristensen
- Finsen Laboratory, Ole Maaloes Vej 5, Righospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Biotechnology Research Innovation Centre (BRIC), Ole Maaloes Vej 5, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Anni Kumari
- Finsen Laboratory, Ole Maaloes Vej 5, Righospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Biotechnology Research Innovation Centre (BRIC), Ole Maaloes Vej 5, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Anne-Marie Lund Winther
- Finsen Laboratory, Ole Maaloes Vej 5, Righospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Biotechnology Research Innovation Centre (BRIC), Ole Maaloes Vej 5, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Stephen G Young
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
- Department of Human Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Michael Ploug
- Finsen Laboratory, Ole Maaloes Vej 5, Righospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Biotechnology Research Innovation Centre (BRIC), Ole Maaloes Vej 5, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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35
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Wang K, Xing ZH, Jiang QW, Yang Y, Huang JR, Yuan ML, Wei MN, Li Y, Wang ST, Liu K, Shi Z. Targeting uPAR by CRISPR/Cas9 System Attenuates Cancer Malignancy and Multidrug Resistance. Front Oncol 2019; 9:80. [PMID: 30873379 PMCID: PMC6400983 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), a member of the lymphocyte antigen 6 protein superfamily, is overexpressed in different types of cancers and plays an important role in tumorigenesis and development. In this study, we successfully targeted uPAR by CRISPR/Cas9 system in two human cancer cell lines with two individual sgRNAs. Knockout of uPAR inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Furthermore, knockout of uPAR decreases resistance to 5-FU, cisplatin, docetaxel, and doxorubicin in these cells. Although there are several limitations in the application of CRISPR/Cas9 system for cancer patients, our study offers valuable evidences for the role of uPAR in cancer malignancy and drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zi-Hao Xing
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi-Wei Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jia-Rong Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meng-Ling Yuan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meng-Ning Wei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yao Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sheng-Te Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kun Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi Shi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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Xu Y, Tian M, Zhang H, Xiao Y, Hong X, Sun Y. Recent development on peptide-based probes for multifunctional biomedical imaging. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2018.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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Crosstalk between cancer cells and endothelial cells: implications for tumor progression and intervention. Arch Pharm Res 2018; 41:711-724. [DOI: 10.1007/s12272-018-1051-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Mahmood N, Mihalcioiu C, Rabbani SA. Multifaceted Role of the Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator (uPA) and Its Receptor (uPAR): Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Applications. Front Oncol 2018; 8:24. [PMID: 29484286 PMCID: PMC5816037 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 255] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The plasminogen activator (PA) system is an extracellular proteolytic enzyme system associated with various physiological and pathophysiological processes. A large body of evidence support that among the various components of the PA system, urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), its receptor (uPAR), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and -2 (PAI-1 and PAI-2) play a major role in tumor progression and metastasis. The binding of uPA with uPAR is instrumental for the activation of plasminogen to plasmin, which in turn initiates a series of proteolytic cascade to degrade the components of the extracellular matrix, and thereby, cause tumor cell migration from the primary site of origin to a distant secondary organ. The components of the PA system show altered expression patterns in several common malignancies, which have identified them as ideal diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic targets to reduce cancer-associated morbidity and mortality. This review summarizes the various components of the PA system and focuses on the role of uPA-uPAR in different biological processes especially in the context of malignancy. We also discuss the current state of knowledge of uPA-uPAR-targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for various malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niaz Mahmood
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Catalin Mihalcioiu
- Department of Oncology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Shafaat A. Rabbani
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Oncology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Jackson IM, Scott PJ, Thompson S. Clinical Applications of Radiolabeled Peptides for PET. Semin Nucl Med 2017; 47:493-523. [DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2017.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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uPAR-targeted optical near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging and PET for image-guided surgery in head and neck cancer: proof-of-concept in orthotopic xenograft model. Oncotarget 2017; 8:15407-15419. [PMID: 28039488 PMCID: PMC5362495 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Urokinase-like Plasminogen Activator Receptor (uPAR) is overexpressed in a variety of carcinoma types, and therefore represents an attractive imaging target. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of two uPAR-targeted probes for PET and fluorescence tumor imaging in a human xenograft tongue cancer model. Experimental design and results Tumor growth of tongue cancer was monitored by bioluminescence imaging (BLI) and MRI. Either ICG-Glu-Glu-AE105 (fluorescent agent) or 64Cu-DOTA-AE105 (PET agent) was injected systemically, and fluorescence imaging or PET/CT imaging was performed. Tissue was collected for micro-fluorescence imaging and histology. A clear fluorescent signal was detected in the primary tumor with a mean in vivo tumor-to-background ratio of 2.5. Real-time fluorescence-guided tumor resection was possible, and sub-millimeter tumor deposits could be localized. Histological analysis showed co-localization of the fluorescent signal, uPAR expression and tumor deposits. In addition, the feasibility of uPAR-guided robotic cancer surgery was demonstrated. Also, uPAR-PET imaging showed a clear and localized signal in the tongue tumors. Conclusions This study demonstrated the feasibility of combining two uPAR-targeted probes in a preclinical head and neck cancer model. The PET modality provided preoperative non-invasive tumor imaging and the optical modality allowed for real-time fluorescence-guided tumor detection and resection. Clinical translation of this platform seems promising.
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Ding F, Chen S, Zhang W, Tu Y, Sun Y. UPAR targeted molecular imaging of cancers with small molecule-based probes. Bioorg Med Chem 2017; 25:5179-5184. [PMID: 28869084 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.08.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2017] [Revised: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Molecular imaging can allow the non-invasive characterization and measurement of biological and biochemical processes at the molecular and cellular levels in living subjects. The imaging of specific molecular targets that are associated with cancers could allow for the earlier diagnosis and better treatment of diseases. Small molecule-based probes play prominent roles in biomedical research and have high clinical translation ability. Here, with an emphasis on small molecule-based probes, we review some recent developments in biomarkers, imaging techniques and multimodal imaging in molecular imaging and highlight the successful applications for molecular imaging of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Ding
- Key Laboratory of Pesticides and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Pesticide and Green Synthesis, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Seng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Pesticides and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Pesticide and Green Synthesis, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Wanshu Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications, 9 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yufeng Tu
- Department of Cardiology, The Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Yao Sun
- Key Laboratory of Pesticides and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Pesticide and Green Synthesis, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China.
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Yamada Y, Kanayama S, Ito F, Kurita N, Kobayashi H. A novel peptide blocking cancer cell invasion by structure-based drug design. Biomed Rep 2017; 7:221-225. [PMID: 28819560 DOI: 10.3892/br.2017.957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The receptor for the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), uPAR, facilitates tumor cell invasion and metastasis by focusing on several ligands, including uPA, integrins and vitronectin. With computational prediction algorithms and structure-based drug design, we identified peptides containing the Gly-Lys-Gly-Glu-Gly-Glu-Gly-Lys-Gly sequence (peptide H1), which strongly interacts with uPAR. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of allosteric inhibition at the uPAR interface using a novel synthetic peptide and its function on ovarian cancer cell invasion. The molecular and functional mechanisms of H1 were determined by complementary biochemical and biological methods in the promyeloid U937 cell line as well as ovarian cancer cell lines, including serous carcinoma SKOV3 and clear cell carcinoma TOV21G. The effects of H1 treatment on cancer cell invasion were evaluated in vitro. H1 inhibited cancer cell invasion, without affecting cell viability, accompanied by the suppression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-1 phosphorylation and then matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression. H1 failed to block the interaction of uPA-uPAR protein-protein interaction in cells, but antagonized the uPA function. H1 failed to disrupt the uPA-uPAR complex, but abolished the invasion of ovarian cancer cells at least through suppression of the ERK-MMP-9 signaling pathway. Further studies are needed to confirm our observations and to describe the underlying molecular mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Yamada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Seiji Kanayama
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Fuminori Ito
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Kurita
- Department of Computer Science of Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology, Toyohashi 441-8580, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kobayashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara 634-8522, Japan
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Ramos SC, de Matos AJ, Ribeiro JN, Leite-Martins LR, Ferreira RRF, Viegas I, Santos AA. Serum levels of urokinase-type plasminogen activator in healthy dogs and oncologic canine patients. Vet World 2017; 10:918-923. [PMID: 28919683 PMCID: PMC5591479 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.918-923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) has been scarcely studied in veterinary oncology. The aim of this study was to determine the uPA serum concentrations in healthy and oncologic canine patients and to investigate its potential value as a tumor biomarker. MATERIALS AND METHODS Serum uPA concentrations of healthy and oncologic canine patients were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Their relationships with the dogs' health status and tumor characteristics were analyzed through ANOVA and independent t-test. RESULTS There were no significant differences between mean serum values (±standard deviation) of healthy dogs (0.19±0.13 ng/ml) and oncologic canine patients (0.22±0.33 ng/ml), or between dogs with benign or malignant tumors, and with or without metastases, although the latter tended to show higher uPA serum levels. CONCLUSION This is the first study describing the uPA serum levels in dogs. Although its results do not support uPA as a tumor biomarker, higher uPA levels in dogs with metastatic neoplasms may reflect the role of the enzyme in tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia C. Ramos
- Department of Veterinary Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University Lusófona of Humanities and Technologies, Campo Grande 376, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Augusto J. de Matos
- Department of Veterinary Clinics of the Biomedical Sciences Institute of Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, R. Jorge Viterbo Ferreira no. 228, Porto, Portugal
- Animal Science and Study Centre/Food and Agrarian Sciences and Technologies Institute (CECA/ICETA), P. Gomes Teixeira, Portugal
| | - João Niza Ribeiro
- Department of Population Studies, Biomedical Sciences Institute of Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, R. Jorge Viterbo Ferreira no. 228, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, R. das Taipas 135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Liliana R. Leite-Martins
- Department of Veterinary Clinics of the Biomedical Sciences Institute of Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, R. Jorge Viterbo Ferreira no. 228, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui R. F. Ferreira
- Animal Science and Study Centre/Food and Agrarian Sciences and Technologies Institute (CECA/ICETA), P. Gomes Teixeira, Portugal
- Animal Blood Bank (BSA), R. Jorge Viterbo Ferreira no. 228, Porto, Portugal
| | - Inês Viegas
- Department of Veterinary Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University Lusófona of Humanities and Technologies, Campo Grande 376, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Andreia A. Santos
- Department of Veterinary Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University Lusófona of Humanities and Technologies, Campo Grande 376, Lisbon, Portugal
- Animal Science and Study Centre/Food and Agrarian Sciences and Technologies Institute (CECA/ICETA), P. Gomes Teixeira, Portugal
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Chen S, Lin L, Yuan C, Gårdsvoll H, Kriegbaum MC, Ploug M, Huang M. Expression and crystallographic studies of the D1D2 domains of C4.4A, a homologous protein to the urokinase receptor. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2017; 73:486-490. [PMID: 28777093 PMCID: PMC5544007 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x17009748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
C4.4A is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane protein comprised of two LU domains (Ly6/uPAR-like domains) and an extensively O-glycosylated C-terminal Ser/Thr/Pro-rich region. C4.4A is a novel biomarker for squamous epithelial differentiation. Its expression is dysregulated under various pathological conditions and it is a robust biomarker for poor prognosis in various malignant conditions such as pulmonary adenocarcinoma. To facilitate crystallization, the two LU domains were excised from intact C4.4A by limited proteolysis, purified and crystallized by the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method. The crystals diffracted to 2.7 Å resolution and belonged to space group C2221, with unit-cell parameters a = 55.49, b = 119.63, c = 168.54 Å. The statistics indicated good quality of the data, which form a solid basis for the determination of the C4.4A structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanli Chen
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou Univerisity, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lin Lin
- Division of Hemostasis and Thrombosis, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Cai Yuan
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Fuzhou Univerisity, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, People’s Republic of China
| | - Henrik Gårdsvoll
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, Copenhagen University, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mette C. Kriegbaum
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, Copenhagen University, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Ploug
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, Copenhagen University, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mingdong Huang
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou Univerisity, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, People’s Republic of China
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Skovgaard D, Persson M, Kjaer A. Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor–PET with 68 Ga-NOTA-AE105. PET Clin 2017; 12:311-319. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cpet.2017.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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46
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Improved positron emission tomography imaging of glioblastoma cancer using novel 68Ga-labeled peptides targeting the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR). Amino Acids 2017; 49:1089-1100. [PMID: 28316028 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-017-2407-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is overexpressed in several cancers including glioblastoma (GBM) and is an established biomarker for metastatic potential. The uPAR-targeting peptide AE105-NH2 (Ac-Asp-Cha-Phe-(D)Ser-(D)Arg-Tyr-Leu-Trp-Ser-CONH2) is a promising candidate for non-invasive positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of uPAR. Despite the optimal physical properties of 68Ga for peptide-based PET imaging, low tumor uptakes have previously been reported using 68Ga-labeled AE105-NH2-based tracers. In an attempt to optimize the tumor uptake, we developed three novel tracers with alkane (AOC) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) spacers inserted between AE105-NH2 and the radio metal chelator 2-(4,7-bis(carboxymethyl)-1,4,7-triazonan-1-yl)pentanedioic acid (NODAGA). The resulting tracers NODAGA-AOC-AE105-NH2, NODAGA-PEG3-AE105-NH2 and NODAGA-PEG8-AE105-NH2 were compared to the non-spacer version, NODAGA-AE105-NH2. Following radiolabeling with 68Ga, we evaluated the in vitro and in vivo performance in mice bearing subcutaneous tumors derived from the uPAR-expressing human GBM cell line U87MG. In vivo PET/CT imaging showed that introduction of PEG spacers more than doubled the in vivo tumor uptake after 1 h compared with the non-spacer version: 68Ga-NODAGA-PEG3-AE105-NH2 (2.08 ± 0.37%ID/g) and 68Ga-NODAGA-PEG8-AE105-NH2 (2.01 ± 0.22%ID/g) vs. 68Ga-NODAGA-AE105-NH2 (0.70 ± 0.40%ID/g), p < 0.05. In addition, 68Ga-NODAGA-PEG8-AE105-NH2 showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) tumor-to-background contrast (3.68 ± 0.23) than the other tracers. The specific tumor-targeting property of 68Ga-NODAGA-PEG8-AE105-NH2 was established by effectively blocking the tumor uptake with co-injection of unlabeled AE105-NH2 (1 h: unblocked 2.01 ± 0.22%ID/g vs. blocked 1.24 ± 0.09%ID/g, p < 0.05). Ex vivo biodistribution confirmed the improved tumor uptakes of the PEG-modified tracers. 68Ga-NODAGA-PEG8-AE105-NH2 is thus a promising candidate for human translation for PET imaging of GBM.
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47
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Skovgaard D, Persson M, Kjaer A. PET imaging of urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) in prostate cancer: current status and future perspectives. Clin Transl Imaging 2016; 4:457-465. [PMID: 27933281 PMCID: PMC5118403 DOI: 10.1007/s40336-016-0197-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Overexpression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptors (uPAR) represents an important biomarker for aggressiveness in most common malignant diseases, including prostate cancer (PC). Accordingly, uPAR expression either assessed directly in malignant PC tissue or assessed directly in plasma (intact/cleaved forms)—provides independent additional clinical information to that contributed by PSA, Gleason score, and other relevant pathological and clinical parameters. In this respect, non-invasive molecular imaging by positron emission tomography (PET) offers a very attractive technology platform, which can provide the required quantitative information on the uPAR expression profile, without the need for invasive procedures and the risk of missing the target due to tumor heterogeneity. These observations support non-invasive PET imaging of uPAR in PC as a clinically relevant diagnostic and prognostic imaging method. In this review, we will focus on the recent development of uPAR PET and the relevance within prostate cancer imaging. Novel antibody and small-molecule radiotracers-targeting uPAR, including a series of uPAR-targeting PET ligands, based on the high affinity peptide ligand AE105, have been synthesized and tested in vitro and in vivo in preclinical murine xenograft models and, recently, in a first-ever clinical uPAR PET study in cancer patients, including patients with PC. In this phase I study, a high and specific uptake of the tracer 64Cu-DOTA-AE105 was found in both primary tumors and lymph node metastases. The results are encouraging and support large-scale clinical trials to determine the utility of uPAR PET in the management of patients with PC with the goal of improving outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorthe Skovgaard
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Rigshospitalet and University of Copenhagen, National University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Andreas Kjaer
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Rigshospitalet and University of Copenhagen, National University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Abstract
The process of entering the bloodstream, intravasation, is a necessary step in the development of distant metastases. The focus of this review is on the pathways and molecules that have been identified as being important based on current in vitro and in vivo assays for intravasation. Properties of the vasculature which are important for intravasation include microvessel density and also diameter of the vasculature, with increased intravasation correlating with increased vessel diameter in some tumors. TGFB signaling can enhance intravasation at least in part through induction of EMT, and we discuss other TGFB target genes that are important for intravasation. In addition to TGFB signaling, a number of studies have demonstrated that activation of EGF receptor family members stimulates intravasation, with downstream signaling through PI3K, N-WASP, RhoA, and WASP to induce invadopodia. With respect to proteases, there is strong evidence for contributions by uPA/uPAR, while the roles of MMPs in intravasation may be more tumor specific. Other cells including macrophages, fibroblasts, neutrophils, and platelets can also play a role in enhancing tumor cell intravasation. The technology is now available to interrogate the expression patterns of circulating tumor cells, which will provide an important reality check for the model systems being used. With a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying intravasation, the goal is to provide new opportunities for improving prognosis as well as potentially developing new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena P H Chiang
- Anatomy and Structural Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Ramon M Cabrera
- Anatomy and Structural Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Jeffrey E Segall
- Anatomy and Structural Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
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Zhao LP, Xu TM, Kan MJ, Xiao YC, Cui MH. A novel uPAg-KPI fusion protein inhibits the growth and invasion of human ovarian cancer cells in vitro. Int J Mol Med 2016; 37:1310-6. [PMID: 27035617 PMCID: PMC4829131 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2016.2540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) acts by breaking down the basement membrane and is involved in cell proliferation, migration and invasion. These actions are mediated by binding to the uPA receptor (uPAR) via its growth factor domain (GFD). The present study evaluated the effects of uPAg-KPI, a fusion protein of uPA-GFD and a kunitz protease inhibitor (KPI) domain that is present in the amyloid β-protein precursor. Using SKOV-3 cells, an ovarian cancer cell line, we examined cell viability, migration, invasion and also protein expression. Furthermore, we examined wound healing, and migration and invasion using a Transwell assay. Our data showed that uPAg-KPI treatment reduced the viability of ovarian cancer SKOV-3 cells in both a concentration and time-dependent manner by arresting tumor cells at G1/G0 phase of the cell cycle. The IC50 of uPAg-KPI was 0.5 µg/µl after 48 h treatment. At this concentration, uPAg-KPI also inhibited tumor cell colony formation, wound closure, as well as cell migration and invasion capacity. At the protein level, western blot analysis demonstrated that uPAg-KPI exerted no significant effect on the expression of total extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/ERK2 and AKT, whereas it suppressed levels of phosphorylated ERK1/ERK2 and AKT. Thus, we suggest that this novel uPAg-KPI fusion protein reduced cell viability, colony formation, wound healing and the invasive ability of human ovarian cancer SKOV-3 cells in vitro by regulating ERK and AKT signaling. Further studies using other cell lines will confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ping Zhao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, P.R. China
| | - Tian-Min Xu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, P.R. China
| | - Mu-Jie Kan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Ye-Chen Xiao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Man-Hua Cui
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, P.R. China
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Juhl K, Christensen A, Persson M, Ploug M, Kjaer A. Peptide-Based Optical uPAR Imaging for Surgery: In Vivo Testing of ICG-Glu-Glu-AE105. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0147428. [PMID: 26828431 PMCID: PMC4734687 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2015] [Accepted: 01/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Near infrared intra-operative optical imaging is an emerging technique with clear implications for improved cancer surgery by enabling a more distinct delineation of the tumor margins during resection. This modality has the potential to increase the number of patients having a curative radical tumor resection. In the present study, a new uPAR-targeted fluorescent probe was developed and the in vivo applicability was evaluated in a human xenograft mouse model. Most human carcinomas express high level of uPAR in the tumor-stromal interface of invasive lesions and uPAR is therefore considered an ideal target for intra-operative imaging. Conjugation of the flourophor indocyanine green (ICG) to the uPAR agonist (AE105) provides an optical imaging ligand with sufficiently high receptor affinity to allow for a specific receptor targeting in vivo. For in vivo testing, human glioblastoma xenograft mice were subjected to optical imaging after i.v. injection of ICG-AE105, which provided an optimal contrast in the time window 6–24 h post injection. Specificity of the uPAR-targeting probe ICG-AE105 was demonstrated in vivo by 1) no uptake of unconjugated ICG after 15 hours, 2) inhibition of ICG-AE105 tumor uptake by a bolus injection of the natural uPAR ligand pro-uPA, and finally 3) the histological colocalization of ICG-AE105 fluorescence and immunohistochemical detected human uPAR on resected tumor slides. Taken together, our data supports the potential use of this probe for intra-operative optical guidance in cancer surgery to ensure complete removal of tumors while preserving adjacent, healthy tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Juhl
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Rigshospitalet and University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Christensen
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Rigshospitalet and University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Persson
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Rigshospitalet and University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Ploug
- Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas Kjaer
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Rigshospitalet and University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- * E-mail:
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