Human endothelial cells expressing polyoma middle T induce tumors

Vascular Endothelial Cells: Heterogeneity and Targeting Approaches

Forming the inner layer of the vascular system, endothelial cells (ECs) facilitate a multitude of crucial physiological processes throughout the body. Vascular ECs enable the vessel wall passage of nutrients and diffusion of oxygen from the blood into adjacent cellular structures. ECs regulate vascular tone and blood coagulation as well as adhesion and transmigration of circulating cells. The multitude of EC functions is reflected by tremendous cellular diversity. Vascular ECs can form extremely tight barriers, thereby restricting the passage of xenobiotics or immune cell invasion, whereas, in other organ systems, the endothelial layer is fenestrated (e.g., glomeruli in the kidney), or discontinuous (e.g., liver sinusoids) and less dense to allow for rapid molecular exchange. ECs not only differ between organs or vascular systems, they also change along the vascular tree and specialized subpopulations of ECs can be found within the capillaries of a single organ. Molecular tools that enable selective vascular targeting are helpful to experimentally dissect the role of distinct EC populations, to improve molecular imaging and pave the way for novel treatment options for vascular diseases. This review provides an overview of endothelial diversity and highlights the most successful methods for selective targeting of distinct EC subpopulations.

The polyomavirus middle T-antigen oncogene activates the Hippo pathway tumor suppressor Lats in a Src-dependent manner

The polyomavirus middle T antigen (PyMT) is an oncogene that activates the non-receptor tyrosine kinase, c-Src, and physically interacts with Taz (WWTR1). Taz is a pro-oncogenic transcription coactivator of the Tead transcription factors. The Hippo tumor suppressor pathway activates the kinase Lats, which phosphorylates Taz, leading to its nuclear exclusion and blunting Tead coactivation. We found that Taz was required for transformation by PyMT, but counter-intuitively, Taz was exclusively cytoplasmic in the presence of PyMT. We demonstrate that in the presence of PyMT, wild-type Taz was phosphorylated by Lats, in a Src-dependent manner. Consistently, a Lats refractory Taz mutant did not undergo cytoplasmic retention by PyMT. We show that Yap, the Taz paralog, and Shp2 phosphatase were nuclear excluded as well. Our findings describe a noncanonical activation of Lats, and an unprecedented Tead-independent role for Taz and Yap in viral-mediated oncogenesis.

Modeling human endothelial cell transformation in vascular neoplasias

Endothelial cell (EC)-derived neoplasias range from benign hemangioma to aggressive metastatic angiosarcoma, which responds poorly to current treatments and has a very high mortality rate. The development of treatments that are more effective for these disorders will be expedited by insight into the processes that promote abnormal proliferation and malignant transformation of human ECs. The study of primary endothelial malignancy has been limited by the rarity of the disease; however, there is potential for carefully characterized EC lines and animal models to play a central role in the discovery, development and testing of molecular targeted therapies for vascular neoplasias. This review describes molecular alterations that have been identified in EC-derived neoplasias, as well as the processes that underpin the immortalization and tumorigenic conversion of ECs. Human EC lines, established through the introduction of defined genetic elements or by culture of primary tumor tissue, are catalogued and discussed in relation to their relevance as models of vascular neoplasia.

eNOS-derived nitric oxide regulates endothelial barrier function through VE-cadherin and Rho GTPases

Transient disruption of endothelial adherens junctions and cytoskeletal remodeling are responsible for increases in vascular permeability induced by inflammatory stimuli and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Nitric oxide (NO) produced by endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) is crucial for VEGF-induced changes in permeability in vivo; however, the molecular mechanism by which endogenous NO modulates endothelial permeability is not clear. Here, we show that the lack of eNOS reduces VEGF-induced permeability, an effect mediated by enhanced activation of the Rac GTPase and stabilization of cortical actin. The loss of NO increased the recruitment of the Rac guanine-nucleotide-exchange factor (GEF) TIAM1 to adherens junctions and VE-cadherin (also known as cadherin 5), and reduced Rho activation and stress fiber formation. In addition, NO deficiency reduced VEGF-induced VE-cadherin phosphorylation and impaired the localization, but not the activation, of c-Src to cell junctions. The physiological role of eNOS activation is clear given that VEGF-, histamine- and inflammation-induced vascular permeability is reduced in mice bearing a non-phosphorylatable knock-in mutation of the key eNOS phosphorylation site S1176. Thus, NO is crucial for Rho GTPase-dependent regulation of cytoskeletal architecture leading to reversible changes in vascular permeability.

3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 controls breast tumor growth in a kinase-dependent but Akt-independent manner

3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) is the pivotal element of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway because it phosphorylates Akt/PKB through interactions with phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5 phosphate. Recent data indicate that PDK1 is overexpressed in many breast carcinomas and that alterations of PDK1 are critical in the context of oncogenic PI3K activation. However, the role of PDK1 in tumor progression is still controversial. Here, we show that PDK1 is required for anchorage-independent and xenograft growth of breast cancer cells harboring either PI3KCA or KRAS mutations. In fact, PDK1 silencing leads to increased anoikis, reduced soft agar growth, and pronounced apoptosis inside tumors. Interestingly, these phenotypes are reverted by PDK1 wild-type but not kinase-dead mutant, suggesting a relevant role of PDK1 kinase activity, even if PDK1 is not relevant for Akt activation here. Indeed, the expression of constitutively active forms of Akt in PDK1 knockdown cells is unable to rescue the anchorage-independent growth. In addition, Akt down-regulation and pharmacological inhibition do not inhibit the effects of PDK1 overexpression. In summary, these results suggest that PDK1 may contribute to breast cancer, even in the absence of PI3K oncogenic mutations and through both Akt-dependent and Akt-independent mechanisms.

The Ca(2+) sensor stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) is necessary and sufficient for the store-operated Ca(2+) entry function of transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) 1 and 4 channels in endothelial cells

We addressed the requirement for stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1), the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca(2+)-sensor, and Orai1, a Ca(2+) selective channel, in regulating Ca(2+) entry through the store-operated channels mouse transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) 4 or human TRPC1. Studies were made using murine and human lung endothelial cells (ECs) challenged with thrombin known to induce Ca(2+) entry via TRPC1/4. Deletion or knockdown of TRPC4 abolished Ca(2+) entry secondary to depletion of ER Ca(2+) stores, preventing the disruption of the endothelial barrier. Knockdown of STIM1 (but not of Orai1or Orai3) or expression of the dominant-negative STIM1(K684E-K685E) mutant in ECs also suppressed Ca(2+) entry secondary to store depletion. Ectopic expression of WT-STIM1 or WT-Orai1 in TRPC4(-/-)-ECs failed to rescue Ca(2+) entry; however, WT-TRPC4 expression in TRPC4(-/-)-ECs restored Ca(2+) entry indicating the requirement for TRPC4 in mediating store-operated Ca(2+) entry. Moreover, expression of the dominant-negative Orai1(R91W) mutant or Orai3(E81W) mutant in WT-ECs failed to prevent thrombin-induced Ca(2+) entry. In contrast, expression of the dominant-negative TRPC4(EE647-648KK) mutant in WT-ECs markedly reduced thrombin-induced Ca(2+) entry. In ECs expressing YFP-STIM1, ER-store Ca(2+) depletion induced formation of fluorescent membrane puncta in WT but not in TRPC4(-/-) cells, indicating that mobilization of STIM1 and engagement of its Ca(2+) sensing function required TRPC4 expression. Coimmunoprecipitation studies showed coupling of TRPC1 and TRPC4 with STIM1 on depletion of ER Ca(2+) stores. Thus, TRPC1 and TRPC4 can interact with STIM1 to form functional store-operated Ca(2+)-entry channels, which are essential for mediating Ca(2+) entry-dependent disruption of the endothelial barrier.

Lessons in signaling and tumorigenesis from polyomavirus middle T antigen

The small DNA tumor viruses have provided a very long-lived source of insights into many aspects of the life cycle of eukaryotic cells. In recent years, the emphasis has been on cancer-related signaling. Here we review murine polyomavirus middle T antigen, its mechanisms, and its downstream pathways of transformation. We concentrate on the MMTV-PyMT transgenic mouse, one of the most studied models of breast cancer, which permits the examination of in situ tumor progression from hyperplasia to metastasis.

Mice transgenic with SV40-late-promoter-driven Polyomavirus Middle T oncogene exclusively develop hemangiomas

In order to develop a model system of infantile hemangioma, transgenic mice were developed carrying the Polyomavirus Middle T (PyMT) gene driven by the SV40 late promoter. From the 520 fertilized eggs surviving microinjection, there were 25 live births. Three of these showed the hemangioma phenotype and carried and expressed the PyMT gene; the remaining descendants were normal. The tumors showed abnormal vascular proliferation with cavernous hemangioma-like structures in the skin surface, tongue, ear mucosa and gastric mucosal tissue in the transgenic mice with hemangioma phenotype. Immunohistochemical staining for Ki-67 was negative, showing the tumors were hemangiomas rather than angiosarcomas. None of the PyMT transgenic mice survived beyond 4 weeks. Previously reported PyMT transgenic mice under the control of various promoters induce many tumor types including hemangiomas. PyMT driven by the SV40 late promoter is an improved model system because it only induces hemangiomas. However, it is limited by the post-natal lethality. Thus, conditional variants of this model system would be desirable.

Caveolin-1 scaffold domain interacts with TRPC1 and IP3R3 to regulate Ca2+ store release-induced Ca2+ entry in endothelial cells

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) regulates agonist-induced Ca(2+) entry in endothelial cells; however, how Cav-1 regulates this process is poorly understood. Here, we describe that Cav-1 scaffold domain (NH(2)-terminal residues 82-101; CSD) interacts with transient receptor potential canonical channel 1 (TRPC1) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor 3 (IP(3)R3) to regulate Ca(2+) entry. We have shown previously that the TRPC1 COOH-terminal residues 781-789 bind to CSD. In the present study, we show that the TRPC1 COOH-terminal residues 781-789 truncated (TRPC1-CDelta781-789) mutant expression abolished Ca(2+) store release-induced Ca(2+) influx in human dermal microvascular endothelial cell line (HMEC) and human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells. To understand the basis of loss of Ca(2+) influx, we determined TRPC1 binding to IP(3)R3. We observed that the wild-type (WT)-TRPC1 but not TRPC1-CDelta781-789 effectively interacted with IP(3)R3. Similarly, WT-TRPC1 interacted with Cav-1, whereas TRPC1-CDelta781-789 binding to Cav-1 was markedly suppressed. We also assessed the direct binding of Cav-1 with TRPC1 and observed that the WT-Cav-1 but not the Cav-1DeltaCSD effectively interacted with TRPC1. Since the interaction between TRPC1 and Cav-1DeltaCSD was reduced, we measured Ca(2+) store release-induced Ca(2+) influx in Cav-1DeltaCSD-transfected cells. Surprisingly, Cav-1DeltaCSD expression showed a gain-of-function in Ca(2+) entry in HMEC and HEK-293 cells. We observed a similar gain-of-function in Ca(2+) entry when Cav-1DeltaCSD was expressed in lung endothelial cells of Cav-1 knockout mice. Immunoprecipitation results revealed that WT-Cav-1 but not Cav-1DeltaCSD interacted with IP(3)R3. Furthermore, we observed using confocal imaging the colocalization of IP(3)R3 with WT-Cav-1 but not with Cav-1DeltaCSD on Ca(2+) store release in endothelial cells. These findings suggest that CSD interacts with TRPC1 and IP(3)R3 and thereby regulates Ca(2+) store release-induced Ca(2+) entry in endothelial cells.

Lessons from polyoma middle T antigen on signaling and transformation: A DNA tumor virus contribution to the war on cancer

Middle T antigen (MT) is the principal oncogene of murine polyomavirus. Its study has led to the discovery of the roles of tyrosine kinase and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling in mammalian growth control and transformation. MT is necessary for viral transformation in tissue culture cells and tumorigenesis in animals. When expressed alone as a transgene, MT causes tumors in a wide variety of tissues. It has no known catalytic activity, but rather acts by assembling cellular signal transduction molecules. Protein phosphatase 2A, protein tyrosine kinases of the src family, PI3K, phospholipase Cgamma1 as well as the Shc/Grb2 adaptors are all assembled on MT. Their activation sets off a series of signaling cascades. Analyses of virus mutants as well as transgenic animals have demonstrated that the effects of a given signal depend not only tissue type, but on the genetic background of the host animal. There remain many opportunities as we seek a full molecular understanding of MT and apply some of its lessons to human cancer.

A novel transgenic mice model for venous malformation

Vascular anomalies are most commonly seen in the head and neck region, and there is no animal model available of this disease until now. The purpose of this study was to construct a conditional murine polyomavirus middle T antigen gene (PyMT) transgenic mice model, in order to provide a basis for the treatment of vascular anomalies in vivo, as well as the study of PyMT's molecular function. A new conditional transgenic vector based on Tet-On system was constructed successfully. After the experiment in vitro, pronuclear microinjection method was used to introduce the purified transgene into the chromosomes of fertilized mice eggs, and five transgenic positive mice were obtained. The transgenic positive animals went down to future generation by hybridization. After induction of PyMT's expression in the F1 generation, three transgenic mice developed venous malformation which was confirmed histopathologically. The mice model generated could be used as a tool to study venous malformation, as well as the function of PyMT gene.

A novel in vivo model of human hemangioma: xenograft of human hemangioma tissue on nude mice

BACKGROUND

Experimental models of human infantile hemangiomas are needed, although none of the current ones is ideal in representing the natural development of hemangioma. In this article, the authors present a nude mice model of human hemangioma with serial morphologic findings on grafts.

METHODS

A specimen of rapidly growing hemangioma tissue was obtained surgically from a 2-month-old boy and was cut into 96 pieces, which were implanted subcutaneously into nude mice, six pieces each. During the 6-month experimental period, gross view, hematoxylin and eosin staining, double immunofluorescent labeling with mouse antihuman CD31 and fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled rat antimouse CD34, and transmission electron microscopic observation were performed.

RESULTS

Eighty-one of the 96 grafts (84.4 percent) survived and grew during the second month to 3 to 4 months after transplantation, followed by gradual involution. Histologic examination showed cellular edema, degeneration, and necrosis in the early stage. From approximately 30 days, cellular density increased and karyokinesis was identified at 45 days. At 2 months, the grafts were composed mainly of hemangioma tissue and signs of involution appeared. Thereafter, signs of involution turned significant and the grafts were replaced with fibrofatty tissue. It was confirmed through double immunofluorescent labeling that the chief cellular components were endothelial cells of human origin. Findings on ultrastructural investigation were concordant with those on light microscopic observation.

CONCLUSIONS

With human hemangioma tissue implanted into nude mice, an animal model was established successfully. The development of grafts after ischemia resembled the natural course of human infantile hemangioma.

The establishment of the hemangioma model in nude mouse

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Hemangioma is one of the most common benign tumors in children. Most of them could regress spontaneously; however, the pathogenesis and triggering of regression are still unknown. Here, we introduce a new means in which the specimen of human hemangioma was transplanted into nude mice subcutaneously. At the same time, high dose of estradiol was administered to the experimental nude mice intramuscularly to promote implantation and proliferation of hemangioma endothelial cells. By this means, a credible animal model of human hemangioma was established. Further studies on pathogenesis and medical intervention of hemangioma could be carried on with this model.

METHODS

The specimen of grafted hemangioma was taken from a 6-month-old girl, in whom the hemangioma grew rapidly, by surgery. The fresh estrogen receptor-positive strawberry hemangioma specimens were sliced and inoculated subcutaneously into 16 nude mice that were divided randomly into 2 groups, namely, group 1 (n = 8) with normal diet and group 2 (n = 8) with normal diet and 10(-7) mg estradiol administered intramuscularly every week additionally. The size of grafts was measured weekly. All of the experimental mice were killed at 90 days after graft. Hemangioma tissues were harvested and sliced into 4 to 5 microm sections. Living grafts were subjected to histopathologic examination and immunohistochemistry for CD34 and Ki-67.

RESULTS

All of the sizes of hemangioma tissues in group 1 were diminished distinctly in 30 days. Thirteen samples of hemangioma were almost absorbed and disappeared completely in 90 days. The sizes of hemangioma in group 2 were larger than primary specimens. It was observed from the section of hemangioma that endothelial cells proliferate vividly and fresh capillary blood vessels grew up into the body of hemangioma. The mean positive cell rate of CD34 in group 2 was 48.49 +/- 3.90 and the Ki-67 was 15.04 +/- 2.44. The transplanted tumor cell retained the histologic characters of original tumor.

CONCLUSION

The capillary hemangioma model established in nude mice retains almost all the biologic character of original human hemangioma and could be widely used in further study on hemangioma.

Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2–mediated endothelial cell activation by Axl tyrosine kinase receptor

GAS6, the product of a growth arrest specific (GAS) gene, is the ligand of the tyrosine kinase receptor Axl. GAS6 and Axl are both expressed in endothelial cells, where they are involved in many processes such as leukocyte transmigration through capillaries and neointima formation in injured vessels. Here, we show that Axl stimulation by GAS6 results in inhibition of the ligand-dependent activation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 2 and the consequent activation of an angiogenic program in vascular endothelial cells. GAS6 inhibits chemotaxis of endothelial cells stimulated by VEGF-A isoforms, but not that triggered by fibroblast growth factor-2 or hepatocyte growth factor. Furthermore, it inhibits endothelial cell morphogenesis on Matrigel and VEGF-A–dependent vascularization of chick chorion allantoid membrane. GAS6 activates the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2 (SH2 domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase 2), which is instrumental in the negative feedback exerted by Axl on VEGF-A activities. A dominant-negative SHP-2 mutant, in which Cys 459 is substituted by Ser, reverted the effect of GAS6 on stimulation of VEGF receptor 2 and endothelial chemotaxis triggered by VEGF-A. These studies provide the first demonstration of a cross talk between Axl and VEGF receptor 2 and add new information on the regulation of VEGF-A activities during tissue vascularization.

Temporal and spatial modulation of Rho GTPases during in vitro formation of capillary vascular network. Adherens junctions and myosin light chain as targets of Rac1 and RhoA

Endothelial cells (ECs) self-organize into capillary networks when plated on extracellular matrix. In this process, Rho GTPases-mediated cytoskeletal dynamics control cell movement and organization of cell-to-matrix and cell-to-cell contacts. Time course analysis of RhoA and Rac1 activation matches specific morphological aspects of nascent pattern. RhoA-GTP increases early during EC adhesion and accumulates at sites of membrane ruffling. Rac1 is activated later and localizes in lamellipodia and at cell-to-cell contacts of organized cell chains. When ECs stretch and remodel to form capillary structures, RhoA-GTP increases again and associates with stress fibers running along the major cell axis. N17Rac1 and N19RhoA mutants impair pattern formation. Cell-to-cell contacts and myosin light chains (MLC) are targets of Rac1 and RhoA, respectively. N17Rac1 reduces the shift of beta-catenin and vascular endothelial cadherin to Triton X-100-insoluble fraction and impairs beta-catenin distribution at adherens junctions, suggesting that Rac1 controls the dynamics of cadherin-catenin complex with F-actin. During the remodeling phase of network formation, ECs show an intense staining for phosphorylated MLC along the plasma membrane; in contrast, MLC is less phosphorylated and widely diffused in N19RhoA ECs. Both N17Rac1 and N19RhoA have been used to investigate the role of wild type molecules in the main steps characterizing in vitro angiogenesis: (i) cell adhesion to the substrate, (ii) cell movement, and (iii) mechanical remodeling of matrix. N17Rac1 has a striking inhibitory effect on haptotaxis, whereas N19RhoA slightly inhibits EC adhesion and motility but more markedly Matrigel contraction. We conclude that different Rho GTPases control distinct morphogenetic aspects of vascular morphogenesis.

Adaptor ShcA protein binds tyrosine kinase Tie2 receptor and regulates migration and sprouting but not survival of endothelial cells

Angiopoietin-1 can promote migration, sprouting, and survival of endothelial cells through activation of different signaling pathways triggered by the Tie2 tyrosine kinase receptor. ShcA adapter proteins are targets of activated tyrosine kinases and are implicated in the transmission of activation signals to the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Here we report the identification of an interaction between the adapter protein ShcA and the cytoplasmic domain of Tie2 through in vitro co-immunoprecipitation analysis. Stimulation of endogenous Tie2 in endothelial cells with its ligand angiopoietin-1 increased its association with ShcA and phosphorylation of the adapter protein. The interaction requires the SH2 domain of ShcA and the tyrosine phosphorylation of Tie2 as shown by pull-down experiments. Furthermore, Tyr-1101 of Tie2 was identified as the primary binding site for the SH2 domain of ShcA. Overexpression of a dominant-negative form of ShcA affects angiopoietin-1-induced chemotaxis and sprouting, although it has no effect on survival of endothelial cells. Furthermore, this mutant partially reduces the tyrosine phosphorylation of the regulatory p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Together, our results identified a novel interaction between Tie2 with the adapter molecule ShcA and suggested that this interaction may play a role in the regulation of migration and three-dimensional organization of endothelial cells induced by angiopoietin-1.

Tie-2-dependent activation of RhoA and Rac1 participates in endothelial cell motility triggered by angiopoietin-1

Angiopoietin-1 is implicated in the maturation and remodeling of the vascular network during embryo development and in adult life. Through its tyrosine kinase receptor Tie-2 it stimulates endothelial cells to migrate and change shape. Here we show that angiopoietin-1 elicits chemokinesis of endothelial cells by a phosphoinositide 3-OH kinase/son of sevenless-dependent modulation of Rac1 and RhoA. The resulting temporal events are associated with cytoskeletal rearrangements and occur in discrete zones of the cell. Endothelial cells carrying dominant-negative mutants of RhoA and Rac1 or treated with LY294002, an inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-OH kinase, dramatically decrease their chemokinetic velocity. Taken together, these results further expand our understanding of angiopoietin-1-mediated endothelial cell motility during vascular network assembly and angiogenesis.

Class 3 semaphorins control vascular morphogenesis by inhibiting integrin function

The motility and morphogenesis of endothelial cells is controlled by spatio-temporally regulated activation of integrin adhesion receptors, and integrin activation is stimulated by major determinants of vascular remodelling. In order for endothelial cells to be responsive to changes in activator gradients, the adhesiveness of these cells to the extracellular matrix must be dynamic, and negative regulators of integrins could be required. Here we show that during vascular development and experimental angiogenesis, endothelial cells generate autocrine chemorepulsive signals of class 3 semaphorins (SEMA3 proteins) that localize at nascent adhesive sites in spreading endothelial cells. Disrupting endogenous SEMA3 function in endothelial cells stimulates integrin-mediated adhesion and migration to extracellular matrices, whereas exogenous SEMA3 proteins antagonize integrin activation. Misexpression of dominant negative SEMA3 receptors in chick embryo endothelial cells locks integrins in an active conformation, and severely impairs vascular remodelling. Sema3a null mice show vascular defects as well. Thus during angiogenesis endothelial SEMA3 proteins endow the vascular system with the plasticity required for its reshaping by controlling integrin function.

A monoclonal antibody to vascular endothelial-cadherin inhibits tumor angiogenesis without side effects on endothelial permeability

Vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) is an endothelial-specific, trans-membrane protein that promotes homophilic cell adhesion. Inhibition of VE-cadherin by the blocking monoclonal antibody (mAb) BV13 inhibited angiogenesis and tumor growth in vivo. However, this effect was accompanied by a marked increase in lung and heart permeability. In the present paper, we characterize a different VE-cadherin mAb (BV14) that is able to inhibit angiogenesis without affecting vascular permeability. In vitro studies show that BV14, in contrast to BV13, did not increase paracellular permeability of endothelial monolayers and did not disrupt VE-cadherin clusters at junctions. However, both antibodies could inhibit formation of vascularlike structures in collagen gels and increase migration of endothelial cells into wounded areas. In vivo, BV14 and BV13 were equally active in inhibiting angiogenesis in the mouse cornea and in reducing the growth of hemangioma and C6 glioma. In contrast to BV13, BV14 did not change vascular permeability in all the organs tested and at any dose used. BV14 and BV13 bind to VE-cadherin extracellular repeats EC4 and EC1, respectively. We propose that, in resting vessels, where junctions are stable and well-structured, antibody binding to EC1 but not EC4 disrupts their organization and increases permeability. In contrast, in growing vessels, where endothelial cells are migrating and junctions are weaker, antibody binding to EC4 may be sufficient to disrupt cell-to-cell adhesion and inhibit assembly of new vascular structures.

Multiple stages of malignant transformation of human endothelial cells modelled by co-expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase, SV40 T antigen and oncogenic N-ras

We have modelled multiple stages of malignant transformation of human endothelial cells (ECs) by overexpressing the catalytic subunit of human telomerase (hTERT), together with SV40 T antigen (SV40T) and oncogenic N-ras. Transfection with hTERT alone, led to the immortalization of two out of three cultures of bone marrow-derived ECs (BMECs). One hTERT transduced BMEC culture underwent a long proliferative lag before resuming proliferation. BMECs transfected with hTERT alone were functionally and phenotypically normal. BMECs transfected with SV40T (BMSVTs) had an extended lifespan, but eventually succumbed to crisis. BMSVTs exhibited a partially transformed phenotype, demonstrating growth factor independence, altered antigen expression and forming tiny, infrequent colonies in vitro. Transduction of BMSVTs with hTERT resulted in immortalization of 4 out of 4 cultures. BMSVTs immortalized with hTERT formed large colonies in vitro and small transient tumours in vivo. BMECs co-expressing SV40T, hTERT and N-ras exhibited an overtly transformed phenotype; forming very large colonies with an altered morphology and generating rapidly growing tumours in vivo. These investigations demonstrate transformation of human ECs to an overtly malignant phenotype. This model will be useful for understanding mechanisms underlying vascular and angiogenic neoplasias, as well as for testing drugs designed to curtail aberrant EC growth.

Role of the matrix metalloproteinase and plasminogen activator-plasmin systems in angiogenesis

Extracellular proteolysis is an absolute requirement for new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis). This review examines the role of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and plasminogen activator (PA)-plasmin systems during angiogenesis. Specifically, a role for gelatinases (MMP-2, MMP-9), membrane-type 1 MMP (MMP-14), the urokinase-type PA receptor, and PA inhibitor 1 has been clearly defined in a number of model systems. The MMP and PA-plasmin systems have also been implicated in experimental vascular tumor formation, and their role during this process will be examined. Antiproteolysis, particularly in the context of angiogenesis, has become a key target in therapeutic strategies aimed at inhibiting tumor growth and other diseases associated with neovascularization.