sst2 somatostatin receptor mediates negative regulation of insulin receptor signaling through the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1

Targeting kinases that regulate programmed cell death: a new therapeutic strategy for breast cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignant tumors among women and ranks as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in females, primarily due to delays in diagnosis and shortcomings in treatment strategies. Consequently, there is a pressing need to identify reliable therapeutic targets and strategies. In recent years, the identification of effective biomarkers-particularly novel molecular therapeutic targets-has become a focal point in breast cancer research, aimed at predicting disease aggressiveness and monitoring treatment responses. Simultaneously, advancements in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular programmed death have opened new avenues for targeting kinase-regulated programmed cell death as a viable therapeutic strategy. This review summarizes the latest research progress regarding kinase-regulated programmed death (including apoptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, necroptosis, and ferroptosis) in breast cancer treatment. It covers the key kinases involved in this mechanism, their roles in the onset and progression of breast cancer, and strategies for modulating these kinases through pharmacological interventions.

Somatostatin and Somatostatin Receptors in Tumour Biology

Somatostatin (SST), a growth hormone inhibitory peptide, is expressed in endocrine and non-endocrine tissues, immune cells and the central nervous system (CNS). Post-release from secretory or immune cells, the first most appreciated role that SST exhibits is the antiproliferative effect in target tissue that served as a potential therapeutic intervention in various tumours of different origins. The SST-mediated in vivo and/or in vitro antiproliferative effect in the tumour is considered direct via activation of five different somatostatin receptor subtypes (SSTR1-5), which are well expressed in most tumours and often more than one receptor in a single cell. Second, the indirect effect is associated with the regulation of growth factors. SSTR subtypes are crucial in tumour diagnosis and prognosis. In this review, with the recent development of new SST analogues and receptor-specific agonists with emerging functional consequences of signaling pathways are promising therapeutic avenues in tumours of different origins that are discussed.

Somatostatin Receptors and Analogs in Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma: Old Players in a New Precision Medicine World

Neuroendocrine tumors overexpress somatostatin receptors, which serve as important and unique therapeutic targets for well-differentiated advanced disease. This overexpression is a well-established finding in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors which has guided new medical therapies in the administration of somatostatin analogs, both "cold", particularly octreotide and lanreotide, and "hot" analogs, chelated to radiolabeled isotopes. The binding of these analogs to somatostatin receptors effectively suppresses excess hormone secretion and tumor cell proliferation, leading to stabilization, and in some cases, tumor shrinkage. Radioisotope-labeled somatostatin analogs are utilized for both tumor localization and peptide radionuclide therapy, with ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE and ¹⁷⁷Lu-DOTATATE respectively. Benign and malignant pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas also overexpress somatostatin receptors, irrespective of embryological origin. The pattern of somatostatin receptor overexpression is more prominent in succinate dehydrogenase subunit B gene mutation, which is more aggressive than other subgroups of this disease. While the Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE as a radiopharmaceutical for somatostatin receptor imaging, the use of its radiotherapeutic counterpart still needs approval beyond gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Thus, patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma, especially those with inoperable or metastatic diseases, depend on the clinical trials of somatostatin analogs. The review summarizes the advances in the utilization of somatostatin receptor for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in the neuroendocrine tumor subset of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma; we hope to provide a positive perspective in using these receptors as targets for treatment in this rare condition.

Oncogenic Tyrosine Phosphatases: Novel Therapeutic Targets for Melanoma Treatment

Despite a large number of therapeutic options available, malignant melanoma remains a highly fatal disease, especially in its metastatic forms. The oncogenic role of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) is becoming increasingly clear, paving the way for novel antitumor treatments based on their inhibition. In this review, we present the oncogenic PTPs contributing to melanoma progression and we provide, where available, a description of new inhibitory strategies designed against these enzymes and possibly useful in melanoma treatment. Considering the relevance of the immune infiltrate in supporting melanoma progression, we also focus on the role of PTPs in modulating immune cell activity, identifying interesting therapeutic options that may support the currently applied immunomodulating approaches. Collectively, this information highlights the value of going further in the development of new strategies targeting oncogenic PTPs to improve the efficacy of melanoma treatment.

Shp1 in Solid Cancers and Their Therapy

Shp1 is a cytosolic tyrosine phosphatase that regulates a broad range of cellular functions and targets, modulating the flow of information from the cell membrane to the nucleus. While initially studied in the hematopoietic system, research conducted over the past years has expanded our understanding of the biological role of Shp1 to other tissues, proposing it as a novel tumor suppressor gene functionally involved in different hallmarks of cancer. The main mechanism by which Shp1 curbs cancer development and progression is the ability to attenuate and/or terminate signaling pathways controlling cell proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion. Thus, alterations in Shp1 function or expression can contribute to several human diseases, particularly cancer. In cancer cells, Shp1 activity can indeed be affected by mutations or epigenetic silencing that cause failure of Shp1-mediated homeostatic maintenance. This review will discuss the current knowledge of the cellular functions controlled by Shp1 in non-hematopoietic tissues and solid tumors, the mechanisms that regulate Shp1 expression, the role of its mutation/expression status in cancer and its value as potential target for cancer treatment. In addition, we report information gathered from the public available data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database on Shp1 genomic alterations and correlation with survival in solid cancers patients.

Potent and selective PTP1B inhibition by a platinum(ii) complex: possible implications for a new antitumor strategy

Showing anti-proliferation activity against MCF7 cells better than cisplatin, a platinum(ii) complex, [PtL(DMSO)Cl], was found to potently and selectively inhibit protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), a putative target for anticancer agents, suggesting a new possible anticancer strategy based on platinum drugs.

Evaluation of preclinical efficacy of everolimus and pasireotide in thyroid cancer cell lines and xenograft models

BACKGROUND

Signaling through mTOR and somatostatin pathway is implicated in thyroid cancer development.

METHOD

We evaluated everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor and pasireotide, a multi receptor somatostatin analogue as potential therapy of thyroid cancer focusing on the in vitro and in vivo efficacy, as well as possible mechanism to explain any observed interaction.

RESULTS

Both everolimus and pasireotide inhibit the growth of thyroid cancer cell lines in vitro with varied efficacy that correlates with tumor origin and somatostatin receptor (SSTR) expression profile of the cell lines. In vitro activity of everolimus show positive correlation with the expression of SSTR types 1, 4 and 5 (CC: 0.9; 0.85, 0.87) while pasireotide activity show negative correlation with SSTR2 (CC: -0.87). Although there is greater modulation of pS6 when pasireotide is combined with everolimus, there is no significant abrogation of the expected feedback upregulation of AKT induced by everolimus. Also, the combination is not significantly better than each agent alone in short and long term in vitro assays. Continuous administration of everolimus at a low dose as opposed to high intermittent dosing schedule has greater antitumor efficacy against thyroid cancer xenografts in vivo. Pasireotide LAR has modest in vivo efficacy and the combination of everolimus and pasireotide LAR achieve greater tumor growth inhibition than each agent alone in TPC-1 xenograft model of thyroid cancer (p = 0.048).

CONCLUSION

Our findings provide support for the clinical evaluation of everolimus and pasireotide in thyroid cancer and other neuroendocrine tumors.

International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. CV. Somatostatin Receptors: Structure, Function, Ligands, and New Nomenclature

Somatostatin, also known as somatotropin-release inhibitory factor, is a cyclopeptide that exerts potent inhibitory actions on hormone secretion and neuronal excitability. Its physiologic functions are mediated by five G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) called somatostatin receptor (SST)1-5. These five receptors share common structural features and signaling mechanisms but differ in their cellular and subcellular localization and mode of regulation. SST2 and SST5 receptors have evolved as primary targets for pharmacological treatment of pituitary adenomas and neuroendocrine tumors. In addition, SST2 is a prototypical GPCR for the development of peptide-based radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. This review article summarizes findings published in the last 25 years on the physiology, pharmacology, and clinical applications related to SSTs. We also discuss potential future developments and propose a new nomenclature.

The tyrosine kinase inhibitor nintedanib activates SHP-1 and induces apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer cells

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains difficult to treat and urgently needs new therapeutic options. Nintedanib, a multikinase inhibitor, has exhibited efficacy in early clinical trials for HER2-negative breast cancer. In this study, we examined a new molecular mechanism of nintedanib in TNBC. The results demonstrated that nintedanib enhanced TNBC cell apoptosis, which was accompanied by a reduction of p-STAT3 and its downstream proteins. STAT3 overexpression suppressed nintedanib-mediated apoptosis and further increased the activity of purified SHP-1 protein. Moreover, treatment with either a specific inhibitor of SHP-1 or SHP-1-targeted siRNA reduced the apoptotic effects of nintedanib, which validates the role of SHP-1 in nintedanib-mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, nintedanib-induced apoptosis was attenuated in TNBC cells expressing SHP-1 mutants with constantly open conformations, suggesting that the autoinhibitory mechanism of SHP-1 attenuated the effects of nintedanib. Importantly, nintedanib significantly inhibited tumor growth via the SHP-1/p-STAT3 pathway. Clinically, SHP-1 levels were downregulated, whereas p-STAT3 was upregulated in tumor tissues, and SHP-1 transcripts were associated with improved disease-free survival in TNBC patients. Our findings revealed that nintedanib induces TNBC apoptosis by acting as a SHP-1 agonist, suggesting that targeting STAT3 by enhancing SHP-1 expression could be a viable therapeutic strategy against TNBC.

The effects of somatostatin analogue therapy on pituitary tumor volume in patients with acromegaly

INTRODUCTION

In nearly all cases, acromegaly is caused by excess GH from a pituitary adenoma, resulting in elevated circulating levels of GH and, subsequently, IGF-1. Treatment goals are to eliminate morbidity and restore the increased mortality to normal rates. Therapeutic strategies aim to minimize tumor mass and normalize GH and IGF-1 levels. Somatostatin analogues are the medical treatment of choice in acromegaly, as first-line or post-surgical therapy, and have proven efficacy in pituitary tumor volume reduction (TVR).

METHODS

Here we review the effects of somatostatin analogue therapy on pituitary tumor volume in patients with acromegaly.

RESULTS

TVR with somatostatin analogues may be mediated by direct anti-proliferative effects via activation of somatostatin receptors, or by indirect effects, such as angiogenesis inhibition, and is more pronounced when they are administered as first-line therapy. Various studies of first-line treatment with octreotide LAR have shown significant TVR in ≥73% of patients. First-line treatment with lanreotide Autogel has shown evidence of TVR, although more studies are needed. In a recent randomized, double-blind, 12-month trial in 358 medical-treatment-naïve acromegaly patients, significant TVR was achieved by 81% of patients administered pasireotide LAR and 77% administered octreotide LAR. Pre-operative somatostatin analogue therapy may also induce TVR and improve post-operative disease control compared with surgery alone. TVR is progressive with prolonged treatment, and decreased IGF-1 levels may be its best predictor, followed by age and degree of GH decrease. However, TVR does not always correlate with degree of biochemical control.

CONCLUSION

Somatostatin analogues (first- or second-line treatment) are the mainstay of medical therapy and, as first-line medical therapy, are associated with significant pituitary TVR in most patients.

Nintedanib (BIBF-1120) inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma growth independent of angiokinase activity

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Nintedanib, a triple angiokinase inhibitor, is currently being evaluated against advanced HCC in phase I/II clinical trials. Here, we report the underlying molecular mechanism by which nintedanib (BIBF-1120) induces an anti-HCC effect.

METHODS

To further elucidate whether the effect of nintedanib on SHP-1 is dependent on its angiokinase inhibition activity, we developed a novel kinase-independent derivative of nintedanib, ΔN. HCC cell lines were treated with nintedanib or its derivative (ΔN) and apoptosis, signal transduction, and phosphatase activity were analyzed. Purified SHP-1 proteins or HCC cells expressing deletion N-SH2 domain or D61A point mutants were used to investigate the potential effect of nintedanib on SHP-1. In vivo efficacy was determined in nude mice with HCC subcutaneous xenografts (n⩾8 mice).

RESULTS

Nintedanib induced anti-proliferation in HCC cell lines by targeting STAT3. Ectopic STAT3 abolished nintedanib-mediated apoptosis in HCC cells. Nintedanib further activated SHP-1 in purified SHP-1 proteins suggesting that nintedanib directly affects SHP-1 for STAT3 inhibition. HCC cells or recombinant SHP-1 proteins expressing deletion of N-SH2 domain or D61A mutants restored the activity of nintedanib suggesting that the auto-inhibition structure of SHP-1 was relieved by nintedanib. Although ΔN only retained the backbone of nintedanib without kinase activity, ΔN still induced substantial anti-HCC activity in vitro and in vivo by targeting STAT3.

CONCLUSIONS

Nintedanib induced significant anti-HCC activity independent of angiokinase inhibition activity in a preclinical HCC model by relieving autoinhibition of SHP-1. Our findings provide new mechanistic insight into the inhibition of HCC growth by nintedanib.

Somatostatin receptors: from signaling to clinical practice

Somatostatin is a peptide with a potent and broad antisecretory action, which makes it an invaluable drug target for the pharmacological management of pituitary adenomas and neuroendocrine tumors. Somatostatin receptors (SSTR1, 2A and B, 3, 4 and 5) belong to the G protein coupled receptor family and have a wide expression pattern in both normal tissues and solid tumors. Investigating the function of each SSTR in several tumor types has provided a wealth of information about the common but also distinct signaling cascades that suppress tumor cell proliferation, survival and angiogenesis. This provided the rationale for developing multireceptor-targeted somatostatin analogs and combination therapies with signaling-targeted agents such as inhibitors of the mammalian (or mechanistic) target of rapamycin (mTOR). The ability of SSTR to internalize and the development of rabiolabeled somatostatin analogs have improved the diagnosis and treatment of neuroendocrine tumors.

Peptide receptor targeting in cancer: the somatostatin paradigm

Peptide receptors involved in pathophysiological processes represent promising therapeutic targets. Neuropeptide somatostatin (SST) is produced by specialized cells in a large number of human organs and tissues. SST primarily acts as inhibitor of endocrine and exocrine secretion via the activation of five G-protein-coupled receptors, named sst1–5, while in central nervous system, SST acts as a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator, regulating locomotory and cognitive functions. Critical points of SST/SST receptor biology, such as signaling pathways of individual receptor subtypes, homo- and heterodimerization, trafficking, and cross-talk with growth factor receptors, have been extensively studied, although functions associated with several pathological conditions, including cancer, are still not completely unraveled. Importantly, SST exerts antiproliferative and antiangiogenic effects on cancer cells in vitro, and on experimental tumors in vivo. Moreover, SST agonists are clinically effective as antitumor agents for pituitary adenomas and gastro-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. However, SST receptors being expressed by tumor cells of various tumor histotypes, their pharmacological use is potentially extendible to other cancer types, although to date no significant results have been obtained. In this paper the most recent findings on the expression and functional roles of SST and SST receptors in tumor cells are discussed.

Somatostatin receptor biology in neuroendocrine and pituitary tumours: part 1--molecular pathways

Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) may occur at many sites in the body although the majority occur within the gastroenteropancreatic axis. Non-gastroenteropancreatic NETs encompass phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas, medullary thyroid carcinoma, anterior pituitary tumour, broncho-pulmonary NETs and parathyroid tumours. Like most endocrine tumours, NETs also express somatostatin (SST) receptors (subtypes 1–5) whose ligand SST is known to inhibit endocrine and exocrine secretions and have anti-tumour effects. In the light of this knowledge, the idea of using SST analogues in the treatment of NETs has become increasingly popular and new studies have centred upon the development of new SST analogues. We attempt to review SST receptor (SSTR) biology primarily in neuroendocrine tissues, focusing on pituitary tumours. A full data search was performed through PubMed over the years 2000–2009 with keywords ‘somatostatin, molecular biology, somatostatin receptors, somatostatin signalling, NET, pituitary’ and all relevant publications have been included, together with selected publications prior to that date. SSTR signalling in non-neuroendocrine solid tumours is beyond the scope of this review. SST is a potent anti-proliferative and anti-secretory agent for some NETs. The successful therapeutic use of SST analogues in the treatment of these tumours depends on a thorough understanding of the diverse effects of SSTR subtypes in different tissues and cell types. Further studies will focus on critical points of SSTR biology such as homo- and heterodimerization of SSTRs and the differences between post-receptor signalling pathways of SSTR subtypes.

Prep1 controls insulin glucoregulatory function in liver by transcriptional targeting of SHP1 tyrosine phosphatase

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the function of the Prep1 gene in insulin-dependent glucose homeostasis in liver.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Prep1 action on insulin glucoregulatory function has been analyzed in liver of Prep1-hypomorphic mice (Prep1(i/i)), which express 2-3% of Prep1 mRNA.

RESULTS

Based on euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp studies and measurement of glycogen content, livers from Prep1(i/i) mice feature increased sensitivity to insulin. Tyrosine phosphorylation of both insulin receptor (IR) and insulin receptor substrate (IRS)1/2 was significantly enhanced in Prep1(i/i) livers accompanied by a specific downregulation of the SYP and SHP1 tyrosine phosphatases. Prep1 overexpression in HepG2 liver cells upregulated SYP and SHP1 and inhibited insulin-induced IR and IRS1/2 phosphorylation and was accompanied by reduced glycogen content. Consistently, overexpression of the Prep1 partner Pbx1, but not of p160MBP, mimicked Prep1 effects on tyrosine phosphorylations, glycogen content, and on SYP and SHP1 expression. In Prep1 overexpressing cells, antisense silencing of SHP1, but not that of SYP, rescued insulin-dependent IR phosphorylation and glycogen accumulation. Both Prep1 and Pbx1 bind SHP1 promoter at a site located between nucleotides -2,113 and -1,778. This fragment features enhancer activity and induces luciferase function by 7-, 6-, and 30-fold, respectively, in response to Prep1, Pbx1, or both.

CONCLUSIONS

SHP1, a known silencer of insulin signal, is a transcriptional target of Prep1. In liver, transcriptional activation of SHP1 gene by Prep1 attenuates insulin signal transduction and reduces glucose storage.

Somatostatin receptor activation (sst(1) -sst(5) ) differentially influences human retinal pigment epithelium cell viability

PURPOSE

To investigate the differential effects of somatostatin and its receptors (sst(1-5) ) on the viability of cultured human retinal pigment epithelium (hRPE) cells.

METHODS

MTT [3 (4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2, 5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide], APO Percentage(TM) and trypan blue assays were performed to assess the mechanisms via which somatostatin (10(-10) -10(-4) m) and selective receptor (sst(1-5) ) ligands (10(-12) -10(-4) m) affect cell viability. The effect of orthovanadate (phosphatase inhibitor, 10(-7) -10(-5) m) on somatostatin's (10(-5) m) actions was examined, and western blot analysis was employed to determine the presence of ssts and phosphotyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 in human RPE cells.

RESULTS

Somatostatin and selective ligands for the five somatostatin receptor subtypes (sst(1-5) ) decreased cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. The observed decrease in cell number was partly because of apoptosis via the activation of sst(1) and sst(5) receptors. Activation of sst(2) , sst(3) and sst(4) receptors led to inhibition of cell growth that did not involve apoptosis, but rather antiproliferative actions. SHP-1 was found in the human RPE cells and sodium orthovanadate reversed somatostatin's actions.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides new information regarding the involvement of ssts in human RPE cell viability and suggests that a pathway involving the phosphotyrosine phosphatase may mediate somatostatin's actions.

Somatostatin and somatostatin receptors: implications for neoplastic growth and cancer biology

Somatostatin agonists (SM-As) are capable of achieving durable symptomatic relief and significant clinical responses in certain tumours. Herein, we review the diverse direct and indirect mechanisms of antineoplastic activity elicited by SM-As as well as the hurdles that complicate their use as monotherapies in a broader range of malignancies. Emphasis is placed on recent clinical attempts to neutralise the IGF-mediated survival factor effects in the bone metastasis microenvironment in advanced prostate cancer. The first clinical trials of this 'anti-survival factor manipulation' strategy utilised the ability of SM-As to suppress the growth hormone-dependent liver-derived IGF-I bioavailability in combination with other drugs, such as dexamethasone, zolendronate and oestrogens, acting systemically and at the bone metastasis microenvironment. These regimens restored androgen ablation responsiveness in stage D3 prostate cancer patients and successfully produced objective clinical responses while only mild toxicities were observed. Furthermore, we focus on the preclinical experimental data of a targeted SM-A coupled to the super-potent doxorubicin derivative AN-201. The resulting conjugate (AN-238) has shown increased antitumour potency with a favourable toxicity profile. The potential use of novel SM-As as anticancer drugs is discussed in relation to data suggesting other direct and indirect treatment approaches pertaining to the somatostatin system.

Differential efficacy of SSTR1, -2, and -5 agonists in the inhibition of C6 glioma growth in nude mice

Somatostatin receptors (SSTR1-5) mediate antiproliferative effects. In C6 rat glioma cells, somatostatin is cytostatic in vitro via phosphotyrosine phosphatase-dependent inhibition of ERK1/2 activity mediated by SSTR1, -2, and -5. Here we analyzed the effects of SSTR activation on C6 glioma growth in vivo and the intracellular mechanisms involved, comparing somatostatin effects with selective agonists for SSTR1, -2, and -5 (BIM-23745, BIM-23120, BIM-23206) or receptor biselective compounds (SSTR1 and -2, BIM-23704; and SSTR2 and -5, BIM-23190). Nude mice subcutaneously xenografted with C6 cells were treated with somatostatin, SSTR agonists (50 μg, twice/day), or vehicle. Tumor growth was evaluated every 3 days for 19 days. The intracellular pathways responsible of SSTR effects in vivo were evaluated measuring Ki-67, phospho-ERK1/2, and p27(kip1) expression by immunohistochemistry in sections from explanted tumors. Somatostatin and SSTR1, -2, and -5 agonists strongly inhibited in vivo C6 tumor growth, intratumoral neovessel formation, Ki-67 expression, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation and induced upregulation of p27(Kip1), whereas only a modest activation of caspase-3 was observed. Somatostatin (acting on SSTR1, -2, and -5) displayed the highest efficacy; SSTR5 selective agonist showed a stronger effect than SSTR1 agonist, and SSTR2 agonist was less effective. On the other hand, SSTR1 and -2 agonists maximally reduced tumor neovascularization. The combined activation of SSTR1 and -2 showed a synergistic activity, reaching a higher efficacy than BIM-23206, whereas the simultaneous activation of SSTR2 and -5 resulted in a response resembling SSTR5 effects. Thus the simultaneous activation of different SSTRs inhibits glioma cell proliferation in vivo through both direct cytotostatic and antiangiogenic effects.

Tumoral prostate shows different expression pattern of somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) and phosphotyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 (PTPN6) according to tumor progression

Prostate proliferation is dependent of androgens and many peptide hormones. Recent reports suggest that SSTR2 and SHP-1 were two fundamental components on antiproliferative effect of somatostatin. Many studies on SHP-1 revealed that the expression of this protein was diminished or abolished in several of the cancer cell lines and tissues examined. However, it is necessary to confront the cell lines data with real situation in cancer cases. Our studies have shown that epithelial expressions of both proteins, SHP-1 and SSTR2, in normal and benign hyperplasia are localized in the luminal side of duct and acinar cells. Also, SSTR2 is expressed in stromal cells. In malignant prostate tissue, SHP-1 was diminished in 28/45 cases or absent in 12/45 cases, whereas SSTR2 epithelial was diminished in 38/45 cases or lost in only 2/45 cases. The intensity of immunostained was highly negative correlated with Gleason grade for two proteins.

Involvement of c-Src tyrosine kinase in SHP-1 phosphatase activation by Ang II AT2 receptors in rat fetal tissues

Angiotensin II (Ang II) AT(2) receptors are abundantly expressed in rat fetal tissues where they probably contribute to development. In the present study we examine the effects of Ang II type 2 receptor stimulation on SHP-1 activation. Ang II (10(-7) M) elicits a rapid and transient tyrosine phosphorylation of SHP-1, maximal at 1 min, in a dose-dependent form, blocked by the AT(2) antagonist, PD123319. SHP-1 phosphorylation is followed in time by tyrosine dephosphorylation of different proteins, suggesting a sequence of events. Ang II induces association of SHP-1 to AT(2) receptors as shown by co-immunoprecipitation, Western blot and binding assays. SHP-1 activity was determined in immunocomplexes obtained with either anti-AT(2) or anti-SHP-1 antibodies, after Ang II stimulation (1 min), in correlation with the maximal level of SHP-1 phosphorylation. Interestingly, following receptor stimulation (1 min) c-Src was associated to AT(2) or SHP-1 immunocomplexes. Preincubation with the c-Src inhibitor PP2 inhibited SHP-1 activation and c-Src association, thus confirming the participation of c-Src in this pathway. We demonstrated here for the first time the involvement of c-Src in SHP-1 activation via AT(2) receptors present in an ex vivo model expressing both receptor subtypes. In this model, AT(2) receptors are not constitutively associated to SHP-1 and SHP-1 is not constitutively activated. Thus, we clearly establish that SHP-1 activation, mediated by the AT(2) subtype, involves c-Src and precedes protein tyrosine dephosphorylation, in rat fetal membranes.

Somatostatin receptor-1 induces cell cycle arrest and inhibits tumor growth in pancreatic cancer

Functional somatostatin receptors (SSTR) are lost in human pancreatic cancer. Transfection of SSTR-1 inhibited pancreatic cancer cell proliferation in vitro. We hypothesize that stable transfection of SSTR-1 may inhibit pancreatic cancer growth in vivo possibly through cell cycle arrest. In this study, we examined the expression of SSTR-1 mRNA in human pancreatic cancer tissue specimens, and investigated the effect of SSTR-1 overexpression on cell proliferation, cell cycle, and tumor growth in a subcutaneous nude mouse model. We found that SSTR-1 mRNA was downregulated in the majority of pancreatic cancer tissue specimens. Transfection of SSTR-1 caused cell cycle arrest at the G(0)/G(1) growth phase, with a corresponding decline of cells in the S (mitotic) phase. The overexpression of SSTR-1 significantly inhibited subcutaneous tumor size by 71% and 43% (n = 5, P < 0.05, Student's t-test), and inhibited tumor weight by 69% and 47% (n = 5, P < 0.05, Student's t-test), in Panc-SSTR-1 and MIA-SSTR-1 groups, respectively, indicating the potent inhibitory effect of SSTR-1 on pancreatic cancer growth. Our data demonstrate that overexpression of SSTR-1 significantly inhibits pancreatic cancer growth possibly through cell cycle arrest. This study suggests that gene therapy with SSTR-1 may be a potential adjuvant treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Somatostatin receptors 1, 2, and 5 cooperate in the somatostatin inhibition of C6 glioma cell proliferation in vitro via a phosphotyrosine phosphatase-eta-dependent inhibition of extracellularly regulated kinase-1/2

Somatostatin inhibits cell proliferation through the activation of five receptors (SSTR1-5) expressed in normal and cancer cells. We analyzed the role of individual SSTRs in the antiproliferative activity of somatostatin in C6 rat glioma cells. Somatostatin dose-dependently inhibited C6 proliferation, an effect mimicked, with different efficacy or potency, by BIM-23745, BIM-23120, BIM-23206 (agonists for SSTR1, -2, and -5) and octreotide. The activation of SSTR3 was ineffective, although all SSTRs are functionally active, as demonstrated by the inhibition of cAMP production. All SSTRs induced cytostatic effects through the activation of the phosphotyrosine phosphatase PTPeta and the inhibition of ERK1/2. For possible synergism between SSTR subtypes, we tested the effects of the combined treatment with two agonists (SSTR1+2 or SSTR2+5) or bifunctional compounds. The simultaneous activation of SSTR1 and SSTR2 slightly increased the efficacy of the individual compounds with an IC50 in between the single receptor activation. SSTR2+5 activation displayed a pattern of response superimposable to that of the SSTR5 agonist alone (low potency and higher efficacy, as compared with BIM-23120). The simultaneous activation of SSTR1, -2, and -5 resulted in a response similar to somatostatin. In conclusion, the cytostatic effects of somatostatin in C6 cells are mediated by the SSTR1, -2, and -5 through the same intracellular pathway: activation of PTPeta and inhibition of ERK1/2 activity. Somatostatin is more effective than the individual agonists. The combined activation of SSTR1 and -2 shows a partial synergism as far as antiproliferative activity, whereas SSTR2 and -5 activation results in a response resembling the SSTR5 effects.

Somatostatin/somatostatin receptor signalling: phosphotyrosine phosphatases

Activation of phosphotyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) by somatostatin receptor (SSTR) represents one of the main intracellular mechanisms involved in the antiproliferative effect of somatostatin (SST) and analogues. Since their molecular cloning, the role of PTPs is emerging as a major regulator of different cell functions including cell proliferation, differentiation, cell to cell interactions, cell matrix adhesion and cell migration. It was demonstrated that PTPs possess high substrate specificity and their activity is tightly regulated. Importantly, different G protein-coupled receptors transduce their biological activities through PTPs. PTPs were identified as down-stream effectors of SSTRs to transduce antiproliferative signals, and so far, three family members (SHP-1, SHP-2 and DEP-1/PTPeta) have been identified as selective SSTR intracellular effectors. Here, the molecular mechanisms leading SSTRs to regulate PTP activity are discussed, focusing on recent data showing a close interplay between PTPs and tyrosine kinases to transduce tumoral cell growth arrest following SST analogs administration.

Antitumor effects of somatostatin

Since its discovery three decades ago as an inhibitor of GH release from the pituitary gland, somatostatin has attracted much attention because of its functional role in the regulation of a wide variety of physiological functions in the brain, pituitary, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, adrenals, thyroid, kidney and immune system. In addition to its negative role in the control of endocrine and exocrine secretions, somatostatin and analogs also exert inhibitory effects on the proliferation and survival of normal and tumor cells. Over the past 15 years, studies have begun to reveal some of the molecular mechanisms underlying the antitumor activity of somatostatin. This review covers the present knowledge in the antitumor effect of somatostatin and analogs and discusses the perspectives of novel clinical strategies based on somatostatin receptor sst2 gene transfer therapy.

Thrombin inhibits migration of human hepatic myofibroblasts

Several lines of data recently pointed out a role of the serine proteinase thrombin in liver fibrogenesis, but its mechanism of action is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of thrombin on the migration of human liver myofibroblasts. We show here that thrombin inhibits both basal migration and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced migration of myofibroblasts. By using a thrombin antagonist, a protease-activated receptor (PAR)-1 mimetic peptide, and a PAR-1 antibody, we show that this effect is dependent on the catalytic activity of thrombin and on PAR-1 activation. Thrombin's effect on basal migration was dependent on cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) activation because it was blocked by the COX-2 inhibitors NS-398 and nimesulide, and pharmacological studies showed that it was relayed through prostaglandin E(2) and its EP(2) receptor. On the other hand, thrombin-induced inhibition of PDGF-BB-induced migration was not dependent on COX-2. We show that thrombin inhibits PDGF-induced Akt-1 phosphorylation. This effect was consecutive to inhibition of PDGF-beta receptor activation through active dephosphorylation. Thus thrombin, through two distinct mechanisms, inhibits both basal- and PDGF-BB-induced migration of human hepatic liver myofibroblasts. The fine tuning of myofibroblast migration may be one of the mechanisms used by thrombin to regulate liver fibrogenesis.

Regulation of Neuronal Nitric-oxide Synthase Activity by Somatostatin Analogs following SST5 Somatostatin Receptor Activation

Somatostatin receptor SST5 is an inhibitory G protein-coupled receptor that exerts a strong cytostatic effect on various cell types. We reported previously that the SST5 anti-proliferative effect results in the inhibition of mitogen-induced increases in intracellular cGMP levels and MAPK activity. This study was conducted to define the early molecular events accountable for the SST5-mediated anti-proliferative effect. Here, we demonstrate that, in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing SST5 (CHO/SST5 cells), somatostatin inhibited cell proliferation induced by nitric oxide donors and overexpression of the neuronal nitric-oxide synthase (nNOS) protein isoform. Accordingly, nNOS activity and dimerization were strongly inhibited following SST5 activation by the somatostatin analog RC-160. In CHO/SST5 cells, nNOS was dynamically recruited by the SST5 receptor and phosphorylated at tyrosyl residues following RC-160 treatment. RC-160 induced SST5-p60(src) kinase complex formation and subsequent p60(src) kinase activation. Coexpression of an inactive p60(src) kinase mutant with SST5 blocked RC-160-induced nNOS phosphorylation and inactivation and prevented the SST5-mediated anti-proliferative effect. In CHO/SST5 cells, p60(src) kinase associated with nNOS to induce its inactivation by phosphorylation at tyrosyl residues following RC-160 treatment. Using recombinant proteins, we demonstrated that such phosphorylation prevented nNOS homodimerization. Next, surface plasmon resonance and mutation analysis revealed that p60(src) directly associated with nNOS phosphorylated Tyr604. SST5-mediated inhibition of nNOS activity was demonstrated to be essential to the RC-160 anti-proliferative effect on pancreatic endocrine tumor-derived cells. We therefore identified nNOS as a new p60(src) kinase substrate essential for SST5-mediated anti-proliferative action.

Role of complex cyclin d1/cdk4 in somatostatin subtype 2 receptor-mediated inhibition of cell proliferation of a medullary thyroid carcinoma cell line in vitro

Somatostatin (SRIH) inhibits cell proliferation by interacting with five distinct SRIH receptor subtypes (SSTRs) activating several pathways in many tissues. We previously demonstrated that SRIH, by activating Src homology-2-containing protein, inhibits cell proliferation of the human medullary thyroid carcinoma cell line, TT, which expresses all SSTRs. However, the effects of SRIH on cell cycle proteins have not been investigated so far. We therefore evaluated the effects of SRIH and a selective SSTR2 agonist on cell cycle protein expression, mainly focusing on cyclin D1 and its associated kinases. Our data show that SRIH and the selective SSTR2 agonist, BIM-23120, reduce cell proliferation and DNA synthesis as well as induce a delay of the cell cycle in G(2)/M phase. Moreover, treatment with both SRIH and BIM-23120 decreases cyclin D1 levels, with a parallel increase in phosphocyclin D1 levels, suggesting protein degradation. Moreover, our data show an increase in glycogen synthase kinase-3beta activity, which triggers phosphorylation-dependent cyclin D1 degradation. Indeed, we observed a reduction in cyclin D1 protein half-life under treatment with SRIH or the SSTR2 selective agonist. A reduction in cdk4 protein levels is also observed with a parallel reduction in Rb phosphorylation levels at Ser-780. Our data indicate that the subtype 2 receptor-mediated antiproliferative effect of SRIH on TT cell proliferation may be exerted through a decrease in cyclin D1 levels.

SiRNA targeting SHP-1 accelerates angiogenesis in a rat model of hindlimb ischemia

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-2 (KDR/flk-1) has a tyrosine kinase domain, and once activated, induces the autophosphorylation of the tyrosine residues, which is essential for angiogenesis. SHP-1, a cytoplasmic protein tyrosine phosphatase, plays a negative regulatory role in signal transduction pathways by dephosphorylation of the receptors to which it binds. Thus, therapeutic angiogenesis designed to inhibit expression of SHP-1 would be beneficial in hindlimb ischemia. In in vitro, the inhibition of SHP-1 by SHP-1 siRNA impaired the ability of TNF to block the tyrosine phosphorylation of KDR/flk-1 induced by VEGF and showed an increase in endothelial cell growth. In in vivo, SHP-1 mRNA, SHP-1 protein levels and VEGF were increased in a rat model of hindlimb ischemia. Upon injection to the ischemic adductor muscle, vector-based siRNA reduced SHP-1, increased phosphorylation of KDR/flk-1, and markedly increased capillary density. Our data demonstrated in vivo the potential use of siRNA targeting SHP-1 as therapy for peripheral ischemic diseases.

Novel synergistic mechanism for sst2 somatostatin and TNFα receptors to induce apoptosis: crosstalk between NF-κB and JNK pathways

Somatostatin is a multifunctional hormone that modulates cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Mechanisms for somatostatin-induced apoptosis are at present mostly unsolved. Therefore, we investigated whether somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (sst2) induces apoptosis in the nontransformed murine fibroblastic NIH3T3 cells. Somatostatin receptor subtype 2 expression induced an executioner caspase-mediated apoptosis through a tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 (Src homology domain phosphatase-1)-dependent stimulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) activity and subsequent inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase JNK. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) stimulated both NF-kappaB and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) activities, which had opposite action on cell survival. Importantly, sst2 sensitized NIH3T3 cells to TNFalpha-induced apoptosis by (1) upregulating TNFalpha receptor protein expression, and sensitizing to TNFalpha-induced caspase-8 activation; (2) enhancing TNFalpha-mediated activation of NF-kappaB, resulting in JNK inhibition and subsequent executioner caspase activation and cell death. We have here unraveled a novel signaling mechanism for a G protein-coupled receptor, which directly triggers apoptosis and crosstalks with a death receptor to enhance death ligand-induced apoptosis.

The SHP-1 protein tyrosine phosphatase negatively modulates glucose homeostasis

The protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 is a well-known inhibitor of activation-promoting signaling cascades in hematopoietic cells but its potential role in insulin target tissues is unknown. Here we show that Ptpn6(me-v/me-v) (also known as viable motheaten) mice bearing a functionally deficient SHP-1 protein are markedly glucose tolerant and insulin sensitive as compared to wild-type littermates, as a result of enhanced insulin receptor signaling to IRS-PI3K-Akt in liver and muscle. Downregulation of SHP-1 activity in liver of normal mice by adenoviral expression of a catalytically inert mutant of SHP-1, or after small hairpin RNA-mediated SHP-1 silencing, further confirmed this phenotype. Tyrosine phosphorylation of CEACAM1, a modulator of hepatic insulin clearance, and clearance of serum [125I]-insulin were markedly increased in SHP-1-deficient mice or SHP-1-deficient hepatic cells in vitro. These findings show a novel role for SHP-1 in the regulation of glucose homeostasis through modulation of insulin signaling in liver and muscle as well as hepatic insulin clearance.

Octreotide, a Somatostatin Analogue, Mediates Its Antiproliferative Action in Pituitary Tumor Cells by Altering Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Signaling and Inducing Zac1 Expression

Somatostatin limits cell growth by inhibiting the proliferative activity of growth factor receptors. In this study, it is shown that in pituitary tumor cells, the somatostatin analogue octreotide produces its antiproliferative action by inducing the expression the tumor suppressor gene Zac1. ZAC/Zac1 induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and is highly expressed in normal pituitary, mammary, and ovarian glands but is down-regulated in pituitary, breast, and ovarian tumors. Knocking down Zac1 by RNA interference abolished the antiproliferative effect of octreotide in pituitary tumor cells, indicating that Zac1 is necessary for the action of octreotide. The effect of octreotide on Zac1 expression was pertussis toxin sensitive and was abolished after transfection with a dominant negative vector for SHP-1. Zac1 is a target of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) survival pathway. Octreotide treatment decreased the tyrosine phosphorylation levels of the PI3K regulatory subunit p85, induced dephosphorylation of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) and Akt, and activated glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSKbeta). Therefore, in pituitary tumor cells, somatostatin analogues produce their antiproliferative action by acting on the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and increasing Zac1 gene expression.

RNA interference targeting SHP‐1 attenuates myocardial infarction in rats

The Src homology domain 2 (SH2)-containing tyrosine phosphatase-1 (SHP-1) plays a key role in apoptosis and decreases phosphorylation of Akt. Apoptosis of cardiomyocytes is thought to contribute to the increased area of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and Akt activation exerts a powerful cardioprotective effect after ischemia. Thus, a therapeutic strategy designed to inhibit expression of SHP-1 would be beneficial in AMI. Here we report that siRNA targeting SHP-1 reduced infarct size in a rat model of AMI. Upon injection into the ischemic left ventricular wall, the vector-based siRNA significantly suppressed the increase in the SHP-1 mRNA and the SHP-1 protein levels. The siRNA vector also significantly reduced the SHP-1 that bound to Fas-R. The SHP-1 siRNA vector increased phospho-Akt and reduced DNA fragmentation and caspase activity compared with the scramble siRNA vector. Finally, the area of myocardial infarction was significantly smaller with the SHP-1 siRNA vector than with the scramble siRNA vector at 2 days after LCA ligation. In conclusion, SHP-1 in the heart increased from the early stage of AMI, and this increase was thought to contribute to the increased area of myocardial infarction. Suppression of SHP-1 with the SHP-1 siRNA vector markedly reduced the infarct size in AMI.

Characterization of the Bystander Effect of Somatostatin Receptor sst2 After In Vivo Gene Transfer into Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive and devastating human malignancies. The present study was conducted to determine whether in vivo sst2 gene transfer into human pancreatic tumors would impair tumor progression, and to characterize sst2 antitumoral bystander mechanisms. sst2 administration, using the synthetic vector PEI, strongly inhibited tumor progression of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma, in vivo. sst2 gene transfer induced intratumoral production of its ligand somatostatin. Disruption of this autocrine loop by RNA interference completely reversed sst2 antitumoral activity. Mice depleted of natural killer (NK) cells did not hamper sst2 tumor growth inhibition. However, microvessel density and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression were markedly reduced in sst2-transfected tumors, whereas sst3 somatostatin receptor was upregulated. Depleting somatostatin by RNA interference completely abolished the sst2 inhibitory effect on VEGF expression and tumor angiogenesis, and sst2-induced sst3 expression in peripheral tumor vessels. We conclude that in vivo sst2 gene transfer elicited intratumoral somatostatin production and strongly impaired human pancreatic tumor growth. NK cells were not involved in this antitumoral bystander effect. VEGF and tumor vascularization were identified as novel targets for sst2-mediated antitumoral bystander effect. sst3 somatostatin receptor was upregulated in sst2-transfected tumors. Therefore, in vivo gene delivery of sst2 receptor to target the angiogenic process in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma might be a new therapeutic approach for treatment of pancreatic cancer in patients with unresectable disease.

The somatostatin analogue SOM230, compared with octreotide, induces differential effects in several metabolic pathways in acromegalic patients

OBJECTIVE

Recently, our first clinical study with the novel multiligand somatostatin (SRIF) analogue SOM230 in acromegalic patients showed that SOM230, due to its beneficial inhibitory effects on GH levels compared with octreotide (OCT), might increase the number of patients that can be biochemically controlled. Since SRIF analogues are also known to interact with other metabolic pathways, IGF-I, IGFBP-1, glucose and insulin concentrations on the control day (CD) and on treatment days following a single s.c. injection SOM230 100 and 250 microg, were compared to those following OCT 100 microg.

DESIGN AND PATIENTS

Randomized, cross-over, double-blinded proof-of-concept trial in 12 patients with active acromegaly.

RESULTS

Free IGF-I levels were suppressed after 24 h by OCT, SOM230 250 and 100 microg, whereas at 48 h only both SOM230 dosages still induced these inhibitory effects. Circulating IGFBP-1 levels (AUC; 0830-1430 h) compared with CD, increased sharply after OCT (from 48 to 237 microg/l/h; P < 0.001 vs. CD), while SOM230 250 and 100 microg elicited a lower and dose-dependent effect (163 and 90 microg/l/h, respectively, P < 0.05 vs. CD and OCT). Neither insulin nor GH levels showed statistically significant correlation with IGFBP-1 levels either after SOM230 or OCT. An early rise in glucose levels 1 h postinjection with SOM230 250 microg compared with OCT and CD was observed 8.3 +/- 0.8, 4.4 +/- 0.5 and 4.9 +/- 0.4 mmol/l, respectively: P < 0.05). SOM230 250 microg (19 +/- 4 vs. 46 +/- 3 mU/l on CD: P < 0.05), although clearly less potent than OCT (5.4 +/- 0.4 mU/l: P < 0.01 vs. CD), inhibited insulin release. Since these corresponding absolute insulin levels cannot entirely explain this hyperglycaemic effect of SOM230, other mechanisms seem involved in this glucose rise. If SOM230 would influence glucose homeostasis in peripheral target tissues of insulin action, expression of SS-receptors (sst) seems a logical necessity. In normal human liver tissues, analysed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the average sst1 mRNA expression level appeared significantly higher compared with sst2 (n = 6, relative copy number 161 +/- 46 vs. 57 +/- 6; P < 0.05). Fat tissue expressed both sst1 and sst2 mRNA, whereas in muscle only sst2 mRNA was found.

CONCLUSION

Both dosages of SOM230 inhibit free IGF-I in a more sustained fashion compared to OCT, implying longer duration of action. The superior action of OCT compared with SOM230 in stimulating IGFBP-1 levels, suggests direct regulation of IGFBP-1 by SRIF analogues via sst2. Finally, expression of only sst1 and sst2 in target tissues of insulin action, might point towards additional modulatory effects by SOM230 on glucose homeostasis.

SRC homology-2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-1 restrains cell proliferation in human medullary thyroid carcinoma

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare tumor originating from thyroid parafollicular C cells, where, in the inherited form, constitutive activation of the RET protooncogene is responsible for unrestrained cell proliferation. We previously demonstrated that somatostatin (SRIF) reduces cell growth in the human MTC cell line TT, which expresses all SRIF receptor (SSTR) subtypes and responds differently to selective SSTR agonists. The antiproliferative mechanism of SRIF and its analogs in MTC is still unclear. Src homology-2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-1 (SHP-1), a cytoplasmic protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP), is activated by somatotropin release-inhibiting factor and reduces mutated RET autophosphorylation in a heterologous system. In this study, we explore the role of PTP activation, in particular of SHP-1, in TT cells, where RET is constitutively activated. In TT cells, SRIF stimulated the PTP activity of SHP-1, which was associated with proliferation inhibition and with reduction in the MAPK pathway activation. Blockade of PTP activity with sodium orthovanadate induced cell proliferation and MAPK phosphorylation and blunted the inhibitory effects of SRIF. Moreover, SHP-1 associates with SSTR2 depending on its activation. By using a MAPK kinase inhibitor, we demonstrated that TT cell growth depends on MAPK pathway activation. Furthermore, in TT cells overexpressing SHP-1, cell proliferation and MAPK signaling were strongly down-regulated, whereas in TT cells transfected with a dominant negative form of SHP-1, cell proliferation and MAPK signaling were markedly induced. Our data demonstrate that SRIF inhibitory effects on TT cell proliferation are mediated, at least in part, by SHP-1, which acts through a MAPK-dependent mechanism.

Subtype selective interactions of somatostatin and somatostatin analogs with sst1, sst2, and sst5 in BON-1 cells

Somatostatin is a polypeptide hormone acting as an inhibitor of pituitary, pancreatic, and gastrointestinal secretion through specific membrane receptors of which five subtypes have been cloned (sst(1-5)). Somatostatin analogs are used in the clinic to treat patients with excessive hormone production due to a neuroendocrine tumor. The aim of this study was to investigate the biological activity of three new somatostatin receptor subtype selective analogs (BIM-23926, sst(1)-selective; BIM-23120, sst(2)-selective; and BIM-23206, sst(5)-selective) in the human neuroendocrine tumor cell line, BON-1, which expresses sst(1), sst(2), and sst(5) natively. Somatostatin-14 and octreotide were used as reference substances. Forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation and chromogranin A (CgA) secretion were inhibited by BIM-23120, BIM-23206, and somatostatin-14 in a dose-dependent manner. Cholecystokinin (CCK-8) stimulated activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase was inhibited by BIM-23120 and BIM-23206, while BIM-23926 stimulated the activity. Selective BIM analogs showed a more efficient inhibitory effect on cAMP accumulation, CgA secretion, and MAP kinase activity than octreotide in BON-1 cells. This may be explained by the differences in affinity of the ligand to the receptor or by interaction between different sst subtypes. We conclude that increasing knowledge about sst physiology and expression in malignant disease indicates a need for new analogs that can be incorporated into the therapeutic arsenal.

The Phosphotyrosine Phosphatase η Mediates Somatostatin Inhibition of Glioma Proliferation via the Dephosphorylation of ERK1/2

Somatostatin (SST) controls the proliferation of a variety of cell types. Its effects are mediated by five G protein-coupled receptors (SSTR1-SSTR5), variably expressed in normal and cancer tissues. SST inhibition of cell proliferation can be exploited by both direct and indirect mechanisms: the main direct pathway involves the modulation of phosphotyrosine phosphatase (PTP) activity. Here we show that SST cytostatic activity is mediated by the activation of a receptor-like PTP, named PTPeta. The role of this PTP in the antiproliferative activity of SST in five glioma cell lines (C6, U87MG, U373MG, DBTRG05MG, and CAS1) and in four postsurgical human glioblastoma specimens, has been studied. SST inhibited growth only in C6 and U87MG that express PTPeta. In C6 cells, SST antiproliferative effects were reverted by pretreatment with pertussis toxin and vanadate, indicating the involvement of G proteins and PTPs. The role of PTPeta in the SST inhibitory effects was demonstrated by testing the PTPeta activity: it was increased by SST treatment and paralleled by inhibition of ERK1/2 activation. Since basic fibroblast growth factor-dependent MEK phosphorylation was not affected by SST, we propose a direct effect of SST-activated PTPeta on ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Finally, the SSTR mRNAs were identified in all of the 36 gliomas analyzed, whereas PTPeta expression was found in 33% of cases. Culturing four gliomas, a precise correlation between the expression of PTPeta and the SST antiproliferative effects was identified. In conclusion, in glioma cells, SST antiproliferative activity requires the expression and activation of PTPeta, which directly dephosphorylates ERK1/2.

Somatostatin inhibits IGF-1 mediated induction of VEGF in human retinal pigment epithelial cells

Neovascularization stimulated by IGF-1 mediated induction of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the leading causes of blindness in humans. It plays a central role in the pathogenesis of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR), neovascular glaucoma, exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinopathy of prematurity. Neovascularization is a multi-step process that involves complex interactions of a variety of mitogenic factors such as VEGF and IGF-I which are produced locally in the human eye by a variety of cells including retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, retinal capillary pericytes, endothelial cells, Mueller cells and ganglion cells. We hypothesized that somatostatin would inhibit the IGF-1 signal transduction pathway in RPE cells, resulting in decreased VEGF production. We have observed expression of somatostatin receptor protein in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells of the human eye using immunohistochemistry and have confirmed expression of somatostatin receptors in cultured human RPE cells using reverse transcriptase-PCR. IGF-1 induced a dose dependent increase in IGF-1R phosphorylation and in VEGF mRNA levels in cultured human RPE cells. Somatostatin and octreotide, a somatostatin analogue, inhibited IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) phosphorylation and decreased VEGF production. Both IGF-1R phosphorylation and accumulation of VEGF mRNA were inhibited by physiological levels of somatostatin and octreotide (1 nM). These results demonstrate somatostatin and octreotide mediated attenuation of both IGF-1R signal transduction and VEGF mRNA accumulation via somatostatin receptor type 2 (sst2). Furthermore, these data suggest a rationale for the use of octreotide as a prophylactic and therapeutic option in disease states that cause ocular neovascularization.

[Phosphotyrosine phosphatase SHP-1, somatostatin and prostate cancer]

We review the mechanisms involved in prostatic growth based on androgens and product of neuroendocrine secretion, with special reference to the role of somatostatin (SS) in the inhibition of neoplastic growth. Our contributions in the field confirm the antiproliferative effect of SS on the prostate is mediated by phosphotyrosine phosphatase SHP-1, that is present in human prostate. This enzyme plays a role in the control of prostatic cell proliferation and in the progression of prostate cancer. Besides, we consider its presence may determine the therapeutic potential of SS in the control of prostate cancer.

The Expression of the Phosphotyrosine Phosphatase DEP-1/PTPη Dictates the Responsivity of Glioma Cells to Somatostatin Inhibition of Cell Proliferation

Here we characterize the intracellular effectors of the antiproliferative activity of somatostatin in glioma cell lines and post-surgical specimens. The responsiveness to somatostatin correlated with the expression of the phosphotyrosine phosphatase DEP-1/PTPeta, identified in C6 and U87MG cells, in which somatostatin inhibited cell growth. The expression of a dominant negative mutant of DEP-1/PTPeta in C6 cells abolished somatostatin effects, confirming the involvement of this phosphotyrosine phosphatase in such effects. Somatostatin treatment increased the activity of DEP-1/PTPeta and inhibited ERK1/2 activation. Conversely, basic fibroblast growth factor-dependent MEK phosphorylation was not affected, suggesting a direct effect on ERK1/2. In vitro experiments showed that PTPeta was able to interact and dephosphorylate ERK1/2 activated by basic fibroblast growth factor. Furthermore, by transfecting PTPeta in the somatostatin-unresponsive, DEP-1/PTPeta-deficient U373MG cells, the somatostatin-dependent control of cell proliferation was recovered. Finally we evaluated the requirement for DEP-1/PTPeta in somatostatin inhibition of cell proliferation in post-surgical specimens derived from different grade human gliomas. Although all of the glioma analyzed expressed somatostatin receptor mRNA, DEP-1/PTPeta expression was limited to 8 of 22 of the tumors. Culturing seven gliomas, a correlation between the expression of DEP-1/PTPeta and the somatostatin antiproliferative effects was identified. In conclusion we propose that the expression and activation of DEP-1/PTPeta is required for somatostatin inhibition of glioma proliferation.

Antineoplastic effects of octreotide on human gallbladder cancer cells in vitro

AIM: To investigate whether octreotide can inhibit the growth of human gallbladder cancer cells in vitro and to elucidate the antineoplastic mechanism of octreotide in gallbladder cancer.

METHODS: A human gallbladder cancer cell line, GBC-SD, was cultured in vitro. The antiproliferative effects of octreotide were examined by means of an MTT assay and a colony forming ability assay. Morphological variation was investigated under scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Cell cycle analysis and apoptosis rate was evaluated by flow cytometry (FCM) after staining by propidium iodide. DNA fragmentation was assayed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to evaluate the expressions of mutant-type p53 and bcl-2.

RESULTS: The growth curve and colony forming ability assay showed significant inhibition of octreotide to the proliferation of GBC-SD cells in culture in a time- and dose-dependent manner. After exposure to octreotide, GBC-SD cells showed typically apoptotic characteristics, including morphological changes of chromatin condensation, vacuolar degeneration, nucleus fragmentation and apoptotic body formation. In FCM profile apoptotic cells showed increased sub-G₁ peaks in the octreotide group, significantly higher than the control group (P = 0.013). There was also an augmentation in the cell proportion of G₀/G₁ phase (P = 0.015), while the proportion of S phase and G₂/M phase remained unchanged (P = 0.057 and P = 0.280, respectively). DNA agarose gel electrophoresis displayed a ladder after exposure to 1 000 nmol/L octreotide. After being treated with octreotide, the expressions of both mutant-type p53 and bcl-2 decreased considering the percentage of positive cells (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Octreotide has a negative action to the proliferation of GBC-SD cells, and the mechanism may be related to cytostatic and cytotoxic effects. The reduction of mutant-type p53 and bcl-2 expressions may be associated with the apoptosis induced by octreotide.

Somatostatin receptors and regulation of cell proliferation

Somatostatin is an inhibitory neuropeptide, which acts on various targets throughout the body to regulate a variety of physiological functions including inhibition of endocrine and exocrine secretions, modulation of neurotransmission, motor and cognitive functions, inhibition of intestinal motility, absorption of nutrients and ions, vascular contractility and inhibition of normal and tumour cell proliferation. It exerts its effects through interaction with five somatostatin receptors (sst1-sst5), which belong to the family of G-protein-coupled receptors with seven transmembrane spanning domains and are variably expressed in a variety of tumours such as gastroenteropancreatic tumours, pituitary tumours, and carcinoid tumours. This review covers the present knowledge regarding the molecular mechanisms involved in somatostatin antineoplastic activity. Evidence that sst2 receptor acts as a tumour suppressor is also discussed.

Regulation of collagen synthesis in mouse skin fibroblasts by distinct angiotensin II receptor subtypes

We examined the possibility of whether angiotensin (Ang) II type 1 (AT1) and type 2 (AT2) receptor stimulation differentially regulates collagen production in mouse skin fibroblasts. Both AT1 and AT2 receptors were expressed in neonatal skin fibroblasts prepared from wild-type mice to a similar degree, and the AT1a receptor was exclusively expressed as opposed to the AT1b receptor. In wild-type fibroblasts, Ang II increased collagen synthesis accompanied by an increase in expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, and these increases were inhibited by valsartan, an AT1 receptor blocker, but augmented by PD123319, an AT2 receptor antagonist. Ang II decreased basal and IGF-I-induced collagen production and inhibited TIMP-1 expression in neonatal skin fibroblasts prepared from AT1a knockout (KO) mice. These Ang II-mediated inhibitory effects on collagen production and TIMP-1 expression observed in AT1a KO fibroblasts were attenuated by the addition of PD123319 or a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, sodium orthovanadate, but not affected by a serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitor, okadaic acid. Moreover, we demonstrated that transfection of a catalytically inactive, dominant negative SHP-1 (Src homology 2-containing protein-tyrosine phosphatase-1) mutant inhibited the Ang II-mediated inhibitory effect on both collagen synthesis and TIMP-1 expression in AT1a KO fibroblasts. These results suggest that AT1a receptor stimulation increases collagen production in skin fibroblasts at least in part due to the inhibition of collagen degradation via the increase in TIMP-1 expression, whereas AT2 receptor stimulation exerts inhibitory effects on TIMP-1 expression, which is mediated at least partially by the activation of SHP-1, thereby possibly inhibiting collagen production.

Angiotensin II mediates Tyr-dephosphorylation in rat fetal kidney membranes

Angiotensin II (Ang II) elicits a variety of physiological effects through specific Ang II receptors in numerous tissues. In addition, Ang II is a modulator of cellular growth and exerts a positive or negative effect on cell growth depending on which receptor subtype is activated. Expression of the intrarenal AT2 receptors occurs at its highest levels in the fetal kidney, with a rapid decline after birth. In the present paper, we performed a study on the signaling mechanism of Ang II receptors in rat fetal (E20) kidney, a rich source of AT2 receptors, where both Ang II receptor subtypes are present. Ang II induces Tyr-dephosphorylation of proteins in rat fetal kidney membranes. The response is dose-dependent, with a reduction of 20% with respect to the control (100%), signal that is completely reversed by Ang IIAT2 competitor PD123319. Orthovanadate, the inhibitor of phospho-Tyr-phosphatases (PTPase), reverts Ang II effect, suggesting the involvement of a protein tyrosine phosphatase. The peptide analog of Ang II, CGP42112, exhibits an agonist effect, which is dose-dependent. Thus, in rat fetal (E20) kidney, the Ang-induced protein Tyr-dephosphorylation of several proteins is mediated by AT2 receptors, mechanism that involves an orthovanadate sensitive PTPase.