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Shi W, Liu N, Liu Z, Yang Y, Zeng Q, Wang Y, Song L, Hu F, Fu J, Chen J, Wu M, Zhou L, Zhu F, Gong L, Zhu J, Jiang L, Lu H. Next-generation anti-PD-L1/IL-15 immunocytokine elicits superior antitumor immunity in cold tumors with minimal toxicity. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101531. [PMID: 38697105 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
The clinical applications of immunocytokines are severely restricted by dose-limiting toxicities. To address this challenge, here we propose a next-generation immunocytokine concept involving the design of LH05, a tumor-conditional anti-PD-L1/interleukin-15 (IL-15) prodrug. LH05 innovatively masks IL-15 with steric hindrance, mitigating the "cytokine sink" effect of IL-15 and reducing systemic toxicities associated with wild-type anti-PD-L1/IL-15. Moreover, upon specific proteolytic cleavage within the tumor microenvironment, LH05 releases an active IL-15 superagonist, exerting potent antitumor effects. Mechanistically, the antitumor efficacy of LH05 depends on the increased infiltration of CD8+ T and natural killer cells by stimulating the chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10, thereby converting cold tumors into hot tumors. Additionally, the tumor-conditional anti-PD-L1/IL-15 can synergize with an oncolytic virus or checkpoint blockade in advanced and metastatic tumor models. Our findings provide a compelling proof of concept for the development of next-generation immunocytokines, contributing significantly to current knowledge and strategies of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqiang Shi
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Drug Target Identification and Delivery, National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Nan Liu
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zexin Liu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Drug Target Identification and Delivery, National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yuqi Yang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; School of Pharmacy, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qiongya Zeng
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Drug Target Identification and Delivery, National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Drug Target Identification and Delivery, National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Luyao Song
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Drug Target Identification and Delivery, National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Fang Hu
- Hangzhou Converd Inc., Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
| | - Jin Fu
- Hangzhou Converd Inc., Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
| | - Junsheng Chen
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Mingyuan Wu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200023, China
| | - Fengping Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200052, China
| | - Likun Gong
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; School of Pharmacy, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jianwei Zhu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Long Jiang
- Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China.
| | - Huili Lu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Drug Target Identification and Delivery, National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
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Pham DD, Pham TH, Bui TH, Britikova EV, Britikov VV, Bocharov EV, Usanov SA, Phan VC, Le TBT. In vitro and in vivo anti-tumor effect of Trichobakin fused with urokinase-type plasminogen activator ATF-TBK. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:130. [PMID: 38236367 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-09036-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trichobakin (TBK), a member of type I ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs), was first successfully cloned from Trichosanthes sp Bac Kan 8-98 in Vietnam. Previous study has shown that TBK acts as a potential protein synthesis inhibitor; however, the inhibition efficiency and specificity of TBK on cancer cells remain to be fully elucidated. METHODS AND RESULTS In this work, we employed TBK and TBK conjugated with a part of the amino-terminal fragment (ATF) of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), which contains the Ω-loop that primarily interacts with urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor, and can be a powerful carrier in the drug delivery to cancer cells. Four different human tumor cell lines and BALB/c mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma cells (LLC) were used to evaluate the role of TBK and ATF-TBK in the inhibition of tumor growth. Here we showed that the obtained ligand fused RIP (ATF-TBK) reduced the growth of four human cancer cell lines in vitro in the uPA receptor level-dependent manner, including the breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB 231 cells and MCF7 cells, the prostate carcinoma LNCaP cells and the hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Furthermore, the conjugate showed anti-tumor activity and prolonged the survival time of tumor-bearing mice. The ATF-TBK also did not cause the death of mice with doses up to 48 mg/kg, and they were not significantly distinct on parameters of hematology and serum biochemistry between the control and experiment groups. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, ATF-TBK reduced the growth of four different human tumor cell lines and inhibited lung tumor growth in a mouse model with little side effects. Hence, the ATF-TBK may be a target to consider as an anti-cancer agent for clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Duc Pham
- Institute of Biotechnology (IBT), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18, Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thi Hue Pham
- Institute of Biotechnology (IBT), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18, Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thi Huyen Bui
- Institute of Biotechnology (IBT), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18, Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Elena V Britikova
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 220141, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Vladimir V Britikov
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 220141, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Eduard V Bocharov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 117997
| | - Sergey A Usanov
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 220141, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Van Chi Phan
- Institute of Biotechnology (IBT), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18, Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thi Bich Thao Le
- Institute of Biotechnology (IBT), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18, Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam.
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam.
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3
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Enhanced Expression of Plasminogen Activators and Inhibitor in the Healing of Tympanic Membrane Perforation in Rats. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 2023; 24:159-170. [PMID: 36810718 PMCID: PMC10121974 DOI: 10.1007/s10162-023-00891-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The significance of plasminogen activation during the tympanic membrane (TM) healing is known mainly from studies performed on knock-out mice. In the previous study, we reported activation of genes coding proteins of plasminogen activation and inhibition system in rat's TM perforation healing. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of protein products expressed by these genes and their tissue distribution using Western blotting and immunofluorescent method, respectively, during 10-day observation period after injury. Otomicroscopical and histological evaluation were employed to assess the healing process. The expression of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR) were significantly upregulated in the proliferation phase, with subsequent gradual attenuation during remodeling phase of healing process, when keratinocyte migration was weakening. The expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) also showed the highest levels during the proliferation phase. The increase of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) expression was observed during the whole observation period, with the highest activity during the remodeling phase. Immunofluorescence of these proteins was present mainly in migrating epithelium. Our study found that plasminogen activation (uPA, uPAR, tPA) and inhibitory (PAI-1) molecules form a well-structured regulatory system of the epithelial migration that is critical to the healing of TM after its perforation.
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Hindy G, Tyrrell DJ, Vasbinder A, Wei C, Presswalla F, Wang H, Blakely P, Ozel AB, Graham S, Holton GH, Dowsett J, Fahed AC, Amadi KM, Erne GK, Tekmulla A, Ismail A, Launius C, Sotoodehnia N, Pankow JS, Thørner LW, Erikstrup C, Pedersen OB, Banasik K, Brunak S, Ullum H, Eugen-Olsen J, Ostrowski SR, Haas ME, Nielsen JB, Lotta LA, Engström G, Melander O, Orho-Melander M, Zhao L, Murthy VL, Pinsky DJ, Willer CJ, Heckbert SR, Reiser J, Goldstein DR, Desch KC, Hayek SS. Increased soluble urokinase plasminogen activator levels modulate monocyte function to promote atherosclerosis. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:e158788. [PMID: 36194491 PMCID: PMC9754000 DOI: 10.1172/jci158788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
People with kidney disease are disproportionately affected by atherosclerosis for unclear reasons. Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is an immune-derived mediator of kidney disease, levels of which are strongly associated with cardiovascular outcomes. We assessed suPAR's pathogenic involvement in atherosclerosis using epidemiologic, genetic, and experimental approaches. We found serum suPAR levels to be predictive of coronary artery calcification and cardiovascular events in 5,406 participants without known coronary disease. In a genome-wide association meta-analysis including over 25,000 individuals, we identified a missense variant in the plasminogen activator, urokinase receptor (PLAUR) gene (rs4760), confirmed experimentally to lead to higher suPAR levels. Mendelian randomization analysis in the UK Biobank using rs4760 indicated a causal association between genetically predicted suPAR levels and atherosclerotic phenotypes. In an experimental model of atherosclerosis, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin-9 (Pcsk9) transfection in mice overexpressing suPAR (suPARTg) led to substantially increased atherosclerotic plaques with necrotic cores and macrophage infiltration compared with those in WT mice, despite similar cholesterol levels. Prior to induction of atherosclerosis, aortas of suPARTg mice excreted higher levels of CCL2 and had higher monocyte counts compared with WT aortas. Aortic and circulating suPARTg monocytes exhibited a proinflammatory profile and enhanced chemotaxis. These findings characterize suPAR as a pathogenic factor for atherosclerosis acting at least partially through modulation of monocyte function.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Hindy
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
- Department of Population Medicine, Qatar University College of Medicine, QU Health, Doha, Qatar
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Daniel J. Tyrrell
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Alexi Vasbinder
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Changli Wei
- Department of Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Feriel Presswalla
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Hui Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Pennelope Blakely
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Ayse Bilge Ozel
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Sarah Graham
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Grace H. Holton
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Joseph Dowsett
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Akl C. Fahed
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kingsley-Michael Amadi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Grace K. Erne
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Annika Tekmulla
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Anis Ismail
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Christopher Launius
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Nona Sotoodehnia
- Cardiovascular Health Research Unit, Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - James S. Pankow
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Lise Wegner Thørner
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Karina Banasik
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Søren Brunak
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Jesper Eugen-Olsen
- Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Sisse Rye Ostrowski
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Mary E. Haas
- Regeneron Genetics Center, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., Tarrytown, New York, USA
| | - Jonas B. Nielsen
- Regeneron Genetics Center, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., Tarrytown, New York, USA
| | - Luca A. Lotta
- Regeneron Genetics Center, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., Tarrytown, New York, USA
| | | | - Gunnar Engström
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Olle Melander
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | | | - Lili Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Venkatesh L. Murthy
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - David J. Pinsky
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Cristen J. Willer
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Susan R. Heckbert
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jochen Reiser
- Department of Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Daniel R. Goldstein
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Karl C. Desch
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Salim S. Hayek
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Meng Z, Li Z, Guo S, Wu D, Wei R, Liu J, Hu L, Sui L. MED1 Ablation Promotes Oral Mucosal Wound Healing via JNK Signaling Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13414. [PMID: 36362197 PMCID: PMC9655393 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Mediator complex subunit 1 (MED1) is a coactivator of multiple transcription factors and plays a key role in regulating epidermal homeostasis as well as skin wound healing. It is unknown, however, whether it plays a role in healing oral mucosal wounds. In this study, we investigate MED1's functional effects on oral mucosal wound healing and its underlying mechanism. The epithelial-specific MED1 null (Med1epi-/-) mice were established using the Cre-loxP system with C57/BL6 background. A 3 mm diameter wound was made in the cheek mucosa of the 8-week-old mice. In vivo experiments were conducted using HE staining and immunostaining with Ki67 and uPAR antibodies. The in vitro study used lentiviral transduction, scratch assays, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting to reveal the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that ablation of MED1 accelerated oral mucosal wound healing in 8-week-old mice. As a result of ablation of MED1, Activin A/Follistatin expression was altered, resulting in an activation of the JNK/c-Jun pathway. Similarly, knockdown of MED1 enhanced the proliferation and migration of keratinocytes in vitro, promoting re-epithelialization, which accelerates the healing of oral mucosal wounds. Our study reveals a novel role for MED1 in oral keratinocytes, providing a new molecular therapeutic target for accelerated wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaosong Meng
- School of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300014, China
| | - Zhe Li
- School of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300014, China
| | - Shuling Guo
- School of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300014, China
| | - Danfeng Wu
- School of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300014, China
| | - Ran Wei
- School of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300014, China
| | - Jiacheng Liu
- School of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300014, China
| | - Lizhi Hu
- Immunology Department, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300014, China
| | - Lei Sui
- School of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300014, China
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6
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Liao TH, Wu HC, Liao MT, Hu WC, Tsai KW, Lin CC, Lu KC. The Perspective of Vitamin D on suPAR-Related AKI in COVID-19. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810725. [PMID: 36142634 PMCID: PMC9500944 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has claimed the lives of millions of people around the world. Severe vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of death in people with COVID-19. There is growing evidence that acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in COVID-19 patients and is associated with poorer clinical outcomes. The kidney effects of SARS-CoV-2 are directly mediated by angiotensin 2-converting enzyme (ACE2) receptors. AKI is also caused by indirect causes such as the hypercoagulable state and microvascular thrombosis. The increased release of soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) from immature myeloid cells reduces plasminogen activation by the competitive inhibition of urokinase-type plasminogen activator, which results in low plasmin levels and a fibrinolytic state in COVID-19. Frequent hypercoagulability in critically ill patients with COVID-19 may exacerbate the severity of thrombosis. Versican expression in proximal tubular cells leads to the proliferation of interstitial fibroblasts through the C3a and suPAR pathways. Vitamin D attenuates the local expression of podocyte uPAR and decreases elevated circulating suPAR levels caused by systemic inflammation. This decrease preserves the function and structure of the glomerular barrier, thereby maintaining renal function. The attenuated hyperinflammatory state reduces complement activation, resulting in lower serum C3a levels. Vitamin D can also protect against COVID-19 by modulating innate and adaptive immunity, increasing ACE2 expression, and inhibiting the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system. We hypothesized that by reducing suPAR levels, appropriate vitamin D supplementation could prevent the progression and reduce the severity of AKI in COVID-19 patients, although the data available require further elucidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Hsien Liao
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City 231, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Chang Wu
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City 231, Taiwan
- School of Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan
| | - Min-Tser Liao
- Department of Pediatrics, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital Hsinchu Branch, Hsinchu City 300, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Chung Hu
- Department of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City 231, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Wang Tsai
- Department of Research, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City 231, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Chieh Lin
- Department of Chest Medicine, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital Hsinchu Branch, Hsinchu City 300, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Cheng Lu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City 231, Taiwan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University Hospital, School of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
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7
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Kim JH, Green DS, Ju YM, Harrison M, Vaughan JW, Atala A, Lee SJ, Jackson JD, Nykiforuk C, Yoo JJ. Identification and characterization of stem cell secretome-based recombinant proteins for wound healing applications. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:954682. [PMID: 35935504 PMCID: PMC9354600 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.954682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cells have been introduced as a promising therapy for acute and chronic wounds, including burn injuries. The effects of stem cell-based wound therapies are believed to result from the secreted bioactive molecules produced by stem cells. Therefore, treatments using stem cell-derived conditioned medium (CM) (referred to as secretome) have been proposed as an alternative option for wound care. However, safety and regulatory concerns exist due to the uncharacterized biochemical content and variability across different batches of CM samples. This study presents an alternative treatment strategy to mitigate these concerns by using fully characterized recombinant proteins identified by the CM analysis to promote pro-regenerative healing. This study analyzed the secretome profile generated from human placental stem cell (hPSC) cultures and identified nine predominantly expressed proteins (ANG-1, FGF-7, Follistatin, HGF, IL-6, Insulin, TGFβ-1, uPAR, and VEGF) that are known to contribute to wound healing and angiogenesis. These proteins, referred to as s (CMFs), were used in combination to test the effects on human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). Our results showed that CMF treatment increased the HDF growth and accelerated cell migration and wound closure, similar to stem cell and CM treatments. In addition, the CMF treatment promoted angiogenesis by enhancing new vessel formation. These findings suggest that the defined CMF identified by the CM proteomic analysis could be an effective therapeutic solution for wound healing applications. Our strategy eliminates the regulatory concerns present with stem cell-derived secretomes and could be developed as an off-the-shelf product for immediate wound care and accelerating healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hyun Kim
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: Ji Hyun Kim,
| | - Denethia S. Green
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Young Min Ju
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Mollie Harrison
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - J. William Vaughan
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Anthony Atala
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Sang Jin Lee
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - John D. Jackson
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | | | - James J. Yoo
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
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8
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Metrangolo V, Ploug M, Engelholm LH. The Urokinase Receptor (uPAR) as a "Trojan Horse" in Targeted Cancer Therapy: Challenges and Opportunities. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215376. [PMID: 34771541 PMCID: PMC8582577 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Discovered more than three decades ago, the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) has now firmly established itself as a versatile molecular target holding promise for the treatment of aggressive malignancies. The copious abundance of uPAR in virtually all human cancerous tissues versus their healthy counterparts has fostered a gradual shift in the therapeutic landscape targeting this receptor from function inhibition to cytotoxic approaches to selectively eradicate the uPAR-expressing cells by delivering a targeted cytotoxic insult. Multiple avenues are being explored in a preclinical setting, including the more innovative immune- or stroma targeting therapies. This review discusses the current state of these strategies, their potentialities, and challenges, along with future directions in the field of uPAR targeting. Abstract One of the largest challenges to the implementation of precision oncology is identifying and validating selective tumor-driving targets to enhance the therapeutic efficacy while limiting off-target toxicity. In this context, the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) has progressively emerged as a promising therapeutic target in the management of aggressive malignancies. By focalizing the plasminogen activation cascade and subsequent extracellular proteolysis on the cell surface of migrating cells, uPAR endows malignant cells with a high proteolytic and migratory potential to dissolve the restraining extracellular matrix (ECM) barriers and metastasize to distant sites. uPAR is also assumed to choreograph multiple other neoplastic stages via a complex molecular interplay with distinct cancer-associated signaling pathways. Accordingly, high uPAR expression is observed in virtually all human cancers and is frequently associated with poor patient prognosis and survival. The promising therapeutic potential unveiled by the pleiotropic nature of this receptor has prompted the development of distinct targeted intervention strategies. The present review will focus on recently emerged cytotoxic approaches emphasizing the novel technologies and related limits hindering their application in the clinical setting. Finally, future research directions and emerging opportunities in the field of uPAR targeting are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Metrangolo
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.M.); (M.P.)
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Ploug
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.M.); (M.P.)
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars H. Engelholm
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (V.M.); (M.P.)
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-31-43-20-77
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9
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Leth JM, Ploug M. Targeting the Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor (uPAR) in Human Diseases With a View to Non-invasive Imaging and Therapeutic Intervention. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:732015. [PMID: 34490277 PMCID: PMC8417595 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.732015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction between the serine protease urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its glycolipid-anchored receptor (uPAR) focalizes plasminogen activation to cell surfaces, thereby regulating extravascular fibrinolysis, cell adhesion, and migration. uPAR belongs to the Ly6/uPAR (LU) gene superfamily and the high-affinity binding site for uPA is assembled by a dynamic association of its three consecutive LU domains. In most human solid cancers, uPAR is expressed at the invasive areas of the tumor-stromal microenvironment. High levels of uPAR in resected tumors or shed to the plasma of cancer patients are robustly associated with poor prognosis and increased risk of relapse and metastasis. Over the years, a plethora of different strategies to inhibit uPA and uPAR function have been designed and investigated in vitro and in vivo in mouse models, but so far none have been implemented in the clinics. In recent years, uPAR-targeting with the intent of cytotoxic eradication of uPAR-expressing cells have nonetheless gained increasing momentum. Another avenue that is currently being explored is non-invasive imaging with specific uPAR-targeted reporter-molecules containing positron emitting radionuclides or near-infrared (NIR) florescence probes with the overarching aim of being able to: (i) localize disease dissemination using positron emission tomography (PET) and (ii) assist fluorescence guided surgery using optical imaging. In this review, we will discuss these advancements with special emphasis on applications using a small 9-mer peptide antagonist that targets uPAR with high affinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Maja Leth
- Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Ploug
- Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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10
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Diaz A, Merino P, McCann P, Yepes MA, Quiceno LG, Torre E, Tomkins A, Zhang X, Hales CM, Tong FC, Yepes M. Urokinase-type plasminogen activator promotes N-cadherin-mediated synaptic recovery in the ischemic brain. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2021; 41:2381-2394. [PMID: 33757316 PMCID: PMC8393294 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x211002297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) is a serine proteinase that catalyzes the generation of plasmin on the cell surface and activates cell signaling pathways that promote remodeling and repair. Neuronal cadherin (NCAD) is a transmembrane protein that in the mature brain mediates the formation of synaptic contacts in the II/III and V cortical layers. Our studies show that uPA is preferentially found in the II/III and V cortical laminae of the gyrencephalic cortex of the non-human primate. Furthermore, we found that in murine cerebral cortical neurons and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons prepared from healthy human donors, most of this uPA is associated with pre-synaptic vesicles. Our in vivo experiments revealed that in both, the gyrencephalic cortex of the non-human primate and the lissecephalic murine brain, cerebral ischemia decreases the number of intact synaptic contacts and the expression of uPA and NCAD in a band of tissue surrounding the necrotic core. Additionally, our in vitro data show that uPA induces the synthesis of NCAD in cerebral cortical neurons, and in line with these observations, intravenous treatment with recombinant uPA three hours after the onset of cerebral ischemia induces NCAD-mediated repair of synaptic contacts in the area surrounding the necrotic core.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Diaz
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Paola Merino
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Patrick McCann
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Manuel A Yepes
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Laura G Quiceno
- Department of Neurology & Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Enrique Torre
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Amelia Tomkins
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Chadwick M Hales
- Department of Neurology & Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Frank C Tong
- Departments of Radiology and Neurosurgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Manuel Yepes
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Neurology & Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Manuel Yepes, Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, 954 Gatewood Road-NE, Atlanta, GA 30329-4208, USA.
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11
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Yaron JR, Zhang L, Guo Q, Haydel SE, Lucas AR. Fibrinolytic Serine Proteases, Therapeutic Serpins and Inflammation: Fire Dancers and Firestorms. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:648947. [PMID: 33869309 PMCID: PMC8044766 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.648947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The making and breaking of clots orchestrated by the thrombotic and thrombolytic serine protease cascades are critical determinants of morbidity and mortality during infection and with vascular or tissue injury. Both the clot forming (thrombotic) and the clot dissolving (thrombolytic or fibrinolytic) cascades are composed of a highly sensitive and complex relationship of sequentially activated serine proteases and their regulatory inhibitors in the circulating blood. The proteases and inhibitors interact continuously throughout all branches of the cardiovascular system in the human body, representing one of the most abundant groups of proteins in the blood. There is an intricate interaction of the coagulation cascades with endothelial cell surface receptors lining the vascular tree, circulating immune cells, platelets and connective tissue encasing the arterial layers. Beyond their role in control of bleeding and clotting, the thrombotic and thrombolytic cascades initiate immune cell responses, representing a front line, "off-the-shelf" system for inducing inflammatory responses. These hemostatic pathways are one of the first response systems after injury with the fibrinolytic cascade being one of the earliest to evolve in primordial immune responses. An equally important contributor and parallel ancient component of these thrombotic and thrombolytic serine protease cascades are the serine protease inhibitors, termed serpins. Serpins are metastable suicide inhibitors with ubiquitous roles in coagulation and fibrinolysis as well as multiple central regulatory pathways throughout the body. Serpins are now known to also modulate the immune response, either via control of thrombotic and thrombolytic cascades or via direct effects on cellular phenotypes, among many other functions. Here we review the co-evolution of the thrombolytic cascade and the immune response in disease and in treatment. We will focus on the relevance of these recent advances in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 is a "respiratory" coronavirus that causes extensive cardiovascular pathogenesis, with microthrombi throughout the vascular tree, resulting in severe and potentially fatal coagulopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan R. Yaron
- Center for Personalized Diagnostics and Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Liqiang Zhang
- Center for Personalized Diagnostics and Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Qiuyun Guo
- Center for Personalized Diagnostics and Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Shelley E. Haydel
- Center for Bioelectronics and Biosensors, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Alexandra R. Lucas
- Center for Personalized Diagnostics and Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
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12
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Ito D, Ito H, Ideta T, Kanbe A, Ninomiya S, Shimizu M. Systemic and topical administration of spermidine accelerates skin wound healing. Cell Commun Signal 2021; 19:36. [PMID: 33752688 PMCID: PMC7986284 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-021-00717-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The skin wound healing process is regulated by various cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. Recent reports have demonstrated that spermine/spermidine (SPD) promote wound healing through urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA)/uPA receptor (uPAR) signaling in vitro. Here, we investigated whether the systemic and topical administration of SPD would accelerate the skin wound-repair process in vivo. METHODS A skin wound repair model was established using C57BL/6 J mice. SPD was mixed with white petrolatum for topical administration. For systemic administration, SPD mixed with drinking water was orally administered. Changes in wound size over time were calculated using digital photography. RESULTS Systemic and topical SPD treatment significantly accelerated skin wound healing. The administration of SPD promoted the uPA/uPAR pathway in wound sites. Moreover, topical treatment with SPD enhanced the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in wound sites. Scratch and cell proliferation assays revealed that SPD administration accelerated scratch wound closure and cell proliferation in vitro. CONCLUSION These results indicate that treatment with SPD promotes skin wound healing through activation of the uPA/uPAR pathway and induction of the inflammatory response in wound sites. The administration of SPD might contribute to new effective treatments to accelerate skin wound healing. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Ito
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Yanagido, Gifu City, 501-1194 Japan
| | - Hiroyasu Ito
- Department of Joint Research Laboratory of Clinical Medicine, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, 1-98 Dengakugakubo, Kutsukake-cho, Toyoake, Aichi City, 470-1192 Japan
| | - Takayasu Ideta
- Department of Informative Clinical Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Yanagido, Gifu City, 501-1194 Japan
| | - Ayumu Kanbe
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Gifu University Hospital, Yanagido, Gifu City, 501-1194 Japan
| | - Soranobu Ninomiya
- Department of Informative Clinical Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Yanagido, Gifu City, 501-1194 Japan
| | - Masahito Shimizu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Yanagido, Gifu City, 501-1194 Japan
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13
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Azam TU, Shadid HR, Blakely P, O'Hayer P, Berlin H, Pan M, Zhao P, Zhao L, Pennathur S, Pop-Busui R, Altintas I, Tingleff J, Stauning MA, Andersen O, Adami ME, Solomonidi N, Tsilika M, Tober-Lau P, Arnaoutoglou E, Keitel V, Tacke F, Chalkias A, Loosen SH, Giamarellos-Bourboulis EJ, Eugen-Olsen J, Reiser J, Hayek SS. Soluble Urokinase Receptor (SuPAR) in COVID-19-Related AKI. J Am Soc Nephrol 2020; 31:2725-2735. [PMID: 32963090 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2020060829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AKI commonly occurs in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Its pathogenesis is poorly understood. The urokinase receptor system is a key regulator of the intersection between inflammation, immunity, and coagulation, and soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) has been identified as an immunologic risk factor for AKI. Whether suPAR is associated with COVID-19-related AKI is unknown. METHODS In a multinational observational study of adult patients hospitalized for COVID-19, we measured suPAR levels in plasma samples from 352 adult patients that had been collected within 48 hours of admission. We examined the association between suPAR levels and incident in-hospital AKI. RESULTS Of the 352 patients (57.4% were male, 13.9% were black, and mean age was 61 years), 91 (25.9%) developed AKI during their hospitalization, of whom 25 (27.4%) required dialysis. The median suPAR level was 5.61 ng/ml. AKI incidence rose with increasing suPAR tertiles, from a 6.0% incidence in patients with suPAR <4.60 ng/ml (first tertile) to a 45.8% incidence of AKI in patients with suPAR levels >6.86 ng/ml (third tertile). None of the patients with suPAR <4.60 ng/ml required dialysis during their hospitalization. In multivariable analysis, the highest suPAR tertile was associated with a 9.15-fold increase in the odds of AKI (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 3.64 to 22.93) and a 22.86-fold increase in the odds of requiring dialysis (95% CI, 2.77 to 188.75). The association was independent of inflammatory markers and persisted across subgroups. CONCLUSIONS Admission suPAR levels in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 are predictive of in-hospital AKI and the need for dialysis. SuPAR may be a key component of the pathophysiology of AKI in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tariq U Azam
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Husam R Shadid
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Pennelope Blakely
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Patrick O'Hayer
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Hanna Berlin
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Michael Pan
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Peiyao Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Lili Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Subramaniam Pennathur
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Rodica Pop-Busui
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Izzet Altintas
- Emergency Department, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Jens Tingleff
- Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Marius A Stauning
- Emergency Department, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Ove Andersen
- Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Maria-Evangelia Adami
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nicky Solomonidi
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Tsilika
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Pinkus Tober-Lau
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eleni Arnaoutoglou
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Thessaly, Greece
| | - Verena Keitel
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Athanasios Chalkias
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Thessaly, Greece
| | - Sven H Loosen
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Jesper Eugen-Olsen
- Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Jochen Reiser
- Department of Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Salim S Hayek
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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14
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Alpízar-Alpízar W, Skindersoe ME, Rasmussen L, Kriegbaum MC, Christensen IJ, Lund IK, Illemann M, Laerum OD, Krogfelt KA, Andersen LP, Ploug M. Helicobacter pylori Colonization Drives Urokinase Receptor (uPAR) Expression in Murine Gastric Epithelium During Early Pathogenesis. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8071019. [PMID: 32660136 PMCID: PMC7409347 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8071019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Persistent Helicobacter pylori infection is the most important risk factor for gastric cancer. The urokinase receptor (uPAR) is upregulated in lesions harboring cancer invasion and inflammation. Circumstantial evidence tends to correlate H. pylori colonization with increased uPAR expression in the human gastric epithelium, but a direct causative link has not yet been established in vivo; (2) Methods: In a mouse model of H. pylori-induced gastritis, we investigated the temporal emergence of uPAR protein expression in the gastric mucosa in response to H. pylori (SS1 strain) infection; (3) Results: We observed intense uPAR immunoreactivity in foveolar epithelial cells of the gastric corpus due to de novo synthesis, compared to non-infected animals. This uPAR induction represents a very early response, but it increases progressively over time as do infiltrating immune cells. Eradication of H. pylori infection by antimicrobial therapy causes a regression of uPAR expression to its physiological baseline levels. Suppression of the inflammatory response by prostaglandin E2 treatment attenuates uPAR expression. Notwithstanding this relationship, H. pylori does induce uPAR expression in vitro in co-cultures with gastric cancer cell lines; (4) Conclusions: We showed that persistent H. pylori colonization is a necessary event for the emergence of a relatively high uPAR protein expression in murine gastric epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warner Alpízar-Alpízar
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.C.K.); (I.J.C); (I.K.L.); (M.I.); (O.D.L.)
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre for Research on Microscopic Structures (CIEMic) and Department of Biochemistry, University of Costa Rica, 2060 San José, Costa Rica
- Correspondence: (W.A.-A.); (M.P.)
| | - Mette E. Skindersoe
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institute, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.E.S.); (K.A.K.)
- Bacthera, Kogle Allé 6, 2970 Hoersholm, Denmark
| | - Lone Rasmussen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (L.P.A.); (L.R.)
| | - Mette C. Kriegbaum
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.C.K.); (I.J.C); (I.K.L.); (M.I.); (O.D.L.)
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ib J. Christensen
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.C.K.); (I.J.C); (I.K.L.); (M.I.); (O.D.L.)
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2650 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ida K. Lund
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.C.K.); (I.J.C); (I.K.L.); (M.I.); (O.D.L.)
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martin Illemann
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.C.K.); (I.J.C); (I.K.L.); (M.I.); (O.D.L.)
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ole D. Laerum
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.C.K.); (I.J.C); (I.K.L.); (M.I.); (O.D.L.)
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Karen A. Krogfelt
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institute, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.E.S.); (K.A.K.)
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
- Department of Virus and microbiological Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institute, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Leif P. Andersen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (L.P.A.); (L.R.)
| | - Michael Ploug
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.C.K.); (I.J.C); (I.K.L.); (M.I.); (O.D.L.)
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: (W.A.-A.); (M.P.)
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15
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Identification and preclinical development of an anti-proteolytic uPA antibody for rheumatoid arthritis. J Mol Med (Berl) 2020; 98:585-593. [PMID: 32108909 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-020-01889-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Blocking the proteolytic capacity of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) with a monoclonal antibody (mAb) reduces arthritis progression in the collagen-induced mouse arthritis model to an extent that is on par with the effect of blocking tumor necrosis factor-alpha by etanercept. Seeking to develop a novel therapy for rheumatoid arthritis, a humanized mAb, NNC0266-0043, was selected for its dual inhibition of both the zymogen activation and the proteolytic capacity of human uPA. The antibody revealed nonlinear elimination kinetics in cynomolgus monkeys consistent with binding to and turnover of endogenous uPA. At a dose level of 20.6 mg kg-1, the antibody had a plasma half-life of 210 h. Plasma uPA activity, a pharmacodynamic marker of anti-uPA therapy, was reduced to below the detection limit during treatment, indicating that an efficacious plasma concentration was reached. Pharmacokinetic modeling predicted that sufficient antibody levels can be sustained in arthritis patients dosed subcutaneously once weekly. The anti-uPA mAb was also well tolerated in cynomolgus monkeys at weekly doses up to 200 mg kg-1 over 4 weeks. The data from cynomolgus monkeys and from human material presented here indicates that anti-uPA mAb NNC0266-0043 is suitable for clinical testing as a novel therapeutic for rheumatic diseases. KEY MESSAGES: Background: Anti-uPA therapy is on par with etanercept in a mouse arthritis model. A new humanized antibody blocks activation and proteolytic activity of human uPA. The antibody represents a radically novel mode-of-action in anti-rheumatic therapy. The antibody has PK/PD properties in primates consistent with QW clinical dosing.
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16
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Semina EV, Rubina KA, Shmakova AA, Rysenkova KD, Klimovich PS, Aleksanrushkina NA, Sysoeva VY, Karagyaur MN, Tkachuk VA. Downregulation of uPAR promotes urokinase translocation into the nucleus and epithelial to mesenchymal transition in neuroblastoma. J Cell Physiol 2020; 235:6268-6286. [PMID: 31990070 PMCID: PMC7318179 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The urokinase system is involved in a variety of physiological processes, such as fibrinolysis, matrix remodeling, wound healing, and regeneration. Upon binding to its cognate receptor urokinase‐type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA) catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin and the activation of matrix metalloproteases. Apart from this, uPA–uPAR interaction can lead to the activation of transcription factors, mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling pathways and RTK cascades. Elevated expression of uPA and uPAR is markedly associated with cancer progression and metastasis and correlates with a poor prognosis in clinics. Targeting the urokinase system has proved to be effective in experimental models in vitro and in vivo, however, in clinics the inhibition of the uPA/uPAR system has fallen short of expectations, suggesting that the question of the functional relevance of uPA/uPAR system is far from being moot. Recently, using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, we have shown that uPAR knockout decreases the proliferation of neuroblastoma Neuro2a cells in vitro. In the present study we demonstrate that uPAR expression is essential for maintaining the epithelial phenotype in Neuro2a cells and that uPAR silencing promotes epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and increased cell migration. Accordingly, uPAR knockout results in the downregulation of epithelial markers (E‐cadherin, occludin, and claudin‐5) and in the increase of mesenchymal markers (N‐cadherin, α‐smooth muscle actin, and interleukin‐6). In search of the molecular mechanism underlying these changes, we identified uPA as a key component. Two key insights emerged as a result of this work: in the absence of uPAR, uPA is translocated into the nucleus where it is presumably involved in the activation of transcription factors (nuclear factor κB and Snail) resulting in EMT. In uPAR‐expressing cells, uPAR functions as a uPA “trap” that binds uPA on the cell surface and promotes controlled uPA internalization and degradation in lysosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina V Semina
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Institute of Experimental Cardiology, Federal State Budgetary Organization National Cardiology Research Center Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Kseniya A Rubina
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,Laboratory of Morohogenesis and Tissue Reparation, Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna A Shmakova
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Institute of Experimental Cardiology, Federal State Budgetary Organization National Cardiology Research Center Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Karina D Rysenkova
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Institute of Experimental Cardiology, Federal State Budgetary Organization National Cardiology Research Center Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Polina S Klimovich
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Institute of Experimental Cardiology, Federal State Budgetary Organization National Cardiology Research Center Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalya A Aleksanrushkina
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Veronika Y Sysoeva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maxim N Karagyaur
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vsevolod A Tkachuk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Institute of Experimental Cardiology, Federal State Budgetary Organization National Cardiology Research Center Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
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17
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Harel ET, Drake PM, Barfield RM, Lui I, Farr-Jones S, Van’t Veer L, Gartner ZJ, Green EM, Lourenço AL, Cheng Y, Hann BC, Rabuka D, Craik CS. Antibody-Drug Conjugates Targeting the Urokinase Receptor (uPAR) as a Possible Treatment of Aggressive Breast Cancer. Antibodies (Basel) 2019; 8:antib8040054. [PMID: 31694242 PMCID: PMC6963874 DOI: 10.3390/antib8040054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A promising molecular target for aggressive cancers is the urokinase receptor (uPAR). A fully human, recombinant antibody that binds uPAR to form a stable complex that blocks uPA-uPAR interactions (2G10) and is internalized primarily through endocytosis showed efficacy in a mouse xenograft model of highly aggressive, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) of 2G10 were designed and produced bearing tubulin inhibitor payloads ligated through seven different linkers. Aldehyde tag technology was employed for linking, and either one or two tags were inserted into the antibody heavy chain, to produce site-specifically conjugated ADCs with drug-to-antibody ratios of either two or four. Both cleavable and non-cleavable linkers were combined with two different antimitotic toxins—MMAE (monomethylauristatin E) and maytansine. Nine different 2G10 ADCs were produced and tested for their ability to target uPAR in cell-based assays and a mouse model. The anti-uPAR ADC that resulted in tumor regression comprised an MMAE payload with a cathepsin B cleavable linker, 2G10-RED-244-MMAE. This work demonstrates in vitro activity of the 2G10-RED-244-MMAE in TNBC cell lines and validates uPAR as a therapeutic target for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efrat T. Harel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; (E.T.H.); (I.L.); (Z.J.G.); (A.L.L.)
| | - Penelope M. Drake
- Catalent Biologics, West, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA; (P.M.D.); (R.M.B.); (D.R.)
| | - Robyn M. Barfield
- Catalent Biologics, West, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA; (P.M.D.); (R.M.B.); (D.R.)
| | - Irene Lui
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; (E.T.H.); (I.L.); (Z.J.G.); (A.L.L.)
| | - Shauna Farr-Jones
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA;
| | - Laura Van’t Veer
- Laboratory Medicine, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA;
| | - Zev J. Gartner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; (E.T.H.); (I.L.); (Z.J.G.); (A.L.L.)
| | - Evan M. Green
- Biophysics Graduate Program and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA;
| | - André Luiz Lourenço
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; (E.T.H.); (I.L.); (Z.J.G.); (A.L.L.)
| | - Yifan Cheng
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California San Francisco, and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA;
| | - Byron C. Hann
- Preclinical Therapeutics Core, UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA;
| | - David Rabuka
- Catalent Biologics, West, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA; (P.M.D.); (R.M.B.); (D.R.)
| | - Charles S. Craik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; (E.T.H.); (I.L.); (Z.J.G.); (A.L.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-415-476-8146
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18
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Wacker A, Bauder-Wüst U, Schäfer M, Schmidt J, Remde Y, Stadlbauer S, Eder M, Liolios C, Kopka K. Designing tracers for PET imaging of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor from a cyclic uPA-derived peptide: first in vitro evaluations. J Labelled Comp Radiopharm 2019; 62:483-494. [PMID: 30970388 DOI: 10.1002/jlcr.3735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The treatment of cancer remains a major challenge, especially after tumour cell dissemination and metastases formation. Expression of the urokinase-type plasminogen activation system including urokinase (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR) has been associated with the complex process of cell migration, a tumour's invasive potential as well as a reduced overall and disease-free survival of patients with solid cancers and haematological disorders. A cyclic peptide cyclo[21,29][d-Cys21 ,Cys29 ]-uPA21-30 was designed from the growth factor-like domain (GFD) of urokinase whose binding to uPAR was found to inhibit tumour growth and spread of human ovarian cancer cells in mice. With the aim of visualising uPAR expression using PET imaging to attempt an estimate on the tumour's aggressiveness, the cyclic peptide was modified with an either C- or N-terminally attached variable spacer and chelator. The free ligands were evaluated for their binding affinities to the isolated human uPAR and labelled with 68 Ga and 177 Lu to assess their lipophilicities and stabilities in human serum. Although retaining the full binding potential displayed by cyclo[21,29][d-Cys21 ,Cys29 ]-uPA21-30 to its target was found to be a challenging task upon both C- and N-terminal modification, chelator-bearing ligands were identified that can serve as promising starting points in the development of uPAR-addressing PET tracers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Wacker
- Division of Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Bauder-Wüst
- Division of Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Schäfer
- Division of Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jana Schmidt
- Division of Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yvonne Remde
- Division of Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sven Stadlbauer
- Division of Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Eder
- Department of Radiopharmaca Development, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Clinic of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christos Liolios
- Division of Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Klaus Kopka
- Division of Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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19
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Stronati L, Palone F, Negroni A, Colantoni E, Mancuso AB, Cucchiara S, Cesi V, Isoldi S, Vitali R. Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Improves Intestinal Mucosal Healing by Modulating Extracellular Matrix Remodeling Genes and Restoring Epithelial Barrier Functions. Front Immunol 2019; 10:939. [PMID: 31105713 PMCID: PMC6498413 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gut mucosal healing (MH) is considered a key therapeutic target and prognostic parameter in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The dipotassium glycyrrhizate (DPG), a salt of the glycoconjugated triterpene glycyrrhizin, has been shown to inhibit the High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) protein, an allarmin strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of most inflammatory and auto-immune disorders. Here we discuss new insights on how DPG acts on MH comparing the acute phase and the recovery phase from experimental colitis in mice. We found that DPG strongly accelerates MH by differently regulating pro-inflammatory (CXCL1, CXCL3, CXCL5, PTGS2, IL-1β, IL-6, CCL12, CCL7) and wound healing (COL3A1, MMP9, VTN, PLAUR, SERPINE, CSF3, FGF2, FGF7, PLAT, TIMP1) genes as observed only during the recovery phase of colitis. Relevant issue is the identification of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling genes, VTN, and PLAUR, as crucial genes to achieve MH during DPG treatment. Furthermore, a noticeable recovery of intestinal epithelial barrier structural organization, wound repair ability, and functionality is observed in two human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines exposed to DPG during inflammation. Thus, our study identifies DPG as a potent tool for controlling intestinal inflammation and improving MH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Stronati
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Palone
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Negroni
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, Territorial and Production Systems Sustainability Department, ENEA, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Colantoni
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Barbara Mancuso
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cucchiara
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cesi
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, Territorial and Production Systems Sustainability Department, ENEA, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Isoldi
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Vitali
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, Territorial and Production Systems Sustainability Department, ENEA, Rome, Italy
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20
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Lim HK, Rahim AB, Leo VI, Das S, Lim TC, Uemura T, Igarashi K, Common J, Vardy LA. Polyamine Regulator AMD1 Promotes Cell Migration in Epidermal Wound Healing. J Invest Dermatol 2018; 138:2653-2665. [PMID: 29906410 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2018.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 04/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Wound healing is a dynamic process involving gene-expression changes that drive re-epithelialization. Here, we describe an essential role for polyamine regulator AMD1 in driving cell migration at the wound edge. The polyamines, putrescine, spermidine, and spermine are small cationic molecules that play essential roles in many cellular processes. We demonstrate that AMD1 is rapidly upregulated following wounding in human skin biopsies. Knockdown of AMD1 with small hairpin RNAs causes a delay in cell migration that is rescued by the addition of spermine. We further show that spermine can promote cell migration in keratinocytes and in human ex vivo wounds, where it significantly increases epithelial tongue migration. Knockdown of AMD1 prevents the upregulation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator/urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor on wounding and results in a failure in actin cytoskeletal reorganization at the wound edge. We demonstrate that keratinocytes respond to wounding by modulating polyamine regulator AMD1 in order to regulate downstream gene expression and promote cell migration. This article highlights a previously unreported role for the regulation of polyamine levels and ratios in cellular behavior and fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Kheng Lim
- Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Immunos, Singapore; Skin Research Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Immunos, Singapore
| | - Anisa B Rahim
- Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Immunos, Singapore; Skin Research Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Immunos, Singapore
| | - Vonny Ivon Leo
- Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Immunos, Singapore; Skin Research Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Immunos, Singapore
| | - Shatarupa Das
- Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Immunos, Singapore; Skin Research Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Immunos, Singapore
| | - Thiam Chye Lim
- Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Hospital and National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge Wing, Singapore
| | - Takeshi Uemura
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba, University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kazuei Igarashi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba, University, Chiba, Japan
| | - John Common
- Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Immunos, Singapore; Skin Research Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Immunos, Singapore
| | - Leah A Vardy
- Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Immunos, Singapore; Skin Research Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Immunos, Singapore; School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
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21
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The Urokinase Receptor Induces a Mesenchymal Gene Expression Signature in Glioblastoma Cells and Promotes Tumor Cell Survival in Neurospheres. Sci Rep 2018; 8:2982. [PMID: 29445239 PMCID: PMC5813209 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21358-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
PLAUR encodes the urokinase receptor (uPAR), which promotes cell survival, migration, and resistance to targeted cancer therapeutics in glioblastoma cells in culture and in mouse model systems. Herein, we show that patient survival correlates inversely with PLAUR mRNA expression in gliomas of all grades, in glioblastomas, and in the subset of glioblastomas that demonstrate the mesenchymal gene expression signature. PLAUR clusters with genes that define the more aggressive mesenchymal subtype in transcriptome profiles of glioblastoma tissue and glioblastoma cells in neurospheres, which are enriched for multipotent cells with stem cell-like qualities. When PLAUR was over-expressed or silenced in glioblastoma cells, neurosphere growth and expression of mesenchymal subtype biomarkers correlated with uPAR abundance. uPAR also promoted glioblastoma cell survival in neurospheres. Constitutively-active EGF Receptor (EGFRvIII) promoted neurosphere growth; however, unlike uPAR, EGFRvIII did not induce the mesenchymal gene expression signature. Immunohistochemical analysis of human glioblastomas showed that uPAR is typically expressed by a small sub-population of the cancer cells; it is thus reasonable to conclude that this subpopulation of cells is responsible for the effects of PLAUR on patient survival. We propose that uPAR-expressing glioblastoma cells demonstrate a mesenchymal gene signature, an increased capacity for cell survival, and stem cell-like properties.
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22
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Almholt K, Hebsgaard JB, Nansen A, Andersson C, Pass J, Rønø B, Thygesen P, Pelzer H, Loftager M, Lund IK, Høyer-Hansen G, Frisch T, Jensen CH, Otte KS, Søe NH, Bartels EM, Andersen M, Bliddal H, Usher PA. Antibody-Mediated Neutralization of uPA Proteolytic Function Reduces Disease Progression in Mouse Arthritis Models. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 200:957-965. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1701317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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23
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Mrkonjic S, Destaing O, Albiges-Rizo C. Mechanotransduction pulls the strings of matrix degradation at invadosome. Matrix Biol 2016; 57-58:190-203. [PMID: 27392543 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2016.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2016] [Revised: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Degradation of the extracellular matrix is a critical step of tumor cell invasion. Both protease-dependent and -independent mechanisms have been described as alternate processes in cancer cell motility. Interestingly, some effectors of protease-dependent degradation are focalized at invadosomes and are directly coupled with contractile and adhesive machineries composed of multiple mechanosensitive proteins. This review presents recent findings in protease-dependent mechanisms elucidating the ways the force affects extracellular matrix degradation by targeting protease expression and activity at invadosome. The aim is to highlight mechanosensing and mechanotransduction processes to direct the degradative activity at invadosomes, with the focus on membrane tension, proteases and mechanosensitive ion channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanela Mrkonjic
- INSERM U1209, Grenoble F-38042, France; Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut Albert Bonniot, F-38042 Grenoble, France; CNRS UMR 5309, F-38042 Grenoble, France
| | - Olivier Destaing
- INSERM U1209, Grenoble F-38042, France; Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut Albert Bonniot, F-38042 Grenoble, France; CNRS UMR 5309, F-38042 Grenoble, France.
| | - Corinne Albiges-Rizo
- INSERM U1209, Grenoble F-38042, France; Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut Albert Bonniot, F-38042 Grenoble, France; CNRS UMR 5309, F-38042 Grenoble, France.
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24
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uPAR-targeted multimodal tracer for pre- and intraoperative imaging in cancer surgery. Oncotarget 2016; 6:14260-73. [PMID: 25895028 PMCID: PMC4546465 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre- and intraoperative diagnostic techniques facilitating tumor staging are of paramount importance in colorectal cancer surgery. The urokinase receptor (uPAR) plays an important role in the development of cancer, tumor invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis and over-expression is found in the majority of carcinomas. This study aims to develop the first clinically relevant anti-uPAR antibody-based imaging agent that combines nuclear (111In) and real-time near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent imaging (ZW800-1). Conjugation and binding capacities were investigated and validated in vitro using spectrophotometry and cell-based assays. In vivo, three human colorectal xenograft models were used including an orthotopic peritoneal carcinomatosis model to image small tumors. Nuclear and NIR fluorescent signals showed clear tumor delineation between 24h and 72h post-injection, with highest tumor-to-background ratios of 5.0 ± 1.3 at 72h using fluorescence and 4.2 ± 0.1 at 24h with radioactivity. 1-2 mm sized tumors could be clearly recognized by their fluorescent rim. This study showed the feasibility of an uPAR-recognizing multimodal agent to visualize tumors during image-guided resections using NIR fluorescence, whereas its nuclear component assisted in the pre-operative non-invasive recognition of tumors using SPECT imaging. This strategy can assist in surgical planning and subsequent precision surgery to reduce the number of incomplete resections.
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25
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Heissig B, Dhahri D, Eiamboonsert S, Salama Y, Shimazu H, Munakata S, Hattori K. Role of mesenchymal stem cell-derived fibrinolytic factor in tissue regeneration and cancer progression. Cell Mol Life Sci 2015; 72:4759-70. [PMID: 26350342 PMCID: PMC11113371 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-015-2035-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Revised: 08/03/2015] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Tissue regeneration during wound healing or cancer growth and progression depends on the establishment of a cellular microenvironment. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are part of this cellular microenvironment, where they functionally modulate cell homing, angiogenesis, and immune modulation. MSC recruitment involves detachment of these cells from their niche, and finally MSC migration into their preferred niches; the wounded area, the tumor bed, and the BM, just to name a few. During this recruitment phase, focal proteolysis disrupts the extracellular matrix (ECM) architecture, breaks cell-matrix interactions with receptors, and integrins, and causes the release of bioactive fragments from ECM molecules. MSC produce a broad array of proteases, promoting remodeling of the surrounding ECM through proteolytic mechanisms. The fibrinolytic system, with its main player plasmin, plays a crucial role in cell migration, growth factor bioavailability, and the regulation of other protease systems during inflammation, tissue regeneration, and cancer. Key components of the fibrinolytic cascade, including the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), are expressed in MSC. This review will introduce general functional properties of the fibrinolytic system, which go beyond its known function of fibrin clot dissolution (fibrinolysis). We will focus on the role of the fibrinolytic system for MSC biology, summarizing our current understanding of the role of the fibrinolytic system for MSC recruitment and the functional consequences for tissue regeneration and cancer. Aspects of MSC origin, maintenance, and the mechanisms by which these cells contribute to altered protease activity in the microenvironment under normal and pathological conditions will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beate Heissig
- Division of Stem Cell Dynamics, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan.
- Atopy (Allergy) Center, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan.
| | - Douaa Dhahri
- Division of Stem Cell Dynamics, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Salita Eiamboonsert
- Division of Stem Cell Dynamics, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Yousef Salama
- Division of Stem Cell Dynamics, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Shimazu
- Division of Stem Cell Regulation, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Shinya Munakata
- Division of Stem Cell Regulation, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Koichi Hattori
- Division of Stem Cell Regulation, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
- Center for Genome and Regenerative Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
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26
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Engström G, Zöller B, Svensson PJ, Melander O, Persson M. Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor and incidence of venous thromboembolism. Thromb Haemost 2015; 115:657-62. [PMID: 26466866 DOI: 10.1160/th15-06-0511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Raised plasma levels of the soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) have been associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Whether suPAR is associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE) is largely unknown. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between suPAR and incidence of VTE in a cohort study. suPAR was measured in 5,203 subjects (aged 46-68 years, 58 % women) from the general population, who participated in the Malmö Diet and Cancer (MDC) study between 1991 and 1994. Incident cases of VTE were identified from the Swedish patient register during a mean follow-up of 15.7 years. Of 5,203 subjects with measurements of suPAR, 239 had VTE during follow-up (127 venous thrombosis, 86 lung embolism, 26 both). Incidence of VTE was significantly higher in subjects with suPAR levels in the top quartile. Adjusted for age and sex, the HR (4th vs 1st quartile) was 1.74 (95 %CI: 1.2-2.6, p for trend=0.003). After adjustments for risk factors, the HR was 1.66 (95 %CI: 1.1-2.5, p for trend=0.016). High level of suPAR was a risk indicator for incidence of VTE in this population-based cohort study. The causal relationships between suPAR and VTE remain to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunnar Engström
- Gunnar Engström, Lund University, Department of Clinical Science, CRC 60:13, Jan Waldenströms Gata 35, 20502 Malmö, Sweden, Tel.: +46 40391330, E-mail:
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27
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Hirata K, Tamaki N. uPAR as a Glioma Imaging Target. J Nucl Med 2015; 57:169-70. [PMID: 26429953 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.115.166231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Hirata
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Nagara Tamaki
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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28
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Almholt K, Lærum OD, Nielsen BS, Lund IK, Lund LR, Rømer J, Jögi A. Spontaneous lung and lymph node metastasis in transgenic breast cancer is independent of the urokinase receptor uPAR. Clin Exp Metastasis 2015; 32:543-54. [PMID: 26040548 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-015-9726-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) is an extracellular protease that plays a pivotal role in tumor progression. uPA activity is spatially restricted by its anchorage to high-affinity uPA receptors (uPAR) at the cell surface. High tumor tissue expression of uPA and uPAR is associated with poor prognosis in lung, breast, and colon cancer patients in clinical studies. Genetic deficiency of uPA leads to a significant reduction in metastases in the murine transgenic MMTV-PyMT breast cancer model, demonstrating a causal role for uPA in cancer dissemination. To investigate the role of uPAR in cancer progression, we analyze the effect of uPAR deficiency in the same cancer model. uPAR is predominantly expressed in stromal cells in the mouse primary tumors, similar to human breast cancer. In a cohort of MMTV-PyMT mice [uPAR-deficient (n = 31) or wild type controls (n = 33)], tumorigenesis, tumor growth, and tumor histopathology were not significantly affected by uPAR deficiency. Lung and lymph node metastases were also not significantly affected by uPAR deficiency, in contrast to the significant reduction seen in uPA-deficient mice. Taken together, our data show that the genetic absence of uPAR does not influence the outcome of the MMTV-PyMT cancer model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasper Almholt
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark,
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Gilder AS, Jones KA, Hu J, Wang L, Chen CC, Carter BS, Gonias SL. Soluble Urokinase Receptor Is Released Selectively by Glioblastoma Cells That Express Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Variant III and Promotes Tumor Cell Migration and Invasion. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:14798-809. [PMID: 25837250 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.637488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic heterogeneity is characteristic of glioblastoma (GBM). In many GBMs, the EGF receptor gene (EGFR) is amplified and may be truncated to generate a constitutively active form of the receptor called EGFRvIII. EGFR gene amplification and EGFRvIII are associated with GBM progression, even when only a small fraction of the tumor cells express EGFRvIII. In this study, we show that EGFRvIII-positive GBM cells express significantly increased levels of cellular urokinase receptor (uPAR) and release increased amounts of soluble uPAR (suPAR). When mice were xenografted with human EGFRvIII-expressing GBM cells, tumor-derived suPAR was detected in the plasma, and the level was significantly increased compared with that detected in plasma samples from control mice xenografted with EGFRvIII-negative GBM cells. suPAR also was increased in plasma from patients with EGFRvIII-positive GBMs. Purified suPAR was biologically active when added to cultures of EGFRvIII-negative GBM cells, activating cell signaling and promoting cell migration and invasion. suPAR did not significantly stimulate cell signaling or migration of EGFRvIII-positive cells, probably because cell signaling was already substantially activated in these cells. The activities of suPAR were replicated by conditioned medium (CM) from EGFRvIII-positive GBM cells. When the CM was preincubated with uPAR-neutralizing antibody or when uPAR gene expression was silenced in cells used to prepare CM, the activity of the CM was significantly attenuated. These results suggest that suPAR may function as an important paracrine signaling factor in EGFRvIII-positive GBMs, inducing an aggressive phenotype in tumor cells that are EGFRvIII-negative.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lei Wang
- From the Departments of Pathology and
| | - Clark C Chen
- Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Bob S Carter
- Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
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Thurison T, Almholt K, Gårdsvoll H, Ploug M, Høyer-Hansen G, Lund IK. Urokinase receptor cleavage correlates with tumor volume in a transgenic mouse model of breast cancer. Mol Carcinog 2015; 55:717-31. [DOI: 10.1002/mc.22316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Revised: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 02/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tine Thurison
- The Finsen Laboratory; Copenhagen University Hospital; Copenhagen Denmark
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC); University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Kasper Almholt
- The Finsen Laboratory; Copenhagen University Hospital; Copenhagen Denmark
- Global Research; Novo Nordisk A/S; Måløv Denmark
| | - Henrik Gårdsvoll
- The Finsen Laboratory; Copenhagen University Hospital; Copenhagen Denmark
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC); University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Michael Ploug
- The Finsen Laboratory; Copenhagen University Hospital; Copenhagen Denmark
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC); University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Gunilla Høyer-Hansen
- The Finsen Laboratory; Copenhagen University Hospital; Copenhagen Denmark
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC); University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Ida K. Lund
- The Finsen Laboratory; Copenhagen University Hospital; Copenhagen Denmark
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC); University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
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31
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Morgan DL, Merrick BA, Gerrish KE, Stockton PS, Wang Y, Foley JF, Gwinn WM, Kelly FL, Palmer SM, Ton TVT, Flake GP. Gene expression in obliterative bronchiolitis-like lesions in 2,3-pentanedione-exposed rats. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0118459. [PMID: 25710175 PMCID: PMC4339611 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2013] [Accepted: 01/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) is an irreversible lung disease characterized by progressive fibrosis in the small airways with eventual occlusion of the airway lumens. OB is most commonly associated with lung transplant rejection; however, OB has also been diagnosed in workers exposed to artificial butter flavoring (ABF) vapors. Research has been limited by the lack of an adequate animal model of OB, and as a result the mechanism(s) is unclear and there are no effective treatments for this condition. Exposure of rats to the ABF component, 2,3-pentanedione (PD) results in airway lesions that are histopathologically similar to those in human OB. We used this animal model to evaluate changes in gene expression in the distal bronchi of rats with PD-induced OB. Male Wistar Han rats were exposed to 200 ppm PD or air 6 h/d, 5 d/wk for 2-wks. Bronchial tissues were laser microdissected from serial sections of frozen lung. In exposed lungs, both fibrotic and non-fibrotic airways were collected. Following RNA extraction and microarray analysis, differential gene expression was evaluated. In non-fibrotic bronchi of exposed rats, 4683 genes were significantly altered relative to air-exposed controls with notable down-regulation of many inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. In contrast, in fibrotic bronchi, 3807 genes were significantly altered with a majority of genes being up-regulated in affected pathways. Tgf-β2 and downstream genes implicated in fibrosis were significantly up-regulated in fibrotic lesions. Genes for collagens and extracellular matrix proteins were highly up-regulated. In addition, expression of genes for peptidases and peptidase inhibitors were significantly altered, indicative of the tissue remodeling that occurs during airway fibrosis. Our data provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of OB. This new information is of potential significance with regard to future therapeutic targets for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel L. Morgan
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - B. Alex Merrick
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Kevin E. Gerrish
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Patricia S. Stockton
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Yu Wang
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Julie F. Foley
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - William M. Gwinn
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Francine L. Kelly
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Scott M. Palmer
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Thai-Vu T. Ton
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Gordon P. Flake
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
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SU MANMAN, CHANG WEIQIN, CUI MANHUA, LIN YANG, WU SHUYING, XU TIANMIN. Expression and anticancer activity analysis of recombinant human uPA1–43-melittin. Int J Oncol 2014; 46:619-26. [DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2014] [Accepted: 10/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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Thurison T, Christensen IJ, Lund IK, Nielsen HJ, Høyer-Hansen G. Circulating intact and cleaved forms of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor: biological variation, reference intervals and clinical useful cut-points. Clin Chim Acta 2014; 439:84-90. [PMID: 25305537 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2014.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Revised: 09/17/2014] [Accepted: 10/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High levels of circulating forms of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) are significantly associated to poor prognosis in cancer patients. Our aim was to determine biological variations and reference intervals of the uPAR forms in blood, and in addition, to test the clinical relevance of using these as cut-points in colorectal cancer (CRC) prognosis. METHODS uPAR forms were measured in citrated and EDTA plasma samples using time-resolved fluorescence immunoassays. Diurnal, intra- and inter-individual variations were assessed in plasma samples from cohorts of healthy individuals. Reference intervals were determined in plasma from healthy individuals randomly selected from a Danish multi-center cross-sectional study. A cohort of CRC patients was selected from the same cross-sectional study. RESULTS The reference intervals showed a slight increase with age and women had ~20% higher levels. The intra- and inter-individual variations were ~10% and ~20-30%, respectively and the measured levels of the uPAR forms were within the determined 95% reference intervals. No diurnal variation was found. Applying the normal upper limit of the reference intervals as cut-point for dichotomizing CRC patients revealed significantly decreased overall survival of patients with levels above this cut-point of any uPAR form. CONCLUSIONS The reference intervals for the different uPAR forms are valid and the upper normal limits are clinically relevant cut-points for CRC prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tine Thurison
- The Finsen Laboratory, Copenhagen University Hospital, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Ib J Christensen
- The Finsen Laboratory, Copenhagen University Hospital, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ida K Lund
- The Finsen Laboratory, Copenhagen University Hospital, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hans J Nielsen
- Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Hvidovre Hospital, DK-2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Gunilla Høyer-Hansen
- The Finsen Laboratory, Copenhagen University Hospital, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Swamynathan S, Swamynathan SK. SLURP-1 modulates corneal homeostasis by serving as a soluble scavenger of urokinase-type plasminogen activator. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2014; 55:6251-61. [PMID: 25168896 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.14-15107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Our previous study revealed the immunomodulatory property of the secreted lymphocyte antigen (Ly6)/urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR)-related protein-1 (SLURP1), abundantly expressed in the cornea and associated with the hyperkeratotic disorder Mal de Meleda. Here, we test the hypothesis that SLURP1 modulates the functions of membrane-tethered uPAR by acting as a soluble scavenger of its ligand urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA). METHODS Human corneal limbal epithelial (HCLE) and mouse corneal stromal fibroblast MK/T-1 cells were employed to examine the effect of SLURP1 on cell proliferation and migration. Human corneal limbal epithelial cell clones stably expressing SLURP1 under the control of cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter were generated using lentiviral vectors. Recombinant 6× His-mouse Slurp1 and maltose-binding protein (MBP)-mouse uPA were expressed in Escherichia coli and partially purified using nickel-ion and amylose columns, respectively. Slurp1 interaction with uPA was detected using ligand blots, ELISA, pull-down assays, and immunofluorescent staining. RESULTS Stable expression of SLURP1 in HCLE cells was confirmed by immunoblots and immunofluorescent staining. Human corneal limbal epithelial and MK/T-1 cell proliferation and migration rates were suppressed by exogenous SLURP1. Ligand blots, ELISA, and pull-down assays indicated that Slurp1 efficiently interacts with uPA. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrated that exogenous SLURP1 decreased the amount of cell surface-bound uPA in the leading edges of migrating cells. In gap-filling assays, wild-type HCLE cells responded to uPA by increasing their velocity and closing larger area, while the SLURP1-expressing HCLE cells failed to do so. CONCLUSIONS SLURP1 modulates corneal homeostasis by serving as a soluble scavenger of uPA and regulating the uPA-dependent functions of uPAR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudha Swamynathan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Shivalingappa K Swamynathan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
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In vivo safety, biodistribution and antitumor effects of uPAR retargeted oncolytic measles virus in syngeneic cancer models. Gene Ther 2014; 21:289-97. [PMID: 24430235 PMCID: PMC3949200 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2013.84] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Revised: 11/05/2013] [Accepted: 12/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The urokinase receptor (uPAR) is a clinically relevant target for novel biological therapies. We have previously rescued oncolytic measles viruses fully retargeted against human (MV-h-uPA) or murine (MV-m-uPA) uPAR. Here, we investigated the in vivo effects of systemic administration of MV-m-uPA in immunocompetent cancer models. MV-m-uPA induced in vitro cytotoxicity and replicated in a receptor dependent manner in murine mammary (4T1), and colon (MC-38 and CT-26) cancer cells. Intravenous administration of MV-m-uPA to 4T1 tumor bearing mice was not associated with significant clinical or laboratory toxicity. Higher MV-N RNA copy numbers were detected in primary tumors, and viable viral particles were recovered from tumor bearing tissues only. Non-tumor bearing organs did not show histological signs of viral induced toxicity. Serum anti-MV antibodies were detected at day 14 of treatment. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence studies confirmed successful tumor targeting and demonstrated enhanced MV-m-uPA induced tumor cell apoptosis in treated, compared to control mice. Significant antitumor effects and prolonged survival were observed after systemic administration of MV-m-uPA in colon (CT-26) and mammary (4T1) cancer models. The above results demonstrate safety and feasibility of uPAR targeting by an oncolytic virus, and confirm significant antitumor effects in highly aggressive syngeneic immunocompetent cancer models.
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Yang L, Sajja HK, Cao Z, Qian W, Bender L, Marcus AI, Lipowska M, Wood WC, Wang YA. uPAR-targeted optical imaging contrasts as theranostic agents for tumor margin detection. Am J Cancer Res 2013; 4:106-18. [PMID: 24396518 PMCID: PMC3881230 DOI: 10.7150/thno.7409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Complete removal of tumors by surgery is the most important prognostic factor for cancer patients with the early stage cancers. The ability to identify invasive tumor edges of the primary tumor, locally invaded small tumor lesions, and drug resistant residual tumors following neoadjuvant therapy during surgery should significantly reduce the incidence of local tumor recurrence and improve survival of cancer patients. In this study, we report that urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR) are the ligand/cell surface target pair for the development of targeted optical imaging probes for enhancing imaging contrasts in the tumor border. Recombinant peptides of the amino terminal fragment (ATF) of the receptor binding domain of uPA were labeled with near infrared fluorescence (NIR) dye molecules either as peptide-imaging or peptide-conjugated nanoparticle imaging probes. Systemic delivery of the uPAR-targeted imaging probes in mice bearing orthotopic human breast or pancreatic tumor xenografts or mouse mammary tumors led to the accumulation of the probes in the tumor and stromal cells, resulting in strong signals for optical imaging of tumors and identification of tumor margins. Histological analysis showed that a high level of uPAR-targeted nanoparticles was present in the tumor edge or active tumor stroma immediately adjacent to the tumor cells. Furthermore, following targeted therapy using uPAR-targeted theranostic nanoparticles, residual tumors were detectable by optical imaging through the imaging contrasts produced by NIR-dye-labeled theranostic nanoparticles in drug resistant tumor cells. Therefore, results of our study support the potential of the development of uPAR-targeted imaging and theranostic agents for image-guided surgery.
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Gamage DG, Hendrickson TL. GPI Transamidase and GPI anchored proteins: Oncogenes and biomarkers for cancer. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2013; 48:446-64. [DOI: 10.3109/10409238.2013.831024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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Maas RJH, Deegens JKJ, Wetzels JFM. Serum suPAR in patients with FSGS: trash or treasure? Pediatr Nephrol 2013; 28:1041-8. [PMID: 23515666 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-013-2452-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2012] [Revised: 01/20/2013] [Accepted: 02/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) has important functions in cell migration. uPAR can be shed from the cell membrane resulting in soluble uPAR (suPAR). Further cleavage gives rise to shorter fragments with largely unknown functions. Recent studies have demonstrated that both overexpression of uPAR on podocytes and the administration of suPAR cause proteinuria in mice. The common pathogenic mechanism involves the activation of podocyte β3-integrin. Increased activation of β3-integrin is also observed in patients with focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). These observations form the basis for the hypothesis that suPAR may be the circulating factor causing FSGS. A recent study fosters this idea by demonstrating increased suPAR levels in the serum of patients with FSGS and reporting an association with recurrence after transplantation and response to plasmapheresis. However, this study was heavily biased, and subsequent studies have given conflicting results. Although the experimental work is very suggestive, at present there is no proof that any known human suPAR fragment causes FSGS in humans. We therefore suggest that the measurement of suPAR using currently available assays has absolutely no value at the present time in decision-making in routine clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rutger J H Maas
- Department of Nephrology 464, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Li D, Liu S, Shan H, Conti P, Li Z. Urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) targeted nuclear imaging and radionuclide therapy. Am J Cancer Res 2013; 3:507-15. [PMID: 23843898 PMCID: PMC3706694 DOI: 10.7150/thno.5557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2012] [Accepted: 12/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein. Besides regulating proteolysis, uPAR could also activate many intracellular signaling pathways that promote cell motility, invasion, proliferation, and survival through cooperating with transmembrane receptors. uPAR is overexpressed across a variety of tumors and is associated with cancer invasion and metastasis. In order to meet the demand for a rapid development and potential clinical application of anti-cancer therapy based on uPA/uPAR system, it is desirable to develop non-invasive imaging methods to visualize and quantify uPAR expression in vivo. In this review, we will discuss recent advances in the development of uPAR-targeted nuclear imaging and radionuclide therapy agents. The successful development of molecular imaging probes to visualize uPAR expression in vivo would not only assist preclinical researches on uPAR function, but also eventually impact patient management.
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Noh H, Hong S, Huang S. Role of urokinase receptor in tumor progression and development. Am J Cancer Res 2013; 3:487-95. [PMID: 23843896 PMCID: PMC3706692 DOI: 10.7150/thno.4218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2012] [Accepted: 08/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Elevated level of urokinase receptor (uPAR) is detected in various aggressive cancer types and is closely associated with poor prognosis of cancers. Binding of uPA to uPAR triggers the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin and the subsequent activation of metalloproteinases. These events confer tumor cells with the capability to degrade the components of the surrounding extracellular matrix, thus contributing to tumor cell invasion and metastasis. uPA-uPAR interaction also elicits signals that stimulate cell proliferation/survival and the expression of tumor-promoting genes, thus assisting tumor development. In addition to its interaction with uPA, uPAR also interacts with vitronectin and this interaction promotes cancer metastasis by activating Rac and stimulating cell migration. Although underlying mechanisms are yet to be fully elucidated, uPAR has been shown to facilitate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and induce cancer stem cell-like properties in breast cancer cells. The fact that uPAR lacks intracellular domain suggests that its signaling must be mediated through its co-receptors. Indeed, uPAR interacts with diverse transmembrane proteins including integrins, ENDO180, G protein-coupled receptors and growth factor receptors in cancer cells and these interactions are proven to be critical for the role of uPAR in tumorigenesis. Inhibitory peptide that prevents uPA-uPAR interaction has shown the promise to prolong patients' survival in the early stage of clinical trial. The importance of uPAR's co-receptor in uPAR's tumor-promoting effects implicate that anti-cancer therapeutic agents may also be developed by disrupting the interactions between uPAR and its functional partners.
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Ploug M. Structure-driven design of radionuclide tracers for non-invasive imaging of uPAR and targeted radiotherapy. The tale of a synthetic peptide antagonist. Theranostics 2013; 3:467-76. [PMID: 23843894 PMCID: PMC3706690 DOI: 10.7150/thno.3791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Research performed during the last two decades has provided a wealth of information to highlight the role of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) in the progression and dissemination of invasive and metastatic cancer. In parallel, our perception of the structure-function relationships in uPAR has been refined to such a level that a rational design of uPAR function as well as compounds specifically targeting defined functions of uPAR are now realistic options. This knowledge opens new avenues for developing therapeutic intervention regimens targeting uPAR as well as for monitoring the effects of such treatments by non-invasive imaging using e.g. positron emission tomography. This mini-review will focus on recent advancements in translational research devoted to non-invasive targeting of uPAR, with a view to molecular imaging of its expression in live individuals as well as specific eradication of these cells by targeted radiotherapy.
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Schappa JT, Frantz AM, Gorden BH, Dickerson EB, Vallera DA, Modiano JF. Hemangiosarcoma and its cancer stem cell subpopulation are effectively killed by a toxin targeted through epidermal growth factor and urokinase receptors. Int J Cancer 2013; 133:1936-44. [PMID: 23553371 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.28187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2012] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Targeted toxins have the potential to overcome intrinsic or acquired resistance of cancer cells to conventional cytotoxic agents. Here, we hypothesized that EGFuPA-toxin, a bispecific ligand-targeted toxin (BLT) consisting of a deimmunized Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE) conjugated to epidermal growth factor and urokinase, would efficiently target and kill cells derived from canine hemangiosarcoma (HSA), a highly chemotherapy resistant tumor, as well as cultured hemangiospheres, used as a surrogate for cancer stem cells (CSC). EGFuPA-toxin showed cytotoxicity in four HSA cell lines (Emma, Frog, DD-1 and SB) at a concentration of ≤100 nM, and the cytotoxicity was dependent on specific ligand-receptor interactions. Monospecific targeted toxins also killed these chemoresistant cells; in this case, a "threshold" level of EGFR expression appeared to be required to make cells sensitive to the monospecific EGF-toxin, but not to the monospecific uPA-toxin. The IC₅₀ of CSCs was higher by approximately two orders of magnitude as compared to non-CSCs, but these cells were still sensitive to EGFuPA-toxin at nanomolar (i.e., pharmacologically relevant) concentrations, and when targeted by EGFuPA-toxin, resulted in death of the entire cell population. Taken together, our results support the use of these toxins to treat chemoresistant tumors such as sarcomas, including those that conform to the CSC model. Our results also support the use of companion animals with cancer for further translational development of these cytotoxic molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill T Schappa
- Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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Mani T, Wang F, Knabe WE, Sinn AL, Khanna M, Jo I, Sandusky GE, Sledge GW, Jones DR, Khanna R, Pollok KE, Meroueh SO. Small-molecule inhibition of the uPAR·uPA interaction: synthesis, biochemical, cellular, in vivo pharmacokinetics and efficacy studies in breast cancer metastasis. Bioorg Med Chem 2013; 21:2145-55. [PMID: 23411397 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2012.12.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2012] [Revised: 12/13/2012] [Accepted: 12/20/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The uPAR·uPA protein-protein interaction (PPI) is involved in signaling and proteolytic events that promote tumor invasion and metastasis. A previous study had identified 4 (IPR-803) from computational screening of a commercial chemical library and shown that the compound inhibited uPAR·uPA PPI in competition biochemical assays and invasion cellular studies. Here, we synthesize 4 to evaluate in vivo pharmacokinetic (PK) and efficacy studies in a murine breast cancer metastasis model. First, we show, using fluorescence polarization and saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR, that 4 binds directly to uPAR with sub-micromolar affinity of 0.2 μM. We show that 4 blocks invasion of breast MDA-MB-231, and inhibits matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) breakdown of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Derivatives of 4 also inhibited MMP activity and blocked invasion in a concentration-dependent manner. Compound 4 also impaired MDA-MB-231 cell adhesion and migration. Extensive in vivo PK studies in NOD-SCID mice revealed a half-life of nearly 5h and peak concentration of 5 μM. Similar levels of the inhibitor were detected in tumor tissue up to 10h. Female NSG mice inoculated with highly malignant TMD-MDA-MB-231 in their mammary fat pads showed that 4 impaired metastasis to the lungs with only four of the treated mice showing severe or marked metastasis compared to ten for the untreated mice. Compound 4 is a promising template for the development of compounds with enhanced PK parameters and greater efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timmy Mani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Van Nuys Medical Science Building, MS 4023, 635 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5122, USA
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Ndode-Ekane XE, Pitkänen A. Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor modulates epileptogenesis in mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Mol Neurobiol 2012; 47:914-37. [PMID: 23263886 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-012-8386-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2012] [Accepted: 12/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Mutation in Plaur gene encoding urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) results in epilepsy and autistic phenotype in mice. In humans, a single nucleotide polymorphism in PLAUR gene represents a risk for autism spectrum disorders. Importantly, the expression of uPAR is elevated in the brain after various epileptogenic insults like traumatic brain injury and status epilepticus. So far, the consequences of altered uPAR expression on brain networks are poorly known. We tested a hypothesis that uPAR regulates post-injury neuronal reorganization and consequent functional outcome, particularly epileptogenesis. Epileptogenesis was induced by intrahippocampal injection of kainate in adult male wild type (Wt) or uPAR knockout (uPAR-/-) mice, and animals were monitored with continuous (24/7) video-electroencephalogram for 30 days. The severity of status epilepticus did not differ between the genotypes. The spontaneous electrographic seizures which developed were, however, longer and their behavioral manifestations were more severe in uPAR-/- than Wt mice. The more severe epilepsy phenotype in uPAR-/- mice was associated with delayed but augmented inflammatory response and more severe neurodegeneration in the hippocampus. Also, the distribution of newly born cells in the dentate gyrus was more scattered, and the recovery of hippocampal blood vessel length from status epilepticus-induced damage was compromised in uPAR-/- mice as compared to Wt mice. Our data demonstrate that a deficiency in uPAR represents a mechanisms which results in the development of a more severe epilepsy phenotype and progressive brain pathology after status epilepticus. We suggest that uPAR represents a rational target for disease-modifying treatments after epileptogenic brain insults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Ekolle Ndode-Ekane
- Department of Neurobiology, A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P. O. Box 1627, 70 211 Kuopio, Finland.
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Hald A, Eickhardt H, Maerkedahl RB, Feldborg CW, Egerod KL, Engelholm LH, Laerum OD, Lund LR, Rønø B. Plasmin-driven fibrinolysis facilitates skin tumor growth in a gender-dependent manner. FASEB J 2012; 26:4445-57. [PMID: 22815383 DOI: 10.1096/fj.12-208025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Rearrangement of the skin during wound healing depends on plasmin and plasminogen, which serve to degrade fibrin depositions in the provisional matrix and thereby facilitate keratinocyte migration. In the current study, we investigated whether plasmin and plasminogen likewise played a role during the development of skin cancer. To test this, we set up a chemically induced skin tumor model in a cohort of mice and found that skin tumor growth in Plg(-/-) male mice was reduced by 52% compared with wild-type controls. Histological analyses suggested that the growth-restricting effect of plasminogen deficiency was due to thrombosis and lost patency of the tumor vasculature, resulting in tumor necrosis. The connection between plasmin-dependent fibrinolysis, vascular patency, and tumor growth was further substantiated as the effect of plasminogen deficiency on tumor growth could be reverted by superimposing heterozygous fibrinogen deficiency on Plg(-/-) mice. Tumors derived from these Fib(-/+);Plg(-/-) mice displayed a significantly decreased level of tumor thrombosis compared with Plg(-/-) mice. In summary, these data indicate that plasmin-driven fibrinolysis facilitates tumor growth by maintaining patency of the tumor vasculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Hald
- Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen Biocenter, Ole Maaloes Vej 5, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Madsen DH, Jürgensen HJ, Ingvarsen S, Melander MC, Vainer B, Egerod KL, Hald A, Rønø B, Madsen CA, Bugge TH, Engelholm LH, Behrendt N. Endocytic collagen degradation: a novel mechanism involved in protection against liver fibrosis. J Pathol 2012; 227:94-105. [PMID: 22294280 DOI: 10.1002/path.3981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2011] [Revised: 12/09/2011] [Accepted: 12/18/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis of the liver and its end-stage, cirrhosis, represent major health problems worldwide. In these fibrotic conditions, activated fibroblasts and hepatic stellate cells display a net deposition of collagen. This collagen deposition is a major factor leading to liver dysfunction, thus making it crucially important to understand both the collagen synthesis and turnover mechanisms in this condition. Here we show that the endocytic collagen receptor, uPARAP/Endo180, is a major determinant in governing the balance between collagen deposition and degradation. Cirrhotic human livers displayed a marked up-regulation of uPARAP/Endo180 in activated fibroblasts and hepatic stellate cells located close to the collagen deposits. In a hepatic stellate cell line, uPARAP/Endo180 was shown to be active in, and required for, the uptake and intracellular degradation of collagen. To evaluate the functional importance of this collagen receptor in vivo, liver fibrosis was induced in uPARAP/Endo180-deficient mice and littermate wild-type mice by chronic CCl(4) administration. A strong up-regulation of uPARAP/Endo180 was observed in wild-type mice, and a quantitative comparison of collagen deposits in the two groups of mice clearly revealed a fibrosis protective role of uPARAP/Endo180. This effect appeared to directly reflect the activity of the collagen receptor, since no compensatory events were noted when comparing the mRNA expression profiles of the two groups of mice in an array system focused on matrix-degrading components. This function of uPARAP/Endo180 defines a novel role of intracellular collagen turnover in fibrosis protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel H Madsen
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet/Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Denmark
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47
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Swedberg JE, Harris JM. Natural and engineered plasmin inhibitors: applications and design strategies. Chembiochem 2012; 13:336-48. [PMID: 22238174 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201100673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The serine protease plasmin is ubiquitously expressed throughout the human body in the form of the zymogen plasminogen. Conversion to active plasmin occurs through enzymatic cleavage by plasminogen activators. The plasminogen activator/plasmin system has a well-established function in the removal of intravascular fibrin deposition through fibrinolysis and the inhibition of plasmin activity; this has found widespread clinical use in reducing perioperative bleeding. Increasing evidence also suggests diverse, although currently less defined, roles for plasmin in a number of physiological and pathological processes relating to extracellular matrix degradation, cell migration and tissue remodelling. In particular, dysregulation of plasmin has been linked to cancer invasion/metastasis and various chronic inflammatory conditions; this has prompted efforts to develop inhibitors of this protease. Although a number of plasmin inhibitors exist, they commonly suffer from poor potency and/or specificity of inhibition that either results in reduced efficacy or prevents clinical use. Consequently, there is a need for further development of high-affinity plasmin inhibitors that maintain selectivity over other serine proteases. This review summarises clearly defined and potential applications for plasmin inhibition. The properties of naturally occurring and engineered plasmin inhibitors are discussed in the context of current knowledge regarding plasmin structure, specificity and function. This includes design strategies to obtain the potency and specificity of inhibition in addition to controlled temporal and spatial distribution tailored for the intended use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joakim E Swedberg
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072 (Australia)
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48
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Accelerated urokinase-receptor protein turnover triggered by interference with the addition of the glycolipid anchor. Biochem J 2011; 434:233-42. [PMID: 21143195 DOI: 10.1042/bj20101573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
u-PAR (urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor), anchored to the cell surface via a glycolipid moiety, drives tumour progression. We previously reported that colon cancer cells (RKO clone 2 FS2), attenuated for in vivo tumorigenicity, are diminished >15-fold for u-PAR display when compared with their tumorigenic isogenic counterparts (RKO clone 2), this disparity not reflecting altered transcription/mRNA stability. FACS, confocal microscopy and Western blotting using a fused u-PAR-EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) cDNA revealed a >14-fold differential in the u-PAR-EGFP signal between the isogenic cells, ruling out alternate splicing as a mechanism. Although metabolic labelling indicated similar synthesis rates, pulse-chase revealed accelerated u-PAR-EGFP turnover in the RKO clone 2 FS2 cells. Expression in RKO clone 2 cells of a u-PAR-EGFP protein unable to accept the glycolipid moiety yielded diminished protein amounts, thus mirroring the low endogenous protein levels evident with RKO clone 2 FS2 cells. Transcript levels for the phosphatidylglycan anchor biosynthesis class B gene required for glycolipid synthesis were reduced by 65% in RKO clone 2 FS2 cells, and forced overexpression in these cells partially restored endogenous u-PAR. Thus attenuated u-PAR levels probably reflects accelerated turnover triggered by inefficient addition of the glycolipid moiety.
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Duriseti S, Goetz DH, Hostetter DR, LeBeau AM, Wei Y, Craik CS. Antagonistic anti-urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) antibodies significantly inhibit uPAR-mediated cellular signaling and migration. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:26878-26888. [PMID: 20501655 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.077677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Interactions between urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and its various ligands regulate tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. Antibodies that bind specific uPAR epitopes may disrupt these interactions, thereby inhibiting these processes. Using a highly diverse and naïve human fragment of the antigen binding (Fab) phage display library, we identified 12 unique human Fabs that bind uPAR. Two of these antibodies compete against urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) for uPAR binding, whereas a third competes with beta1 integrins for uPAR binding. These competitive antibodies inhibit uPAR-dependent cell signaling and invasion in the non-small cell lung cancer cell line, H1299. Additionally, the integrin-blocking antibody abrogates uPAR/beta1 integrin-mediated H1299 cell adhesion to fibronectin and vitronectin. This antibody and one of the uPAR/uPA antagonist antibodies shows a significant combined effect in inhibiting cell invasion through Matrigel/Collagen I or Collagen I matrices. Our results indicate that these antagonistic antibodies have potential for the detection and treatment of uPAR-expressing tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Duriseti
- Graduate Group in Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158-2517
| | - David H Goetz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158-2517
| | - Daniel R Hostetter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158-2517
| | - Aaron M LeBeau
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158-2517
| | - Ying Wei
- Department of Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158-2517.
| | - Charles S Craik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158-2517.
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Williams O, Houseman BT, Kunkel EJ, Aizenstein B, Hoffman R, Knight ZA, Shokat KM. Discovery of dual inhibitors of the immune cell PI3Ks p110delta and p110gamma: a prototype for new anti-inflammatory drugs. CHEMISTRY & BIOLOGY 2010; 17:123-34. [PMID: 20189103 PMCID: PMC2858875 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2010.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2009] [Revised: 12/19/2009] [Accepted: 01/04/2010] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
PI3Kdelta and PI3Kgamma regulate immune cell signaling, while the related PI3Kalpha and PI3Kbeta regulate cell survival and metabolism. Selective inhibitors of PI3Kdelta/gamma represent a potential class of anti-inflammatory agents lacking the antiproliferative effects associated with PI3Kalpha/beta inhibition. Here we report the discovery of PI3Kdelta/gamma inhibitors that display up to 1000-fold selectivity over PI3Kalpha/beta and evaluate these compounds in a high-content inflammation assay using mixtures of primary human cells. We find selective inhibition of only PI3Kdelta is weakly anti-inflammatory, but PI3Kdelta/gamma inhibitors show superior inflammatory marker suppression through suppression of lipopolysaccharide-induced TNFalpha production and T cell activation. Moreover, PI3Kdelta/gamma inhibition yields an anti-inflammatory signature distinct from pan-PI3K inhibition and known anti-inflammatory drugs, yet bears striking similarities to glucocorticoid receptor agonists. These results highlight the potential of selectively designing drugs that target kinases with shared biological function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olusegun Williams
- Graduate Program in Chemistry and Chemical Biology, University of California, San Francisco, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
| | - Benjamin T. Houseman
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, 600 16 St., San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Eric J. Kunkel
- BioSeek, Inc., 310 Utah Ave., Suite 100, South San Francisco, CA 94080
| | - Brian Aizenstein
- Invitrogen Corporation, 501 Charmany Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53719, USA
| | - Randy Hoffman
- Invitrogen Corporation, 501 Charmany Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53719, USA
| | - Zachary A. Knight
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, 600 16 St., San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Kevan M. Shokat
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, 600 16 St., San Francisco, CA 94158
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
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