1
|
Qin L, Wang L, Zhang J, Zhou H, Yang Z, Wang Y, Cai W, Wen F, Jiang X, Zhang T, Ye H, Long B, Qin J, Shi W, Guan X, Yu Z, Yang J, Wang Q, Jiao Z. Therapeutic strategies targeting uPAR potentiate anti-PD-1 efficacy in diffuse-type gastric cancer. Sci Adv 2022; 8:eabn3774. [PMID: 35613265 PMCID: PMC9132454 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn3774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The diffuse-type gastric cancer (DGC) is a subtype of gastric cancer (GC) associated with low HER2 positivity rate and insensitivity to chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Here, we identify urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) as a potential therapeutic target for DGC. We have developed a novel anti-uPAR monoclonal antibody, which targets the domains II and III of uPAR and blocks the binding of urokinase-type plasminogen activator to uPAR. We show that the combination of anti-uPAR and anti-Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) remarkably inhibits tumor growth and prolongs survival via multiple mechanisms, using cell line-derived xenograft and patient-derived xenograft mouse models. Furthermore, uPAR chimeric antigen receptor-expressing T cells based on the novel anti-uPAR effectively kill DGC patient-derived organoids and exhibit impressive survival benefit in the established mouse models, especially when combined with PD-1 blockade therapy. Our study provides a new possibility of DGC treatment by targeting uPAR in a unique manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Long Qin
- Cuiying Biomedical Research Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730030, China
| | - Long Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730030, China
| | - Junchang Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730030, China
| | - Huinian Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730030, China
| | - Zhiliang Yang
- Lanzhou Huazhitiancheng Biotechnologies Co., Ltd, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Lanzhou Huazhitiancheng Biotechnologies Co., Ltd, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Weiwen Cai
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730030, China
| | - Fei Wen
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730030, China
| | - Xiangyan Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730030, China
| | - Tiansheng Zhang
- Lanzhou Huazhitiancheng Biotechnologies Co., Ltd, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
| | - Huili Ye
- Cuiying Biomedical Research Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730030, China
| | - Bo Long
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730030, China
| | - Junjie Qin
- Cuiying Biomedical Research Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730030, China
| | - Wengui Shi
- Cuiying Biomedical Research Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730030, China
| | - Xiaoying Guan
- Department of Pathology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730030, China
| | - Zeyuan Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730030, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Cuiying Biomedical Research Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730030, China
- Corresponding author. (Z.J.); (Q.W.); (J.Y.)
| | - Qi Wang
- Lanzhou Huazhitiancheng Biotechnologies Co., Ltd, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
- Corresponding author. (Z.J.); (Q.W.); (J.Y.)
| | - Zuoyi Jiao
- Cuiying Biomedical Research Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730030, China
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730030, China
- Corresponding author. (Z.J.); (Q.W.); (J.Y.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Oh F, Modiano JF, Bachanova V, Vallera DA. Bispecific Targeting of EGFR and Urokinase Receptor (uPAR) Using Ligand-Targeted Toxins in Solid Tumors. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10060956. [PMID: 32630411 PMCID: PMC7356355 DOI: 10.3390/biom10060956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Ligand-targeted toxins (LTTs) are bioengineered molecules which are composed of a targeting component linked to a toxin that induces cell death once the LTT binds its target. Bispecific targeting allows for the simultaneous targeting of two receptors. In this review, we mostly focus on the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as a target. We discuss the development and testing of a bispecific LTT targeting EGFR and urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) as two attractive targets implicated in tumor growth and in the regulation of the tumor microvasculature in solid tumors. In vitro and mouse xenograft studies have shown that EGFR-targeted bispecific angiotoxin (eBAT) is effective against human solid tumors. Canine studies have shown that eBAT is both safe and effective against canine hemangiosarcoma, which is physiologically similar to human angiosarcoma. Finding the appropriate dosing strategy and sequencing of eBAT administration, in combination with other therapeutics, are among important factors for future directions. Together, the data indicate that eBAT targets cancer stem cells, it may have a role in inhibiting human tumor vasculature, and its bispecific conformation may have a role in reducing toxicity in comparative oncologic trials in dogs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felix Oh
- School of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA;
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (J.F.M.); (V.B.)
| | - Jaime F. Modiano
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (J.F.M.); (V.B.)
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Veronika Bachanova
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (J.F.M.); (V.B.)
- School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Daniel A. Vallera
- School of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA;
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (J.F.M.); (V.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-26-266-664
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Si Y, Xu D, Bum-Erdene K, Ghozayel MK, Yang B, Clemons PA, Meroueh SO. Chemical Space Overlap with Critical Protein-Protein Interface Residues in Commercial and Specialized Small-Molecule Libraries. ChemMedChem 2019; 14:119-131. [PMID: 30548204 PMCID: PMC7175409 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
There is growing interest in the use of structure-based virtual screening to identify small molecules that inhibit challenging protein-protein interactions (PPIs). In this study, we investigated how effectively chemical library members docked at the PPI interface mimic the position of critical side-chain residues known as "hot spots". Three compound collections were considered, a commercially available screening collection (ChemDiv), a collection of diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS) compounds that contains natural-product-like small molecules, and a library constructed using established reactions (the "screenable chemical universe based on intuitive data organization", SCUBIDOO). Three different tight PPIs for which hot-spot residues have been identified were selected for analysis: uPAR⋅uPA, TEAD4⋅Yap1, and CaV α⋅CaV β. Analysis of library physicochemical properties was followed by docking to the PPI receptors. A pharmacophore method was used to measure overlap between small-molecule substituents and hot-spot side chains. Fragment-like conformationally restricted small molecules showed better hot-spot overlap for interfaces with well-defined pockets such as uPAR⋅uPA, whereas better overlap was observed for more complex DOS compounds in interfaces lacking a well-defined binding site such as TEAD4⋅Yap1. Virtual screening of conformationally restricted compounds targeting uPAR⋅uPA and TEAD4⋅Yap1 followed by experimental validation reinforce these findings, as the best hits were fragment-like and had few rotatable bonds for the former, while no hits were identified for the latter. Overall, such studies provide a framework for understanding PPIs in the context of additional chemical matter and new PPI definitions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yubing Si
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - David Xu
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of BioHealth Informatics, Indiana University School of Informatics and Computing, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Khuchtumur Bum-Erdene
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Mona K Ghozayel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Baocheng Yang
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanocomposites and Applications, Institute of Nanostructured Functional Materials, Huanghe Science and Technology College, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450006, China
| | - Paul A Clemons
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Samy O Meroueh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Borgatti A, Koopmeiners JS, Sarver AL, Winter AL, Stuebner K, Todhunter D, Rizzardi AE, Henriksen JC, Schmechel S, Forster CL, Kim JH, Froelich J, Walz J, Henson MS, Breen M, Lindblad-Toh K, Oh F, Pilbeam K, Modiano JF, Vallera DA. Safe and Effective Sarcoma Therapy through Bispecific Targeting of EGFR and uPAR. Mol Cancer Ther 2017; 16:956-965. [PMID: 28193671 PMCID: PMC5418099 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-16-0637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Sarcomas differ from carcinomas in their mesenchymal origin. Therapeutic advancements have come slowly, so alternative drugs and models are urgently needed. These studies report a new drug for sarcomas that simultaneously targets both tumor and tumor neovasculature. eBAT is a bispecific angiotoxin consisting of truncated, deimmunized Pseudomonas exotoxin fused to EGF and the amino terminal fragment of urokinase. Here, we study the drug in an in vivo "ontarget" companion dog trial as eBAT effectively kills canine hemangiosarcoma and human sarcoma cells in vitro We reasoned the model has value due to the common occurrence of spontaneous sarcomas in dogs and a limited lifespan allowing for rapid accrual and data collection. Splenectomized dogs with minimal residual disease were given one cycle of eBAT followed by adjuvant doxorubicin in an adaptive dose-finding, phase I-II study of 23 dogs with spontaneous, stage I-II, splenic hemangiosarcoma. eBAT improved 6-month survival from <40% in a comparison population to approximately 70% in dogs treated at a biologically active dose (50 μg/kg). Six dogs were long-term survivors, living >450 days. eBAT abated expected toxicity associated with EGFR targeting, a finding supported by mouse studies. Urokinase plasminogen activator receptor and EGFR are targets for human sarcomas, so thorough evaluation is crucial for validation of the dog model. Thus, we validated these markers for human sarcoma targeting in the study of 212 human and 97 canine sarcoma samples. Our results support further translation of eBAT for human patients with sarcomas and perhaps other EGFR-expressing malignancies. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(5); 956-65. ©2017 AACR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Borgatti
- Animal Cancer Care and Research (ACCR) Program, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Joseph S Koopmeiners
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Aaron L Sarver
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Amber L Winter
- Clinical Investigation Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, St. Paul, Minnesota
| | - Kathleen Stuebner
- Clinical Investigation Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, St. Paul, Minnesota
| | - Deborah Todhunter
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Anthony E Rizzardi
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jonathan C Henriksen
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Stephen Schmechel
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Colleen L Forster
- BioNet Histology Research Laboratory, Academic Health Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Jong-Hyuk Kim
- Animal Cancer Care and Research (ACCR) Program, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Jerry Froelich
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Jillian Walz
- Animal Cancer Care and Research (ACCR) Program, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota
| | - Michael S Henson
- Animal Cancer Care and Research (ACCR) Program, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Matthew Breen
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, and Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
- Cancer Genetics Program, University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Kerstin Lindblad-Toh
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Felix Oh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Kristy Pilbeam
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Jaime F Modiano
- Animal Cancer Care and Research (ACCR) Program, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Daniel A Vallera
- Animal Cancer Care and Research (ACCR) Program, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cammalleri M, Dal Monte M, Locri F, Marsili S, Lista L, De Rosa M, Pavone V, Rusciano D, Bagnoli P. Diabetic Retinopathy in the Spontaneously Diabetic Torii Rat: Pathogenetic Mechanisms and Preventive Efficacy of Inhibiting the Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor System. J Diabetes Res 2017; 2017:2904150. [PMID: 29464181 PMCID: PMC5804371 DOI: 10.1155/2017/2904150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Revised: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The spontaneously diabetic Torii (SDT) rat is of increasing preclinical interest because of its similarities to human type 2 diabetic retinopathy (DR). The system formed by urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR) is a player in blood-retinal barrier (BRB) breakdown in DR. Here, we investigated whether in SDT rats, preventive administration of UPARANT, an inhibitor of the uPAR pathway, counteracts the retinal impairment in response to chronic hyperglycemia. Electroretinogram (ERG) monitoring was followed over time. Fluorescein-dextran microscopy, CD31 immunohistochemistry, quantitative PCR, ELISA, Evans blue perfusion, and Western blot were also used. UPARANT prevented ERG dysfunction, upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor and fibroblast growth factor-2, BRB leakage, gliosis, and retinal cell death. The mechanisms underlying UPARANT benefits were studied comparing them with the acute streptozotocin (STZ) model in which UPARANT is known to inhibit DR signs. In SDT rats, but not in the STZ model, UPARANT downregulated the expression of uPAR and its membrane partners. In both models, UPARANT reduced the levels of transcription factors coupled to inflammation or inflammatory factors themselves. These findings may help to establish the uPAR system as putative target for the development of novel drugs that may prevent type 2 DR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Cammalleri
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 31, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Massimo Dal Monte
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 31, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Locri
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 31, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefania Marsili
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 31, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Liliana Lista
- Department of Biology, University of Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia, Edificio 7, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Mario De Rosa
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Second University of Napoli, Via Santa Maria di Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Pavone
- Department of Biology, University of Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia, Edificio 7, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Dario Rusciano
- Sooft Fidia Pharma, Contrada Molino 17, 63833 Montegiorgio, Italy
| | - Paola Bagnoli
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 31, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tarighi P, Khorramizadeh M, Madadkar-Sobhani A, Ostad S, Ghahremani M. Growth inhibition of MDA-MB-231 cell line by peptides designed based on uPA. Acta Med Iran 2015; 53:403-407. [PMID: 26520626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Interaction between urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR) plays an important role in the progression of numerous cancer types including breast cancer by promoting tumor initiating, proliferation, invasion and metastasis. Hence, disruption of this interaction inhibits their downstream cascades and subsequently tumor growth. For this, we created two series of 8 and 10 amino acids linear peptides, derived from uPA binding region to target uPAR and studied the inhibition of proliferation in MDA-MB-231 cell line. Results revealed that all of the 10-mer peptides inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation significantly with maximum 40% inhibition of 103 peptides. Meanwhile, none of the 8-mer peptides showed significant toxicity. Current results indicate that the linear 10-mer peptides which mimic a small part of a sequence of a binding domain of uPA to uPAR could be exploited to design a novel class of anti-cancer agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Parastoo Tarighi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - MohammadReza Khorramizadeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Armin Madadkar-Sobhani
- Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran
| | - SeyedNasser Ostad
- Department of Toxicology-Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - MohammadHossein Ghahremani
- Department of Toxicology-Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Malla RR, Gopinath S, Alapati K, Gorantla B, Gondi CS, Rao JS. Knockdown of cathepsin B and uPAR inhibits CD151 and α3β1 integrin-mediated cell adhesion and invasion in glioma. Mol Carcinog 2013; 52:777-90. [PMID: 22495828 PMCID: PMC3525767 DOI: 10.1002/mc.21915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2011] [Revised: 02/24/2012] [Accepted: 03/19/2012] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Glioma is a highly complex brain tumor characterized by the dysregulation of proteins and genes that leads to tumor metastasis. Cathepsin B and uPAR are overexpressed in gliomas and they are postulated to play central roles in glioma metastasis. In this study, efficient downregulation of cathepsin B and uPAR by siRNA treatments significantly reduced glioma cell adhesion to laminin as compared to vitronectin, fibronectin, or collagen I in U251 and 4910 glioma cell lines. Brain glioma tissue array analysis showed high expression of CD151 in clinical samples when compared with normal brain tissue. Cathepsin B and uPAR siRNA treatment led to the downregulation of CD151 and laminin-binding integrins α3 and β1. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that downregulation of cathepsin B and uPAR decreased the interaction of CD151 with uPAR cathepsin B, and α3β1 integrin. Studies on the downstream signaling cascade of uPAR/CD151/α3β1 integrin have shown that phosphorylation of FAK, SRC, paxillin, and expression of adaptor cytoskeletal proteins talin and vinculin were reduced with knockdown of cathepsin B, uPAR, and CD151. Treatment with the bicistronic construct reduced interactions between uPAR and CD151 as well as lowering α3β1 integrin, talin, and vinculin expression levels in pre-established glioma tumors of nude mice. In conclusion, our results show that downregulation of cathepsin B and uPAR alone and in combination inhibit glioma cell adhesion by downregulating CD151 and its associated signaling molecules in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, the results of the present study show that targeting the uPAR-cathepsin B system has possible therapeutic potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rama Rao Malla
- Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, One Illini Drive, Peoria, IL, 61605, USA
| | - Sreelatha Gopinath
- Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, One Illini Drive, Peoria, IL, 61605, USA
| | - Kiranmai Alapati
- Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, One Illini Drive, Peoria, IL, 61605, USA
| | - Bharathi Gorantla
- Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, One Illini Drive, Peoria, IL, 61605, USA
| | - Christopher S. Gondi
- Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, One Illini Drive, Peoria, IL, 61605, USA
| | - Jasti S. Rao
- Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, One Illini Drive, Peoria, IL, 61605, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, One Illini Drive, Peoria, IL, 61605, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hansen L, Larsen EKU, Nielsen EH, Iversen F, Liu Z, Thomsen K, Pedersen M, Skrydstrup T, Nielsen NC, Ploug M, Kjems J. Targeting of peptide conjugated magnetic nanoparticles to urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) expressing cells. Nanoscale 2013; 5:8192-8201. [PMID: 23835641 DOI: 10.1039/c3nr32922d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles are currently being used as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent in vivo, mainly by their passive accumulation in tissues of interest. However, a higher specificity can ideally be achieved when the nanoparticles are targeted towards cell specific receptors and this may also facilitate specific drug delivery by an enhanced target-mediated endocytosis. We report efficient peptide-mediated targeting of magnetic nanoparticles to cells expressing the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), a surface biomarker for poor patient prognosis shared by several cancers including breast, colorectal, and gastric cancers. Conjugation of a uPAR specific targeting peptide onto polyethylene glycol (PEG) coated USPIO nanoparticles by click chemistry resulted in a five times higher uptake in vitro in a uPAR positive cell line compared to nanoparticles carrying a non-binding control peptide. In accordance with specific receptor-mediated recognition, a low uptake was observed in the presence of an excess of ATF, a natural ligand for uPAR. The uPAR specific magnetic nanoparticles can potentially provide a useful supplement for tumor patient management when combined with MRI and drug delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Line Hansen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Departments of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Min HJ, Lee Y, Zhao XF, Park YK, Lee MK, Lee JW, Kim S. TMPRSS4 upregulates uPA gene expression through JNK signaling activation to induce cancer cell invasion. Cell Signal 2013; 26:398-408. [PMID: 23978400 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2013.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2013] [Revised: 07/27/2013] [Accepted: 08/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
TMPRSS4 is a novel type II transmembrane serine protease that is highly expressed in pancreatic, thyroid, colon, and other cancer tissues. Previously, we demonstrated that TMPRSS4 mediates tumor cell invasion, migration, and metastasis. However, the mechanisms by which TMPRSS4 contributes to invasion are not fully understood. Here, we demonstrated that TMPRSS4 induced the transcription of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) gene through activating the transcription factors Sp1, Sp3, and AP-1 in mainly a JNK-dependent manner and that the induction of uPA was required for TMPRSS4-mediated cancer cell invasion and signaling events. In addition, the uPA receptor was involved in TMPRSS4-induced signaling activation and subsequent uPA expression probably through its association with TMPRSS4 on the cell surface. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that uPA expression was significantly correlated with TMPRSS4 expression in human lung and prostate cancers. These observations suggest that TMPRSS4 is an important regulator of uPA gene expression; the upregulation of uPA by TMPRSS4 contributes to invasion and may represent a novel mechanism for the control of invasion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Jin Min
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 305-806, Republic of Korea
| | - Yunhee Lee
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 305-806, Republic of Korea; Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Xue-Feng Zhao
- Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun 519-809, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Kyu Park
- Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun 519-809, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung Kyu Lee
- Bionanotechnology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 305-806, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Weon Lee
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea
| | - Semi Kim
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 305-806, Republic of Korea; Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wang L, Pedroja BS, Meyers EE, Garcia AL, Twining SS, Bernstein AM. Degradation of internalized αvβ5 integrin is controlled by uPAR bound uPA: effect on β1 integrin activity and α-SMA stress fiber assembly. PLoS One 2012; 7:e33915. [PMID: 22470492 PMCID: PMC3309951 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0033915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2011] [Accepted: 02/19/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Myofibroblasts (Mfs) that persist in a healing wound promote extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation and excessive tissue contraction. Increased levels of integrin αvβ5 promote the Mf phenotype and other fibrotic markers. Previously we reported that maintaining uPA (urokinase plasminogen activator) bound to its cell-surface receptor, uPAR prevented TGFβ-induced Mf differentiation. We now demonstrate that uPA/uPAR controls integrin β5 protein levels and in turn, the Mf phenotype. When cell-surface uPA was increased, integrin β5 levels were reduced (61%). In contrast, when uPA/uPAR was silenced, integrin β5 total and cell-surface levels were increased (2–4 fold). Integrin β5 accumulation resulted from a significant decrease in β5 ubiquitination leading to a decrease in the degradation rate of internalized β5. uPA-silencing also induced α-SMA stress fiber organization in cells that were seeded on collagen, increased cell area (1.7 fold), and increased integrin β1 binding to the collagen matrix, with reduced activation of β1. Elevated cell-surface integrin β5 was necessary for these changes after uPA-silencing since blocking αvβ5 function reversed these effects. Our data support a novel mechanism by which downregulation of uPA/uPAR results in increased integrin αvβ5 cell-surface protein levels that regulate the activity of β1 integrins, promoting characteristics of the persistent Mf.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lingyan Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Benjamin S. Pedroja
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Erin E. Meyers
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Angelo L. Garcia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Sally S. Twining
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Audrey M. Bernstein
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Malla RR, Gopinath S, Gondi CS, Alapati K, Dinh DH, Gujrati M, Rao JS. Cathepsin B and uPAR knockdown inhibits tumor-induced angiogenesis by modulating VEGF expression in glioma. Cancer Gene Ther 2011; 18:419-34. [PMID: 21394106 PMCID: PMC3096680 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2011.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2010] [Revised: 11/02/2010] [Accepted: 01/17/2011] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis, which is the process of sprouting of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels, is vital for tumor progression. Proteolytic remodeling of extracellular matrix is a key event in vessel sprouting during angiogenesis. Urokinase type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and cathepsin B are both known to be overexpressed and implicated in tumor angiogenesis. In the present study, we observed that knockdown of uPAR and cathepsin B using puPAR (pU), pCathepsin B (pC), and a bicistronic construct of uPAR and cathepsin B (pCU) caused significant inhibition of angiogenesis by disrupting the janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway-dependent expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Further, transcriptional suppression of uPAR and cathepsin B inhibited tumor-induced migration, proliferation of endothelial cells and decreased tumor-promoted expression of VEGF receptor-2, Rac1, gp91phox, cyclin D1, cyclin dependent kinase 4 and p-Rb in human dermal microvascular endothelial cell. Furthermore, U251 and SNB19 xenograft tissue sections from nude mice treated with pCU showed reduced expression of VEGF and CD31, which is a blood vessel visualization marker. Overall, results revealed that knockdown of uPAR and cathepsin B inhibited tumor-induced angiogenesis by disrupting the JAK/STAT pathway-dependent expression of VEGF. These data provide new insight in characterizing the pathways involved in the angiogenic cascade and for the identification of novel target proteins for use in therapeutic intervention for gliomas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rama Rao Malla
- Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, One Illini Drive, Peoria, IL 61605
| | - Sreelatha Gopinath
- Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, One Illini Drive, Peoria, IL 61605
| | - Christopher S. Gondi
- Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, One Illini Drive, Peoria, IL 61605
| | - Kiranmai Alapati
- Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, One Illini Drive, Peoria, IL 61605
| | - Dzung H. Dinh
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine, One Illini Drive, Peoria, IL 61605
| | - Meena Gujrati
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, One Illini Drive, Peoria, IL 61605
| | - Jasti S. Rao
- Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, One Illini Drive, Peoria, IL 61605
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine, One Illini Drive, Peoria, IL 61605
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kenny HA, Leonhardt P, Ladanyi A, Yamada SD, Montag A, Im HK, Jagadeeswaran S, Shaw DE, Mazar AP, Lengyel E. Targeting the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor inhibits ovarian cancer metastasis. Clin Cancer Res 2011; 17:459-71. [PMID: 21149615 PMCID: PMC3073583 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-10-2258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To understand the functional and preclinical efficacy of targeting the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (u-PAR) in ovarian cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Expression of u-PAR was studied in 162 epithelial ovarian cancers, including 77 pairs of corresponding primary and metastatic tumors. The effect of an antibody against u-PAR (ATN-658) on proliferation, adhesion, invasion, apoptosis, and migration was assessed in 3 (SKOV3ip1, HeyA8, and CaOV3) ovarian cancer cell lines. The impact of the u-PAR antibody on tumor weight, number, and survival was examined in corresponding ovarian cancer xenograft models and the mechanism by which ATN-658 blocks metastasis was explored. RESULTS Only 8% of all ovarian tumors were negative for u-PAR expression. Treatment of SKOV3ip1, HeyA8, and CaOV3 ovarian cancer cell lines with the u-PAR antibody inhibited cell invasion, migration, and adhesion. In vivo, anti-u-PAR treatment reduced the number of tumors and tumor weight in CaOV3 and SKOV3ip1 xenografts and reduced tumor weight and increased survival in HeyA8 xenografts. Immunostaining of CaOV3 xenograft tumors and ovarian cancer cell lines showed an increase in active-caspase 3 and TUNEL staining. Treatment with u-PAR antibody inhibited α(5)-integrin and u-PAR colocalization on primary human omental extracellular matrix. Anti-u-PAR treatment also decreased the expression of urokinase, u-PAR, β(3)-integrin, and fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that an antibody against u-PAR reduces metastasis, induces apoptosis, and reduces the interaction between u-PAR and α(5)-integrin. This provides a rationale for targeting the u-PAR pathway in patients with ovarian cancer and for further testing of ATN-658 in this indication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hilary A. Kenny
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology/Section of Gynecologic Oncology – Center for Integrative Science, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Payton Leonhardt
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology/Section of Gynecologic Oncology – Center for Integrative Science, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Andras Ladanyi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology/Section of Gynecologic Oncology – Center for Integrative Science, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - S. Diane Yamada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology/Section of Gynecologic Oncology – Center for Integrative Science, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Anthony Montag
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Hae Kyung Im
- Department of Health Studies, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Sujatha Jagadeeswaran
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology/Section of Gynecologic Oncology – Center for Integrative Science, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - David E. Shaw
- D. E. Shaw Research and Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Andrew P. Mazar
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute and Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Ernst Lengyel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology/Section of Gynecologic Oncology – Center for Integrative Science, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Bache N, Rand KD, Roepstorff P, Ploug M, Jørgensen TJD. Hydrogen atom scrambling in selectively labeled anionic peptides upon collisional activation by MALDI tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry. J Am Soc Mass Spectrom 2008; 19:1719-1725. [PMID: 18640053 DOI: 10.1016/j.jasms.2008.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2008] [Revised: 05/23/2008] [Accepted: 05/23/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
We have previously shown that peptide amide hydrogens undergo extensive intramolecular migration (i.e., complete hydrogen scrambling) upon collisional activation of protonated peptides (Jørgensen et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 2785-2793). The occurrence of hydrogen scrambling enforces severe limitations on the application of gas-phase fragmentation as a convenient method to obtain information about the site-specific deuterium uptake for proteins and peptides in solution. To investigate whether deprotonated peptides exhibit a lower level of scrambling relative to their protonated counterparts, we have now measured the level of hydrogen scrambling in a deprotonated, selectively labeled peptide using MALDI tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Our results conclusively show that hydrogen scrambling is prevalent in the deprotonated peptide upon collisional activation. The amide hydrogens ((1)H/(2)H) have migrated extensively in the anionic peptide, thereby erasing the original regioselective deuteration pattern obtained in solution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolai Bache
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Knör S, Sato S, Huber T, Morgenstern A, Bruchertseifer F, Schmitt M, Kessler H, Senekowitsch-Schmidtke R, Magdolen V, Seidl C. Development and evaluation of peptidic ligands targeting tumour-associated urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) for use in alpha-emitter therapy for disseminated ovarian cancer. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2007; 35:53-64. [PMID: 17891393 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-007-0582-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2007] [Accepted: 08/19/2007] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Among gynecologic malignancies, ovarian cancer has the highest mortality due to rapid peritoneal dissemination. Treatment failure particularly arises from failure to eliminate disseminated cells. Our aim was to develop peptidic radioligands targeting tumour cell-associated urokinase receptor (uPAR, CD87) for alpha-emitter therapy for advanced ovarian cancer. METHODS DOTA-conjugated, uPAR-directed ligands were synthesised on solid-phase. Binding of peptides to human cells expressing uPAR was assayed by flow cytofluorometry or, in case of (213)Bi-labelled peptides, by measuring cell-bound radioactivity. Bio-distribution of the (213)Bi-labelled peptide P-P4D was analysed in nude mice 28 days after intraperitoneal inoculation of OV-MZ-6 ovarian cancer cells in the absence or presence of the plasma expander gelofusine. RESULTS uPAR-selective ligands were developed based on published high-affinity uPAR-binding peptides. For preparation of N-terminally cross-linked divalent ligands, a novel solid-phase procedure was developed. Specific binding of (213)Bi-labelled peptides to monocytoid U937 and OV-MZ-6 cells was demonstrated using the natural ligand of uPAR, pro-uPA, or a soluble form of uPAR, suPAR, as competitors. The pseudo-symmetrical covalent dimer (213)Bi-P-P4D displayed superior binding to OV-MZ-6 cells in vitro. Accumulation of (213)Bi-P-P4D in tumour tissue was demonstrated by bio-distribution analysis in nude mice bearing intraperitoneal OV-MZ-6-derived tumours. Gelofusine reduced kidney uptake of (213)Bi-P-P4D by half. CONCLUSION Ovarian cancer cells overexpressing uPAR were specifically targeted in vitro and in vivo by (213)Bi-P-P4D. Kidney uptake of (213)Bi-P-P4D was distinctly reduced using gelofusine. Thus, this radiopeptide may represent a promising option for therapy for disseminated ovarian cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Knör
- Department Chemie, Lehrstuhl II für Organische Chemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85747, Garching, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|