Vector-based RNAi approach to isoform-specific downregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)165 expression in human leukemia cells

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a critical role during normal embryonic angiogenesis and also in the pathological angiogenesis that occurs in a number of diseases, including cancer. K562 human leukemia cells overexpress VEGF, with a shift in isoform production from membrane-bound VEGF189 to the more soluble VEGF165. In the present study, three 19 bp reverse repeated motifs targeting exons 5 and 7 boundary of VEGF165 gene sequence with 9 bp spacer were synthesized and cloned into eukaryotic expression plasmid pGenesil-1 containing U6 shRNA promoter and termination signal of RNA polymerase. The recombinant plasmids pGenesil-VR1, pGenesil-VR2, pGenesil-VR3 and pGenesil-con (plasmid containing random DNA fragment) were transfected into K562 cells, respectively, through lipofectamine reagent. A vector-based small interfering RNA(SiRNA) inhibited VEGF165 mRNA expression by 72% and protein production by 67% in K562 cells. Human microvascular endothelial cell migration induced by conditioned medium from VEGFsi-transfected K562 cells was significantly less than that induced by conditioned medium from K562 cells and control vector-transfected K562 cells. Furthermore, the VEGF shRNA dramatically suppressed tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth in a K562 s.c. xenograft model. Vessel density as assessed by vWF immunohistochemical analysis was also decreased. This strategy provides a novel tool to study the function of various VEGF isoforms and may contribute to VEGF-specific treatment in cancer.     

Inhibition of K562 leukemia angiogenesis and growth by selective Na+/H+ exchanger inhibitor cariporide through down-regulation of pro-angiogenesis factor VEGF

To investigate the effect of inhibition of Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger isoform1 (NHE1) on K562 leukemia-driven angiogenesis, the selective NHE1 inhibitor cariporide was used. Cariporide treatment of K562 resulted in a decrease in pHi and down-regulation of VEGF secretion. The proliferation, migration and in vitro tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells was decreased in cariporide treated K562 condition medium (CM) while VEGF supplement could partially restore the inhibitory effect. Subcutaneous injection of nude mice with cariporide inhibited K562 tumor growth with a reduction of the density of microvessels compared to the control group.     

Effect of antisense VEGF cDNA transfection on the growth of chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells in vitro and in nude mice

To further elucidate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the pathogenesis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), we transfected K562 cells with a VEGF(121)cDNA sense vector (S), an antisense (AS) vector or vector (V) alone. The growth of transfected cells was investigated by MTT and colony-formation assays, and apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry (FCM) of Annexin-V-FITC/PI dual labeled cells. Transfected cells were subcutaneously transplanted into nude mice and the microvessel density (MVD) of tumor masses was determined by vWF immunohistochemistry staining. We tested the supernatant of different transfected K562 cells against human bone marrow endothelial cells (BMECs), and examined the synergic effects of antisense VEGF(121)cDNA and IFNalpha or STI571 on the proliferation and apoptosis of K562 cells. We found that K562/AS transfectants exhibited a 49% reduction in VEGF secretion, whereas K562/S transfectants exhibited a 3-fold increase in VEGF secretion, all in comparison to the vector controls. K562 cells transfected with antisense VEGF(121)cDNA showed growth retardation in vitro. In transplanted nude mice in vivo, transfection of implanted cells with antisense VEGF(121)cDNA resulted in decreased tumor MVD, and increased apoptosis in the presence of IFNalpha. Taken together, these results suggest that VEGF may be involved in the pathogenesis of CML through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms, and that anti-VEGF therapy alone or in combination with conventional treatment may be beneficial for CML patients.     

Inhibiting Colorectal Carcinoma Growth and Metastasis By Blocking the Expression of VEGF Using RNA Interference

Angiogenesis plays an essential role in tumor growth and metastasis and is a promising target for cancer therapy. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key regulator of angiogenesis. The present study was designed to determine the role of VEGF in tumor growth and metastasis using RNA interference (RNAi) technology. Four small interfering RNA (siRNA) sequences for the VEGF gene were cloned into expression plasmids and transfected into human colorectal carcinoma (CRC) SW620 cells. Stable transfection of these plasmids decreased VEGF protein expression, leading to the potent suppression of tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis in vitro. Furthermore, in subcutaneous and intrasplenic/portal injection models involving athymic nude mice, the tumor growth and metastasis of SW620 cells expressing VEGF siRNA were significantly inhibited compared with untransfected cells or cells transfected with control vector alone. Immunohistochemical analyses of tumor sections revealed a decreased vessel density and decreased VEGF expression in the animals where siRNA against VEGF were expressed. These results indicate that RNAi of VEGF can be an effective antiangiogenic strategy for CRC.     

重组人血管内皮生长因子165对K562白血病细胞生物学活性的影响

目的：探讨人重组血管内皮生长的因子165对人K562白血病细胞生物学活性的影响。方法：利用pcDNA3.1（＋）质粒构建人重组含VEGF165的真核表达载体,脂质体转染至K562白血病细胞,并用G418筛选阳性克隆;以RT-PCR测定重组质粒载体VEGF165基因的表达;MTT法测定K562白血病细胞的生长;建立裸鼠皮下移植人K562肿瘤模型,测定肿瘤体积的大小;免疫组化检测肿瘤的微血管密度（MVD）。结果：成功构建pcDNA3.1（＋）-VEGF165表达质粒。K562白血病细胞转染重组质粒后,明显增加K562细胞中VEGF165 mRNA的表达,转染重组质粒的K562细胞增殖明显快于对照组;移植重组pcDNA3.1（＋）-VEGF165质粒转染的K562细胞之后,荷瘤鼠移植瘤生长明显快于对照组;并且移植瘤组织微血管密度明显高于对照组（P〈0.05）。结论：利用pc DNA3.1（＋）真核表达质粒可成功构建含人VEGF165的重组质粒,重组质粒转染K562细胞后,体内外均明显促进K562细胞增殖。     

Regulatory effects of PTEN gene transfection on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in leukemia cells北大核心

Objective: To investigate the effects of wild type tumor-suppressing gene PTEN (phosphatase and tensin hemology deleted on chromosome ten gene) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR1) in leukemia cells and elucidate the mechanism. Methods: The recombinant adenovirus containing wild type PTEN and green fluorescent protein (GFP) (Ad-PTEN-GFP) or empty vector (Ad-GFP) was transfected into K562 leukemia cells. PTEN, VEGF, and VEGFR1 mRNA expression levels were detected using quantitative PCR and the protein expression levels were detected using Western blotting. Transwell invasion test was used to examine the invasion ability of the leukemia cells. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells ECV304 were also transfected with or without PTEN gene. Then the proliferation and apoptosis were measured using MTT assay and flow cytometry (FCM), respectively. Chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) test was used to determine the effect of PTEN gene transfection on angiogenesis. Results: The expressions of VEGF and VEGFR1 were significantly inhibited after transfection of Ad-PTEN-GFP compared with the control group transfected with empty Ad-GFP. The inhibitory effects were in a dose-dependent manner. The invasion capability of K562 cells was markedly weakened after transfection of Ad-PTEN-GFP. PTEN gene transfection inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial ECV304 cells. The cells were arrested at S phase. CAM test showed that PTEN gene inhibited the angiogenesis in vivo. Conclusion: Tumor suppressor gene PTEN inhibited the growth of endothelial cells and the invasion of leukemia cells. The action mechanism may be related with down-regulation VEGF expression and angiogenesis of leukemia cells.     

The antitumor and antiangiogenic activity of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibition is potentiated by ErbB1 blockade.

PURPOSE: Receptor tyrosine kinases of the ErbB family play important roles in the control of tumor growth. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulates endothelial cell proliferation, enhances vascular permeability, and plays an important role in tumor vascularization. We evaluated the effects of selective VEGF receptor (VEGFR; PTK787/ZK222584) and ErbB (PKI166 and ZD1839) inhibitors on tumor growth and angiogenesis and asked whether additional therapeutic benefit was conferred by combination treatment. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The antitumor activity of each inhibitor alone or in combination was assessed in human cancer models in immunocompromised mice. ErbB receptor expression and activation of downstream signaling pathway was evaluated in both tumor and endothelial cells. RESULTS: Both ErbB inhibitors significantly enhanced the antitumor activity of PTK787/ZK222584. In vitro, ErbB1 inhibition blocked VEGF release by tumor cells and proliferation of both tumor and endothelial cells. In an in vitro angiogenesis assay, epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulated the release of VEGF by smooth muscle cells resulting in increased angiogenesis, a response blocked by administration of PTK787/ZK222584. Under basal condition, both ZD1839 and PTK787/ZK222584 blocked sprouting, likely via inhibition of an autocrine ErbB1 loop and VEGFR signaling, respectively, in endothelial cells. In conditions of limiting VEGF, EGF plays an important role in endothelial cell proliferation, survival, and sprouting. CONCLUSION: We have shown that activation of ErbB1 triggers a plethora of effects, including direct effects on tumor and endothelial cells and indirect effects mediated via induction of VEGF release. Simultaneous blockade of ErbB1 and VEGFR pathways results in a cooperative antitumor effect, indicating that this combination may represent a valid therapeutic strategy.     

Hypoxia-induced angiogenesis of cultured human salivary gland carcinoma cells enhances vascular endothelial growth factor production and basic fibroblast growth factor release

The angiogenic activity of two human salivary gland tumor cell lines, ACCS from adenoid cystic carcinoma and IT-2 from mucoepidermoid carcinoma, was examined by stimulating tube formation by bovine capillary endothelial cells (BCE). ACCS and IT-2 were cultured in 20 or 3% oxygen, representing normoxic and hypoxic conditions, respectively, and conditioned medium (CM) was obtained from each culture. The BCE tubes stimulated by hypoxic CM were 1.59 (ACCS) and 1.42 (IT-2) times longer than those stimulated by normoxic CM. The tube-forming activity of CM was inhibited by preincubation with either anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) IgG or anti-basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) IgG, suggesting that both VEGF and bFGF with angiogenic activity were present in the CM. This was confirmed by ELISA, which also demonstrated increased concentrations of both proteins in the hypoxic CM. Northern blot analysis showed an increased VEGF mRNA level in both carcinoma cells with hypoxia, while hypoxia did not affect the bFGF mRNA level in either cell line. The results suggest that both VEGF and bFGF are major angiogenesis factors in salivary gland tumors, and hypoxia-induced angiogenesis results from upregulation of VEGF and increased release of bFGF.     

The role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in tumor angiogenesis and early clinical development of VEGF-receptor kinase inhibitors

Angiogenesis, or the formation of new blood vessels from preexisting vasculature, plays a major role in tumor growth and metastasis formation. Therefore, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis may be a promising therapeutic strategy. Paracrine stimuli from tumor cells are the main promoters of angiogenesis. They activate endothelial cells to proliferate and migrate, subsequently resulting in new tube formation and blood flow. This complex process involves numerous biological activities. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent and specific angiogenic factor. Originally identified for its ability to induce vascular permeability and stimulate endothelial cell growth, VEGF is now known to be a key requirement for tumor growth. Currently, three high-affinity tyrosine kinase receptors for VEGF have been identified, of which VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-Flk-1/KDR (VEGFR-2) is exclusively expressed in vascular endothelial cells. Because the VEGFR-2 system is a dominant signal-transduction pathway in regulating tumor angiogenesis, specific inhibitors of this pathway inhibit metastases, microvessel formation, and tumor-cell proliferation. Induction of apoptosis in tumor cells and endothelial cells has also been observed. The clinical importance of VEGF for tumor growth is supported by the fact that most tumors produce VEGF and that the inhibition of VEGF-induced angiogenesis significantly inhibits tumor growth in vivo. In this review, we discuss the biologic role of VEGF and the therapeutic options for inhibiting VEGF in cancer patients.     

Blockade of insulin-like growth factor I receptor function inhibits growth and angiogenesis of colon cancer.

Purpose and Experimental Design: Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) I and II and their principle receptor, IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR), are frequently expressed in human colon cancers and play a role in preventing apoptosis, enhancing cell proliferation, and inducing expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). To elucidate the in vitro and in vivo effects of IGF-IR in human colon cancer growth and angiogenesis, HT29 cells were transfected with a truncated dominant-negative (DN) form of IGF-IR or vector alone. RESULTS: IGF-I increased VEGF expression in parental and vector-transfected cells, whereas IGF-I induction of VEGF mRNA and protein was abrogated in IGF-IR DN cells. The IGF-IR DN cells demonstrated inhibited growth in both monolayer culture and soft agar (P < 0.05). s.c. injections of IGF-IR DN cells in nude mice led to significantly decreased tumor growth (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that IGF-I DN tumors demonstrated decreased tumor cell proliferation, VEGF expression, and vessel count and increased tumor cell apoptosis (P < 0.05 for all parameters compared with controls). Furthermore, IGF-IR DN-transfected cells yielded significantly decreased tumorigenicity and growth in the liver. CONCLUSIONS: These studies demonstrate that the IGF ligand-receptor system plays an important role in multiple mechanisms that mediate human colon cancer growth including regulation of VEGF and angiogenesis.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor in human colon cancer: biology and therapeutic implications

Tumor growth and metastasis are dependent on angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in the angiogenesis of numerous solid malignancies including colon cancer. Evidence from preclinical and clinical studies indicates VEGF is the predominant angiogenic factor in human colon cancer and is associated with formation of metastases and poor prognosis. Based on these results, it was hypothesized that inhibition of VEGF receptor activity could inhibit colon cancer liver metastasis. To test this hypothesis, the authors evaluated the ability of a small molecule inhibitor specific for the tyrosine kinase VEGF receptor Flk-1/KDR (SU5416) or multiple tyrosine kinase receptors (SU6668) to inhibit tumor angiogenesis and metastasis in a model of colon cancer hepatic metastasis. Both SU5416 and SU6668 inhibited metastases, microvessel formation, and cell proliferation while increasing tumor cell and endothelial cell apoptosis. These results showed that targeting the VEGF receptor/ligand system is a rational approach to inhibiting tumor growth and prolonging survival.     

AMG 706, an oral, multikinase inhibitor that selectively targets vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, and kit receptors, potently inhibits angiogenesis and induces regression in tumor xenografts

The growth of solid tumors is dependent on the continued stimulation of endothelial cell proliferation and migration resulting in angiogenesis. The angiogenic process is controlled by a variety of factors of which the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway and its receptors play a pivotal role. Small-molecule inhibitors of VEGF receptors (VEGFR) have been shown to inhibit angiogenesis and tumor growth in preclinical models and in clinical trials. A novel nicotinamide, AMG 706, was identified as a potent, orally bioavailable inhibitor of the VEGFR1/Flt1, VEGFR2/kinase domain receptor/Flk-1, VEGFR3/Flt4, platelet-derived growth factor receptor, and Kit receptors in preclinical models. AMG 706 inhibited human endothelial cell proliferation induced by VEGF, but not by basic fibroblast growth factor in vitro, as well as vascular permeability induced by VEGF in mice. Oral administration of AMG 706 potently inhibited VEGF-induced angiogenesis in the rat corneal model and induced regression of established A431 xenografts. AMG 706 was well tolerated and had no significant effects on body weight or on the general health of the animals. Histologic analysis of tumor xenografts from AMG 706-treated animals revealed an increase in endothelial apoptosis and a reduction in blood vessel area that preceded an increase in tumor cell apoptosis. In summary, AMG 706 is an orally bioavailable, well-tolerated multikinase inhibitor that is presently under clinical investigation for the treatment of human malignancies.     

Fibroblast growth factors are required for efficient tumor angiogenesis

Although the function of vascular endothelial growth factor in the induction of tumor angiogenesis is well understood, the role of a second group of angiogenic factors, the fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), remains elusive. We used a recombinant adenovirus expressing soluble FGF receptor (AdsFGFR) to interfere with FGF function in tumor angiogenesis. AdsFGFR repressed endothelial cell proliferation in vitro and inhibited tumor angiogenesis in an ex vivo bioassay, in which endothelial cells were cocultured with angiogenic tumor biopsies in a collagen gel. Moreover, AdsFGFR repressed tumor angiogenesis and hence tumor growth in vivo in allograft transplantation experiments. Whereas adenoviral expression of a soluble form of VEGF receptor 1 (AdsFlt) predominantly affected the initiation of tumor angiogenesis, soluble FGF receptor (sFGFR) appeared to impair the maintenance of tumor angiogenesis. The combination of sFGFR and soluble Flt exhibited a synergistic effect in the repression of tumor growth. Finally, i.v. injection of AdsFGFR resulted in a dramatic repression of tumor growth in a transgenic mouse model of pancreatic beta cell carcinogenesis. Similar to control infections with AdsFlt, tumor-associated vessel density was decreased, indicating that the expression of sFGFR impaired tumor angiogenesis. These data indicate that FGFs play a critical role in tumor angiogenesis.     

Predicting treatment responses and disease progression in myeloma using serum vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor levels

Angiogenesis is a crucial process in the progression of multiple myeloma (MM). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are multifunctional cytokines that potently stimulate angiogenesis during tumor neovascularization. VEGF is secreted by MM cells. It induces proliferation of MM cells and stimulates IL-6 expression by microvascular endothelial cells and bone marrow stroma cells, suggesting both autocrine and paracrine functions for VEGF in MM. HGF and the HGF receptor, c-Met, are expressed simultaneously in MM cell lines and in freshly isolated MM cells, suggesting a possible role for HGF in MM cell proliferation. This review focuses on the clinical significance of serum levels of VEGF and HGF in MM.     

血管内皮生长因子的表达和血管生成与人胃癌移植瘤生长的关系

探讨血管内皮生长因子的表达与肿瘤血管生成的关系。方法 :将VEGF165正、反义RNA表达载体导入人胃癌细胞 ,观察接种VEGF高表达和低表达胃癌细胞裸鼠移植瘤的生长情况 ,并对移植瘤进行组织学检查 ,检测其血管密度、组织增生及坏死程度等变化。结果 :VEGF正义转染细胞所致移植瘤的生长速度明显快于反义转染细胞所致的移植瘤 ;组织学检查发现 ,正义转染细胞移植瘤的血管密度显著高于反义转染细胞所致的肿瘤。结论 :血管内皮生长因子通过启动血管生成而促进肿瘤的生长 ,阻断血管内皮生长因子的产生可以抑制肿瘤的生长。     

CH50多肽真核表达载体pCH510的构建、表达及体内趋化和抑瘤作用

目的：探讨血管内皮生长因子的表达与肿瘤血管生成的关系。方法：将VEGF165正、反义RNA表达载体导入人胃癌细胞,观察接种VEGF高表达和低表达胃癌细胞裸鼠移植瘤的生长情况,并对移植瘤进行组织学检查,检测其血管密度、组织增生及环死程度等变化。结果：VEGF正义转染细胞所致移植瘤的生长速度明显快于反义转染细胞所致的移植瘤;组织学检查发现,正义转染细胞移植瘤的血管密度显著高于的转染细胞所致的肿瘤。结论：血管皮生长因子通过启动血管生成而促进肿瘤的生长,阻断血管内皮生长因子的产生可以抑制肿瘤的生长。     

Reactive oxygen species regulate angiogenesis and tumor growth through vascular endothelial growth factor

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are associated with multiple cellular functions such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. However, the direct roles of endogenous ROS production still remain to be elucidated. In this study, we found that high levels of ROS were spontaneously produced by ovarian and prostate cancer cells. This elevated ROS production was inhibited by NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenylene iodonium (DPI) and mitochondria electron chain inhibitor rotenone in the cells. To further analyze the source of ROS production, we found that ovarian cancer cells have much higher expression of NOX4 NADPH oxidase, and that specific inhibition of NADPH oxidase subunit p47(phox) diminished ROS production. To analyze the functional relevance of ROS production, we showed that ROS regulated hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in ovarian cancer cells. Elevated levels of endogenous ROS were required for inducing angiogenesis and tumor growth. NOX4 knockdown in ovarian cancer cells decreased the levels of VEGF and HIF-1 alpha and tumor angiogenesis. This study suggests a new mechanism of higher ROS production in ovarian cancer cells and provides strong evidence that endogenous ROS play an important role for cancer cells to induce angiogenesis and tumor growth. This information may be useful to understand the new mechanism of cancer cells in inducing tumorigenesis and to develop new therapeutic strategy by targeting ROS signaling in human cancer in the future.     

SU5416 and SU6668 attenuate the angiogenic effects of radiation-induced tumor cell growth factor production and amplify the direct anti-endothelial action of radiation in vitro

In recent decades, radiation research has concentrated primarily on the cancer cell compartment. Much less is known about the effect of ionizing radiation on the endothelial cell compartment and the complex interaction between tumor cells and their microenvironment. Here we report that ionizing radiation is a potent antiangiogenic agent that inhibits endothelial cell survival, proliferation, tube formation and invasion. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor were able to reduce the radiosensitivity of endothelial cells. Yet, it is also found that radiation induces angiogenic factor production by tumor cells that can be abrogated by the addition of antiangiogenic agents. Receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors of Flk-1/KDR/VEGFR2, FGFR1 and PDGFR beta, SU5416, and SU6668 enhanced the antiangiogenic effects of direct radiation of the endothelial cells. In a coculture system of PC3 prostate cancer cells and endothelial cells, isolated irradiation of the PC3 cells enhanced endothelial cell invasiveness through a Matrigel matrix, which was inhibited by SU5416 and SU6668. Furthermore, ionizing radiation up-regulated VEGF and basic fibroblast growth factor in PC3 cells and VEGFR2 in endothelial cells. Together these findings suggest a radiation-inducible protective role for tumor cells in the support of their associated vasculature that may be down-regulated by coadministration of angiogenesis inhibitors. These results rationalize concurrent administration of angiogenesis inhibitors and radiotherapy in cancer treatment.