Celecoxib抑制Lewis肺癌移植瘤淋巴管生成的作用机制及量效关系

目的:COX-2过度表达及淋巴管的生成与肺癌早期转移、不良预后密切相关。观察不同剂量COX-2特异性抑制剂Celecoxib对Lewis肺癌移植瘤生长、COX-2、VEGF-C表达和微淋巴管生成影响,探讨Celecoxib对Lewis肺癌移植瘤淋巴管生成可能作用机制及量效关系。方法:将Lewis肺癌细胞株接种于C57BL/6小鼠左侧腹股沟皮下建立移植瘤模型,随机分为4组:对照组、塞来昔布低剂量(30 mg·kg-1·d-1)、中剂量(90 mg·kg-1·d-1)、高剂量(180 mg·kg-1·d-1)组。观察荷瘤小鼠生存状态,瘤体积变化,计算抑瘤率,种瘤42天后牺牲小鼠,切取移植瘤组织,免疫组化染色检测COX-2、VEGF-C表达及微淋巴管密度(Lymphatic microvessel density,LMVD)。结果:塞来昔布低、中、高剂量组的抑瘤率分别为13.3%、46.8%和56.3%。塞来昔布高、中剂量组较对照组抑瘤作用明显,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),但低剂量组差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。免疫组织化学染色结果分析显示:塞来昔布高、中剂量组COX-2、VEGF-C的表达水平及微淋巴管密度均明显减低,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),低剂量组略有减低但差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。抑制程度呈明显的剂量依赖性。结论:塞来昔布抑制Lewis肺癌移植瘤的生长及淋巴转移,可能与下调COX-2的表达,减少VEGF-C的产生,抑制微淋巴管生成有关,该抑制作用呈一定的剂量相关性,为抗肺癌早期淋巴转移,改善患者预后的药物研发提供了一定的实验基础。     

MTHF对C57BL/6鼠Lewis肺癌细胞生长的影响

通过观察MTHF纯体对C57BL/6鼠移植瘤细胞生长的影响,初步探讨MTHF抗肿瘤作用的机理。将42只接种Lewis肺癌LL2细胞的C57BL/6鼠随机分成对照组、MTHF组和顺铂组。分别处理后观察各组肿瘤生长情况,于接种22 d后处死荷瘤鼠,收集肿瘤标本后测量瘤体质量,并进行电镜以及组织学分析,通过免疫组化检测肿瘤组织PCNA、Bcl-2及Bax的表达。结果表明MTHF组、顺铂组抑瘤率分别为46.2%、54.5%。电镜显示MTHF组出现细胞凋亡。MTHF处理Lewis肺癌细胞后,PCNA和Bcl-2基因下调,Bax基因上调。MTHF可显著抑制C57BL/6鼠移植瘤肺癌细胞的生长,其机制可能与诱导Lewis肺癌细胞凋亡并抑制其增殖有关,是一种有前景的抗肿瘤药物。     

RNA干扰NRP2基因表达对胃癌细胞SGC7901裸鼠移植瘤的抑制作用

目的:探讨特异性抑制NRP2基因表达对人胃癌细胞SGC7901裸鼠移植瘤生长及淋巴管新生的影响。方法:采用小RNA干扰方法,构建shNRP2质粒,稳定转染入SGC7901细胞株,Westen blot检测转染前后NRP2蛋白的表达。建立人胃癌细胞SGC7901裸鼠移植瘤模型,随机分为shNRP2组(实验组)、shCon组(HK阴性对照组)和正常对照组,观察移植瘤的生长情况。6周后处死裸鼠,免疫组化检测NRP2蛋白的表达及微淋巴管密度(Micro-vessel density,MLD)。结果:成功构建shNRP2质粒,与另两组比较,shNRP2组细胞NRP2蛋白表达明显降低,且移植瘤组织生长、NRP2表达及MLD明显受抑制。结论:抑制NRP2基因的表达,可以抑制胃癌裸鼠移植瘤的生长及淋巴管的形成,NRP2基因有可能成为一个潜在的胃癌生物治疗靶点。     

选择性环氧合酶-2抑制剂塞来昔布抑制胃癌多药耐药基因表达的实验研究

目的:探讨选择性环氧合酶(COX-2)抑制剂塞来昔布对胃癌细胞株BGC823多药耐药(mdr)1表达的影响.方法:胃癌细胞株BGC823经浓度分别为0、10、100μ mol/L的塞来昔布处理后,酶联免疫吸附试验检测塞来昔布对胃癌细胞前列腺素E2(PGE2)分泌的影响,24、48 h后用RT-PCR检测多药耐药(mdr)1 mRNA表达,48 h后用免疫细胞化学染色法检测P-gp表达.结果:塞来昔布可显著抑制胃癌细胞株BGC823 PGE2分泌.并呈浓度依赖性(P<0.05).不同浓度塞来昔布作用于细胞后,胃癌细胞株BGC823的mdrl/P-gp表达受不同程度抑制,100μ mol/L的塞来昔布对mdrl mRNA表达抑制作用强于10μ mol/L(P<0.01).不同浓度药物与测量时间为交互作用,作用48h与24h相比,塞来昔布对mdrl mRNA表达的抑制作用更强(P<0.01).结论:塞来昔布可抑制BGC823的mdrl/P-gp表达,且呈剂量效应关系.塞来昔布可能通过抑制COX-2活性,抑制COX-2下游产物PGE2表达,从而抑制P-gp表达.选择性COX-2抑制剂可能有助于减轻肿瘤细胞对化疗药物的耐药性.     

Celecoxib 联合X 线对胆管癌细胞株QBC939 凋亡的影响

目的:研究塞来昔布联合X线在体外环境下对人胆管癌细胞株QBC939凋亡的影响并对其机制进行初步探讨。方法:CCK-8检测出不同浓度的塞来昔布及不同剂量的X线对QBC939细胞株的增值抑制率,确定塞来昔布组的IC50及X线组的IC50。将QBC939细胞株分为5组:对照组(control)、X线组(R)、塞来昔布组(C)、塞来昔布再加X线组(C+R),X线再加塞来昔布组(R+C)。用流式细胞仪检测各组的凋亡率,western blot检测凋亡相关基因survivin蛋白的表达。结果:联合使用塞来昔布和放疗组的凋亡率有明显的增加,从8.268%,11.233%到15.733%,22.133%(P<0.05)。western结果显示联合组survivin蛋白的表达也明显低于对照组(P<0.05)。先用塞来昔布再加放疗的效果要优于先用放疗后用塞来昔布的效果。结论:塞来昔布联合X线对QBC939细胞株有凋亡增敏作用,作用可能机制之一是通过降低或下调凋亡相关基因survivin蛋白的表达。     

塞来昔布诱导HCT-116结肠癌细胞G2/M阻滞

目的:研究选择性COX-2抑制剂塞来昔布诱导结肠癌细胞株HCT-116细胞周期阻滞的作用及其可能的机制。方法:应用流式细胞仪检测塞来昔布对HCT-116细胞周期的影响,定量PCR检测细胞周期素cyclinB1及COX-2 mRNA表达水平,Western-Blot检测细胞周期素cyclinB1的蛋白水平。结果:塞来昔布诱导HCT-116细胞G2/M阻滞的作用呈剂量依赖性,塞来昔布在mRNA及蛋白水平下调HCT-116细胞的cyclinB1。结论:塞来昔布能在体外抑制HCT-116细胞的增殖,诱导G2/M的阻滞,其作用与下调细胞周期素cyclinB1有关。     

塞来昔布联合survivin反义寡核苷酸对胰腺癌荷瘤裸鼠的治疗作用

目的:探讨环氧化酶-2(COX-2)抑制剂塞来昔布和survivin反义寡核苷酸(ASODN)联合作用对胰腺癌荷瘤裸鼠的治疗作用。方法:构建胰腺癌荷瘤裸鼠模型,将成瘤裸鼠随机分为4组:对照组、塞来昔布组(给予1000ppm的塞来昔布饮水)、survivin ASODN组(瘤内注射40μg/200μL的survivin ASODN)、联合组(给予1000ppm的塞来昔布饮水的同时瘤内注射40μg/200μL的survivin ASODN);观测裸鼠肿瘤生长情况并测量不同时间的体积变化,于接种肿瘤的35天处死裸鼠,测瘤体质量,应用cas- pase-3试剂盒检测caspase-3活性,免疫组织化学法检测肿瘤增殖指数(PI)和微血管密度(MVD)。结果:治疗组平均体积均明显低于对照组(491.97±4.62mm~3,427.34±14.62mm~3,300.39±6.59mm~3 vs 703.56±12.51 mm~3,P<0.01),其中联合治疗组体积明显低于塞来昔布组或survivin ASODN组(P<0.01);平均抑瘤率分别为32.26%、50.86%、62.07%。治疗组caspase-3相对活性明显高于对照组(0.026±0.003、0.040±0.018、0.059±0.005 vs 0.006±0.001,P<0.01),其中联合治疗组caspase-3相对活性明显高于塞来昔布组(P<0.01)或survivin ASODN组(P<0.05);治疗组平均PI和MVD均明显低于对照组(P<0.01,或P<0.05),其中联合治疗组平均PI和MVD明显低于塞来昔布组或survivin ASODN组(P<0.01,或P<0.05)。结论:COX-2抑制剂塞来昔布和survivin ASODN联合应用可显著抑制荷胰腺癌裸鼠的肿瘤生长,其作用机制可能是通过共同提高caspase-3活性来诱导细胞凋亡,通过抑制肿瘤细胞的增殖和新生血管的形成来发挥抗肿瘤效应,为胰腺癌的治疗提供了新的思路。     

IRM-2小鼠移植性肿瘤模型的生物学特性

目的观察IRM-2小鼠和C57BL/6小鼠接种Lewis肺癌生物学特性的对比研究。方法取肿瘤组织研磨,用生理盐水稀释成2×10^6/mL,取细胞悬液接种于IRM-2小鼠和C57BL/6小鼠腋下,0.2 mL/只。观察两品系肿瘤生长、荷瘤鼠生存时间,外周血细胞及病理指标变化。结果两品系小鼠成瘤率均是100%,荷瘤鼠存活时间无明显差异,IRM-2小鼠荷瘤鼠体重净增长明显高于C57BL/6荷瘤小鼠（P〈0.05）。白细胞分类及病理指标变化无明显差别。结论IRM-2小鼠与C57BL/6小鼠Lewis肺癌模型生物学特性基本一致,IRM-2小鼠可以建立稳定的Lewis肺癌肿瘤模型应用于实验研究。     

河北省石家庄市第一医院

目的:检测日间和夜间Lewis肺癌小鼠血清中内血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)水平和肺癌组织中VEGF蛋白表达的差别,探讨肿瘤血管生成的昼夜节律。方法:选择C57BL小鼠30只,制备Lewis肺癌小鼠模型后随机分为日间组(D组)和夜间组(N组),在光照-黑暗条件下饲养建立统一同步化日夜节律。随着成瘤过程,应用ElISA方法测定两组小鼠模型第0、3、5、7天血清中VEGF浓度水平;成瘤后第9天处死小鼠,应用Westeon-blot法检测瘤体中VEGF蛋白的表达,并分别进行相关分析。结果:随着成瘤过程,D组小鼠血清中VEGF浓度均显著高于N组(P<0.05);D组小鼠瘤体组织中VEGF蛋白表达灰度值(8.87±1.20)均明显高于N组(6.43±1.35),有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:Lewis小鼠休息期(白天)血清中VEGF浓度及瘤体中VEGF蛋白表达水平均明显高于活动期(夜间),存在着明显的日夜差异,说明肺癌组织的血管生成可能具有一定日夜节律。     

塞来昔布对直肠癌HCA-7 细胞放射敏感性的实验研究

目的:观察环氧合酶-2(COX-2)抑制剂塞来昔布对直肠癌HCA-7细胞株的放射敏感性及探讨其机制。方法:采用MTT法检测塞来昔布作用不同时间对直肠癌HCA-7细胞株增殖的影响,计算出塞来昔布的半数抑制浓度IC50;HCA-7细胞克隆形成实验用于检测塞来昔布对HCA-7细胞的放射敏感性,并绘制存活曲线;流式细胞仪(FCM)测定塞来昔布对HCA-7的细胞周期的影响。结果:塞来昔布对HCA-7细胞株的抑制率随时间的延长而升高,48h的IC50是40.19μmol/L;照射组+药物组的SF2、D0、Dq、SER较单纯照射组均有所下降。塞来昔布使HCA-7细胞发生G2和M期阻滞,并抑制S期的比例。结论:塞来昔布能增加直肠癌HCA-7细胞的放射敏感性。     

Expression of periostin in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: correlation with angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis

The aim of this study was to evaluate periostin expression measured immunohistochemically in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to determine its association with clinical features, prognosis, angiogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis. We investigated periostin expression in a series of 88 patients with NSCLC. We also determined whether expression of periostin correlated with microvessel density and lymphatic microvessel density. Periostin was expressed in 42% of 88 patients. Its expression was significantly correlated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, disease stage, and lymphatic invasion (p=0.0128, 0.0015, 0.0310 and 0.0273, respectively). There also was a significant relation between periostin expression and microvessel density and lymphatic microvessel density (all p<0.0001). Five-year survival rates were better in patients with negative periostin expression than in those with positive periostin expression (p=0.0044). Periostin expression was not significant in a multivariate additive model. Our findings show that periostin correlates with increased tumor progression and a worse prognosis in NSCLC, as well as with angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.     

小鼠去细胞拟胚体对小鼠Lewis肺癌细胞体内生长的影响

目的:阐明小鼠去细胞拟胚体对小鼠Lewis肺癌细胞在体内生长的影响。方法:先制备来源于小鼠胚胎干细胞的拟胚体,然后用SDS去细胞处理。实验分成3组:小鼠Lewis肺癌细胞与去细胞拟胚体培养组,癌细胞与Matrigel培养组和单纯癌细胞组(每组n=12)。培养3天后注射入裸鼠体内,观察肿瘤生长情况。28天取出瘤体,Ki67和CD31免疫组化染色(n=12)检测细胞增殖和肿瘤微血管密度(MVD),Western blot检测组织Paxillin,E-cadherin和β-actin水平(n=6)。结果:去细胞拟胚体组肿瘤生长明显较单纯细胞组和Matrigel组慢。去细胞拟胚体组Ki67指数((17.1±2.6)%)明显小于单纯细胞组((34.5±4.7)%)和Matrigel组((48.4±8.6)%)(P0.05);去细胞拟胚体组的MVD(18.7±3.6个/mm2)明显小于单纯细胞组(32.1±6.4个/mm2)和Matrigel组(42.6±7.1个/mm2)(P0.05)。Western blot结果提示去细胞拟胚体组的Paxillin表达小于单纯细胞组和Matrigel组(P0.05),而E-cadherin表达大于单纯细胞组和Matrigel组(P0.05)。结论:小鼠去细胞拟胚体对小鼠Lewis肺癌细胞在体内有明显的促分化作用。     

Alternatively activated RAW264.7 macrophages enhance tumor lymphangiogenesis in mouse lung adenocarcinoma

Tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) have been implicated in promoting tumor progression and invasion. The onset and maintenance of tumor angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis also seem to be partly driven by a group of polarized alternatively activated macrophages (aaMphi) in lung adenocarcinoma. Here, the aaMphi and classically activated macrophages (caMphi) were obtained using RAW264.7 cells via IL‐4 and IFN‐γ + LPS treatment, respectively. Co‐inoculation of aaMphi with Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells promoted tumor growth, increased lymph node metastasis, and reduced the survival in C57BL/6 mice bearing LLC. Furthermore, the effects of the activated macrophages on the lymphangiogenesis‐related properties of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) were investigated in vitro. When LECs were cultured in macrophages conditioned medium or in a co‐culture system of macrophages and LECs, aaMphi significantly promoted proliferation, migration, and tube‐like formation of LECs. We identified high VEGF‐C expression in aaMphi and low expression in caMphi as well as unactivated macrophages by ELISA and Western blotting. In LECs, co‐culture with aaMphi resulted in a significant increase of mRNA levels of specific lymphatic marker VEGF receptor‐3 and the homeobox gene Prox‐1, as well as lymphangiogenic factor VEGF‐C rather than VEGF‐D by quantitative RT‐PCR. Furthermore, enhanced LECs migration and capillary formation by co‐culture with aaMphi were significantly inhibited by rVEGF receptor‐3/Fc chimera. In conclusion, these data show that aaMphi play a critical role in tumor‐induced lymphangiogenesis through up‐regulating VEGF‐C and increasing lymphangiogenesis‐related behavior of LECs, which may contribute to lymphatic invasion in lung adenocarcinoma. J. Cell. Biochem. 107: 134–143, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

茶多酚对Lewis 肺癌小鼠移植瘤MMP-2、TIMP-2 表达的影响

目的:观察茶多酚对肺癌小鼠移植瘤基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)及其相应的组织金属蛋白酶抑制剂-2(TIMP-2)表达的影响,探讨茶多酚抗新生血管生成的效应机制。方法:建立57小鼠肺癌移植瘤模型,测定茶多酚低、高剂量组以及茶多酚联合沙利度胺组的肿瘤抑制率,并且采用免疫组化法检测各组MMP-2、TIMP-2表达水平以及MMP-2/TIMP-2比值,以探讨其抗肿瘤的分子机制。结果:实验表明,茶多酚有如下作用:①沙利度胺组、茶多酚低剂量组、茶多酚高剂量组、茶多酚低剂量联合沙利度胺组、茶多酚高剂量联合沙利度胺组的肿瘤抑制率分别为17.26%、16.94%、20.81%、21.94%和44.32%,茶多酚高剂量联合沙利度胺组与模型组瘤重比较,有统计学意义(P<0.05);②茶多酚各组及联合用药各组能下调肿瘤组织MMP-2蛋白表达,茶多酚高剂量联合沙利度胺组能上调TIMP-2蛋白表达,与模型对照组比较,均具有统计学意义(P<0.05);③用药各组MMP-2/TIMP-2比值均有所下降,茶多酚各组明显降低,茶多酚大剂量联合沙利度胺组比值下降最为显著。结论:茶多酚高剂量联合沙利度胺组对肺癌有明显抑制作用。其机制可能与下调MMP-2表达、上调TIMP-2表达、调整MMP-2/TIMP-2比值失衡状态,从而抗肺癌新生血管生成相关。     

Combination Therapy of VEGF-Trap and Gemcitabine Results in Improved Anti-Tumor Efficacy in a Mouse Lung Cancer Model

Background

Angiogenesis is essential for the growth and metastasis of cancer. Although anti-angiogenic agents, particularly vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors, have exhibited single-agent activity, there is considerable interest in combining these novel drugs with conventional chemotherapy reagents to achieve an optimal clinical efficacy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the benefits of the combination therapy of vascular endothelial growth factor trap (VEGF-Trap) with gemcitabine in a lung tumor model.

Methods

A luciferase-expressing Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) model was established in C57BL/6J mice and tumor-bearing mice were randomized into control, VEGF-Trap, gemcitabine and VEGF-Trap/gemcitabine combination groups. Tumor growth and animal survival were monitored. Tumor microvessel density and cell proliferation were evaluated by CD31 and Ki-67 immunohistochemical analysis. TUNEL assay was performed to detect apoptotic cells. The protein levels of Cyclin D1, Pro-Caspase-3, Bcl-2, MMP2 and MMP9 in tumor extracts were examined by western blot.

Results

VEGF-Trap in combination with gemcitabine showed significantly enhanced inhibition of tumor growth and prolonged mouse survival compared to the VEGF-Trap or gemcitabine monotherapy. The VEGF-Trap/gemcitabine combination therapy not only potently inhibited tumor angiogenesis and cell proliferation, but also increased cellular apoptosis within tumor tissues. In addition, the combination treatment markedly down-regulated the expression of proliferation, anti-apoptosis and invasion related proteins.

Conclusion

Combination therapy using VEGF-Trap and gemcitabine resulted in improved anti-tumor efficacy in a lung cancer model and VEGF-Trap/gemcitabine combination might represent a promising strategy in the treatment of human lung cancer.     

Blocking Fibroblast Growth Factor receptor signaling inhibits tumor growth, lymphangiogenesis, and metastasis

Fibroblast Growth Factor receptor (FGFR) activity plays crucial roles in tumor growth and patient survival. However, FGF (Fibroblast Growth Factor) signaling as a target for cancer therapy has been under-investigated compared to other receptor tyrosine kinases. Here, we studied the effect of FGFR signaling inhibition on tumor growth, metastasis and lymphangiogenesis by expressing a dominant negative FGFR (FGFR-2DN) in an orthotopic mouse mammary 66c14 carcinoma model. We show that FGFR-2DN-expressing 66c14 cells proliferate in vitro slower than controls. 66c14 tumor outgrowth and lung metastatic foci are reduced in mice implanted with FGFR-2DN-expressing cells, which also exhibited better overall survival. We found 66c14 cells in the lumen of tumor lymphatic vessels and in lymph nodes. FGFR-2DN-expressing tumors exhibited a decrease in VEGFR-3 (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3) or podoplanin-positive lymphatic vessels, an increase in isolated intratumoral lymphatic endothelial cells and a reduction in VEGF-C (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-C) mRNA expression. FGFs may act in an autocrine manner as the inhibition of FGFR signaling in tumor cells suppresses VEGF-C expression in a COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) or HIF1-α (hypoxia-inducible factor-1 α) independent manner. FGFs may also act in a paracrine manner on tumor lymphatics by inducing expression of pro-lymphangiogenic molecules such as VEGFR-3, integrin α9, prox1 and netrin-1. Finally, in vitro lymphangiogenesis is impeded in the presence of FGFR-2DN 66c14 cells. These data confirm that both FGF and VEGF signaling are necessary for the maintenance of vascular morphogenesis and provide evidence that targeting FGFR signaling may be an interesting approach to inhibit tumor lymphangiogenesis and metastatic spread.     

Specific inhibition of cyclooxygenase 2 restores antitumor reactivity by altering the balance of IL-10 and IL-12 synthesis

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the enzyme at the rate-limiting step of prostanoid production, has been found to be overexpressed in human lung cancer. To evaluate lung tumor COX-2 modulation of antitumor immunity, we studied the antitumor effect of specific genetic or pharmacological inhibition of COX-2 in a murine Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL) model. Inhibition of COX-2 led to marked lymphocytic infiltration of the tumor and reduced tumor growth. Treatment of mice with anti-PGE2 mAb replicated the growth reduction seen in tumor-bearing mice treated with COX-2 inhibitors. COX-2 inhibition was accompanied by a significant decrement in IL-10 and a concomitant restoration of IL-12 production by APCs. Because the COX-2 metabolite PGE2 is a potent inducer of IL-10, it was hypothesized that COX-2 inhibition led to antitumor responses by down-regulating production of this potent immunosuppressive cytokine. In support of this concept, transfer of IL-10 transgenic T lymphocytes that overexpress IL-10 under control of the IL-2 promoter reversed the COX-2 inhibitor-induced antitumor response. We conclude that abrogation of COX-2 expression promotes antitumor reactivity by restoring the balance of IL-10 and IL-12 in vivo.     

Depletion of beta-arrestin-2 promotes tumor growth and angiogenesis in a murine model of lung cancer

Arrestins are adaptor/scaffold proteins that complex with activated and phosphorylated G protein-coupled receptor to terminate G protein activation and signal transduction. These complexes also mediate downstream signaling, independently of G protein activation. We have previously shown that beta-arrestin-2 (betaarr2) depletion promotes CXCR2-mediated cellular signaling, including angiogenesis and excisional wound closure. This study was designed to investigate the role of betaarr2 in tumorigenesis using a murine model of lung cancer. To that end, heterotopic murine Lewis lung cancer and tail vein metastasis tumor model systems in betaarr2-deficient mice (betaarr2(-/-)) and control littermates (betaarr2(+/+)) were used. betaarr2(-/-) mice exhibited a significant increase in Lewis lung cancer tumor growth and metastasis relative to betaarr2(+/+) mice. This correlated with decreased number of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes but with elevated levels of the ELR(+) chemokines (CXCL1/keratinocyte-derived chemokine and CXCL2/MIP-2), vascular endothelial growth factor, and microvessel density. NF-kappaB activity was also enhanced in betaarr2(-/-) mice, whereas hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha expression was decreased. Inhibition of CXCR2 or NF-kappaB reduced tumor growth in both betaarr2(-/-) and betaarr2(+/+) mice. NF-kappaB inhibition also decreased ELR(+) chemokines and vascular endothelial growth factor expression. Altogether, the data suggest that betaarr2 modulates tumorigenesis by regulating inflammation and angiogenesis through activation of CXCR2 and NF-kappaB.     

HIF-1α coordinates lymphangiogenesis during wound healing and in response to inflammation

This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms that coordinate lymphangiogenesis. Using mouse models of lymphatic regeneration and inflammatory lymphangiogenesis, we explored the hypothesis that hypoxia inducible factor-α (HIF-1α) is a central regulator of lymphangiogenesis. We show that HIF-1α inhibition by small molecule inhibitors (YC-1 and 2-methyoxyestradiol) results in delayed lymphatic repair, decreased local vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) expression, reduced numbers of VEGF-C(+) cells, and reductions in inflammatory lymphangiogenesis. Using transgenic HIF-1α/luciferase mice to image HIF-1α expression in real time in addition to Western blot analysis and pimonidazole staining for cellular hypoxia, we demonstrate that hypoxia stabilizes HIF-1α during initial stages of wound repair (1-2 wk); whereas inflammation secondary to gradients of lymphatic fluid stasis stabilizes HIF-1α thereafter (3-6 wk). In addition, we show that CD4(+) cell-mediated inflammation is necessary for this response and regulates HIF-1α expression by macrophages, as CD4-deficient or CD4-depleted mice demonstrate 2-fold reductions in HIF-1α expression as compared to wild-types. In summary, we show that HIF-1α is a critical coordinator of lymphangiogenesis by regulating the expression of lymphangiogenic cytokines as part of an early response mechanism to hypoxia, inflammation, and lymphatic fluid stasis.     

Dual roles of sialyl Lewis X oligosaccharides in tumor metastasis and rejection by natural killer cells

Aberrant expression of cell surface carbohydrates such as sialyl Lewis X is associated with tumor formation and metastasis. In order to determine the roles of sialyl Lewis X in tumor metastasis, mouse melanoma B16-F1 cells were stably transfected with alpha1, 3-fucosyltransferase III to express sialyl Lewis X structures. The transfected B16-F1 cells, B16-FTIII, were separated by cell sorting into three different groups based on the expression levels of sialyl Lewis X. When these transfected cells were injected into tail veins of C57BL/6 mice, B16-FTIII.M cells expressing moderate amounts of sialyl Lewis X in poly-N-acetyllactosamines produced large numbers of lung tumor nodules. Surprisingly, B16-FTIII.H cells expressing the highest amount of sialyl Lewis X in shorter N-glycans died in lung blood vessels, producing as few lung nodules as B16-FTIII.N cells which lack sialyl Lewis X. In contrast, B16-FIII.H cells formed more tumors in beige mice and NK cell-depleted C57BL/6 mice than did B16-FTIII.M cells. B16-FTIII.H cells bound to E-selectin better than did B16-FTIII.M cells, but both cells grew at the same rate. These results indicate that excessive expression of sialyl Lewis X in tumor cells leads to rejection by NK cells rather than tumor formation facilitated by attachment to endothelial cells.