O-glycan analysis of natural human neutrophil gelatinase B using a combination of normal phase-HPLC and online tandem mass spectrometry: implications for the domain organization of the enzyme

Gelatinase B is a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9) expressed under strict control by many cell types including neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, and tumor cells. MMP-9 is a key mediator in the physiological maintenance of the extracellular matrix both in tissue remodeling and development, while uncontrolled enzyme activity contributes to pathologies such as cancer and inflammation. Neutrophils release MMP-9 from granules in response to IL-8 stimulation. Human MMP-9 has three potential N-linked glycosylation sites and contains a Ser/Pro/Thr rich domain, known as the type V collagen-like domain, which is expected to be heavily O-glycosylated. Indeed, approximately 85% of the total sugars on human neutrophil MMP-9 are O-linked. This paper presents the detailed analysis of picomole amounts of these O-glycans using a novel HPLC-based strategy for O-glycan analysis that provides linkage and arm specific information in addition to monosaccharide sequence. The initial structural assignments were confirmed using HPLC with online MS/MS fragmentation analysis. Twelve sugars were identified that contained from two to nine monosaccharide residues. Most of these contained type 2 core structures with Galbeta1-4GlcNAc (N-acetyl lactosamine) extensions, with or without sialic acid or fucose. The O-glycans were modeled using the oligosaccharide structural database. On the basis of the structure of gelatinase A (MMP-2), a model of MMP-9 suggests that the type V collagen-like domain in gelatinase B is located on a loop remote from the active site. Fourteen potential O-glycosylation sites are multiply presented on this loop of 52 amino acids. Many of the O-glycans identified contain terminal galactose residues that may provide recognition epitopes. Importantly, heavy glycosylation of this loop region, absent in gelatinase A, has considerable implications for the domain organization of MMP-9.     

Remnant epitopes, autoimmunity and glycosylation

The role of extracellular proteolysis in innate and adaptive immunity and the interplay between cytokines, chemokines and proteinases are gradually becoming recognized as critical factors in autoimmune processes. Many of the involved proteinases, including those of the plasminogen activator and matrix metalloproteinase cascades, and also several cytokines and chemokines, are glycoproteins. The stability, interactions with inhibitors or receptors, and activities of these molecules are fine-controlled by glycosylation. We studied gelatinase B or matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) as a glycosylated enzyme involved in autoimmunity. In the joints of rheumatoid arthritis patients, CXC chemokines, such as interleukin-8/CXCL8, recruit and activate neutrophils to secrete prestored neutrophil collagenase/MMP-8 and gelatinase B/MMP-9. Gelatinase B potentiates interleukin-8 at least tenfold and thus enhances neutrophil and lymphocyte influxes to the joints. When cartilage collagen type II is cleaved at a unique site by one of several collagenases (MMP-1, MMP-8 or MMP-13), it becomes a substrate of gelatinase B. Human gelatinase B cleaves the resulting two large collagen fragments into at least 33 peptides of which two have been shown to be immunodominant, i.e., to elicit activation and proliferation of autoimmune T cells. One of these two remnant epitopes contains a glycan which is important for its immunoreactivity. In addition to the role of gelatinase B as a regulator in adaptive immune processes, we have also demonstrated that it destroys interferon-beta, a typical innate immunity effector molecule and therapeutic cytokine in multiple sclerosis. Furthermore, glycosylated interferon-beta, expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, was more resistant to this proteolysis than recombinant interferon-beta from bacteria. These data not only prove that glycosylation of proteins is mechanistically important in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, but also show that targeting of glycosylated proteinases or the use of glycosylated cytokines seems also critical for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.     

Regulation of melanoma metastasis to lungs by cell surface Lysosome Associated Membrane Protein-1 (LAMP1) via galectin-3

Lysosome Associated Membrane Protein-1 (LAMP1), which lines the lysosomes, is often found to be expressed on surface of metastatic cells. We previously demonstrated that its surface expression on B16 melanoma variants correlates with metastatic potential. To establish the role of cell surface LAMP1 in metastasis and to understand the possible mechanism by which it facilitates lung colonization, LAMP1 was downregulated in high metastatic B16F10 cells using shRNAs cloned in a doxycycline inducible vector. This also resulted in significantly decreased LAMP1 on the cell surface. Being a major carrier of poly-N-acetyllactosamine (polyLacNAc) substituted β1,6 branched N-oligosaccharides, the high affinity ligands for galectin-3, LAMP1 down regulation also resulted in appreciably decreased binding of galectin-3 to the cell surface. LAMP1 has been shown to bind to Extracellular Matrix (ECM), Basement Membrane (BM) components and also to galectin-3 (via carbohydrates) which is known to get incorporated into the ECM and BM. Although, LAMP1 downregulation had a marginal effect on cellular spreading and motility on fibronectin and matrigel, it significantly altered the same on galectin-3, and ultimately leading to notably reduced lung metastasis. The results thus for the first time provide direct evidence that cell surface LAMP1 facilitates lung metastasis by providing ligands for galectin-3 which has been shown to be expressed in highest amounts on lungs and constitutively on its vascular endothelium.     

Galectin-1 binds different CD43 glycoforms to cluster CD43 and regulate T cell death

Galectin-1 kills immature thymocytes and activated peripheral T cells by binding to glycans on T cell glycoproteins including CD7, CD45, and CD43. Although roles for CD7 and CD45 in regulating galectin-1-induced death have been described, the requirement for CD43 remains unknown. We describe a novel role for CD43 in galectin-1-induced death, and the effects of O-glycan modification on galectin-1 binding to CD43. Loss of CD43 expression reduced galectin-1 death of murine thymocytes and human T lymphoblastoid cells, indicating that CD43 is required for maximal T cell susceptibility to galectin-1. CD43, which is heavily O-glycosylated, contributes a significant fraction of galectin-1 binding sites on T cells, as T cells lacking CD43 bound approximately 50% less galectin-1 than T cells expressing CD43. Although core 2 modification of O-glycans on other glycoprotein receptors is critical for galectin-1-induced cross-linking and T cell death, galectin-1 bound to CD43 fusion proteins modified with either unbranched core 1 or branched core 2 O-glycans and expression of core 2 O-glycans did not enhance galectin-1 binding to CD43 on T cells. Moreover, galectin-1 binding clustered CD43 modified with either core 1 or core 2 O-glycans on the T cell surface. Thus, CD43 bearing either core 1 or core 2 O-glycans can positively regulate T cell susceptibility to galectin-1, identifying a novel function for CD43 in controlling cell death. In addition, these studies demonstrate that different T cell glycoproteins on the same cell have distinct requirements for glycan modifications that allow recognition and cross-linking by galectin-1.     

Biosynthesis of HNK-1 glycans on O-linked oligosaccharides attached to the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM): the requirement for core 2 beta 1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase and the muscle-specific domain in NCAM

The HNK-1 glycan, sulfo-->3GlcAbeta1-->3Galbeta1-->4GlcNAcbeta1-->R, is highly expressed in neuronal cells and apparently plays critical roles in neuronal cell migration and axonal extension. The HNK-1 glycan synthesis is initiated by the addition of beta1,3-linked GlcA to N-acetyllactosamine followed by sulfation of the C-3 position of GlcA. The cDNAs encoding beta1,3-glucuronyltransferase (GlcAT-P) and HNK-1 sulfotransferase (HNK-1ST) have been recently cloned. Among various adhesion molecules, the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) was shown to contain HNK-1 glycan on N-glycans. In the present study, we first demonstrated that NCAM also bears HNK-1 glycan attached to O-glycans when NCAM contains the O-glycan attachment scaffold, muscle-specific domain, and is synthesized in the presence of core 2 beta1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase, GlcAT-P, and HNK-1ST. Structural analysis of the HNK-1 glycan revealed that the HNK-1 glycan is attached on core 2 branched O-glycans, sulfo-->3GlcAbeta1-->3Galbeta1-->4GlcNAcbeta1-->6(Galbeta1-->3)GalNAc. Using synthetic oligosaccharides as acceptors, we found that GlcAT-P and HNK-1ST almost equally act on oligosaccharides, mimicking N- and O-glycans. By contrast, HNK-1 glycan was much more efficiently added to N-glycans than O-glycans when NCAM was used as an acceptor. These results are consistent with our results showing that HNK-1 glycan is minimally attached to O-glycans of NCAM in fetal brain, heart, and the myoblast cell line, C2C12. These results combined together indicate that HNK-1 glycan can be synthesized on core 2 branched O-glycans but that the HNK-1 glycan is preferentially added on N-glycans over O-glycans of NCAM, probably because N-glycans are extended further than O-glycans attached to NCAM containing the muscle-specific domain.     

The role of gelatinases in colorectal cancer progression and metastasis

Various proteases are involved in cancer progression and metastasis. In particular, gelatinases, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9, have been implicated to play a role in colon cancer progression and metastasis in animal models and patients. In the present review, the clinical relevance and the prognostic value of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expression and proenzyme activation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 are evaluated in relation to colorectal cancer. Expression of tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) in relation with MMP expression in cancer tissues and the relevance of detection of plasma or serum levels of MMP-2 and/or MMP-9 and TIMPs for prognosis are also discussed. Furthermore, involvement of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in experimental models of colorectal cancer is reviewed. In vitro studies have suggested that gelatinase is expressed in cancer cells but animal models indicated that gelatinase expression in non-cancer cells in tumors contributes to cancer progression. In fact, interactions between cancer cells and host tissues have been shown to modulate gelatinase expression in host cells. Inhibition of gelatinases by synthetic MMP inhibitors has been considered to be an attractive approach to block cancer progression. However, despite promising results in animal models, clinical trials with MMP inhibitors have been disappointing so far. To obtain more insight in the (patho)physiological functions of gelatinases, regulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression is discussed. Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling has been shown to be involved in regulation of gelatinase expression in both cancer cells and non-cancer cells. Expression can be triggered by a variety of stimuli including growth factors, cytokines and extracellular matrix (ECM) components. On the other hand, MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity regulates bioavailability and activity of growth factors and cytokines, affects the immune response and is involved in angiogenesis. Because of the multifunctionality of gelatinases, it is unpredictable at what stage of cancer development and in which processes gelatinase activity is involved. Therefore, it is concluded that the use of MMP inhibitors to treat cancer should be considered carefully.     

Recombinant CBD-HepII polypeptide of fibronectin inhibits alphavbeta3 signaling and hematogenous metastasis of tumor

The interaction of integrin αvβ3 and its ligands are crucial for tumor metastasis. Recombinant CBD-HepII polypeptide of fibronectin, designated as CH50, suppressed the binding of tumor cells to ECM molecules, and abolished the promoting effect of soluble fibronectin and fibrinogen on tumor cell adhesion to ECM molecules. The underlying mechanisms involve the blockade and downregulation of αvβ3 and its co-receptor syndecan 1 by CH50. The activation of FAK, upregulation of cdc2, the production and activation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by ECM molecules-stimulated tumor cells were inhibited by CH50. CH50 reduced the tumor cell arrest during blood flow, and also inhibited the invasive ability of tumor cells. The in vivo expressed CH50 suppressed the lung metastasis of circulating tumor cells, and prolonged the survival of mice after tumor cell inoculation. These findings suggest a prospective utility of CH50 in the gene therapy for prevention of tumor metastasis.     

Cardiovascular drugs inhibit MMP-9 activity from human THP-1 macrophages

It is now recognized that atherosclerosis complications are related to the unstable character of the plaque rather than its volume. Vulnerable plaques often contain a large lipid core, a reduced content of smooth muscle cells, and accumulation of inflammatory cells. Colocalization of macrophages and active matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is likely relevant for atherosclerotic lesion disruption. Nevertheless, MMP activity and regulation by cardiovascular drugs remains poorly defined. In this study, we evaluated the effects of avasimibe, fluvastatin, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) ligands on 92-kDa gelatinase B (MMP-9) secretion by human THP-1 macrophages. THP-1 macrophages were treated with compounds for 48 h, and secreted MMP-9 protein was quantified by immunoassay. Avasimibe, fluvastatin, and PPARalpha agonists (fenofibric acid and Wy-14643) significantly reduced, in a concentration-dependent manner, MMP-9 protein (up to 67 +/- 5% for fenofibric acid). In these assays, the PPARgamma selective agonist rosiglitazone displayed a lower efficacy than other compounds. Enzymatic activity of MMP-9 was also decreased by all cardiovascular drugs tested. MMP-9 protein/activity inhibition by cardiovascular drugs was due, at least in part, to a decrease in MMP-9 mRNA. These results show that THP-1 macrophages could be an useful cellular model to investigate effects of compounds on plaque vulnerability through MMP-9 activity.     

Carboxyterminal cleavage of the chemokines MIG and IP-10 by gelatinase B and neutrophil collagenase

Proteolytic processing is an important regulatory mechanism for chemokines. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), such as gelatinase A/MMP-2 and gelatinase B/MMP-9, are known to process the aminoterminal end of various chemokines, including interleukin-8 (IL-8/CXCL-8) and monocyte chemotactic protein-3 (MCP-3/CXCL-7). In the present study, two proteases, gelatinase B and neutrophil collagenase/MMP-8, are shown for the first time to process the carboxyterminal end of two chemokines, monokine induced by interferon (IFN)-gamma (MIG/CXCL-9) and IFN-inducible protein-10 (IP-10/CXCL-10). Neutrophil collagenase degrades MIG into small fragments and cleaves IP-10 behind positions 71 and 73. Gelatinase B degrades IP-10 and cleaves MIG at three different sites in its extended carboxyterminal region. This results in the formation of MIG(1-94), MIG(1-93), and MIG(1-90). In general, gelatinase B was more efficient than neutrophil collagenase in processing these chemokines. Alignment of the CXC chemokines with the respective cleavage sites by both MMPs identified the ELR motif as a possible determinant for amino terminal cleavage by these MMPs.     

GALNT14对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞迁移的影响

构建真核表达载体pcDNA 3.1-Flag-T14,重组质粒经酶切分析及测序鉴定后,利用脂质体将重组质粒转染人乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7细胞,经G418筛选并建立稳定转染GALNT14细胞株.应用半定量RT-PCR、Western blot检测稳定细胞株GALNT14 mRNA及蛋白表达水平,细胞划痕修复及穿膜试验检测GALNT14基因对MCF-7迁移能力的影响,同时RT-PCR检测GALNT14对MMP-2,MMP-9,TGF-β1及VEGF等肿瘤浸润转移相关因子表达的影响.结果显示成功构建了真核重组表达载体pcDNA 3.1-Flag-T14,经RT-PCR和Western blot检测显示成功获得了稳定表达GALNT14的MCF-7细胞株;GALNT14能够提高MCF-7细胞株的迁移能力,且能增加侵袭转移相关因子MMP-2,MMP-9,TGF-β1及VEGF的表达.结论:GALNT14可明显促进MCF-7细胞的迁移,可能在肿瘤侵袭转移中起重要作用.     

Sulforaphane controls TPA-induced MMP-9 expression through the NF-κB signaling pathway,but not AP-1, in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Sulforaphane [1-isothiocyanato-4-(methylsulfinyl)-butane] is an isothiocyanate found in some cruciferous vegetables, especially broccoli. Sulforaphane has been shown to display anti-cancer properties against various cancer cell lines. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM), plays an important role in cancer cell invasion. In this study, we investigated the effect of sulforaphane on 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion in MCF-7 cells. TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion were decreased by sulforaphane treatment. TPA substantially increased NF-κB and AP-1 DNA binding activity. Pre-treatment with sulforaphane inhibited TPA-stimulated NF-κB binding activity, but not AP-1 binding activity. In addition, we found that sulforaphane suppressed NF-κB activation, by inhibiting phosphorylation of IκB in TPA-treated MCF-7 cells. In this study, we demonstrated that the inhibition of TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion by sulforaphane was mediated by the suppression of the NF-κB pathway in MCF-7 cells. [BMB Reports 2013; 46(4): 201-206]     

PI3K/AKT 通路参与调控乳腺癌多药耐药和侵袭转移的研究

目的:探讨磷脂酰肌醇-3-激酶/丝苏氨酸蛋白激酶(phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/serine-threonine kinase,PI3K/AKT)信号通路与乳腺癌多药耐药和侵袭转移的相关性。方法:以乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7为母本,持续低浓度加药诱导建立阿霉素(Adriamycin,ADR)耐药系MCF-7/ADR’。细胞免疫荧光检测两细胞系中磷酸化AKT(phosphorylated AKT,P-AKT)、P-糖蛋白(P-Glycoprotein,P-gp)、基质金属蛋白酶2(matrix metalloproteinase-2,MMP-2)的表达。PI3K抑制剂LY294002作用两系前后,Western Blot检测P-AKT、MMP-2、P-gp的表达改变及qRT-PCR检测MMP-2、MDR1的表达改变。结果:P-AKT、P-gp(MDR1)、MMP-2在MCF-7中为低表达或不表达,MCF-7/ADR’中为高表达。LY294002作用两系后,P-AKT、P-gp(MDR1)、MMP-2在MCF-7/ADR’中的表达明显减低(P<0.05),MCF-7无明显改变。结论:抑制PI3K/AKT信号通路可有效降低MCF-7/ADR’耐药和侵袭转移能力,PI3K/AKT通路是调控乳腺癌多药耐药和侵袭转移的重要信号通路之一。     

Protein tyrosine phosphatase controls breast cancer invasion through the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9

The expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) produced by cancer cells has been associated with the high potential of metastasis in several human carcinomas, including breast cancer. Several pieces of evidence demonstrate that protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTP) have functions that promote cell migration and metastasis in breast cancer. We analyzed whether PTP inhibitor might control breast cancer invasion through MMP expression. Herein, we investigate the effect of 4-hydroxy-3,3-dimethyl-2H benzo[g]indole-2,5(3H)-dione (BVT948), a novel PTP inhibitor, on 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion in MCF-7 cells. The expression of MMP-9 and cell invasion increased after TPA treatment, whereas TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion were decreased by BVT948 pretreatment. Also, BVT948 suppressed NF-κB activation in TPA-treated MCF-7 cells. However, BVT948 didn’t block TPA-induced AP-1 activation in MCF-7 cells. Our results suggest that the PTP inhibitor blocks breast cancer invasion via suppression of the expression of MMP-9. [BMB Reports 2013; 46(11): 533-538]     

Galectin-9 suppresses tumor metastasis by blocking adhesion to endothelium and extracellular matrices

We previously described an inverse correlation between galectin-9 (Gal-9) expression and metastasis in patients with malignant melanoma and breast cancer. This study verified the ability of Gal-9 to inhibit lung metastasis in experimental mouse models using highly metastatic B16F10 melanoma and Colon26 colon cancer cells. B16F10 cells transfected with a secreted form of Gal-9 lost their metastatic potential. Intravenous Gal-9 administration reduced the number of metastases of both B16F10 and Colon26 cells in the lung, indicating that secreted Gal-9 suppresses metastasis. Analysis of adhesive molecule expression revealed that B16F10 cells highly express CD44, integrin alpha1, alpha 4, alpha V, and beta1, and that Colon26 cells express CD44, integrin alpha2, alpha 5, alpha V, and beta1, suggesting that Gal-9 may inhibit the adhesion of tumor cells to vascular endothelium and the extracellular matrix (ECM) by binding to such adhesive molecules. Indeed, Gal-9 suppressed the binding of hyaluronic acid to CD44 on both B16F10 and Colon26 cells, and also suppressed the binding of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 to very late antigen-4 on B16F10 cells. Furthermore, Gal-9 inhibited the binding of tumor cells to ECM components, resulting in the suppression of tumor cell migration. The present results suggest that Gal-9 suppresses both attachment and invasion of tumor cells by inhibiting the binding of adhesive molecules on tumor cells to ligands on vascular endothelium and ECM.     

Peracetylated 4-fluoro-glucosamine reduces the content and repertoire of N- and O-glycans without direct incorporation

Prior studies have shown that treatment with the peracetylated 4-fluorinated analog of glucosamine (4-F-GlcNAc) elicits anti-skin inflammatory activity by ablating N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc), sialyl Lewis X (sLe(X)), and related lectin ligands on effector leukocytes. Based on anti-sLe(X) antibody and lectin probing experiments on 4-F-GlcNAc-treated leukocytes, it was hypothesized that 4-F-GlcNAc inhibited sLe(X) formation by incorporating into LacNAc and blocking the addition of galactose or fucose at the carbon 4-position of 4-F-GlcNAc. To test this hypothesis, we determined whether 4-F-GlcNAc is directly incorporated into N- and O-glycans released from 4-F-GlcNAc-treated human sLe(X) (+) T cells and leukemic KG1a cells. At concentrations that abrogated galectin-1 (Gal-1) ligand and E-selectin ligand expression and related LacNAc and sLe(X) structures, MALDI-TOF and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry analyses showed that 4-F-GlcNAc 1) reduced content and structural diversity of tri- and tetra-antennary N-glycans and of O-glycans, 2) increased biantennary N-glycans, and 3) reduced LacNAc and sLe(X) on N-glycans and on core 2 O-glycans. Moreover, MALDI-TOF MS did not reveal any m/z ratios relating to the presence of fluorine atoms, indicating that 4-F-GlcNAc did not incorporate into glycans. Further analysis showed that 4-F-GlcNAc treatment had minimal effect on expression of 1200 glycome-related genes and did not alter the activity of LacNAc-synthesizing enzymes. However, 4-F-GlcNAc dramatically reduced intracellular levels of uridine diphosphate-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc), a key precursor of LacNAc synthesis. These data show that Gal-1 and E-selectin ligand reduction by 4-F-GlcNAc is not caused by direct 4-F-GlcNAc glycan incorporation and consequent chain termination but rather by interference with UDP-GlcNAc synthesis.     

Modulation of gelatinase activity correlates with the dedifferentiation profile of regenerating salamander limbs.

Remodeling of extracellular matrix (ECM) is one of the key events in many developmental processes. In the present study, a temporal profile of gelatinase activities in regenerating salamander limbs was examined zymographically. In addition, the effect of retinoic acid (RA) on these enzyme activities was examined to relate the pattern-duplicating effect of RA in limb regenerates with gelatinase activities. During regeneration, various types of gelatinase activities were detected, and these activities were at their maximum levels at the dedifferentiation stage. Upon treatment with chelating agents EDTA and 1,10-phenanthroline, the enzyme activities were inhibited indicating that those enzymes are likely matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Considering the molecular sizes and the decrease of molecular sizes by treatment with p-aminophenylmercuric acetate, an artificial activator of proMMP, some of the gelatinases expressed during limb regeneration are presumed to be MMP-2 and MMP-9. In RA-treated regenerates, overall gelatinase activities increased, especially the MMP-2-like gelatinase activity which increased markedly. These results suggest that MMP-2-like and MMP-9-like gelatinases play a role in ECM remodeling during regeneration, and that gelatinases are involved in the excessive dedifferentiation after RA treatment.     

MicroRNA 421 suppresses DPC4/Smad4 in pancreatic cancer

Dihydroavenanthramide D (DHAvD) is a synthetic analog to naturally occurring avenanthramide, which is the active component of oat. Previous study demonstrates that DHAvD strongly inhibits activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), which is a major component in cancer cell invasion. The present study investigated whether DHAvD can modulate MMP-9 expression and cell invasion in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. MMP-9 expression and cell invasion in response to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) was increased, whereas these inductions were muted by DHAvD. DHAvD also suppressed activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and MAPK-mediated nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) activations in TPA-treated MCF-7 cells. The results indicate that DHAvD-mediated inhibition of TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion involves the suppression of the MAPK/NF-κB and MAPK/AP-1 pathways in MCF-7 cells. DHAvD may have potential value in breast cancer metastasis.     

Curcumin suppresses the TPA-induced invasion through inhibition of PKCα-dependent MMP-expression in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is a polyphenol derived from the plant turmeric (Curcuma longa), which is commonly used as a spice. Although anti-carcinogenic, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation, and anti-angiogenic properties have been reported, the effect of curcumin on breast cancer metastasis is unknown. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is a major component in cancer cell invasion. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of curcumin on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion and the molecular mechanisms involved in MCF-7 cells. Our results showed that curcumin inhibits TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion through suppressing NF-κB and AP-1 activation. Also, curcumin strongly repressed the TPA-induced phosphorylation of p38 and JNK and inhibited TPA-induced translocation of PKCα from the cytosol to the membrane, but did not affect the translocation of PKCδ. These results indicate that curcumin-mediated inhibition of TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion involves the suppression of the PKCα, MAPK and NF-κB/AP-1 pathway in MCF-7 cells. Curcumin may have potential value in restricting breast cancer metastasis.     

Galectin-3 protein modulates cell surface expression and activation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 in human endothelial cells

Angiogenesis is heavily influenced by VEGF-A and its family of receptors, particularly VEGF receptor 2 (VEGF-R2). Like most cell surface proteins, VEGF-R2 is glycosylated, although the function of VEGF-R2 with respect to its glycosylation pattern is poorly characterized. Galectin-3, a glycan binding protein, interacts with the EGF and TGFβ receptors, retaining them on the plasma membrane and altering their signal transduction. Because VEGF-R2 is glycosylated and both galectin-3 and VEGF-R2 are involved with angiogenesis, we hypothesized that galectin-3 binds VEGF-R2 and modulates its signal transduction as well. Employing a Western blot analysis approach, we found that galectin-3 induces phosphorylation of VEGF-R2 in endothelial cells. Knockdown of galectin-3 and Mgat5, an enzyme that synthesizes high-affinity glycan ligands of galectin-3, reduced VEGF-A mediated angiogenesis in vitro. A direct interaction on the plasma membrane was detected between galectin-3 and VEGF-R2, and this interaction was dependent on the expression of Mgat5. Using immunofluorescence and cell surface labeling, we found an increase in the level of internalized VEGF-R2 in both Mgat5 and galectin-3 knockdown cells, suggesting that galectin-3 retains the receptor on the plasma membrane. Finally, we observed reduced suture-induced neovascularization in the corneas of Gal3(-/-) and Mgat5(-/-) mice. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that, like its role with the EGF and TGFβ receptors, galectin-3 contributes to the plasma membrane retention and proangiogenic function of VEGF-R2.