beta Interferon inhibits HIV-1 Tat-induced angiogenesis: synergism with 13-cis retinoic acid.
Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a highly angiogenic lesion which frequently presents as an aggressive form in HIV-infected male patients. We have previously shown that the HIV-1 Tat protein induces endothelial cell migration and invasion in vitro and a rapid angiogenic response in vivo, suggesting that it acts as a cofactor in epidemic KS. In this study we tested beta interferon (IFN beta) and retinoic acid (RA) for the inhibition of Tat-induced angiogenesis using in vivo and in vitro models. IFN beta, at a concentration above 2500 U/ml, was an effective inhibitor of Tat-stimulated growth, migration and morphogenesis of an endothelial cell line in vitro and of angiogenesis in vivo. A strong reduction of properties associated with neovascularisation was induced by 10,000 U/ml. In vivo, RA alone was on ineffective inhibitor of angiogenesis, and in vitro gave only a limited inhibition of endothelial cell growth. However, 13-cis RA used in combination with IFN beta impressively potentiated its effects. A combination of lower doses of IFN beta (2500 U/ml) and 13-cis RA induced a virtually complete inhibition of the Tat-related angiogenic phenotype both in vivo and in vitro. The potentiation of the anti-angiogenic activity of IFN beta by 13-cis RA suggests that this combination could be a useful approach for the therapy of epidemic KS.
Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genova, Italy.
M
M
Iurlaro
R
R
Benelli
L
L
Masiello
M
M
Rosso
L
L
Santi
A
A
Albini
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D015696:Gene Products, tat / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006801:Humans; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015696:Gene Products, tat; D014212:Tretinoin; D016899:Interferon-beta