title: Distinct role of fibroblast growth factor-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor on tumor growth and angiogenesis.
abstract: Tumors express more than a single angiogenic growth factor. To investigate the relative impact of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on tumor growth and neovascularization, we generated tumor cell transfectants differing for VEGF and/or FGF-2 expression. Human endometrial adenocarcinoma HEC-1-B-derived Tet-FGF-2 cells that express FGF-2 under the control of the tetracycline-responsive promoter (Tet-off system) were further transfected with a VEGF(121) anti-sense (AS-VEGF) cDNA. Next, Tet-FGF-2 and AS-VEGF/Tet-FGF-2 cells were transplanted subcutaneously in nude mice that received tetracycline or not in the drinking water. Simultaneous expression of FGF-2 and VEGF in Tet-FGF-2 cells resulted in fast-growing lesions characterized by high blood vessel density, patency and permeability, and limited necrosis. Blood vessels were highly heterogeneous in size and frequently associated with pericytes. Inhibition of FGF-2 production by tetracycline caused a significant decrease in tumor burden paralleled by a decrease in blood vessel density and size. AS-VEGF expression resulted in a similar reduction in blood vessel density associated with a significant decrease in pericyte organization, vascular patency, and permeability. The consequent decrease in tumor burden was paralleled by increased tumor hypoxia and necrosis. A limited additional inhibitory effect was exerted by simultaneous down-regulation of FGF-2 and VEGF expression. These findings demonstrate that FGF-2 and VEGF stimulate vascularization synergistically but with distinctive effects on vessel functionality and tumor survival. Blockade of either one of the two growth factors results in a decrease in blood vessel density and, consequently, in tumor burden. However, inhibition of the expression of VEGF, but not of FGF-2, affects also vessel maturation and functionality, leading to tumor hypoxia and necrosis. Our experimental model represents an unique tool to investigate anti-neoplastic therapies in different angiogenic environments.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of the Biology and Treatment of Metastasis, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Bergamo, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giavazzi
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sennino
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Coltrini
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garofalo
authors.forename: Romina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dossi
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ronca
authors.forename: Maria Pia Molinari
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Tosatti
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Presta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000494:pharmacology; D002417:Cattle; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016373:DNA, Antisense / Q000235:genetics; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D020218:Response Elements / Q000235:genetics; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000494:pharmacology; D014162:Transfection; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000276:immunology; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D016373:DNA, Antisense; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008222:Lymphokines; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2; D013752:Tetracycline