[Effect of nitric oxide derived from endothelial nitric oxide synthase on tumor angiogenesis].
OBJECTIVE
Studies have shown that nitric oxide (NO) derived from endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is expressed widely in tumor tissues and regulates tumor angiogenesis. However, the results are controversial. This study was to investigate the effect of NO on tumor angiogenesis and its mechanism.


METHODS
C57BL/6 mice inoculated with Lewis lung cancer cells were randomly divided into three groups. Mice in the NO group were inoculated with lung cancer cells transfected with eNOS gene, mice in the L-NAME group with L-NAME, an eNOS antagonist, and mice in the control group with normal saline. Plasma concentration of NO and the number of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in peripheral blood were detected . Tumor vessel density, CD133+ cells, and the expression of VEGF-VEGFR in tumor tissues were also measured.


RESULTS
Four weeks after inoculation of Lewis cells, tumor volume was significantly larger in control group [ (3022 +/- 401) mm(3)] than in the L-NAME group [ (1204 +/-97) ) mm(3)] and in the eNOS group [(1824 +/- 239) mm(3)] (P<0.01). eNOS protein and NO production increased significantly in Lewis lung cancer cells transfected with eNOS gene. But the number of CD133-positive cells and vessel density in tumors were significantly lower in the eNOS group than in the control group [(48+/-19) / HPF vs. ( 103 +/- 27)/ HPF, (19+/- 7) HPF vs. (31 +/- 9) HPF, P<0.05]. The number of EPCs in peripheral blood was not statistically different between each group. The levels of NO in blood and tumor tissue significantly decreased after the treatment of L-NAME, while the tumor vessel density reduced to 12+/- 5/ HPF (P<0.01, vs. the control group; P<0.05, vs the eNOS transfected group). The number of EPCs in blood and that of CD133-positive cells in tumor tissue were significantly smaller in the L-NAME group than in the control group (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
No derived from eNOS inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth, which may be due to its suppression on either the mobilization or homing of EPCs via VEGF binding to VEGFR.
Mei
Kai
K
Department of Medical Oncology,Sichuan Cancer Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, People's Republic of China. meikai1973@yahoo.com.cn
Cai
Xiao-Hong
XH
Du
Lei
L
Chen
Yan-Fang
YF
Huang
Shuang
S
Chen
Jing
J
Yin
Xu-De
XD
Zhang
Zhi-Xuan
ZX
Zhao
Xin
X
Zhou
Cheng-Ya
CY
Yu
Jing-Rui
JR
D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D018827:Carcinoma, Lewis Lung / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002452:Cell Count; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D055806:Microvessels / Q000473:pathology; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D010957:Plasmids; D011897:Random Allocation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014162:Transfection; D047368:Tumor Burden; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000378:metabolism
D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D015703:Antigens, CD; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D006023:Glycoproteins; D010455:Peptides; C000606024:Prom1 protein, mouse; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; C496315:Nos3 protein, mouse; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester