HSPG-binding peptide corresponding to the exon 6a-encoded domain of VEGF inhibits tumor growth by blocking angiogenesis in murine model.
Vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF(165) is a critical element for development of the vascular system in physiological and pathological angiogenesis. VEGF isoforms have different affinities for heparan sulphate proteoglycan (HSPG) as well as for VEGF receptors; HSPGs are important regulators in vascular development. Therefore, inhibition of interactions between VEGF and HSPGs may prevent angiogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that an HSPG-binding synthetic peptide, corresponding to exon 6a-encoded domain of VEGF gene, has anti-angiogenic property. This 20 amino acids synthetic peptide prevents VEGF(165) binding to several different cell types, mouse embryonic sections and inhibits endothelial cell migration, despite its absence in VEGF(165) sequence. Our in vivo anti-tumor studies show that the peptide inhibits tumor growth in both mouse Lewis-Lung Carcinoma and human Liposarcoma tumor-bearing animal models. This is the first evidence that a synthetic VEGF fragment corresponding to exon 6a has functional antagonism both in vitro and in vivo. We conclude that the above HPSG binding peptide (6a-P) is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis-dependent diseases.
Lee
Tong-Young
TY
Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America. tongyounglee@gmail.com
Folkman
Judah
J
Javaherian
Kashi
K
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology; D001665:Binding Sites; D018827:Carcinoma, Lewis Lung / Q000188:drug therapy; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008080:Liposarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D051379:Mice; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010455:Peptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans; D010455:Peptides; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A