Anti-angiogenic SPARC peptides inhibit progression of neuroblastoma tumors.
BACKGROUND
New, more effective strategies are needed to treat highly aggressive neuroblastoma. Our laboratory has previously shown that full-length Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine (SPARC) and a SPARC peptide corresponding to the follistatin domain of the protein (FS-E) potently block angiogenesis and inhibit the growth of neuroblastoma tumors in preclinical models. Peptide FS-E is structurally complex and difficult to produce, limiting its potential as a therapeutic in the clinic.


RESULTS
In this study, we synthesized two smaller and structurally more simple SPARC peptides, FSEN and FSEC, that respectively correspond to the N-and C-terminal loops of peptide FS-E. We show that both peptides FSEN and FSEC have anti-angiogenic activity in vitro and in vivo, although FSEC is more potent. Peptide FSEC also significantly inhibited the growth of neuroblastoma xenografts. Histologic examination demonstrated characteristic features of tumor angiogenesis with structurally abnormal, tortuous blood vessels in control neuroblastoma xenografts. In contrast, the blood vessels observed in tumors, treated with SPARC peptides, were thin walled and structurally more normal. Using a novel method to quantitatively assess blood vessel abnormality we demonstrated that both SPARC peptides induced changes in blood vessel architecture that are consistent with blood vessel normalization.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrate that SPARC peptide FSEC has potent anti-angiogenic and anti-tumorigenic effects in neuroblastoma. Its simple structure and ease of production indicate that it may have clinical utility in the treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma and other types of pediatric and adult cancers, which depend on angiogenesis.
Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, KCBD Rm. 5100, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
Alexandre
A
Chlenski
Lisa J
LJ
Guerrero
Radhika
R
Peddinti
Jared A
JA
Spitz
Payton T
PT
Leonhardt
Qiwei
Q
Yang
Yufeng
Y
Tian
Helen R
HR
Salwen
Susan L
SL
Cohn
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D018450:Disease Progression; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015676:Osteonectin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010455:Peptides; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015676:Osteonectin; D010455:Peptides