Ngoc-Quynh-Nhu Nguyen

MicroRNA-146a is a therapeutic target and biomarker for peripartum cardiomyopathy

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a life-threatening pregnancy-associated cardiomyopathy in previously healthy women. Although PPCM is driven in part by the 16-kDa N-terminal prolactin fragment (16K PRL), the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. We found that 16K PRL induced microRNA-146a (miR-146a) expression in ECs, which attenuated angiogenesis through downregulation of NRAS. 16K PRL stimulated the release of miR-146a-loaded exosomes from ECs. The exosomes were absorbed by cardiomyocytes, increasing miR-146a levels, which resulted in a subsequent decrease in metabolic activity and decreased expression of Erbb4, Notch1, and Irak1. Mice with cardiomyocyte-restricted Stat3 knockout (CKO mice) exhibited a PPCM-like phenotype and displayed increased cardiac miR-146a expression with coincident downregulation of Erbb4, Nras, Notch1, and Irak1. Blocking miR-146a with locked nucleic acids or antago-miRs attenuated PPCM in CKO mice without interrupting full-length prolactin signaling, as indicated by normal nursing activities. Finally, miR-146a was elevated in the plasma and hearts of PPCM patients, but not in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. These results demonstrate that miR-146a is a downstream-mediator of 16K PRL that could potentially serve as a biomarker and therapeutic target for PPCM.

PAI-1 mediates the antiangiogenic and profibrinolytic effects of 16K prolactin

The N-terminal fragment of prolactin (16K PRL) inhibits tumor growth by impairing angiogenesis, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Here, we found that 16K PRL binds the fibrinolytic inhibitor plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), which is known to contextually promote tumor angiogenesis and growth. Loss of PAI-1 abrogated the antitumoral and antiangiogenic effects of 16K PRL. PAI-1 bound the ternary complex PAI-1–urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA)–uPA receptor (uPAR), thereby exerting antiangiogenic effects. By inhibiting the antifibrinolytic activity of PAI-1, 16K PRL also protected mice against thromboembolism and promoted arterial clot lysis. Thus, by signaling through the PAI-1–uPA–uPAR complex, 16K PRL impairs tumor vascularization and growth and, by inhibiting the antifibrinolytic activity of PAI-1, promotes thrombolysis.

Antiangiogenic liposomal gene therapy with 16K human prolactin efficiently reduces tumor growth

Human 16K PRL (16K hPRL) is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. It has been shown to prevent tumor growth in three xenograft mouse models. Here we have used a gene transfer method based on cationic liposomes to produce 16K hPRL and demonstrate that 16K hPRL inhibits tumor growth in a subcutaneous B16F10 mouse melanoma model. Computer-assisted image analysis shows that 16K hPRL treatment results in the reduction of tumor vessel length and width, leading to a 57% reduction in average vessel size. We thus show, for the first time, that administration of the 16K hPRL gene complexed to cationic liposomes is effective to maintain antiangiogenic activities of 16K hPRL level.

The antiangiogenic 16K prolactin impairs functional tumor neovascularization by inhibiting vessel maturation.

Background Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from existing vasculature, plays an essential role in tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. 16K hPRL, the antiangiogenic 16-kDa N-terminal fragment of human prolactin was shown to prevent tumor growth and metastasis by modifying tumor vessel morphology. Methodology/Principal Findings Here we investigated the effect of 16K hPRL on tumor vessel maturation and on the related signaling pathways. We show that 16K hPRL treatment leads, in a murine B16-F10 tumor model, to a dysfunctional tumor vasculature with reduced pericyte coverage, and disruption of the PDGF-B/PDGFR-B, Ang/Tie2, and Delta/Notch pathways. In an aortic ring assay, 16K hPRL impairs endothelial cell and pericyte outgrowth from the vascular ring. In addition, 16K hPRL prevents pericyte migration to endothelial cells. This event was independent of a direct inhibitory effect of 16K hPRL on pericyte viability, proliferation, or migration. In endothelial cell-pericyte cocultures, we found 16K hPRL to disturb Notch signaling. Conclusions/Significance Taken together, our data show that 16K hPRL impairs functional tumor neovascularization by inhibiting vessel maturation and for the first time that an endogenous antiangiogenic agent disturbs Notch signaling. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of 16K hPRL action and highlight its potential for use in anticancer therapy.

The interaction of uPAR with VEGFR2 promotes VEGF-induced angiogenesis

uPAR enhances the internalization and thus the signaling downstream of a proangiogenic receptor. Helping a proangiogenic receptor Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induces the formation of new blood vessels, a process called angiogenesis, upon binding to VEGFR2, a cell surface receptor for which internalization enhances its ability to activate downstream effectors. Herkenne et al. found that in response to VEGF, another receptor called uPAR (urokinase plasminogen activator receptor) promoted an interaction between another receptor LRP-1 (low-density lipoprotein receptor–related protein 1), and VEGFR2, which led to VEGF2 internalization, thus enhancing the signal. Mice deficient in uPAR showed reduced VEGF-induced angiogenesis. Thus, treatments that disrupt the interaction between uPAR and VEGFR2 could be used to treat conditions in which angiogenesis is not desirable, such as in solid tumors or diabetic retinopathy. In endothelial cells, binding of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to the receptor VEGFR2 activates multiple signaling pathways that trigger processes such as proliferation, survival, and migration that are necessary for angiogenesis. VEGF-bound VEGFR2 becomes internalized, which is a key step in the proangiogenic signal. We showed that the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) interacted with VEGFR2 and described the mechanism by which this interaction mediated VEGF signaling and promoted angiogenesis. Knockdown of uPAR in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) impaired VEGFR2 signaling, and uPAR deficiency in mice prevented VEGF-induced angiogenesis. Upon exposure of HUVECs to VEGF, uPAR recruited the low-density lipoprotein receptor–related protein 1 (LRP-1) to VEGFR2, which induced VEGFR2 internalization. Thus, the uPAR-VEGFR2 interaction is crucial for VEGF signaling in endothelial cells.