HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Elevated matrix metalloprotease and angiostatin levels in integrin alpha 1 knockout mice cause reduced tumor vascularization.

Abstract
Integrin alpha1beta1 is a collagen receptor abundantly expressed on microvascular endothelial cells. As well as being the only collagen receptor able to activate the Ras/Shc/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway promoting fibroblast cell proliferation, it also acts to inhibit collagen and metalloproteinase (MMP) synthesis. We have observed that in integrin alpha1-null mice synthesis of MMP7 and MMP9 was markedly increased compared with that of their wild-type counterparts. As MMP7 and MMP9 have been shown to generate angiostatin from circulating plasminogen, and angiostatin acts as a potent inhibitor of endothelial cell proliferation, we determined whether tumor vascularization was altered in the alpha1-null mice. Tumors implanted into alpha1-null mice showed markedly decreased vascularization, with a reduction in capillary number and size, which was accompanied by an increase in plasma levels of angiostatin due to the action of MMP7 and MMP9 on circulating plasminogen. In vitro analysis of alpha1-null endothelial cells revealed a marked reduction of their proliferation on both integrin alpha1-dependent (collagenous) and independent (noncollagenous) substrata. This reduction was prevented by culturing alpha1-null cells with plasma derived from plasminogen-null animals, thus omitting the source from which to generate angiostatin. Plasma from tumor-bearing alpha1-null animals uniquely inhibited endothelial cell growth, and this inhibition was relieved by the coaddition of either MMP inhibitors, or antibody to angiostatin. Integrin alpha1-deficient mice thus provide a genetically characterized model for enhanced angiostatin production and serve to reveal an unwanted potential side effect of MMP inhibition, increased tumor angiogenesis.
AuthorsA Pozzi, P E Moberg, L A Miles, S Wagner, P Soloway, H A Gardner
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A) Vol. 97 Issue 5 Pg. 2202-7 (Feb 29 2000) ISSN: 0027-8424 [Print] United States
PMID10681423 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
Chemical References
  • Integrin alpha1beta1
  • Integrins
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Angiostatins
  • Fibrinogen
  • Plasminogen
  • Collagen
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases
Topics
  • Angiostatins
  • Animals
  • Cell Division
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Collagen (biosynthesis)
  • Endothelium, Vascular (cytology)
  • Fibrinogen (biosynthesis)
  • Humans
  • Integrin alpha1beta1
  • Integrins (genetics, physiology)
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases (metabolism)
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neoplasms, Experimental (blood supply, metabolism)
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic (metabolism)
  • Peptide Fragments (metabolism)
  • Plasminogen (metabolism)

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: