| 1. |
- Thijssen, Victor L. J. L., et al.
(author)
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Targeting PDGF-mediated recruitment of pericytes blocks vascular mimicry and tumor growth
- 2018
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In: Journal of Pathology. - : Wiley. - 0022-3417 .- 1096-9896. ; 246:4, s. 447-458
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aggressive tumor cells can adopt an endothelial cell-like phenotype and contribute to the formation of a tumor vasculature, independent of tumor angiogenesis. This adoptive mechanism is referred to as vascular mimicry and it is associated with poor survival in cancer patients. To what extent tumor cells capable of vascular mimicry phenocopy the angiogenic cascade is still poorly explored. Here, we identify pericytes as important players in vascular mimicry. We found that pericytes are recruited by vascular mimicry-positive tumor cells in order to facilitate sprouting and to provide structural support of the vascular-like networks. The pericyte recruitment is mediated through platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-B. Consequently, preventing PDGF-B signaling by blocking the PDGF receptors with either the small tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib or blocking antibodies inhibits vascular mimicry and tumor growth. Collectively, the current study identifies an important role for pericytes in the formation of vascular-like structures by tumor cells. Moreover, the mechanism that controls the pericyte recruitment provides therapeutic opportunities for patients with aggressive vascular mimicry-positive cancer types. (c) 2018 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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| 2. |
- Sanjurjo, Lucía, et al.
(author)
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Chemokines modulate glycan binding and the immunoregulatory activity of galectins
- 2021
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In: Communications Biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2399-3642. ; 4:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Galectins are versatile glycan-binding proteins involved in immunomodulation. Evidence suggests that galectins can control the immunoregulatory function of cytokines and chemokines through direct binding. Here, we report on an inverse mechanism in which chemokines control the immunomodulatory functions of galectins. We show the existence of several specific galectin-chemokine binding pairs, including galectin-1/CXCL4. NMR analyses show that CXCL4 binding induces changes in the galectin-1 carbohydrate binding site. Consequently, CXCL4 alters the glycan-binding affinity and specificity of galectin-1. Regarding immunomodulation, CXCL4 significantly increases the apoptotic activity of galectin-1 on activated CD8+ T cells, while no effect is observed in CD4+ T cells. The opposite is found for another galectin-chemokine pair, i.e., galectin-9/CCL5. This heterodimer significantly reduces the galectin-9 induced apoptosis of CD4+ T cells and not of CD8+ T cells. Collectively, the current study describes an immunomodulatory mechanism in which specific galectin-chemokine interactions control the glycan-binding activity and immunoregulatory function of galectins.
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| 3. |
- Aanhane, Ed, et al.
(author)
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Different angioregulatory activity of monovalent galectin-9 isoforms
- 2018
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In: Angiogenesis. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0969-6970 .- 1573-7209. ; 21:3, s. 545-555
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Galectin-9 consists of two peptide-linked carbohydrate recognition domains (CRDs), but alternative splicing and proteolytic processing can give rise to multiple galectin-9 isoforms. Some of these consist of a single CRD and can exert different functions in cell biology. Here, we explored the role of these galectin-9 isoforms in endothelial cell function and angiogenesis. For this, we compared the effects of the two separate CRDs (Gal-9N and Gal-9C) with the tandem repeat galectin-9M on endothelial cell proliferation, migration, sprouting and tube formation in vitro as well as on angiogenesis in vivo using the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Galectin-9 isoforms significantly affected proliferation in quiescent endothelial cells and migration in activated endothelial cells. Interestingly, both monovalent gal-9 CRDs displayed opposite effects compared to gal-9M on proliferation and migration. Sprouting was significantly inhibited by gal-9C, while all isoforms appeared to stimulate tube formation. Angiogenesis in vivo was hampered by all three isoforms with predominant effects on vessel length. In general, the isoforms induced only subtle concentration-dependent effects in vitro as well as in vivo. Collectively, the effects of different galectin-9 isoforms in endothelial cell biology depend on the cellular activation status. While opposing effects can be observed on a cellular level in vitro, all galectin-9 isoforms hamper angiogenesis in vivo. This warrants further investigation of the regulatory mechanisms that underlie the diverging roles of galectin-9 isoforms in endothelial cell biology since this could provide therapeutic opportunities.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Femel, Julia, 1986-, et al.
(author)
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Vaccination against galectin-1 promotes cytotoxic T-cell infiltration in melanoma and reduces tumor burden
- 2022
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In: Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy. - : Springer Nature. - 0340-7004 .- 1432-0851. ; 71:8, s. 2029-2040
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Galectin-1 (Gal1) is a glycan-binding protein that promotes tumor progression by several distinct mechanisms. Through direct binding to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-receptor 2, Gal1 is able to induce VEGF-like signaling, which contributes to tumor angiogenesis. Furthermore, several studies have demonstrated an immunosuppressive function of Gal1 through effects on both effector and regulatory T cells. Elevated Gal1 expression and secretion have been shown in many tumor types, and high Gal1 serum levels have been connected to poor prognosis in cancer patients. These findings suggest that therapeutic strategies directed against Gal1 would enable simultaneous targeting of angiogenesis, immune evasion and metastasis. In the current study, we have analyzed the potential of Gal1 as a cancer vaccine target. We show that it is possible to generate high anti-Gal1 antibody levels in mice immunized with a recombinant vaccine protein consisting of bacterial sequences fused to Gal1. Growth of Gal1 expressing melanomas was significantly impaired in the immunized mice compared to the control group. This was associated with improved perfusion of the tumor vasculature, as well as increased infiltration of macrophages and cytotoxic T cells (CTLs). The level of granzyme B, mainly originating from CTLs in our model, was significantly elevated in Gal1 vaccinated mice and correlated with a decrease in tumor burden. We conclude that vaccination against Gal1 is a promising pro-immunogenic approach for cancer therapy that could potentially enhance the effect of other immunotherapeutic strategies due to its ability to promote CTL influx in tumors.
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| 6. |
- Salomonsson, Emma, et al.
(author)
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The anti-angiogenic peptide anginex greatly enhances Galectin-1 binding affinity for glycoproteins
- 2011
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In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. - 1083-351X. ; 286:16, s. 13801-13804
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Angiogenesis is a key event in cancer progression and therefore a promising target in cancer treatment. Galectin-1, a β-galactoside binding lectin, is up-regulated in the endothelium of tumors of different origin and has been shown to be the target for anginex, a powerful anti-angiogenic peptide with anti-tumor activity. Here we show that when bound to anginex, galectin-1 binds various glycoproteins with hundred-to thousand-fold higher affinity. Anginex also interacts with galectin-2,-7,-8N, and-9N but not with galectin-3,-4, or-9C.
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| 7. |
- Tugues, Sonia, et al.
(author)
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Tetraspanin CD63 Promotes Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2-beta 1 Integrin Complex Formation, Thereby Regulating Activation and Downstream Signaling in Endothelial Cells in Vitro and in Vivo
- 2013
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In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. - 0021-9258 .- 1083-351X. ; 288:26, s. 19060-19071
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- CD63 is a member of the transmembrane-4 glycoprotein superfamily (tetraspanins) implicated in the regulation of membrane protein trafficking, leukocyte recruitment, and adhesion processes. We have investigated the involvement of CD63 in endothelial cell (EC) signaling downstream of beta 1 integrin and VEGF. We report that silencing of CD63 in primary ECs arrested capillary sprouting and tube formation in vitro because of impaired adhesion and migration of ECs. Mechanistically, CD63 associated with both beta 1 integrin and the main VEGF receptor on ECs, VEGFR2. Our data suggest that CD63 serves to bridge between beta 1 integrin and VEGFR2 because CD63 silencing disrupted VEGFR2-beta 1 integrin complex formation identified using proximity ligation assays. Signaling downstream of beta 1 integrin and VEGFR2 was attenuated in CD63-silenced cells, although their cell surface expression levels remained unaffected. CD63 was furthermore required for efficient internalization of VEGFR2 in response to VEGF. Importantly, systemic delivery of VEGF failed to potently induce VEGFR2 phosphorylation and downstream signaling in CD63-deficient mouse lungs. Taken together, our findings demonstrate a previously unrecognized role for CD63 in coordinated integrin and receptor tyrosine kinase signaling in vitro and in vivo.
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