Regulatory effects of ferritin on angiogenesis

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Jan 13;106(2):570-5. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0812010106. Epub 2009 Jan 6.

Abstract

Angiogenesis, the synthesis of new blood vessels from preexisting vessels, plays a critical role in normal wound healing and tumor growth. HKa (cleaved high molecular weight kininogen) is an endogenous inhibitor of angiogenesis formed by the cleavage of kininogen on endothelial cells. Ferritin is a protein principally known for its central role in iron storage. Here, we demonstrate that ferritin binds to HKa with high affinity (K(d) 13 nM). Further, ferritin antagonizes the antiangiogenic effects of HKa, enhancing the migration, assembly, and survival of HKa-treated endothelial cells. Effects of ferritin were independent of its iron content. Peptide mapping revealed that ferritin binds to a 22-aa subdomain of HKa that is critical to its antiangiogenic activity. In vivo, ferritin opposed HKa's antiangiogenic effects in a human prostate cancer xenograft, restoring tumor-dependent vessel growth. Ferritin-mediated regulation of angiogenesis represents a new angiogenic regulatory pathway, and identifies a new role for ferritin in cell biology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Movement
  • Endothelial Cells / physiology
  • Ferritins / metabolism*
  • Ferritins / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Kininogen, High-Molecular-Weight / metabolism*
  • Kininogen, High-Molecular-Weight / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Interaction Mapping

Substances

  • Kininogen, High-Molecular-Weight
  • Ferritins