Systemic miRNA-7 delivery inhibits tumor angiogenesis and growth in murine xenograft glioblastoma

Oncotarget. 2014 Aug 30;5(16):6687-700. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.2235.

Abstract

Tumor-angiogenesis is the multi-factorial process of sprouting of endothelial cells (EC) into micro-vessels to provide tumor cells with nutrients and oxygen. To explore miRNAs as therapeutic angiogenesis-inhibitors, we performed a functional screen to identify miRNAs that are able to decrease EC viability. We identified miRNA-7 (miR-7) as a potent negative regulator of angiogenesis. Introduction of miR-7 in EC resulted in strongly reduced cell viability, tube formation, sprouting and migration. Application of miR-7 in the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay led to a profound reduction of vascularization, similar to anti-angiogenic drug sunitinib. Local administration of miR-7 in an in vivo murine neuroblastoma tumor model significantly inhibited angiogenesis and tumor growth. Finally, systemic administration of miR-7 using a novel integrin-targeted biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles that targets both EC and tumor cells, strongly reduced angiogenesis and tumor proliferation in mice with human glioblastoma xenografts. Transcriptome analysis of miR-7 transfected EC in combination with in silico target prediction resulted in the identification of OGT as novel target gene of miR-7. Our study provides a comprehensive validation of miR-7 as novel anti-angiogenic therapeutic miRNA that can be systemically delivered to both EC and tumor cells and offers promise for miR-7 as novel anti-tumor therapeutic.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Chick Embryo
  • Female
  • Genetic Therapy / methods
  • Glioblastoma / blood supply
  • Glioblastoma / genetics
  • Glioblastoma / pathology
  • Glioblastoma / therapy*
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred A
  • Mice, Nude
  • MicroRNAs / administration & dosage*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / therapy
  • Random Allocation
  • Transfection
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • MIRN7 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs