Secreted frizzled-related protein 4: an angiogenesis inhibitor

Am J Pathol. 2010 Mar;176(3):1505-16. doi: 10.2353/ajpath.2010.090465. Epub 2010 Jan 7.

Abstract

Wnt signaling is involved in developmental processes, cell proliferation, and cell migration. Secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (sFRP4) has been demonstrated to be a Wnt antagonist; however, its effects on endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis have not yet been reported. Using various in vitro assays, we show that sFRP4 inhibits endothelial cell migration and the development of sprouts and pseudopodia as well as disrupts the stability of endothelial rings in addition to inhibiting proliferation. sFRP4 interfered with endothelial cell functions by antagonizing the canonical Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway and the Wnt/planar cell polarity pathway. Furthermore, sFRP4 blocked the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor on endothelial cells. sFRP4 also selectively induced apoptotic events in endothelial cells by increasing cellular levels of reactive oxygen species. In vivo assays demonstrated a reduction in vascularity after sFRP4 treatment. Most importantly, sFRP4 restricted tumor growth in mice by interfering with endothelial cell function. The data demonstrate sFRP4 to be a potent angiogenesis inhibitor that warrants further investigation as a therapeutic agent in the control of angiogenesis-associated pathology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Biological Assay
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Polarity
  • Chickens
  • Female
  • Frizzled Receptors / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Models, Biological
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Sus scrofa
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Frizzled Receptors
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Wnt Proteins
  • beta Catenin
  • Calcium