ADAMTS1 inhibits lymphangiogenesis by attenuating phosphorylation of the lymphatic endothelial cell-specific VEGF receptor

Exp Cell Res. 2014 May 1;323(2):263-75. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2014.03.002. Epub 2014 Mar 11.

Abstract

Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis play roles in malignant tumor progression, dissemination, and metastasis. ADAMTS1, a member of the matrix metalloproteinase family, is known to inhibit angiogenesis. Recombinant ADAMTS1 was shown to strongly inhibit angiogenesis. We investigated whether ADAMTS1 inhibited lymphangiogenesis in the present study. We examined cell proliferation and cell migration in normal human dermal lymphatic microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-dLy) transduced with or without adenoviral human ADAMTS1 gene therapy. We then examined the VEGFC/VEGFR3 signal transduction pathway in ADAMTS1-transduced HMVEC-dLy. Cell proliferation and tube formation in Matrigel were significantly lower with transduced ADAMTS1 than with control (non-transduced HMVEC-dLy). The phosphorylation of VEGFR3 was also attenuated by ADAMTS1 gene therapy in HMVEC-dLy. Immunoprecipitation assays revealed that ADAMTS1 formed a complex with VEGFC. Our results demonstrated that ADAMTS1 inhibited lymphangiogenesis in vitro. The data highlight the new function of ADAMTS1 in the regulation of lymphangiogenesis and the therapeutic potential of ADAMTS1 in cancer therapy.

Keywords: ADAMTS1; Lymphangiogenesis; Lymphatic endothelial cell; VEGFC; VEGFR-3.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ADAM Proteins / genetics
  • ADAM Proteins / metabolism*
  • ADAMTS1 Protein
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Endothelial Cells / physiology
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Vessels / cytology
  • Lymphatic Vessels / metabolism
  • Lymphatic Vessels / physiology*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 / metabolism*

Substances

  • FLT4 protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3
  • ADAM Proteins
  • ADAMTS1 Protein
  • ADAMTS1 protein, human