Robo4 vaccines induce antibodies that retard tumor growth

Angiogenesis. 2015 Jan;18(1):83-95. doi: 10.1007/s10456-014-9448-z. Epub 2014 Oct 28.

Abstract

Tumor endothelial specific expression of Robo4 in adults identifies this plasma membrane protein as an anti-cancer target for immunotherapeutic approaches, such as vaccination. In this report, we describe how vaccination against Robo4 inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth. To break tolerance to the auto-antigen Robo4, mice were immunised with the extracellular domain of mouse Robo4, fused to the Fc domain of human immunoglobulin within an adjuvant. Vaccinated mice show a strong antibody response to Robo4, with no objectively detectable adverse effects on health. Robo4 vaccinated mice showed impaired fibrovascular invasion and angiogenesis in a rodent sponge implantation assay, as well as a reduced growth of implanted syngeneic Lewis lung carcinoma. The anti-tumor effect of Robo4 vaccination was present in CD8 deficient mice but absent in B cell or IgG1 knockout mice, suggesting antibody dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity as the anti-vascular/anti-tumor mechanism. Finally, we show that an adjuvant free soluble Robo4-carrier conjugate can retard tumor growth in carrier primed mice. These results point to appropriate Robo4 conjugates as potential anti-angiogenic vaccines for cancer patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Chromatography, Affinity
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments / immunology*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / prevention & control*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / immunology*
  • Papain
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Immunologic / immunology*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / immunology
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / pharmacology*

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Robo4 protein, mouse
  • Vaccines, Synthetic
  • Papain