WISP-1 positively regulates angiogenesis by controlling VEGF-A expression in human osteosarcoma

Cell Death Dis. 2017 Apr 13;8(4):e2750. doi: 10.1038/cddis.2016.421.

Abstract

In recent years, much research has focused on the role of angiogenesis in osteosarcoma, which occurs predominantly in adolescents and young adults. The vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) pathway is the key regulator of angiogenesis and in osteosarcoma. VEGF-A expression has been recognized as a prognostic marker in angiogenesis. Aberrant WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein-1 (WISP-1) expression is associated with various cancers. However, the function of WISP-1 in osteosarcoma angiogenesis is poorly understood. We demonstrate a positive correlation between WISP-1 and VEGF-A expression in human osteosarcoma. Moreover, we show that WISP-1 promotes VEGF-A expression in human osteosarcoma cells, subsequently inducing human endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) migration and tube formation. The focal adhesion kinase (FAK), Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK), and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α signaling pathways were activated after WISP-1 stimulation, while FAK, JNK, and HIF-1α inhibitors or small interfering RNA (siRNA) abolished WISP-1-induced VEGF-A expression and angiogenesis. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed down-regulation of microRNA-381 (miR-381) in WISP-1-induced VEGF-A expression and angiogenesis. Our findings reveal that WISP-1 enhances VEGF-A expression and angiogenesis through the FAK/JNK/HIF-1α signaling pathways, as well as via down-regulation of miR-381 expression. WISP-1 may be a promising target in osteosarcoma angiogenesis.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Bone Neoplasms* / blood supply
  • Bone Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Bone Neoplasms* / pathology
  • CCN Intercellular Signaling Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chick Embryo
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / pathology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / biosynthesis
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic* / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic* / pathology
  • Osteosarcoma* / blood supply
  • Osteosarcoma* / metabolism
  • Osteosarcoma* / pathology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
  • RNA, Neoplasm / biosynthesis
  • Signal Transduction
  • Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Stem Cells / pathology
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / biosynthesis*

Substances

  • CCN Intercellular Signaling Proteins
  • CCN4 protein, human
  • MIRN381 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • RNA, Neoplasm
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A