scholarly journals Therapy that Targets Growth Factor Receptors: Novel Approach for Liver Cirrhosis Treatment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Halyna Kuznietsova ◽  
Olexandr Ogloblya
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Growth Factors ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Growth Factor Receptors ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Novel Approach

The background of liver fibrous degeneration is excessive cell proliferation including hepatic stellate cells, inflammatory cells, fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. Often it is the consequence of increased growth factors and/or their receptors expression. Key contributors to the liver cell proliferation are EGFR, FGFR, PDGFR, VEGFR, TGFβR, the increased expression of which is indicated on in vitro and in vivo models of liver fibrosis and in patients who experienced fibrosis-accompanied liver diseases. Elimination of growth factors/suppression of their receptors is associated with the weakening/elimination of certain processes responsible for fibrogenesis. This chapter represents the evidences of the efficacy of growth factor receptors signaling downregulation for the suppression of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis and their individual manifestations. The data on established and experimental therapeutics – specific and multikinase growth factor receptor inhibitors which demonstrated antifibrotic and anticirrhotic activity under in vitro and in vivo models, are also presented.

scholarly journals FGFRL1 Promotes Ovarian Cancer Progression by Crosstalk with Hedgehog Signaling

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiyan Tai ◽  
Zhiyong Wu ◽  
Su’an Sun ◽  
Zhigang Zhang ◽  
Congjian Xu
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Fibroblast Growth Factor ◽  
Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Fibroblast Growth ◽  
Hh Signaling ◽  
And Migration

Fibroblast growth factor receptor-like-1 (FGFRL1) has been identified as the fifth fibroblast growth factor receptor. So far, little is known about its biological functions, particularly in cancer development. Here, for the first time, we demonstrated the roles of FGFRL1 in ovarian carcinoma (OC). An array and existing databases were used to investigate the expression profile of FGFRL1 and the relationship between FGFRL1 expression and clinicopathological parameters. FGFRL1 was significantly upregulated in OC patients, and high FGFRL1 expression was correlated with poor prognosis. In vitro cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration assays, and in vivo subcutaneous xenograft tumor models were used to determine the role of FGFRL1. Loss of function of FGFRL1 significantly influenced cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of OC cells in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Chromatin immunoprecipitation PCR analysis and microarray hybridization were performed to uncover the mechanism. FGFRL1 expression could be induced by hypoxia through hypoxia-inducible factor 1α, which directly binds to the promoter elements of FGFRL1. FGFRL1 promoted tumor progression by crosstalk with Hedgehog (Hh) signaling. Taken together, FGFRL1 is a potential predictor and plays an important role in tumor growth and Hh signaling which could serve as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of OC.

scholarly journals Quantifying the effects of combination trastuzumab and radiation therapy in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive breast cancer

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan J Bloom ◽  
Patrick N Song ◽  
John Virostko ◽  
Thomas E Yankeelov ◽  
Anna G Sorace
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Combination Treatment ◽  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Additive Effects ◽  
Epidermal Growth

Abstract Background: Trastuzumab, a clinical antibody targeted to the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), has been shown to sensitize cells to radiation in vitro. Current studies lack longitudinal evaluation of cellular response and in vivo data is limited. The purpose of this study is to quantify the effects of combination trastuzumab and radiation therapy in vitro and in vivo over time to determine if there is a synergistic interaction. Methods: EGFP expressing BT474, SKBR3 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines were treated with 0.1 ng/ml of trastuzumab, 5 or 10 Gy of radiation, or combination treatment, and imaged using fluorescence live cell microscopy for one week. The Bliss independence model was used to quantify the effects of combination treatment. HER2+ tumor bearing mice (female NU/J) (N=34) were treated with saline, 10 mg/kg of trastuzumab, 5 or 10 Gy of radiation, or combination treatment. Tumor size was measured three times per week for four weeks via caliper measurements. Additional mice (N=13) were treated with 10 mg/kg of trastuzumab, 5 Gy of radiation, or combination treatment. Tumors were harvested at one week and evaluated with immunohistochemistry for inflammation (CD45), vascularity (CD31 and α-SMA), and hypoxia (pimonidazole). Results: Altering the order of therapies did not significantly affect BT474 cell proliferation in vitro (P>0.05). The interaction index calculations revealed additive effects of trastuzumab and radiation treatment in all three cell lines in vitro. In vivo results revealed significant differences in tumor response between mice treated with 5 and 10 Gy single agent radiation (P < 0.001); however, no difference was seen in the combination groups when trastuzumab was added to the radiation regimen (P=0.56), indicating a lower dose of radiation could be used without decreasing therapeutic efficacy. Histology results revealed increases in inflammation (CD45+) in mice receiving trastuzumab (P<0.05). Conclusions: Longitudinal evaluation of cell proliferation in vitro showed additive effects of combination therapy. In vivo results show a potential to achieve the same efficacy of treatment with reduced radiation when also administering trastuzumab. Further evaluation of tumor microenvironmental alterations during treatment could identify mechanisms of increased therapeutic efficacy in this regimen.

scholarly journals Quantifying the effects of combination trastuzumab and radiation therapy in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive breast cancer

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan J Bloom ◽  
Patrick N Song ◽  
John Virostko ◽  
Thomas E Yankeelov ◽  
Anna G Sorace
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Combination Treatment ◽  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Additive Effects ◽  
Epidermal Growth

Abstract Background Trastuzumab, a clinical antibody targeted to the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), has been shown to sensitize cells to radiation in vitro. Current studies lack longitudinal evaluation of cellular response and in vivo data is limited. The purpose of this study is to quantify the effects of combination trastuzumab and radiation therapy in vitro and in vivo over time to determine if there is a synergistic interaction. Methods EGFP expressing BT474, SKBR3 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines were treated with 0.1 ng/ml of trastuzumab, 5 or 10 Gy of radiation, or combination treatment, and imaged using fluorescence live cell microscopy for one week. The Bliss independence model was used to quantify the effects of combination treatment. HER2 + tumor bearing mice (female NU/J) (N = 34) were treated with saline, 10 mg/kg of trastuzumab, 5 or 10 Gy of radiation, or combination treatment. Tumor size was measured three times per week for four weeks via caliper measurements. Additional mice (N = 13) were treated with 10 mg/kg of trastuzumab, 5 Gy of radiation, or combination treatment. Tumors were harvested at one week and evaluated with immunohistochemistry for inflammation (CD45), vascularity (CD31 and α-SMA), and hypoxia (pimonidazole). Results Altering the order of therapies did not significantly affect BT474 cell proliferation in vitro (P > 0.05). The interaction index calculations revealed additive effects of trastuzumab and radiation treatment in all three cell lines in vitro. In vivo results revealed significant differences in tumor response between mice treated with 5 and 10 Gy single agent radiation (P < 0.001); however, no difference was seen in the combination groups when trastuzumab was added to the radiation regimen (P = 0.56), indicating a lower dose of radiation could be used without decreasing therapeutic efficacy. Histology results revealed increases in inflammation (CD45+) in mice receiving trastuzumab (P < 0.05). Conclusions Longitudinal evaluation of cell proliferation in vitro showed additive effects of combination therapy. In vivo results show a potential to achieve the same efficacy of treatment with reduced radiation when also administering trastuzumab. Further evaluation of tumor microenvironmental alterations during treatment could identify mechanisms of increased therapeutic efficacy in this regimen.

Computational Evaluation and In Vitro Validation of New Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (18) ◽  
pp. 1628-1639
Author(s):  
Sergi Gómez-Ganau ◽  
Josefa Castillo ◽  
Andrés Cervantes ◽  
Jesus Vicente de Julián-Ortiz ◽  
Rafael Gozalbes
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Epidermal Growth Factor ◽  
Binding Affinity ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Significant Activity ◽  
Epidermal Growth

Background: The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane protein that acts as a receptor of extracellular protein ligands of the epidermal growth factor (EGF/ErbB) family. It has been shown that EGFR is overexpressed by many tumours and correlates with poor prognosis. Therefore, EGFR can be considered as a very interesting therapeutic target for the treatment of a large variety of cancers such as lung, ovarian, endometrial, gastric, bladder and breast cancers, cervical adenocarcinoma, malignant melanoma and glioblastoma. Methods: We have followed a structure-based virtual screening (SBVS) procedure with a library composed of several commercial collections of chemicals (615,462 compounds in total) and the 3D structure of EGFR obtained from the Protein Data Bank (PDB code: 1M17). The docking results from this campaign were then ranked according to the theoretical binding affinity of these molecules to EGFR, and compared with the binding affinity of erlotinib, a well-known EGFR inhibitor. A total of 23 top-rated commercial compounds displaying potential binding affinities similar or even better than erlotinib were selected for experimental evaluation. In vitro assays in different cell lines were performed. A preliminary test was carried out with a simple and standard quick cell proliferation assay kit, and six compounds showed significant activity when compared to positive control. Then, viability and cell proliferation of these compounds were further tested using a protocol based on propidium iodide (PI) and flow cytometry in HCT116, Caco-2 and H358 cell lines. Results: The whole six compounds displayed good effects when compared with erlotinib at 30 μM. When reducing the concentration to 10μM, the activity of the 6 compounds depends on the cell line used: the six compounds showed inhibitory activity with HCT116, two compounds showed inhibition with Caco-2, and three compounds showed inhibitory effects with H358. At 2 μM, one compound showed inhibiting effects close to those from erlotinib. Conclusion: Therefore, these compounds could be considered as potential primary hits, acting as promising starting points to expand the therapeutic options against a wide range of cancers.

scholarly journals Cell-free fat extract promotes tissue regeneration in a tissue expansion model

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingwu Deng ◽  
Xiangsheng Wang ◽  
Ziyou Yu ◽  
Yizuo Cai ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Collagen Type ◽  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Tissue Expansion ◽  
Nuclear Antigen ◽  
Hacat Cells ◽  
Expansion Model

Abstract Background Tissue expansion techniques play an important role in plastic surgery. How to improve the quality of the expanded skin and shorten the expansion period are still worth investigating. Our previous studies found that a cell-free fat extract (CEFFE) possessed pro-angiogenic and pro-proliferative activities. However, the role of CEFFE on tissue expansion has remained unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of CEFFE on tissue expansion. Methods A rat tissue expansion model was used. Animals were treated with CEFFE by subcutaneous injection. After 4 weeks of tissue expansion, the skin necrosis and retraction rates were evaluated, the thicknesses of the epidermis and dermis were determined by histological analyses, blood vessel density was measured by anti-CD31 staining, cell proliferation was assessed by proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining, and the expression of specific proteins was evaluated by western blot analyses. In addition, the effects of CEFFE on the proliferation and cell cycle of cultured HaCaT cells were evaluated in vitro. Results CEFFE treatment significantly decreased the necrosis rate and retraction of the expanded skin. The thickness of the epidermal and dermal layers was higher in CEFFE-treated compared to untreated skin. The density of blood vessels and cell proliferation in the epidermis of the expanded skin was improved by CEFFE treatment. In addition, CEFFE treatment significantly increased the expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor, collagen type 1, and collagen type 3. CEFFE also increased the proliferation of HaCaT cells in culture. Conclusions CEFFE improves the quality of the expanded skin by promoting angiogenesis and cell proliferation. It could be potentially used clinically for augmenting tissue expansion.

scholarly journals Mesenchymal stem cells versus their extracellular vesicles in treatment of liver fibrosis: Is it possible to compare?

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noha Attia ◽  
Yasmine Khalifa ◽  
Dina Rostom ◽  
Mohamed Mashal
Keyword(s):  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Therapeutic Strategy ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Apoptotic Bodies ◽  
Limited Evidence ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Dose Determination

Liver fibrosis (LF) is a worldwide health problem that is associated with a range of complications and high mortality. Due to the scarcity of liver donors, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy emerged as an alternative therapeutic strategy. However, it is widely accepted that most of the transplanted MSCs exhibit their therapeutic impact mainly via a bystander paracrine (medicinal) capacity. In addition to their secretory proteins, MSCs also produce various types of extracellular vesicles (EVs) that are classified into three main subtypes: microvesicles, exosomes and apoptotic bodies. Thanks to their peculiar cargo composition (e.g., proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids), EVs serve as an advantageous candidate for cell-free therapy. Recently, MSC-derived EVs (MSC-EVs) have gained the podium due to their regenerative and immunomodulatory effect. In mitigation/treatment of LF, a plethora of recent studies have shown the anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic and cytoprotective effects of both MSCs and MSC-EVs in various in vitro and in vivo models of LF. However, despite the limited evidence, we sought in this mini review to sort out the established data and formulate several challenging questions that must be answered to pave the way for further clinical applications. One of the major questions to ask is “Which is the best therapeutic approach, MSCs or MSC-EVs?” We tried to highlight how difficult it might be to compare the two approaches while our understanding of both candidates is still deficient. Among the major obstacles against such comparison is the inaccurate equivalent dose determination, the unknown in vivo behavior, and the undetermined lifespan/fate of each. Currently, the fields of MSCs and MSC-EVs seem to be rich in ideas but lacking in appropriate technologies to test these ideas. Nevertheless, continuous efforts are likely to help resolve some of the challenges listed here.

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