The vasostatin-1 fragment of chromogranin A preserves a quiescent phenotype in hypoxia-driven endothelial cells and regulates tumor neovascularization

FASEB J. 2011 Nov;25(11):3906-14. doi: 10.1096/fj.11-182410. Epub 2011 Aug 8.

Abstract

The angiogenic switch is a fundamental process for many diseases and for tumor growth. The main proangiogenic stimulus is hypoxia, through activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α pathway in endothelial cells (ECs). We have previously shown that the vasostatin-1 (VS-1) fragment of chromogranin A inhibits TNF-α-induced vessel permeability and VEGF-induced EC proliferation, together with migration and matrix invasion, which are all critical steps in angiogenesis. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of VS-1 on tumor angiogenesis. We found mouse mammary adenocarcinomas (TS/A), genetically engineered to secrete VS-1 (TS/A 1B8), to be characterized by reduced vascular density and more regular vessels, compared with nontransfected tumors [TS/A wild type (WT)]. Supernatants from TS/A WT cells, but not those from TS/A 1B8, generated tip cells and promoted the permeability of primary human umbilical vein ECs, via VE-cadherin redistribution and cytoskeletal disorganization. These effects were abrogated by mAb 5A8, a VS-1-blocking antibody. Furthermore, VS-1 inhibited hypoxia-driven EC morphological changes, VE-cadherin redistribution, intercellular gap formation, tube morphogenesis, and HIF-1α nuclear translocation in vitro. Our findings highlight a previously undescribed function of VS-1 as a regulator of tumor vascularization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / physiopathology
  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chromogranin A / metabolism
  • Chromogranin A / physiology*
  • Female
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / metabolism
  • Hypoxia / physiopathology*
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / metabolism
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / physiopathology
  • Mice
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism*
  • Peptide Fragments / physiology*
  • Phenotype

Substances

  • Chromogranin A
  • HIF1A protein, human
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • Peptide Fragments
  • vasostatin I