RESUMEN

During angiogenesis, vascular tip cells guide nascent vascular sprouts to form a vascular network. Apelin, an agonist of the G protein-coupled receptor Aplnr, is enriched in vascular tip cells, and it is hypothesized that vascular-derived Apelin regulates sprouting angiogenesis. We identify an apelin-expressing neural progenitor cell population in the dorsal neural tube. Vascular tip cells exhibit directed elongation and migration toward and along the apelin-expressing neural progenitor cells. Notably, restoration of neural but not vascular apelin expression in apelin mutants remedies the angiogenic defects of mutants. By functional analyses, we show the requirement of Apelin signaling for tip cell behaviors, like filopodia formation and cell elongation. Through genetic interaction studies and analysis of transgenic activity reporters, we identify Apelin signaling as a modulator of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling in tip cells in vivo. Our results suggest a previously unidentified neurovascular cross-talk mediated by Apelin signaling that is important for tip cell function during sprouting angiogenesis.

Asunto(s)

Apelina , Neovascularización Fisiológica , Células-Madre Neurales , Transducción de Señal , Animales , Apelina/metabolismo , Apelina/genética , Células-Madre Neurales/metabolismo , Células-Madre Neurales/citología , Pez Cebra , Péptidos y Proteínas de Señalización Intercelular/metabolismo , Péptidos y Proteínas de Señalización Intercelular/genética , Movimiento Celular , Tubo Neural/metabolismo , Fosfatidilinositol 3-Quinasas/metabolismo , Quimiocinas , Proteínas de Pez Cebra

RESUMEN

Tumour-associated angiogenesis play key roles in tumour growth and cancer metastasis. Consequently, several anti-angiogenic drugs such as sunitinib and axitinib have been approved for use as anti-cancer therapies. However, the majority of these drugs target the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA)/VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) pathway and have shown mixed outcome, largely due to development of resistances and increased tumour aggressiveness. In this study, we used the zebrafish model to screen for novel anti-angiogenic molecules from a library of compounds derived from natural products. From this, we identified canthin-6-one, an indole alkaloid, which inhibited zebrafish intersegmental vessel (ISV) and sub-intestinal vessel development. Further characterisation revealed that treatment of canthin-6-one reduced ISV endothelial cell number and inhibited proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), suggesting that canthin-6-one inhibits endothelial cell proliferation. Of note, canthin-6-one did not inhibit VEGFA-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR2 in HUVECs and downstream phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) in leading ISV endothelial cells in zebrafish, suggesting that canthin-6-one inhibits angiogenesis independent of the VEGFA/VEGFR2 pathway. Importantly, we found that canthin-6-one impairs tumour-associated angiogenesis in a zebrafish B16F10 melanoma cell xenograft model and synergises with VEGFR inhibitor sunitinib malate to inhibit developmental angiogenesis. In summary, we showed that canthin-6-one exhibits anti-angiogenic properties in both developmental and pathological contexts in zebrafish, independent of the VEGFA/VEGFR2 pathway and demonstrate that canthin-6-one may hold value for further development as a novel anti-angiogenic drug.

RESUMEN

Unpleasant side effects and resistance development remained the Achilles heel of chemotherapy. Since low tumor-selectivity and monotonous effect of chemotherapy are closely related to such bottleneck, targeting tumor-selective multi-functional anticancer agents may be an ideal strategy in the search of new safer drugs. Herein, we report the discovery of compound 21, a nitro-substituted 1,5-diphenyl-3-styryl-1H-pyrazole that possesses dual functional characteristics. The 2D- and 3D-culture-based studies revealed that 21 not only could induce ROS-independent apoptotic and EGFR/AKT/mTOR-mediated autophagic cell deaths in EJ28 cells simultaneously but also has the ability in inducing cell death at both proliferating and quiescent zones of EJ28 spheroids. The molecular modelling analysis showed that 21 possesses EGFR targeting capability as it forms stable interactions in the EGFR active site. Together with its good safety profile in the zebrafish-based model, the present study showed that 21 is promising and may lead to the discovery of tumor-selective multi-functional anti-cancer agents.

Asunto(s)

Antineoplásicos , Muerte Celular Autofágica , Neoplasias de la Vejiga Urinaria , Animales , Pez Cebra , Línea Celular Tumoral , Antineoplásicos/farmacología , Receptores ErbB , Apoptosis , Autofagia

RESUMEN

During development, the lymphatic vasculature forms as a second network derived chiefly from blood vessels. The transdifferentiation of embryonic venous endothelial cells (VECs) into lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) is a key step in this process. Specification, differentiation and maintenance of LEC fate are all driven by the transcription factor Prox1, yet the downstream mechanisms remain to be elucidated. We here present a single-cell transcriptomic atlas of lymphangiogenesis in zebrafish, revealing new markers and hallmarks of LEC differentiation over four developmental stages. We further profile single-cell transcriptomic and chromatin accessibility changes in zygotic prox1a mutants that are undergoing a LEC-VEC fate shift. Using maternal and zygotic prox1a/prox1b mutants, we determine the earliest transcriptomic changes directed by Prox1 during LEC specification. This work altogether reveals new downstream targets and regulatory regions of the genome controlled by Prox1 and presents evidence that Prox1 specifies LEC fate primarily by limiting blood vascular and haematopoietic fate. This extensive single-cell resource provides new mechanistic insights into the enigmatic role of Prox1 and the control of LEC differentiation in development.

Asunto(s)

Vasos Linfáticos , Pez Cebra , Animales , Pez Cebra/genética , Proteínas de Homeodominio/genética , Proteínas Supresoras de Tumor/genética , Células Endoteliales , Células Cultivadas , Diferenciación Celular , Linfangiogénesis/genética , Factores de Transcripción/genética , Análisis de la Célula Individual

RESUMEN

The development of a functional vasculature requires the coordinated control of cell fate, lineage differentiation and network growth. Cellular proliferation is spatiotemporally regulated in developing vessels, but how this is orchestrated in different lineages is unknown. Here, using a zebrafish genetic screen for lymphatic-deficient mutants, we uncover a mutant for the RNA helicase Ddx21. Ddx21 cell-autonomously regulates lymphatic vessel development. An established regulator of ribosomal RNA synthesis and ribosome biogenesis, Ddx21 is enriched in sprouting venous endothelial cells in response to Vegfc-Flt4 signalling. Ddx21 function is essential for Vegfc-Flt4-driven endothelial cell proliferation. In the absence of Ddx21, endothelial cells show reduced ribosome biogenesis, p53 and p21 upregulation and cell cycle arrest that blocks lymphangiogenesis. Thus, Ddx21 coordinates the lymphatic endothelial cell response to Vegfc-Flt4 signalling by balancing ribosome biogenesis and p53 function. This mechanism may be targetable in diseases of excessive lymphangiogenesis such as cancer metastasis or lymphatic malformation.

Asunto(s)

Proliferación Celular , ARN Helicasas DEAD-box/metabolismo , Células Endoteliales/enzimología , Linfangiogénesis , Vasos Linfáticos/enzimología , ARN Ribosómico/biosíntesis , Ribosomas/metabolismo , Proteína p53 Supresora de Tumor/metabolismo , Factor C de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/metabolismo , Proteínas de Pez Cebra/metabolismo , Animales , Animales Modificados Genéticamente , Puntos de Control del Ciclo Celular , Células Cultivadas , Inhibidor p21 de las Quinasas Dependientes de la Ciclina/genética , Inhibidor p21 de las Quinasas Dependientes de la Ciclina/metabolismo , ARN Helicasas DEAD-box/genética , Regulación del Desarrollo de la Expresión Génica , Células Endoteliales de la Vena Umbilical Humana/enzimología , Humanos , Vasos Linfáticos/embriología , ARN Ribosómico/genética , Ribosomas/genética , Transducción de Señal , Proteína p53 Supresora de Tumor/genética , Factor C de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/genética , Receptor 3 de Factores de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/genética , Receptor 3 de Factores de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/metabolismo , Pez Cebra/embriología , Pez Cebra/genética , Proteínas de Pez Cebra/genética

RESUMEN

Lymphangiogenesis, the formation of new lymphatic vessels from pre-existing vasculature, plays critical roles in disease, including in cancer metastasis and chronic inflammation. Preclinical and recent clinical studies have now demonstrated therapeutic utility for several anti-lymphangiogenic agents, but optimal agents and efficacy in different settings remain to be determined. We tested the anti-lymphangiogenic property of 3,4-Difluorobenzocurcumin (CDF), which has previously been implicated as an anti-cancer agent, using zebrafish embryos and cultured vascular endothelial cells. We used transgenic zebrafish labelling the lymphatic system and found that CDF potently inhibits lymphangiogenesis during embryonic development. We also found that the parent compound, Curcumin, does not inhibit lymphangiogenesis. CDF blocked lymphatic and venous sprouting, and lymphatic migration in the head and trunk of the embryo. Mechanistically, CDF impaired VEGFC-VEGFR3-ERK signalling in vitro and in vivo. In an in vivo pathological model of Vegfc-overexpression, treatment with CDF rescued endothelial cell hyperplasia. CDF did not inhibit the kinase activity of VEGFR3 yet displayed more prolonged activity in vivo than previously reported kinase inhibitors. These findings warrant further assessment of CDF and its mode of action as a candidate for use in metastasis and diseases of aberrant lymphangiogenesis.

RESUMEN

The formation of new blood vessel networks occurs via angiogenesis during development, tissue repair, and disease. Angiogenesis is regulated by intracellular endothelial signalling pathways, induced downstream of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and their receptors (VEGFRs). A major challenge in understanding angiogenesis is interpreting how signalling events occur dynamically within endothelial cell populations during sprouting, proliferation, and migration. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) is a central downstream effector of Vegf-signalling and reports the signalling that drives angiogenesis. We generated a vascular Erk biosensor transgenic line in zebrafish using a kinase translocation reporter that allows live-imaging of Erk-signalling dynamics. We demonstrate the utility of this line to live-image Erk activity during physiologically relevant angiogenic events. Further, we reveal dynamic and sequential endothelial cell Erk-signalling events following blood vessel wounding. Initial signalling is dependent upon Ca2+ in the earliest responding endothelial cells, but is independent of Vegfr-signalling and local inflammation. The sustained regenerative response, however, involves a Vegfr-dependent mechanism that initiates concomitantly with the wound inflammatory response. This work reveals a highly dynamic sequence of signalling events in regenerative angiogenesis and validates a new resource for the study of vascular Erk-signalling in real-time.

Asunto(s)

Células Endoteliales/metabolismo , Procesamiento de Imagen Asistido por Computador/métodos , Sistema de Señalización de MAP Quinasas/fisiología , Neovascularización Patológica/metabolismo , Neovascularización Fisiológica , Transducción de Señal , Animales , Células Cultivadas , Sistema de Señalización de MAP Quinasas/genética , Factor A de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/metabolismo , Receptor 2 de Factores de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/metabolismo , Pez Cebra

RESUMEN

The formation of the vertebrate vasculature involves the acquisition of endothelial cell identities, sprouting, migration, remodeling and maturation of functional vessel networks. To understand the cellular and molecular processes that drive vascular development, live-imaging of dynamic cellular events in the zebrafish embryo have proven highly informative. This review focusses on recent advances, new tools and new insights from imaging studies in vascular cell biology using zebrafish as a model system.

RESUMEN

The lymphatic vasculature develops primarily from pre-existing veins. A pool of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) first sprouts from cardinal veins followed by migration and proliferation to colonise embryonic tissues. Although much is known about the molecular regulation of LEC fate and sprouting during early lymphangiogenesis, we know far less about the instructive and permissive signals that support LEC migration through the embryo. Using a forward genetic screen, we identified mbtps1 and sec23a, components of the COP-II protein secretory pathway, as essential for developmental lymphangiogenesis. In both mutants, LECs initially depart the cardinal vein but then fail in their ongoing migration. A key cargo that failed to be secreted in both mutants was a type II collagen (Col2a1). Col2a1 is normally secreted by notochord sheath cells, alongside which LECs migrate. col2a1a mutants displayed defects in the migratory behaviour of LECs and failed lymphangiogenesis. These studies thus identify Col2a1 as a key cargo secreted by notochord sheath cells and required for the migration of LECs. These findings combine with our current understanding to suggest that successive cell-to-cell and cell-matrix interactions regulate the migration of LECs through the embryonic environment during development.

Asunto(s)

Movimiento Celular/fisiología , Colágeno Tipo II/metabolismo , Embrión de Mamíferos/metabolismo , Células Endoteliales/metabolismo , Vasos Linfáticos/metabolismo , Pez Cebra/metabolismo , Animales , Comunicación Celular/fisiología , Proliferación Celular/fisiología , Linfangiogénesis/fisiología , Morfogénesis/fisiología , Venas/metabolismo

RESUMEN

Lymphatic vascular development establishes embryonic and adult tissue fluid balance and is integral in disease. In diverse vertebrate organs, lymphatic vessels display organotypic function and develop in an organ-specific manner. In all settings, developmental lymphangiogenesis is considered driven by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-3 (VEGFR3), whereas a role for VEGFR2 remains to be fully explored. Here, we define the zebrafish Vegf/Vegfr code in receptor binding studies. We find that while Vegfd directs craniofacial lymphangiogenesis, it binds Kdr (a VEGFR2 homolog) but surprisingly, unlike in mammals, does not bind Flt4 (VEGFR3). Epistatic analyses and characterization of a kdr mutant confirm receptor-binding analyses, demonstrating that Kdr is indispensible for rostral craniofacial lymphangiogenesis, but not caudal trunk lymphangiogenesis, in which Flt4 is central. We further demonstrate an unexpected yet essential role for Kdr in inducing lymphatic endothelial cell fate. This work reveals evolutionary divergence in the Vegf/Vegfr code that uncovers spatially restricted mechanisms of developmental lymphangiogenesis.

Asunto(s)

Células Endoteliales/metabolismo , Evolución Molecular , Linfangiogénesis , Factor C de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/genética , Receptor 2 de Factores de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/genética , Proteínas de Pez Cebra/genética , Pez Cebra/embriología , Pez Cebra/metabolismo , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Animales , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Ligandos , Ratones , Unión Proteica , Proteolisis , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Factor C de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/química , Factor C de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/metabolismo , Receptor 2 de Factores de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/metabolismo , Proteínas de Pez Cebra/química , Proteínas de Pez Cebra/metabolismo

RESUMEN

Lymphatic vascular development involves specification of lymphatic endothelial progenitors that subsequently undergo sprouting, proliferation and tissue growth to form a complex second vasculature. The Hippo pathway and effectors Yap and Taz control organ growth and regulate morphogenesis and cellular proliferation. Yap and Taz control angiogenesis but a role in lymphangiogenesis remains to be fully elucidated. Here we show that YAP displays dynamic changes in lymphatic progenitors and Yap1 is essential for lymphatic vascular development in zebrafish. Maternal and Zygotic (MZ) yap1 mutants show normal specification of lymphatic progenitors, abnormal cellular sprouting and reduced numbers of lymphatic progenitors emerging from the cardinal vein during lymphangiogenesis. Furthermore, Yap1 is indispensable for Vegfc-induced proliferation in a transgenic model of Vegfc overexpression. Paracrine Vegfc-signalling ultimately increases nuclear YAP in lymphatic progenitors to control lymphatic development. We thus identify a role for Yap in lymphangiogenesis, acting downstream of Vegfc to promote expansion of this vascular lineage.

Asunto(s)

Proliferación Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Vasos Linfáticos/efectos de los fármacos , Transactivadores/metabolismo , Transactivadores/farmacología , Factor C de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/metabolismo , Proteínas de Pez Cebra/metabolismo , Proteínas de Pez Cebra/farmacología , Pez Cebra/metabolismo , Animales , Animales Modificados Genéticamente , Femenino , Regulación del Desarrollo de la Expresión Génica/efectos de los fármacos , Técnicas de Inactivación de Genes , Linfangiogénesis/efectos de los fármacos , Vasos Linfáticos/citología , Masculino , Morfogénesis/efectos de los fármacos , Transactivadores/genética , Proteínas Señalizadoras YAP , Pez Cebra/genética , Proteínas de Pez Cebra/genética

RESUMEN

The correct assignment of cell fate within fields of multipotent progenitors is essential for accurate tissue diversification. The first lymphatic vessels arise from pre-existing veins after venous endothelial cells become specified as lymphatic progenitors. Prox1 specifies lymphatic fate and labels these progenitors; however, the mechanisms restricting Prox1 expression and limiting the progenitor pool remain unknown. We identified a zebrafish mutant that displayed premature, expanded, and prolonged lymphatic specification. The gene responsible encodes the regulator of alternative splicing, Nova2. In zebrafish and human endothelial cells, Nova2 selectively regulates pre-mRNA splicing for components of signaling pathways and phosphoproteins. Nova2-deficient endothelial cells display increased Mapk/Erk signaling, and Prox1 expression is dynamically controlled by Erk signaling. We identify a mechanism whereby Nova2-regulated splicing constrains Erk signaling, thus limiting lymphatic progenitor cell specification. This identifies the capacity of a factor that tunes mRNA splicing to control assignment of cell fate during vascular differentiation.

Asunto(s)

Vasos Linfáticos/metabolismo , Sistema de Señalización de MAP Quinasas , Proteínas del Tejido Nervioso/metabolismo , Proteínas de Unión al ARN/metabolismo , Empalme Alternativo , Animales , Diferenciación Celular , Linaje de la Célula , Células Endoteliales/citología , Células Endoteliales/metabolismo , Femenino , Proteínas de Homeodominio/metabolismo , Humanos , Linfangiogénesis , Vasos Linfáticos/citología , Masculino , Antígeno Ventral Neuro-Oncológico , Proteínas Supresoras de Tumor/metabolismo , Venas/citología , Venas/metabolismo , Pez Cebra

RESUMEN

Lymphatic vessels are known to be derived from veins; however, recent lineage-tracing experiments propose that specific lymphatic networks may originate from both venous and non-venous sources. Despite this, direct evidence of a non-venous lymphatic progenitor is missing. Here, we show that the zebrafish facial lymphatic network is derived from three distinct progenitor populations that add sequentially to the developing facial lymphatic through a relay-like mechanism. We show that while two facial lymphatic progenitor populations are venous in origin, the third population, termed the ventral aorta lymphangioblast (VA-L), does not sprout from a vessel; instead, it arises from a migratory angioblast cell near the ventral aorta that initially lacks both venous and lymphatic markers, and contributes to the facial lymphatics and the hypobranchial artery. We propose that sequential addition of venous and non-venous progenitors allows the facial lymphatics to form in an area that is relatively devoid of veins. Overall, this study provides conclusive, live imaging-based evidence of a non-venous lymphatic progenitor and demonstrates that the origin and development of lymphatic vessels is context-dependent.

Asunto(s)

Vasos Linfáticos/fisiología , Células Madre/fisiología , Venas/fisiología , Pez Cebra/fisiología , Animales , Movimiento Celular/fisiología , Células Endoteliales/fisiología

RESUMEN

The accessibility and optical transparency of the zebrafish embryo offers a unique platform for live-imaging of developmental lymphangiogenesis. Transgenic lines labelling lymphatic progenitors and vessels enable researchers to visualize cellular processes and ask how they contribute to lymphatic development in genetic models. Furthermore, validated immunofluorescence staining for key signaling and cell fate markers (phosphorylated Erk and Prox1) allow single cell resolution studies of lymphatic differentiation. Here, we describe in detail how zebrafish embryos and larvae can be mounted for high resolution, staged imaging of lymphatic networks, how lymphangiogenesis can be reliably quantified and how immunofluorescence can reveal lymphatic signaling and differentiation. These methods offer researchers the opportunity to experimentally dissect developmental lymphangiogenesis with outstanding resolution.

Asunto(s)

Angiografía , Linfangiogénesis , Vasos Linfáticos/embriología , Imagen Molecular , Pez Cebra/embriología , Angiografía/métodos , Animales , Animales Modificados Genéticamente , Células Endoteliales/metabolismo , Quinasas MAP Reguladas por Señal Extracelular/metabolismo , Técnica del Anticuerpo Fluorescente , Genes Reporteros , Proteínas de Homeodominio/metabolismo , Imagen Molecular/métodos , Fosforilación , Proteínas Supresoras de Tumor/metabolismo

RESUMEN

Natural products are prolific producers of diverse chemical scaffolds, which have yielded several clinically useful drugs. However, the complex features of natural products present challenges for identifying bioactive molecules using high-throughput screens. For most assays, measured endpoints are either colorimetric or luminescence based. Thus, the presence of the major metabolites, tannins, and chlorophylls, in natural products could potentially interfere with these measurements to give either false-positive or false-negative hits. In this context, zebrafish phenotypic assays provide an alternative approach to bioprospect naturally occurring bioactive compounds. Whether tannins and/or chlorophylls interfere in zebrafish phenotypic assays, is unclear. In this study, we evaluated the interference potential of tannins and chlorophylls against efficacy of known small-molecule inhibitors that are known to cause phenotypic abnormalities in developing zebrafish embryos. First, we fractionated tannin-enriched fraction (TEF) and chlorophyll-enriched fraction (CEF) from Camellia sinensis and cotreated them with PD0325901 [mitogen-activated protein kinase-kinase (MEK) inhibitor] and sunitinib malate (SM; anti-[lymph]angiogenic drug). While TEF and CEF did not interfere with phenotypic or molecular endpoints of PD0325901, TEF at 100 µg/mL partially masked the antiangiogenic effect of SM. On the other hand, CEF (100 µg/mL) was toxic when treated up to 6 dpf. Furthermore, CEF at 100 µg/mL potentially enhanced the activity of γ-secretase inhibitors, resulting in toxicity of treated embryos. Our study provides evidence that the presence of tannin and/or chlorophyll in natural products do interfere with zebrafish phenotype assays used for identifying potential hits. However, this may be target/assay dependent and thus requiring additional optimization steps to assess interference potential of tannins and chlorophylls before performing any screening assay.

Asunto(s)

Inhibidores de la Angiogénesis/farmacología , Benzamidas/farmacología , Clorofila/antagonistas & inhibidores , Difenilamina/análogos & derivados , Sunitinib/farmacología , Taninos/antagonistas & inhibidores , Animales , Clorofila/metabolismo , Difenilamina/farmacología , Evaluación Preclínica de Medicamentos , Fenotipo , Taninos/metabolismo , Pez Cebra

RESUMEN

Zebrafish represents a powerful in vivo model for phenotype-based drug discovery to identify clinically relevant small molecules. By utilizing this model, we evaluated natural product derived compounds that could potentially modulate Notch signaling that is important in both zebrafish embryogenesis and pathogenic in human cancers. A total of 234 compounds were screened using zebrafish embryos and 3 were identified to be conferring phenotypic alterations similar to embryos treated with known Notch inhibitors. Subsequent secondary screens using HEK293T cells overexpressing truncated Notch1 (HEK293TΔE) identified 2 compounds, EDD3 and 3H4MB, to be potential Notch antagonists. Both compounds reduced protein expression of NOTCH1, Notch intracellular domain (NICD) and hairy and enhancer of split-1 (HES1) in HEK293TΔE and downregulated Notch target genes. Importantly, EDD3 treatment of human oral cancer cell lines demonstrated reduction of Notch target proteins and genes. EDD3 also inhibited proliferation and induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest of ORL-150 cells through inducing p27KIP1. Our data demonstrates the utility of the zebrafish phenotypic screen and identifying EDD3 as a promising Notch antagonist for further development as a novel therapeutic agent.

Asunto(s)

Antineoplásicos/farmacología , Curcumina/análogos & derivados , Curcumina/farmacología , Receptores Notch/antagonistas & inhibidores , Triterpenos/farmacología , Animales , Ciclo Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Línea Celular Tumoral , Proliferación Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Supervivencia Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Embrión no Mamífero/anomalías , Embrión no Mamífero/efectos de los fármacos , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Fenotipo , Receptores Notch/metabolismo , Pez Cebra , Proteínas de Pez Cebra/antagonistas & inhibidores , Proteínas de Pez Cebra/metabolismo

RESUMEN

Cancer metastasis which predominantly occurs through blood and lymphatic vessels, is the leading cause of death in cancer patients. Consequently, several anti-angiogenic agents have been approved as therapeutic agents for human cancers such as metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Also, anti-lymphangiogenic drugs such as monoclonal antibodies VGX-100 and IMC-3C5 have undergone phase I clinical trials for advanced and metastatic solid tumors. Although anti-tumor-associated angiogenesis has proven to be a promising therapeutic strategy for human cancers, this approach is fraught with toxicities and development of drug resistance. This emphasizes the need for alternative anti-(lymph)angiogenic drugs. The use of zebrafish has become accepted as an established model for high-throughput screening, vascular biology, and cancer research. Importantly, various zebrafish transgenic lines have now been generated that can readily discriminate different vascular compartments. This now enables detailed in vivo studies that are relevant to both human physiological and tumor (lymph)angiogenesis to be conducted in zebrafish. This review highlights recent advancements in the zebrafish anti-vascular screening platform and showcases promising new anti-(lymph)angiogenic compounds that have been derived from this model. In addition, this review discusses the promises and challenges of the zebrafish model in the context of anti-(lymph)angiogenic compound discovery for cancer treatment.

Asunto(s)

Inhibidores de la Angiogénesis/química , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Pez Cebra , Animales , Descubrimiento de Drogas/métodos , Humanos , Linfangiogénesis/efectos de los fármacos , Neovascularización Patológica/tratamiento farmacológico

RESUMEN

Zebrafish is gaining prominence as an important vertebrate model for investigating various human diseases. Zebrafish provides unique advantages such as optical clarity of embryos, high fecundity rate, and low cost of maintenance, making it a perfect complement to the murine model equivalent in biomedical research. Due to these advantages, researchers in Malaysia are starting to take notice and incorporate the zebrafish model into their research activities. However, zebrafish research in Malaysia is still in its infancy stage and many researchers still remain unaware of the full potential of the zebrafish model or have limited access to related tools and techniques that are widely utilized in many zebrafish laboratories worldwide. To overcome this, we organized the First Malaysia Zebrafish Disease Model Workshop in Malaysia that took place on 11th and 12th of November 2015. In this workshop, we showcased how the zebrafish model is being utilized in the biomedical field in international settings as well as in Malaysia. For this, notable international speakers and those from local universities known to be carrying out impactful research using zebrafish were invited to share some of the cutting edge techniques that are used in their laboratories that may one day be incorporated in the Malaysian scientific community.

Asunto(s)

Investigación Biomédica , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Pez Cebra , Animales , Malasia

RESUMEN

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a disabling chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. IBD patients have increased intestinal lymphatic vessel density and recent studies have shown that this may contribute to the resolution of IBD. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in IBD-associated lymphangiogenesis are still unclear. In this study, we established a novel inflammatory lymphangiogenesis model in zebrafish larvae involving colitogenic challenge stimulated by exposure to 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) or dextran sodium sulphate (DSS). Treatment with either TNBS or DSS resulted in vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (Vegfr)-dependent lymphangiogenesis in the zebrafish intestine. Reduction of intestinal inflammation by the administration of the IBD therapeutic, 5-aminosalicylic acid, reduced intestinal lymphatic expansion. Zebrafish macrophages express vascular growth factors vegfaa, vegfc and vegfd and chemical ablation of these cells inhibits intestinal lymphatic expansion, suggesting that the recruitment of macrophages to the intestine upon colitogenic challenge is required for intestinal inflammatory lymphangiogenesis. Importantly, this study highlights the potential of zebrafish as an inflammatory lymphangiogenesis model that can be used to investigate the role and mechanism of lymphangiogenesis in inflammatory diseases such as IBD.