Ribozyme mediated cleavage of cell-associated isoform of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibits liver metastasis of a pancreatic cancer cell line

Int J Oncol. 2002 Nov;21(5):1027-32.

Abstract

Stromal angiogenesis is an important factor for progression of malignant neoplasms. We used hammerhead ribozymes against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene transcripts to down-regulate cell-associated VEGF189 isoform function in the pancreatic cancer cell line MIA PaCa2. MIA PaCa2 transfected with anti-VEGF189 ribozyme did not show any alteration of growth rate under tissue culture. When the transformants were subcutaneously transplanted, tumour volume of the ribozyme-transfected MIA PaCa2 xenografts was significantly smaller (P<0.01). No metastasis of MIA PaCa2 transfected with anti-VEGF189 was apparent, while disabled ribozyme-transfected MIA PaCa2 showed significant liver metastasis (P<0.05). These results suggested that VEGF189 plays an important role in growth and metastatic potential through alteration of angiogenic balance in cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics*
  • Liver Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Lymphokines / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Lymphokines / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Protein Isoforms
  • RNA, Catalytic / therapeutic use*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Tissue Plasminogen Activator / biosynthesis
  • Transplantation, Heterologous
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

Substances

  • Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Lymphokines
  • Protein Isoforms
  • RNA, Catalytic
  • RNA, Messenger
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Tissue Plasminogen Activator