CHM-1, a new vascular targeting agent, induces apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells via p53-mediated death receptor 5 up-regulation

J Biol Chem. 2010 Feb 19;285(8):5497-506. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M109.036277. Epub 2009 Dec 11.

Abstract

CHM-1 (2'-fluoro-6,7-methylenedioxy-2-phenyl-4-quinolone) has been identified as a potent antitumor agent in human hepatocellular carcinoma; however, its role in tumor angiogenesis is unclear. This study investigated the effects of CHM-1 and the mechanisms by which it exerts its antiangiogenic and vascular disrupting properties. Using a xenograft model antitumor assay, we found that CHM-1 significantly inhibits tumor growth and microvessel formation. Flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and cell death enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit revealed that CHM-1 inhibits growth of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) by induction of apoptotic cell death in a concentration-dependent manner. CHM-1 also suppresses HUVEC migration and capillary-like tube formation. We were able to correlate CHM-1-induced apoptosis in HUVEC with the cleavage of procaspase-3, -7, and -8, as well as with the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase by Western blotting assay. Such sensitization was achieved through up-regulation of death receptor 5 (DR5) but not DR4 or Fas. CHM-1 was also capable of increasing the expression level of p53, and most importantly, the induction of DR5 by CHM-1 was abolished by p53 small interfering RNA. Taken together, the results of this study indicate that CHM-1 exhibits vascular targeting activity associated with the induction of DR5-mediated endothelial cell apoptosis through p53 up-regulation, which suggests its potential as an antivascular and antitumor therapeutic agent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Dioxoles / pharmacology
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, SCID
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / metabolism
  • Quinolones / pharmacology
  • Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / biosynthesis*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism*
  • Umbilical Veins / cytology
  • Umbilical Veins / metabolism*
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
  • fas Receptor / metabolism

Substances

  • 2'-fluoro-6,7-methylenedioxy-2-phenyl-4-quinolone
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Dioxoles
  • FAS protein, human
  • Quinolones
  • Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
  • TP53 protein, human
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • fas Receptor
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases
  • Caspases