The anti-angiogenic effects of 1-furan-2-yl-3-pyridin-2-yl-propenone are mediated through the suppression of both VEGF production and VEGF-induced signaling

Vascul Pharmacol. 2009 Mar-Apr;50(3-4):123-31. doi: 10.1016/j.vph.2008.11.006. Epub 2008 Nov 28.

Abstract

Angiogenesis plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of malignant tumor growth and metastases. Since cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression is positively correlated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and enhanced angiogenesis, COX-2 inhibitors have been focused on as angiogenesis-inhibiting drugs that may offer a complementary modality to classical strategies for cancer therapy. In this study, we evaluated the potential antiangiogenic effects of 1-furan-2-yl-3-pyridin-2-yl-propenone (FPP-3), a dual COX/5-LOX inhibitor. In HT1080 cancer cells, FPP-3 significantly suppressed release of VEGF as well as activation of NF-kappaB, a transcriptional factor required for VEGF expression. In a chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay, FPP-3 dose-dependently suppressed VEGF- and MCF-7 human breast cancer cell-induced angiogenesis. In experiments with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), FPP-3 dose-dependently decreased not only the cell survival and proliferation but also the tube formation and invasion using Matrigel-coated plates. Such antiangiogenic activity correlated with suppression of VEGF-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and extracellularly regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. Furthermore, in contrast to the case of NS398, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, FPP-3 did not alter the ratio of tissue factor (TF)/tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) expression, a coagulation index. These results indicate that FPP-3 could be used as an effective antiangiogenic agent without the risk of developing thrombotic complications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chick Embryo
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects*
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Female
  • Furans / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Lipoproteins / metabolism
  • Pregnancy
  • Propane / analogs & derivatives*
  • Propane / pharmacology
  • Pyridines / pharmacology*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Thromboplastin / metabolism
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism*

Substances

  • 1-furan-2-yl-3-pyridin-2-yl-propenone
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Furans
  • Lipoproteins
  • Pyridines
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • lipoprotein-associated coagulation inhibitor
  • Thromboplastin
  • Propane