Tumor-derived hypoxic small extracellular vesicles promote endothelial cell migration and tube formation via ALS2/Rab5/ß-catenin signaling.

Tumor hypoxia has been associated with cancer progression, angiogenesis, and metastasis via modifications in the release and cargo composition of extracellular vesicles secreted by tumor cells. Indeed, hypoxic extracellular vesicles are known to trigger a variety of angiogenic responses via different mechanisms. We recently showed that hypoxia promotes endosomal signaling in tumor cells via HIF-1α-dependent induction of the guanine exchange factor ALS2, which activates Rab5, leading to downstream events involved in cell migration and invasion. Since Rab5-dependent signaling is required for endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis, we explored the possibility that hypoxia promotes the release of small extracellular vesicles containing ALS2, which in turn activate Rab5 in recipient endothelial cells leading to pro-angiogenic properties. In doing so, we found that hypoxia promoted ALS2 expression and incorporation as cargo within small extracellular vesicles, leading to subsequent transfer to recipient endothelial cells and promoting cell migration, tube formation, and downstream Rab5 activation. Consequently, ALS2-containing small extracellular vesicles increased early endosome size and number in recipient endothelial cells, which was followed by subsequent sequestration of components of the ß-catenin destruction complex within endosomal compartments, leading to stabilization and nuclear localization of ß-catenin. These events converged in the expression of ß-catenin target genes involved in angiogenesis. Knockdown of ALS2 in donor tumor cells precluded its incorporation into small extracellular vesicles, preventing Rab5-downstream events and endothelial cell responses, which depended on Rab5 activity and guanine exchange factor activity of ALS2. These findings indicate that vesicular ALS2, secreted in hypoxia, promotes endothelial cell events leading to angiogenesis. Finally, these events might explain how tumor angiogenesis proceeds in hypoxic conditions.

Calcitriol Treatment Decreases Cell Migration, Viability and ß-Catenin Signaling in Oral Dysplasia.

Nearly 90% of oral cancers are characterized as oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), representing the sixth most common type of cancer. OSCC usually evolves from oral potentially malignant disorders that, in some cases, are histologically consistent with a oral dysplasia. The levels of 1α,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3; calcitriol), the active form of vitamin D3, have been shown to be decreased in patients with oral dysplasia and OSCC. Moreover, treatment with 1,25-(OH)2D3 has been proven beneficial in OSCC by inhibiting the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway, a signaling route that promotes cell migration, proliferation, and viability. However, whether this inhibition mechanism occurs in oral dysplasia is unknown. To approach this question, we used dysplastic oral keratinocyte cultures and oral explants (ex vivo model of oral dysplasia) treated with 1,25-(OH)2D3 for 48 h. Following treatment with 1,25-(OH)2D3, both in vitro and ex vivo models of oral dysplasia showed decreased levels of nuclear ß-catenin by immunofluorescence (IF) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Consistently, reduced protein and mRNA levels of the Wnt/ß-catenin target gene survivin were observed after treatment with 1,25-(OH)2D3. Moreover, 1,25-(OH)2D3 promoted membranous localization of E-cadherin and nuclear localization of vitamin D receptor (VDR). Functionally, DOK cells treated with 1,25-(OH)2D3 displayed diminished cell migration and viability in vitro.

The salivary peptide histatin-1 enhances bone repair in vivo.

The salivary peptide histatin-1 was recently described as a novel osteogenic factor that stimulates cell adhesion, migration, and differentiation in bone-lineage cells. Since these cell responses collectively contribute to bone regeneration, we hypothesized that histatin-1 harbors the capacity to enhance bone tissue repair at the preclinical level. By using a model of monocortical bone defect, we explored the effects of histatin-1 in tibial mineralization and organic matrix formation in vivo. To this end, different amounts of histatin-1 were embedded in one-mm3 collagen sponges and then applied to tibial monocortical defects in C57bl/6 mice. After seven days, mice were euthanized, and samples were processed for subsequent analysis. Micro-computed tomography screening showed that histatin-1 increased intraosseous mineralization, and this phenomenon was accompanied by augmented collagen matrix deposition and closure of cortical defect edges, as determined by Hematoxylin-Eosin and Masson's Trichrome staining. Moreover, immunohistochemical analyses showed that histatin-1 increased the expression of the osteogenic marker alkaline phosphatase, which was accompanied by augmented blood vessel formation. Collectively, our findings show that histatin-1 itself promotes bone regeneration in an orthotopic model, proposing this molecule as a therapeutic candidate for use in bone regenerative medicine.

Lipopolysaccharides from Porphyromonas endodontalis and Porphyromonas gingivalis promote angiogenesis via Toll-like-receptors 2 and 4 pathways in vitro.

AIM: Angiogenesis contributes to the development of apical periodontitis, periodontitis, and other oral pathologies; however, it remains unclear how this process is triggered. The aim was to evaluate whether lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Porphyromonas endodontalis and Porphyromonas gingivalis induced angiogenesis-related effects in vitro via TLR2 and TLR4. METHODOLOGY: Porphyromonas endodontalis LPS (ATCC 35406 and clinical isolate) was purified with TRIzol, whereas P. gingivalis LPS was obtained commercially. The effects of the different LPS (24 h) in endothelial cell migration were analysed by Transwell assays, following quantification in an optical microscope (40×). The effects of LPS on FAK Y397 phosphorylation were assessed by Western blotting. Angiogenesis in vitro was determined in an endothelial tube formation assay (14 h) in Matrigel in the absence or presence of either LPS. IL-6 and VEGF-A levels were determined in cell supernatants, following 24 h treatment with LPS, and measured in multiplex bead immunoassay. The involvement of TLR2 and TLR4 was assessed with blocking antibodies. The statistical analysis was performed using STATA 12® (StataCorp LP). RESULTS: The results revealed that P. endodontalis LPS, but not P. gingivalis LPS, stimulated endothelial cell migration. Pre-treatment with anti-TLR2 and anti-TLR4 antibodies prevented P. endodontalis LPS-induced cell migration. P. endodontalis LPS promoted FAK phosphorylation on Y397, as observed by an increased p-FAK/FAK ratio. Both P. gingivalis and P. endodontalis LPS (ATCC 35406) induced endothelial tube formation in a TLR-2 and -4-dependent manner, as shown by using blocking antibodies, however, only TLR2 blocking decreased tube formation induced by P. endodontalis (clinical isolate). Moreover, all LPS induced IL-6 and VEGF-A synthesis in endothelial cells. TLR2 and TLR4 were required for IL-6 induction by P. endodontalis LPS (ATCC 35406), while only TLR4 was involved in IL-6 secretion by the other LPS. Finally, VEGF-A synthesis did not require TLR signalling. CONCLUSION: Porphyromonas endodontalis and P. gingivalis LPS induced angiogenesis via TLR2 and TLR4. Collectively, these data contribute to understanding the role of LPS from Porphyromonas spp. in angiogenesis and TLR involvement.

TMPRSS11a is a novel age-altered, tissue specific regulator of migration and wound healing.

Aging is a gradual biological process characterized by a decrease in cellular and organism functions. Aging-related processes involve changes in the expression and activity of several proteins. Here, we identified the transmembrane protease serine 11a (TMPRSS11a) as a new age-specific protein that plays an important role in skin wound healing. TMPRSS11a levels increased with age in rodent and human skin and gingival samples. Strikingly, overexpression of TMPRSS11a decreased cell migration and spreading, and inducing cellular senescence. Mass spectrometry, bioinformatics, and functional analyses revealed that TMPRSS11a interacts with integrin ß1 through an RGD sequence contained within the C-terminal domain and that this motif was relevant for cell migration. Moreover, TMPRSS11a was associated with cellular senescence, as shown by overexpression and downregulation experiments. In agreement with tissue-specific expression of TMPRSS11a, shRNA-mediated downregulation of this protein improved wound healing in the skin, but not in the skeletal muscle of old mice, where TMPRSS11a is undetectable. Collectively, these findings indicate that TMPRSS11a is a tissue-specific factor relevant for wound healing, which becomes elevated with aging, promoting cellular senescence and inhibiting cell migration and skin repair.

Nuclear accumulation of ß-catenin is associated with endosomal sequestration of the destruction complex and increased activation of Rab5 in oral dysplasia.

Potentially malignant lesions, commonly referred to as dysplasia, are associated with malignant transformation by mechanisms that remain unclear. We recently reported that increased Wnt secretion promotes the nuclear accumulation of ß-catenin and expression of target genes in oral dysplasia. However, the mechanisms accounting for nuclear re-localization of ß-catenin in oral dysplasia remain unclear. In this study, we show that endosomal sequestration of the ß-catenin destruction complex allows nuclear accumulation of ß-catenin in oral dysplasia, and that these events depended on the endocytic protein Rab5. Tissue immunofluorescence analysis showed aberrant accumulation of enlarged early endosomes in oral dysplasia biopsies, when compared with healthy oral mucosa. These observations were confirmed in cell culture models, by comparing dysplastic oral keratinocytes (DOK) and non-dysplastic oral keratinocytes (OKF6). Intriguingly, DOK depicted higher levels of active Rab5, a critical regulator of early endosomes, when compared with OKF6. Increased Rab5 activity in DOK was necessary for nuclear localization of ß-catenin and Tcf/Lef-dependent transcription, as shown by expression of dominant negative and constitutively active mutants of Rab5, along with immunofluorescence, subcellular fractionation, transcription, and protease protection assays. Mechanistically, elevated Rab5 activity in DOK accounted for endosomal sequestration of components of the destruction complex, including GSK3ß, Axin, and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), as observed in Rab5 dominant negative experiments. In agreement with these in vitro observations, tissue immunofluorescence analysis showed increased co-localization of GSK3ß, APC, and Axin, with early endosome antigen 1- and Rab5-positive early endosomes in clinical samples of oral dysplasia. Collectively, these data indicate that increased Rab5 activity and endosomal sequestration of the ß-catenin destruction complex leads to stabilization and nuclear accumulation of ß-catenin in oral dysplasia.

Focal adhesion kinase-dependent activation of the early endocytic protein Rab5 is associated with cell migration.

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a central regulator of integrin-dependent cell adhesion and migration and has recently been shown to co-localize with endosomal proteins. The early endocytic protein Rab5 controls integrin trafficking, focal adhesion disassembly, and cell migration and has been shown to be activated upon integrin engagement by mechanisms that remain unclear. Because FAK is a critical regulator of integrin-dependent signaling and Rab5 recapitulates FAK-mediated effects, we evaluated the possibility that FAK activates Rab5 and contributes to cell migration. Pulldown assays revealed that Rab5-GTP levels are decreased upon treatment with a pharmacological inhibitor of FAK, PF562,271, in resting A549 cells. These events were associated with decreased peripheral Rab5 puncta and a reduced number of early endosome antigen 1 (EEA1)-positive early endosomes. Accordingly, as indicated by FAK inhibition experiments and in FAK-null fibroblasts, adhesion-induced FAK activity increased Rab5-GTP levels. In fact, expression of WT FAK and FAK/Y180A/M183A (open conformation), but not FAK/Arg454 (kinase-dead), augmented Rab5-GTP levels in FAK-null fibroblasts and A549 cells. Moreover, expression of a GDP-bound Rab5 mutant (Rab5/S34N) or shRNA-mediated knockdown of endogenous Rab5 prevented FAK-induced A549 cell migration, whereas expression of WT or GTP-bound Rab5 (Rab5/Q79L), but not Rab5/S34N, promoted cell migration in FAK-null fibroblasts. Mechanistically, FAK co-immunoprecipitated with the GTPase-activating protein p85α in a phosphorylation (Tyr397)-dependent manner, preventing Rab5-GTP loading, as shown by knockdown and transfection recovery experiments. Taken together, these results reveal that FAK activates Rab5, leading to cell migration.

Wnt/ß-Catenin Signaling in Oral Carcinogenesis.

Oral carcinogenesis is a complex and multifactorial process that involves cumulative genetic and molecular alterations, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation, impaired DNA repair and defective cell death. At the early stages, the onset of potentially malignant lesions in the oral mucosa, or oral dysplasia, is associated with higher rates of malignant progression towards carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma. Efforts have been made to get insights about signaling pathways that are deregulated in oral dysplasia, as these could be translated into novel markers and might represent promising therapeutic targets. In this context, recent evidence underscored the relevance of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in oral dysplasia, as this pathway is progressively "switched on" through the different grades of dysplasia (mild, moderate and severe dysplasia), with the consequent nuclear translocation of ß-catenin and expression of target genes associated with the maintenance of representative traits of oral dysplasia, namely cell proliferation and viability. Intriguingly, recent studies provide an unanticipated connection between active ß-catenin signaling and deregulated endosome trafficking in oral dysplasia, highlighting the relevance of endocytic components in oral carcinogenesis. This review summarizes evidence about the role of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway and the underlying mechanisms that account for its aberrant activation in oral carcinogenesis.

The salivary peptide histatin-1 promotes endothelial cell adhesion, migration, and angiogenesis.

Saliva is a key factor that contributes to the high efficiency of wound healing in the oral mucosa. This is not only attributed to physical cues but also to the presence of specific peptides in the saliva, such as histatins. Histatin-1 is a 38 aa antimicrobial peptide, highly enriched in human saliva, which has been previously reported to promote the migration of oral keratinocytes and fibroblasts in vitro However, the participation of histatin-1 in other crucial events required for wound healing, such as angiogenesis, is unknown. Here we demonstrate that histatin-1 promotes angiogenesis, as shown in vivo, using the chick chorioallantoic membrane model, and by an in vitro tube formation assay, using both human primary cultured endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the EA.hy926 cell line. Specifically, histatin-1 promoted endothelial cell adhesion and spreading onto fibronectin, as well as endothelial cell migration in the wound closure and Boyden chamber assays. These actions required the activation of the Ras and Rab interactor 2 (RIN2)/Rab5/Rac1 signaling axis, as histatin-1 increased the recruitment of RIN2, a Rab5-guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) to early endosomes, leading to sequential Rab5/Rac1 activation. Accordingly, interfering with either Rab5 or Rac1 activities prevented histatin-1-dependent endothelial cell migration. Finally, by immunodepletion assays, we showed that salivary histatin-1 is required for the promigratory effects of saliva on endothelial cells. In conclusion, we report that salivary histatin-1 is a novel proangiogenic factor that may contribute to oral wound healing.-Torres, P., Díaz, J., Arce, M., Silva, P., Mendoza, P., Lois, P., Molina-Berríos, A., Owen, G. I., Palma, V., Torres, V. A. The salivary peptide histatin-1 promotes endothelial cell adhesion, migration, and angiogenesis.

Rab5 is required in metastatic cancer cells for Caveolin-1-enhanced Rac1 activation, migration and invasion.

Rab5 is a small GTPase that regulates early endosome trafficking and other cellular processes, including cell adhesion and migration. Specifically, Rab5 promotes Rac1 activation and cancer cell migration, but little is known about the upstream regulators of Rab5. We have previously shown that the scaffolding protein Caveolin-1 (CAV1) promotes Rac1 activation and migration of cancer cells. Here, we hypothesized that CAV1 stimulates Rab5 activation, leading to increased Rac1 activity and cell migration. Expression of CAV1 in B16-F10 mouse melanoma and HT-29(US) human colon adenocarcinoma cells increased the GTP loading of Rab5, whereas shRNA-mediated targeting of endogenous CAV1 in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells decreased Rab5-GTP levels. Accordingly, shRNA-mediated downregulation of Rab5 decreased CAV1-mediated Rac1 activation, cell migration and invasion in B16-F10 and HT-29(US) cells. Expression of CAV1 was accompanied by increased recruitment of Tiam1, a Rac1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), to Rab5-positive early endosomes. Using the inhibitor NSC23766, Tiam1 was shown to be required for Rac1 activation and cell migration induced by CAV1 and Rab5. Mechanistically, we provide evidence implicating p85α (also known as PIK3R1), a Rab5 GTPase-activating protein (GAP), in CAV1-dependent effects, by showing that CAV1 recruits p85α, precluding p85α-mediated Rab5 inactivation and increasing cell migration. In summary, these studies identify a novel CAV1-Rab5-Rac1 signaling axis, whereby CAV1 prevents Rab5 inactivation, leading to increased Rac1 activity and enhanced tumor cell migration and invasion.

Rab5 activation promotes focal adhesion disassembly, migration and invasiveness in tumor cells.

Migration and invasion are essential steps associated with tumor cell metastasis and increasing evidence points towards endosome trafficking being essential in this process. Indeed, the small GTPase Rab5, a crucial regulator of early endosome dynamics, promotes cell migration in vitro and in vivo. Precisely how Rab5 participates in these events remains to be determined. Considering that focal adhesions represent structures crucial to cell migration, we specifically asked whether Rab5 activation promoted focal adhesion disassembly and thereby facilitated migration and invasion of metastatic cancer cells. Pulldown and biosensor assays revealed that Rab5-GTP loading increased at the leading edge of migrating tumor cells. Additionally, targeting of Rab5 by different shRNA sequences, but not control shRNA, decreased Rab5-GTP levels, leading to reduced cell spreading, migration and invasiveness. Re-expression in knockdown cells of wild-type Rab5, but not the S34N mutant (GDP-bound), restored these properties. Importantly, Rab5 association with the focal adhesion proteins vinculin and paxillin increased during migration, and expression of wild-type, but not GDP-bound Rab5, accelerated focal adhesion disassembly, as well as FAK dephosphorylation on tyrosine 397. Finally, Rab5-driven invasiveness required focal adhesion disassembly, as treatment with the FAK inhibitor number 14 prevented Matrigel invasion and matrix metalloproteinase release. Taken together, these observations show that Rab5 activation is required to enhance cancer cell migration and invasion by promoting focal adhesion disassembly.

Down-regulation of Rab5 decreases characteristics associated with maintenance of cell transformation.

The early endosomal protein Rab5 is highly expressed in tumor samples, although a causal relationship between Rab5 expression and cell transformation has not been established. Here, we report the functional effects of targeting endogenous Rab5 with specific shRNA sequences in different tumor cell lines. Rab5 down-regulation in B16-F10 cells decreased tumor formation by subcutaneous injection into C57/BL6 mice. Accordingly, Rab5 targeting in B16-F10 and A549, but not MDA-MB-231 cells was followed by decreased cell proliferation, increased apoptosis and decreased anchorage-independent growth. These findings suggest that Rab5 expression is required to maintain characteristics associated with cell transformation.

Inhibition of PORCN Blocks Wnt Signaling to Attenuate Progression of Oral Carcinogenesis.

PURPOSE: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is commonly preceded by potentially malignant lesions, referred to as oral dysplasia. We recently reported that oral dysplasia is associated with aberrant activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway, due to overexpression of Wnt ligands in a Porcupine (PORCN)-dependent manner. Pharmacologic inhibition of PORCN precludes Wnt secretion and has been proposed as a potential therapeutic approach to treat established cancers. Nevertheless, there are no studies that explore the effects of PORCN inhibition at the different stages of oral carcinogenesis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We performed a model of tobacco-induced oral cancer in vitro, where dysplastic oral keratinocytes (DOK) were transformed into oral carcinoma cells (DOK-TC), and assessed the effects of inhibiting PORCN with the C59 inhibitor. Similarly, an in vivo model of oral carcinogenesis and ex vivo samples derived from patients diagnosed with oral dysplasia and OSCC were treated with C59. RESULTS: Both in vitro and ex vivo oral carcinogenesis approaches revealed decreased levels of nuclear ß-catenin and Wnt3a, as observed by immunofluorescence and IHC analyses. Consistently, reduced protein and mRNA levels of survivin were observed after treatment with C59. Functionally, treatment with C59 in vitro resulted in diminished cell migration, viability, and invasion. Finally, by using an in vivo model of oral carcinogenesis, we found that treatment with C59 prevented the development of OSCC by reducing the size and number of oral tumor lesions. CONCLUSIONS: The inhibition of Wnt ligand secretion with C59 represents a feasible treatment to prevent the progression of early oral lesions toward OSCC.

Aging envisage imbalance of the periodontium: A keystone in oral disease and systemic health.

Aging is a gradual and progressive deterioration of integrity across multiple organ systems that negatively affects gingival wound healing. The cellular responses associated with wound healing, such as collagen synthesis, cell migration, proliferation, and collagen contraction, have been shown to be lower in gingival fibroblasts (the most abundant cells from the connective gingival tissue) in aged donors than young donors. Cellular senescence is one of the hallmarks of aging, which is characterized by the acquisition of a senescence-associated secretory phenotype that is characterized by the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and proteases which have been implicated in the recruitment of immune cells such as neutrophils, T cells and monocytes. Moreover, during aging, macrophages show altered acquisition of functional phenotypes in response to the tissue microenvironment. Thus, inflammatory and resolution macrophage-mediated processes are impaired, impacting the progression of periodontal disease. Interestingly, salivary antimicrobial peptides, such as histatins, which are involved in various functions, such as antifungal, bactericidal, enamel-protecting, angiogenesis, and re-epithelization, have been shown to fluctuate with aging. Several studies have associated the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis, a key pathogen related to periodontitis and apical periodontitis, with the progression of Alzheimer's disease, as well as gut, esophageal, and gastric cancers. Moreover, herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 have been associated with the severity of periodontal disease, cardiovascular complications, and nervous system-related pathologies. This review encompasses the effects of aging on periodontal tissues, how P. gingivalis and HSV infections could favor periodontitis and their relationship with other pathologies.

The Sall2 transcription factor promotes cell migration regulating focal adhesion turnover and integrin ß1 expression.

SALL2/Sall2 is a transcription factor associated with development, neuronal differentiation, and cancer. Interestingly, SALL2/Sall2 deficiency leads to failure of the optic fissure closure and neurite outgrowth, suggesting a positive role for SALL2/Sall2 in cell migration. However, in some cancer cells, SALL2 deficiency is associated with increased cell migration. To further investigate the role of Sall2 in the cell migration process, we used immortalized Sall2 knockout (Sall2 -/- ) and Sall2 wild-type (Sall2 +/+ ) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (iMEFs). Our results indicated that Sall2 positively regulates cell migration, promoting cell detachment and focal adhesions turnover. Sall2 deficiency decreased cell motility and altered focal adhesion dynamics. Accordingly, restoring Sall2 expression in the Sall2 -/- iMEFs by using a doxycycline-inducible Tet-On system recovered cell migratory capabilities and focal adhesion dynamics. In addition, Sall2 promoted the autophosphorylation of Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) at Y397 and increased integrin ß1 mRNA and its protein expression at the cell surface. We demonstrated that SALL2 increases ITGB1 promoter activity and binds to conserved SALL2-binding sites at the proximal region of the ITGB1 promoter, validated by ChIP experiments. Furthermore, the overexpression of integrin ß1 or its blockade generates a cell migration phenotype similar to that of Sall2 +/+ or Sall2 -/- cells, respectively. Altogether, our data showed that Sall2 promotes cell migration by modulating focal adhesion dynamics, and this phenotype is associated with SALL2/Sall2-transcriptional regulation of integrin ß1 expression and FAK autophosphorylation. Since deregulation of cell migration promotes congenital abnormalities, tumor formation, and spread to other tissues, our findings suggest that the SALL2/Sall2-integrin ß1 axis could be relevant for those processes.

Identification of VEGFR2 as the Histatin-1 receptor in endothelial cells.

Histatin-1 is a salivary peptide with antimicrobial and wound healing promoting activities, which was previously shown to stimulate angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo via inducing endothelial cell migration. The mechanisms underlying the proangiogenic effects of Histatin-1 remain poorly understood and specifically, the endothelial receptor for this peptide, is unknown. Based on the similarities between Histatin-1-dependent responses and those induced by the prototypical angiogenic receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), we hypothesized that VEGFR2 is the Histatin-1 receptor in endothelial cells. First, we observed that VEGFR2 is necessary for Histatin-1-induced endothelial cell migration, as shown by both pharmacological inhibition studies and siRNA-mediated ablation of VEGFR2. Moreover, Histatin-1 co-immunoprecipitated and co-localized with VEGFR2, associating spatial proximity between these proteins with receptor activation. Indeed, pulldown assays with pure, tagged and non-tagged proteins showed that Histatin-1 and VEGFR2 directly interact in vitro. Optical tweezers experiments permitted estimating kinetic parameters and rupture forces, indicating that the Histatin-1-VEGFR2 interaction is transient, but specific and direct. Sequence alignment and molecular modeling identified residues Phe26, Tyr30 and Tyr34 within the C-terminal domain of Histatin-1 as relevant for VEGFR2 binding and activation. This was corroborated by mutation and molecular dynamics analyses, as well as in direct binding assays. Importantly, these residues were required for Histatin-1 to induce endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis in vitro. Taken together, our findings reveal that VEGFR2 is the endothelial cell receptor of Histatin-1 and provide insights to the mechanism by which this peptide promotes endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis.

The marine lipopeptide somocystinamide A triggers apoptosis via caspase 8.

Screening for novel anticancer drugs in chemical libraries isolated from marine organisms, we identified the lipopeptide somocystinamide A (ScA) as a pluripotent inhibitor of angiogenesis and tumor cell proliferation. The antiproliferative activity was largely attributable to induction of programmed cell death. Sensitivity to ScA was significantly increased among cells expressing caspase 8, whereas siRNA knockdown of caspase 8 increased survival after exposure to ScA. ScA rapidly and efficiently partitioned into liposomes while retaining full antiproliferative activity. Consistent with the induction of apoptosis via the lipid compartment, we noted accumulation and aggregation of ceramide in treated cells and subsequent colocalization with caspase 8. Angiogenic endothelial cells were extremely sensitive to ScA. Picomolar concentrations of ScA disrupted proliferation and endothelial tubule formation in vitro. Systemic treatment of zebrafish or local treatment of the chick chorioallantoic membrane with ScA resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of angiogenesis, whereas topical treatment blocked tumor growth among caspase-8-expressing tumors. Together, the results reveal an unexpected mechanism of action for this unique lipopeptide and suggest future development of this and similar agents as antiangiogenesis and anticancer drugs.

Histatin-1 is a novel osteogenic factor that promotes bone cell adhesion, migration, and differentiation.

Histatin-1 is a salivary antimicrobial peptide involved in the maintenance of enamel and oral mucosal homeostasis. Moreover, Histatin-1 has been shown to promote re-epithelialization in soft tissues, by stimulating cell adhesion and migration in oral and dermal keratinocytes, gingival and skin fibroblasts, endothelial cells and corneal epithelial cells. The broad-spectrum activity of Histatin-1 suggests that it behaves as a universal wound healing promoter, although this is far from being clear yet. Here, we report that Histatin-1 is a novel osteogenic factor that promotes bone cell adhesion, migration, and differentiation. Specifically, Histatin-1 promoted cell adhesion, spreading, and migration of SAOS-2 cells and MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts in vitro, when placed on a fibronectin matrix. Besides, Histatin-1 induced the expression of osteogenic genes, including osteocalcin, osteopontin, and Runx2, and increased both activity and protein levels of alkaline phosphatase. Furthermore, Histatin-1 promoted mineralization in vitro, as it augmented the formation of calcium deposits in both SAOS-2 and MC3T3-E1 cells. Mechanistically, although Histatin-1 failed to activate ERK1/2, FAK, and Akt, which are signaling proteins associated with osteogenic differentiation or cell migration, it triggered nuclear relocalization of ß-catenin. Strikingly, the effects of Histatin-1 were recapitulated in cells that are nonosteogenically committed, since it promoted surface adhesion, migration, and the acquisition of osteogenic markers in primary mesenchymal cells derived from the apical papilla and dental pulp. Collectively, these observations indicate that Histatin-1 is a novel osteogenic factor that promotes bone cell differentiation, surface adhesion and migration, as crucial events required for bone tissue regeneration.

The Netrin-1-Neogenin-1 signaling axis controls neuroblastoma cell migration via integrin-ß1 and focal adhesion kinase activation.

Neuroblastoma is a highly metastatic tumor that emerges from neural crest cell progenitors. Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) is a regulator of cell migration that binds to the receptor Neogenin-1 and is upregulated in neuroblastoma. Here, we show that Netrin-1 ligand binding to Neogenin-1 leads to FAK autophosphorylation and integrin ß1 activation in a FAK dependent manner, thus promoting neuroblastoma cell migration. Moreover, Neogenin-1, which was detected in all tumor stages and was required for neuroblastoma cell migration, was found in a complex with integrin ß1, FAK, and Netrin-1. Importantly, Neogenin-1 promoted neuroblastoma metastases in an immunodeficient mouse model. Taken together, these data show that Neogenin-1 is a metastasis-promoting protein that associates with FAK, activates integrin ß1 and promotes neuroblastoma cell migration.

PKD2/polycystin-2 induces autophagy by forming a complex with BECN1.

Macroautophagy/autophagy is an intracellular process involved in the breakdown of macromolecules and organelles. Recent studies have shown that PKD2/PC2/TRPP2 (polycystin 2, transient receptor potential cation channel), a nonselective cation channel permeable to Ca2+ that belongs to the family of transient receptor potential channels, is required for autophagy in multiple cell types by a mechanism that remains unclear. Here, we report that PKD2 forms a protein complex with BECN1 (beclin 1), a key protein required for the formation of autophagic vacuoles, by acting as a scaffold that interacts with several co-modulators via its coiled-coil domain (CCD). Our data identified a physical and functional interaction between PKD2 and BECN1, which depends on one out of two CCD domains (CC1), located in the carboxy-terminal tail of PKD2. In addition, depletion of intracellular Ca2+ with BAPTA-AM not only blunted starvation-induced autophagy but also disrupted the PKD2-BECN1 complex. Consistently, PKD2 overexpression triggered autophagy by increasing its interaction with BECN1, while overexpression of PKD2D509V, a Ca2+ channel activity-deficient mutant, did not induce autophagy and manifested diminished interaction with BECN1. Our findings show that the PKD2-BECN1 complex is required for the induction of autophagy, and its formation depends on the presence of the CC1 domain of PKD2 and on intracellular Ca2+ mobilization by PKD2. These results provide new insights regarding the molecular mechanisms by which PKD2 controls autophagy.Abbreviations: ADPKD: autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease; ATG: autophagy-related; ATG14/ATG14L: autophagy related 14; Baf A1: bafilomycin A1; BCL2/Bcl-2: BCL2 apoptosis regulator; BCL2L1/BCL-XL: BCL2 like 1; BECN1: beclin 1; CCD: coiled-coil domain; EBSS: Earle's balanced salt solution; ER: endoplasmic reticulum; GAPDH: glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; GFP: green fluorescent protein; GOLGA2/GM130: golgin A2; GST: glutathione s-transferase; LAMP1: lysosomal associated membrane protein 1; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; MTORC1: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase complex 1; NBR1: NBR1 autophagy cargo receptor; PIK3C3/VPS34: phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase catalytic subunit type 3; PKD2/PC2: polycystin 2, transient receptor potential cation channel; RTN4/NOGO: reticulon 4; RUBCN/RUBICON: rubicon autophagy regulator; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1; UVRAG: UV radiation resistance associated; WIPI2: WD repeat domain, phosphoinositide interacting 2.