In utero exposure to maternal diabetes impairs vascular expression of prostacyclin receptor in rat offspring.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate modifications of arterial structure, gene expression, and function in our model of rats exposed to maternal diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Morphometric analyses of elastic vessels structure and determination of thoracic aortic gene expression profile with oligonucleotide chips (Agilent, G4130, 22k) were performed before the onset of established hypertension (3 months). RESULTS: Arterial parameters of in situ fixed thoracic aorta were not significantly different between control mother offspring and diabetic mother offspring (DMO). The aortic gene expression profile of DMO is characterized by modifications of several members of the arachidonic acid metabolism including a twofold underexpression of prostacyclin receptor, which could contribute to decreased vasodilatation. This was confirmed by ex vivo experiments on isolated aortic rings. Pharmacological studies on conscious rats showed that systolic blood pressure decline in response to a PGI(2) analog was impaired in DMO rats. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest an abnormal vascular fetal programming of prostacyclin receptor in rats exposed in utero to maternal hyperglycemia that is associated with impaired vasodilatation and may be involved in the pathophysiology of hypertension in this model.

Antiangiogenic properties of viscum album extracts are associated with endothelial cytotoxicity.

BACKGROUND: Viscum album (VA) extracts are widely used in cancer therapy and are known to be cytotoxic to tumors and endothelial cells. Angiogenesis plays an important role in the growth, sustenance and metastasis of tumors. Inhibition of angiogenesis is now being explored as a new therapeutic avenue for cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cytotoxicity of VA extracts was analyzed by Annexin V labeling and propidium iodide uptake in EA-hy926 endothelial cells. The antiangiogenic effect was studied in vitro by treating the EA-hy926 cells in matrigel and subsequent analysis of vascular formation. Computer-assisted image analysis of vascular formation was analyzed to quantify the in vitro data. In vivo studies were performed by implanting matrigel +/- VA extracts in Balb/C mice that had been subjected to IP treatment with VA extracts. RESULTS: The combination of systemic and intra- matrigel treatment with the VA Qu Spez extract caused significant inhibition of angiogenesis. The VA P extract treatment showed insignificant change in vessel formation. CONCLUSION: These results may provide novel guidelines towards improved strategies using VA extracts based on the inhibition of angiogenesis of tumors.

Induction of maturation and activation of human dendritic cells: a mechanism underlying the beneficial effect of Viscum album as complimentary therapy in cancer.

BACKGROUND: Viscum album (VA) preparations have been used as a complimentary therapy in cancer. In addition to their cytotoxic properties, they have also been shown to have immunostimulatory properties. In the present study, we examine the hypothesis that the VA preparations induce activation of human DC that facilitates effective tumor regression. METHODS: Four day old monocyte-derived immature DCs were treated with VA Qu Spez at 5, 10 and 15 microg/ml for 48 hrs. The expression of surface molecules was analyzed by flow cytometry. The ability of Qu Spez-educated DC to stimulate T cells was analyzed by allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction and activation of Melan-A/MART-1-specific M77-80 CD8+T cells. Cytokines in cell free culture supernatant was analyzed by cytokine bead array assay. RESULTS: VA Qu Spez stimulated DCs presented with increased expression of antigen presenting molecule HLA-DR and of co-stimulatory molecules CD40, CD80 and CD86. The VA Qu Spez also induced the secretion of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8. Further, Qu Spez-educated DC stimulated CD4+T cells in a allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction and activated melanoma antigen Melan-A/MART-1-specific M77-80 CD8+T cells as evidenced by increased secretion of TNF-alpha and IFNgamma. CONCLUSION: The VA preparations stimulate the maturation and activation of human DCs, which may facilitate anti-tumoral immune responses. These results should assist in understanding the immunostimulatory properties of VA preparations and improving the therapeutic strategies.

Molecular mechanisms underlying the immunomodulatory effects of mistletoe (Viscum album L.) extracts Iscador.

Viscum album (VA) preparations (Iscador) consist of aqueous extracts from different types of European mistletoe. Biologically active components of VA extracts include mistletoe lectins (ML) and viscotoxins. The treatment with VA extracts or with purified ML has been shown to be associated with tumor regression in several in vivo experimental models of tumoral implantation. The mechanisms underlying the anti-tumoral activity of VA or ML are complex and involve apoptosis, angiogenesis and immunomodulation. This review provides an account of the current status of the understanding of the VA-associated immunomodulation in various cell types including lymphoblastoid, monocytic or endothelial cell lines.

Interleukin-12 is associated with the in vivo anti-tumor effect of mistletoe extracts in B16 mouse melanoma.

Viscum album (VA) preparations consist of aqueous extracts of different types of lectins of mistletoe. VA exert cytotoxic and immunomodulatory properties that may be relevant for the inhibition of tumor growth. We addressed the effects of VA preparation VA Qu FrF on growth of B16F1 melanoma implanted in mice and on proliferation and cytokine synthesis of splenocytes. In C57BL6 mice, inhibition of tumor growth by VA was associated with an enhancement of splenocyte proliferation and with an up-regulation of IL-12 secretion. In IL-12-deficient strain of mice the inhibition of melanoma growth by VA and the splenocyte proliferation were abrogated. Results from the present study strongly suggest a crucial role of IL-12 in the anti-tumor properties of VA extracts.

Comparative study of the sensitivity of lymphoblastoid and transformed monocytic cell lines to the cytotoxic effects of Viscum album extracts of different origin.

Viscum album (VA) preparations consist of aqueous extracts of V. album, the European mistletoe. VA extracts contain mistletoe lectins, which are members of the ribosome-inactivating protein type II family. VA preparations have cytotoxic and immunomodulatory properties. Cytotoxicity induced by VA extracts may differ greatly according to the origin of the preparation (host tree, fermented extract) and the cell type. This work was performed to assess the cytotoxicity of various VA preparations, i.e. VA Qu FrF, Qu Spez, M Spez and VA P, in lymphoblastoid and monocytic cell lines. VA Qu FrF, Qu Spez and M Spez induced dose-dependent cell death and inhibition of cell proliferation in lymphoblastoid T cell lines and in transformed monocytic lines. In contrast, the majority of B cell lines tested were resistant to cytotoxicity induced by VA extracts. While VA Qu FrF, Qu Spez and M Spez were potent inducers of cell death, extracts of VA P, derived from mistletoe plants growing on pine trees, failed to induce any cell death in any of the cell lines examined.

Induction of apoptosis of endothelial cells by Viscum album: a role for anti-tumoral properties of mistletoe lectins.

BACKGROUND: Viscum album (VA) preparations consist of aqueous extracts of different types of lectins of VA. Mistletoe lectins have both cytotoxic and immunomodulatory properties that support their study for the development for cancer therapy. However, the mechanisms of the anti- tumoral properties in vivo of mistletoe lectins are not fully understood. Because endothelial cells (EC) play a pivotal role in tumor angiogenesis, we tested the hypothesis that VA extracts induce endothelial cell death and apoptosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the effect of various VA preparations on both human venous endothelial cell (HUVEC) and immortalized human venous endothelial cell line (IVEC) using morphologic assessment of EC, FACScan analysis after propidium iodine and annexin V labeling, and detection of cleavage of poly(A)DP-ribose polymerase (PARP). RESULTS: All tested VA preparations, except Iscador P, were cytotoxic in IVEC. Apoptosis, assessed by morphologic examination, annexin V labeling, and Western blot analysis for PARP cleavage, was involved in HUVEC cell death induced by VA preparations derived from plants that grow on oak trees (VA Qu FrF). CONCLUSIONS: Results from the present study suggest that VA extract-induced endothelial apoptosis may explain the tumor regression associated with the therapeutic use of VA preparations and support further investigations to develop novel anti-angiogenic compounds based on mistletoe compounds.