Inhibition of tumor-associated [alpha]v[beta]3 integrin regulates the angiogenic switch by enhancing expression of IGFBP-4 leading to reduced melanoma growth and angiogenesis in vivo

• Published in: Angiogenesis (London) Vol. 18; no. 1; p. 31
• Main Authors: Contois, Liangru W, Akalu, Abebe, Caron, Jennifer M, Tweedie, Eric, Cretu, Alexandra, Henderson, Terry, Liaw, Lucy, Friesel, Robert, Vary, Calvin, Brooks, Peter C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Nature B.V 01.03.2015
• ISSN: 0969-6970; 1573-7209
• DOI: 10.1007/s10456-014-9445-2

A more complete understanding of the mechanisms that regulate the angiogenic switch, which contributes to the conversion of small dormant tumors to actively growing malignancies, is important for the development of more effective anti-angiogenic strategies for cancer therapy. While significant progress has been made in understanding the complex mechanisms by which integrin [alpha]v[beta]3 expressed in endothelial cells governs angiogenesis, less is known concerning the ability of [alpha]v[beta]3 expressed within the tumor cell compartment to modulate the angiogenic output of a tumor. Here we provide evidence that [alpha]v[beta]3 expressed in melanoma cells may contribute to the suppression of IGFBP-4, an important negative regulator of IGF-1 signaling. Given the multiple context-dependent roles for [alpha]v[beta]3 in angiogenesis and tumor progression, our novel findings provide additional molecular insight into how [alpha]v[beta]3 may govern the angiogenic switch by a mechanism associated with a p38 MAPK and matrix metalloproteinases-dependent regulation of the endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor IGFBP-4.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]