thromboplastin and Colonic-Neoplasms

Patients with malignancy are at 4- to 7-fold higher risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), a potentially fatal, yet preventable complication. Although general mechanisms of thrombosis are enhanced in these patients, malignancy-specific triggers and their therapeutic implication remain poorly understood. Here we examined a colon cancer-specific VTE model and probed a set of metabolites with prothrombotic propensity in the inferior vena cava (IVC) ligation model. Athymic mice injected with human colon adenocarcinoma cells exhibited significantly higher IVC clot weights, a biological readout of venous thrombogenicity, compared with the control mice. Targeted metabolomics analysis of plasma of mice revealed an increase in the blood levels of kynurenine and indoxyl sulfate (tryptophan metabolites) in xenograft-bearing mice, which correlated positively with the increase in the IVC clot size. These metabolites are ligands of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signaling. Accordingly, plasma from the xenograft-bearing mice activated the AHR pathway and augmented tissue factor (TF) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) levels in venous endothelial cells in an AHR-dependent manner. Consistent with these findings, the endothelium from the IVC of xenograft-bearing animals revealed nuclear AHR and upregulated TF and PAI-1 expression, telltale signs of an activated AHR-TF/PAI-1 axis. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of AHR activity suppressed TF and PAI-1 expression in endothelial cells of the IVC and reduced clot weights in both kynurenine-injected and xenograft-bearing mice. Together, these data show dysregulated tryptophan metabolites in a mouse cancer model, and they reveal a novel link between these metabolites and the control of the AHR-TF/PAI-1 axis and VTE in cancer.

Topics: Animals; Colonic Neoplasms; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Humans; Male; Metabolome; Mice; Mice, Nude; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; Signal Transduction; Thromboplastin; Tryptophan; Venous Thromboembolism; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

The problems including narrow indications, low drug loading, and difficulty in intervention severely affect the clinical efficacy of anti-tumor embolization. Here, we designed a novel tTF-EG3287 protein consisting of the truncated tissue factor (tTF) fused with the bicyclic polypeptide which was encoded by exons 7 and 8 for accurate localization in the tumor vascular endothelial cells (EG3287). This study aims to explore its anti-cancer effect. Gene sequencing was used to verify the fusion gene and SDS-PAGE gel to confirm the optimal induction time and concentration of tTF-EG3287. Nickel affinity chromatography column was used to purify the fusion protein. Confocal microscopy was used to assess the target activity of tTF-EG3287 on colon cancer cells in vitro. Thrombelastography assay was used to identify the pro-coagulant activity of tTF-EG3287. In in vivo experiments, the specific localization of tTF-EG3287 in tumor tissues and the effect of tTF-EG3287 on tumor thrombosis were further detected by in vivo imaging and HE staining, respectively. The tTF-EG3287 fusion protein was efficiently purified by nickel-affinity chromatography column. Moreover, tTF-EG3287 fusion protein showed strong coagulation a ctivity and specific binding ability to the cell surface of colon cancer. In vivo, tTF-EG3287 stably and persistently accumulated in tumor tissues, and specifically induced mixed thrombus formation in tumor vessels, and then impaired tumor growth (tumor inhibition rate=79.2%, p<0.01). Our data prove that the fusion protein tTF-EG3287 could be used as a novel and promising anti-cancer strategy and has great potential value for clinical applications.

Topics: Cells, Cultured; Colonic Neoplasms; Humans; Peptide Fragments; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; Thromboplastin; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Most cancer cells trigger thrombin generation (TG) to various extent. In the present study, we dissected the mechanisms responsible for the procoagulant activity of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells (BXPC3), a highly thrombogenic cancer type, and breast cancer cells (MCF7), a less thombogenic tumor type. TG of normal plasma was assessed by the Thrombinoscope (CAT®) in the presence or absence of cancer cells. TG was also assessed in plasma depleted of clotting factors, in plasma spiked with tissue factor (TF) and/or procoagulant phospholipids, in plasma spiked with an anti-TF monoclonal antibody or with corn trypsin inhibitor (CTI). The presence of alternatively spliced TF (asTF), TF activity (TFa) and cancer procoagulant (CP) levels were determined. TFa and asTF were highly expressed by BXPC3 cells, compared to MCF7 cells, while CP levels were higher in MCF7 cells. BXPC3 cells had a stronger effect on TG than MCF7 cells. Accordingly, anti-TF had more inhibitory activity on TG triggered by BXPC3 cells while CTI had more pronounced inhibitory effect on TG triggered by MCF7 cells. TG enhancement by both BXPC3 and MCF7 cells was mediated by FVII and intrinsic tenase while FXII and FXI were also important for MCF7 cells. The induction of TG by BXPC3 cells was mainly driven by the TF pathway while TG generation triggered by MCF7 cells was also driven by FXII activation. Therefore, hypercoagulability results from a combination of the inherent procoagulant properties of cancer cell-associated TF as well as of procoagulant phospholipids in the plasma microenvironment.

Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; Colonic Neoplasms; Cysteine Endopeptidases; Factor XII; Female; HCT116 Cells; HT29 Cells; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; Humans; MCF-7 Cells; Neoplasm Proteins; Ovarian Neoplasms; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Platelet-Rich Plasma; Thrombin; Thromboplastin

To preliminarily verify the cross talk between tissue factor/active coagulation factor VII (TF/FVIIa) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathways in human colon cancer cells in culture.. FVIIa was treated to HT-29 (KRAS-wild type) and LoVo (KRAS-mutant) colon cancer cells to activate TF/FVIIa pathway, qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expressions of amphiregulin (AREG) and epiregulin (EREG), ligands of EGFR on mRNA and protein levels, respectively. After knocking down expression of TF by TF-targeted siRNA transfection, FVIIa was treated and mRNA expressions of AREG and EREG were detected to see whether the FVIIa-induced effects were dependent on TF. Expressions of mRNA of TF and FVII were detected by qRT-PCR following the activation of EGFR pathway by treatment with epidermal growth factor (EGF) to HT-29 and LoVo cells.. After TF/FVIIa pathway was activated, for HT-29 cells, expressions of AREG (on mRNA level) and EREG (both on mRNA and protein level) were significantly down-regulated versus those of control group, gene expressions of AREG and EREG were 0.55±0.09 vs.0.99 ±0.09, 0.67±0.10 vs.1.02±0.02, protein expressions of EREG were 0.54±0.09 vs.1.04±0.13, all P<0.05. For LoVo cells, expressions of AREG (both on mRNA and protein level) and EREG (on protein level) were significantly up-regulated versus those of control group, gene expression of AREG were 1.87±0.39 vs. 0.93±0.23, protein expressions of AREG and EREG were 3.09±0.73 vs.1.11±0.21, 1.53±0.19 vs.0.97±0.23, all P<0.05. The regulating effect of AREG and EREG mRNA expression by FVIIa in HT-29 and LoVo cells could both be partly blocked by knocking down TF expression. For HT-29 cells, activation of EGFR pathway induced no significant TF mRNA expression, FVII mRNA expression was not detected. However,for LoVo cells, activation of EGFR pathway induced significantly higher mRNA expressions of both TF and FVII, expressions were 1.53±0.23 vs.1.00±0.23, 53.20±6.08 vs.1.00±0.15, all P<0.05.. In colon cancer cell LoVo, when activated, TF/FVIIa pathway and EGFR pathway could interact through upregulating the other pathway's effectors, and mutant KRAS might play a critical role in the two pathways' cross talk.

Topics: Amphiregulin; Cell Count; Colonic Neoplasms; Epidermal Growth Factor; Epiregulin; ErbB Receptors; Factor VII; Humans; RNA, Messenger; Signal Transduction; Thromboplastin

Colon cancer is invariably accompanied by altered coagulation activity; however, the precise role of phosphatidylserine (PS) in the hypercoagulable state of colon cancer patients remains unclear. We explored the exposure of PS on platelets and microparticles (MPs), and evaluate its role in procoagulant activity in colon cancer patients.. PS-positive platelets and MPs, mainly from platelets and endothelial cells, were detected by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, and their procoagulant activity was assessed with purified coagulation complex assays, clotting time, and fibrin turbidity.. Plasma levels of PS-positive platelets increased gradually from stage I to IV and were higher in all stages of the patients than in the healthy control, while PS-positive platelet-derived MPs only increased significantly in stage III/IV patients. Meanwhile, PS-positive MPs and endothelial-derived MPs in stage II/III/IV patients were markedly higher than ones in controls but no difference with stage I. Tissue factor positive MPs were higher in all 4 stages of colon cancer patients than in the healthy control. Platelets and MPs from the patients demonstrated significantly enhanced intrinsic/extrinsic FXa and thrombin generation, greatly shortened coagulation time, and increased fibrin formation. Combined treatment with PS antagonist lactadherin, strongly prolonged the coagulation time and reduced fibrin formation by inhibiting factor tenase and prothrombinase complex activity. In contrast, pretreatment with anti tissue factor antibody played a lesser role in suppression of procoagulant activity.. Our results suggest that PS-positive platelets and MPs contribute to hypercoagulability and represent a potential therapeutic target to prevent coagulation in patients with colon cancer.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Blood Platelets; Cell-Derived Microparticles; Colonic Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Phosphatidylserines; Thrombin; Thromboplastin

Our previous study has demonstrated that tissue factor-factor VIIa (TF/FVIIa) complex promotes the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cell line SW620 through the activation of protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2). In the current study, the underlying molecular mechanisms of TF/FVIIa/PAR2 signaling in SW620 cells were further explored, with the focus on the role of activator protein-1 (AP-1) subunit c-Jun. The results revealed that PAR2-AP and FVIIa could upregulate c-Jun expression and c-Jun phosphorylation in SW620 cells in a time-dependent manner. The effect of FVIIa was significantly blocked by anti-TF and anti-PAR2 antibodies. Protein kinase Cα (PKCα) inhibitor safingol and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) inhibitor U0126 abrogated the activation of c-Jun. In contrast, Ca(2+) chelators EGTA and thapsigargin, and p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580 had no effect. Suppression of c-Jun/AP-1 activation using a natural inhibitor curcumin decreased the expression of caspase-3, MMP-9, and TF, as well as the proliferation and migration of SW620 cells induced by PAR2-AP or FVIIa. Collectively, our findings suggest that c-Jun/AP-1 activation is required for TF/FVIIa/PAR2-induced SW620 cell proliferation and migration. PKCα and ERK1/2 are located upstream of c-Jun/AP-1 in this signaling pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of this pathway might be a novel strategy for colon cancer therapy.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Butadienes; Cell Cycle; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Colonic Neoplasms; Curcumin; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; Factor VIIa; Humans; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Nitriles; Protein Kinase C-alpha; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun; Receptor, PAR-2; Sphingosine; Thromboplastin; Transcription Factor AP-1

The over-expression of tissue factor (TF) and its roles in colon cancer progression have attracted much attention. However, the mechanisms regulating TF expression have not yet been shown in detail. In this study, we over-expressed miR-19a, miR20a and miR-106b in colon cancer cells, and evaluated their impact on TF expression and cellular function. We provide evidence demonstrating that miR-19a inhibited TF expression in vitro. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed that TF was a direct target of miR-19a because the miR-19a mediated repression of luciferase activity was abolished by mutation of the putative binding site. Moreover, miR-19a suppressed colon cancer cell migration and invasion. This effect was due to the indirect down-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase 9. Finally, we investigated the relevance of TF and miR-19a expression in a total of 48 paired colon cancer samples and revealed that miR-19a was inversely correlated with TF expression in stages I and II cases. Therefore, our results suggested that miR-19a was capable of suppressing TF expression in vitro and inhibiting cell migration and invasion. Although it was not the unique mechanism responsible for the expression of TF in vivo, miR-19a was inversely correlated with TF expression in early stage colon cancer patients.

Topics: 3' Untranslated Regions; Base Sequence; Blotting, Western; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Colonic Neoplasms; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; HEK293 Cells; HT29 Cells; Humans; Luciferases; MicroRNAs; Mutation; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Neoplasm Staging; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Thromboplastin

Our previous study has demonstrated that protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) activation mediated by tissue factor (TF)/VIIa complex triggers the ERK1/2/NF-κB signaling pathway, which further contributes to the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cell line SW620. However, the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. This study was to investigate whether protein kinase Cα (PKCα) is involved in these events and the possible mechanism. The results revealed that PAR2-activating peptide or VIIa could induce time-dependent upregulation of PKCα phosphorylation in SW620 cells and PKCα translocation from the cytoplasm to the perinuclear region and nucleus. The activation of PKCα was sufficient to induce ERK1/2 and NF-κB phosphorylation. The VIIa effect was obviously blocked by both anti-TF and anti-PAR2 antibodies. The PKCα inhibitor, safingol, inhibited ERK1/2 phosphorylation and NF-κB activation that is induced by VIIa and abrogated the enhanced proliferation, migration, and survival of SW620 cells by VIIa treatment. Both safingol and PDTC (NF-κB inhibitor) could apparently rescue the effects of VIIa on expression of MMP-9, caspase-3, TF, and Bcl-2/bax in SW620 cells. Collectively, the data in this study suggest that TF/VIIa/PAR2-induced SW620 cell proliferation, migration, and survival are ascribed to the activation of PKCα, and these effects are achieved through PKCα downstream signaling pathways, ERK1/2 and NF-κB.

Topics: Apoptosis; Blotting, Western; Cell Adhesion; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Colonic Neoplasms; Factor VIIa; Flow Cytometry; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Humans; MAP Kinase Signaling System; NF-kappa B; Protein Kinase C-alpha; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Receptor, PAR-2; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger; Thromboplastin; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Increased expression of tissue factor (TF) is associated with tumor invasion and metastasis in human colorectal cancer. We have previously observed that TF/FVIIa upregulates matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) expression at the transcriptional level in colon cancer cells. MMP-7 overexpression is believed to play an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis. The aim of this study is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which TF/FVIIa induced MMP-7 expression and cell invasion in vitro.. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, luciferase assay, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) were used to determine the potential mechanism and signaling pathways by which TF/FVIIa induced MMP-7 expression and cell invasion in LoVo cells. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) and cell invasion assay was used to examine whether blocking c-Fos expression could abolish FVIIa-mediated upregulation of MMP-7 and cell invasion in vitro.. The results showed that FVIIa induced the upregulation of MMP-7 both at the mRNA and protein levels in a time- and dose-dependent manner and increased the invasive behavior of LoVo cells. FVIIa enhanced the promoter activity of MMP-7, and the activator protein-1 (AP-1) binding site was responsible for the activation. Site mutation of the AP-1 binding site in the promoter almost completely abolished FVIIa-mediated response. Furthermore, ChIP assay confirmed that FVIIa promoted the direct binding of c-Fos with the MMP-7 promoter in vivo. FVIIa also induced the expression and nuclear accumulation of the AP-1 subunit c-Fos. siRNA-mediated knockdown of c-Fos eliminated FVIIa-stimulated MMP-7 expression and cell migration in vitro. In addition, selective mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MEK1/2) inhibitor (PD98059) and p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 suppressed MMP-7 upregulation induced by FVIIa.. Our data suggest that a novel TF/FVIIa/MAPK/c-Fos/MMP-7 axis plays an important role in modulating the invasion of colon cancer cells and blockage of this pathway holds promise to treat colon cancer metastasis.

Topics: Binding Sites; Cell Line, Tumor; Colonic Neoplasms; Enzyme Activation; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; Factor VIIa; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Matrix Metalloproteinase 7; Neoplasm Invasiveness; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Protein Binding; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun; Thromboplastin; Time Factors; Transcription Factor AP-1; Up-Regulation

Our previous study has demonstrated that TF/FVIIa and protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) are closely related to the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cell line SW620. However, the detailed signaling cascades and underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study has investigated whether extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) signaling pathways are involved in the events. The results revealed that PAR2-activating peptide (PAR2-AP) or FVIIa elicited time-dependent upregulation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation in SW620 cells, and the effect of FVIIa was significantly attenuated by anti-TF antibody. PAR2-AP or FVIIa also increased NF-κB (p65/RelA) levels among cell nuclear proteins and simultaneously decreased IκB-α levels in the cytoplasmic proteins. Such effects of FVIIa can be inhibited with anti-PAR2 or anti-TF antibodies. While ERK1/2 inhibitor (U0126) intervened with the regulatory effects of PAR2-AP and FVIIa on IκB-α/NF-κB (p65/Rel) expression in the cells, NF-κB inhibitor (PDTC) partially blocked the enhancing effects of PAR2-AP and FVIIa on the proliferating and migratory ability of SW620 cells. Furthermore, the regulatory effects of PAR2-AP and FVIIa on expressions of certain proteins (IL-8, caspase-7, and TF) were also significantly abolished by PDTC. Collectively, the data in this study suggest that the interaction between FVIIa and TF induces PAR2 activation, thereby triggers the ERK1/2 and IκB-α/NF-κB signal transduction pathway to regulate the gene expression of IL-8, TF, and caspase-7, and ultimately promotes SW620 cell proliferation and migration.

Topics: Blotting, Western; Caspase 7; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Colonic Neoplasms; Enzyme Activation; Factor VIIa; Flow Cytometry; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Interleukin-8; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; NF-kappa B; Phosphorylation; Receptor, PAR-2; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Signal Transduction; Thromboplastin

To explore the roles of NF-κB in factor VIIa-induced proliferation and migration of a colon cancer cell line (SW620) in vitro and its possible mechanism.. The expression levels of NF-κB (p65), inhibitory protein of NF-κB (IκB-α), caspase-7, interleukin 8 (IL-8) and tissue factor (TF) in SW620 cells treated with factor VIIa, PDTC (an inhibitor of NF-κB) and other factors were measured by Western-blotting and real-time PCR. Proliferation and migration of the cells were analyzed by flow cytometry and Transwell assay, respectively.. Factor VIIa down-regulated the IκB-α level in SW620 cells and increased the intranuclear level of NF-κB. Those effects of factor VIIa were blocked by anti-TF or anti-PAR2 antibodies. The effects of factor VIIa on proliferation and migration of SW620 cells, expression of IL-8, TF as well as caspase-7, were interfered by PDTC (the inhibitor of NF-κB).. TF/VIIa complex activates NF-κB pathway via PAR2, thereby up-regulates IL-8 and down-regulates caspase-7 expression in SW620 cells, finally promotes proliferation and migration of colon cancer cells. In addition, TF/VIIa/PAR2/NF-κB pathway also upregulates TF expression, thus to create a positive feedback loop of TF/VIIa/PAR2/NF-κB/TF.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Caspase 7; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Colonic Neoplasms; Factor VIIa; Humans; I-kappa B Proteins; Interleukin-8; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha; Proline; Receptor, PAR-2; RNA, Messenger; Thiocarbamates; Thromboplastin; Transcription Factor RelA

Cancer patients exhibit a high rate of thromboembolism (VTE). In this study, we analyzed levels of microparticle (MP) tissue factor (TF) activity in cancer patients with or without VTE. Blood was collected from cancer patients within 24 h of objectively diagnosed VTE (n=53) and from cancer patients without VTE (n=13). MPs were isolated from platelet poor plasma by centrifugation at 20,000g for 15 min. MP TF activity was measured using a two-stage chromogenic assay. Cancer patients with VTE had a significantly higher mean MP TF activity compared with cancer patients without VTE (1.7+/-3.8 pg/mL vs 0.6+/-0.4 pg/mL, p<0.05). Further prospective studies are required to determine if levels of MP TF activity may be a useful biomarker to identify patients at increased risk for VTE.

Topics: Biomarkers; Case-Control Studies; Cell-Derived Microparticles; Centrifugation; Chromogenic Compounds; Colonic Neoplasms; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Neoplasms; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Thromboplastin; Venous Thromboembolism

To investigate the mechanisms that coagulation factor VIIa promotes proliferation and migration of a colon cancer cell line (SW620 cells) in vitro.. The expression of interleukin 8 (IL-8), tissue factor (TF), caspase-7 and p-p38 MAPK in SW620 cells treated with factor VIIa or protease activated receptor 2 agonist (PAR2-AP) was measured by ELISA, Western-blotting and QT-PCR.. Factor VIIa and PAR2-AP induced IL-8 expression at both mRNA and protein levels, upregulated TF mRNA expression and TF activity, but down-regulated caspase-7 mRNA and p-p38 MAPK levels in SW620 cells. The effects of factor VIIa were not only blocked by anti-TF but also by anti-PAR2 antibodies.. Factor VIIa binds to TF on cell surface, forming a complex which activates PAR2, then provoking IL-8 and TF expression, and suppresses caspase-7 expression, thus promotes the tumor cell proliferation and migration. p38 MAPK may negatively regulate this process.

Topics: Caspase 7; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Colonic Neoplasms; Factor VIIa; Humans; Interleukin-8; Oligopeptides; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Receptor, PAR-2; RNA, Messenger; Thromboplastin

Induction of tumor vasculature occlusion by targeting a thrombogen to newly formed blood vessels in tumor tissues represents an intriguing approach to the eradication of primary solid tumors. In the current study, we construct and express a fusion protein containing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tissue factor (TF) to explore whether this fusion protein has the capability of inhibiting tumor growth in a colon carcinoma model. The murine cDNA of VEGF A and TF were amplified by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and then cloned into prokaryotic expression plasmid pQE30 with a linker. The expression product recombinant VEGF-TF (rVEGF-TF) was purified and proved to have comparable enzyme activity to a commercial TF and the capability of specific binding to tumor vessels. Significant decrease of tumor growth was found in the mice administered with rVEGF-TF on Day 6 after initiated rVEGF-TF treatment (P<0.05), and the tumor masses in 2 of 10 mice were almost disappeared on Day 14 after the first treatment. In addition, valid thrombogenesis and tumor necrosis were observed in the tumor tissues injected with rVEGF-TF. Our results demonstrate that occlusion of tumor vasculature with rVEGF-TF is potentially an effective approach for cancer therapy.

Topics: Animals; Cell Line, Tumor; Cloning, Molecular; Colonic Neoplasms; Disease Models, Animal; Disease Progression; Gene Expression; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Neoplasm Transplantation; Plasmids; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; Thromboplastin; Thrombosis; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Tissue factor (TF) is believed to play an important role in tissue repair, inflammation, angiogenesis, and tumor metastasis. Protease-activated receptors (PARs) are widely expressed on various cells including tumor cells and associated with many pathological mechanisms. In the present study, the expression of TF and PAR1, PAR2 on human colon cancer cells (SW620 and SW480) was investigated and their functional roles on the behavior of tumor cells were evaluated. It was demonstrated that SW620 and SW480 cells expressed TF at antigen, activity and mRNA levels. However, the highly metastatic cell line SW620 showed slightly higher TF expression than the low metastatic cell line SW480. The PAR2 antigen was strongly expressed on the membrane of SW620 cells, but not on SW480 cells. The PAR1 antigen was not observed in SW620 or SW480 cells, while PAR1 and PAR2 mRNA was detected in SW620 and SW480 cells. The migratory potential of SW620 was stronger than that of SW480 seen in Boyden chambers. PAR2 agonist (SLIGKV-NH2) and factor VIIa significantly stimulated SW620 cell proliferation, migratory activity, and interleukin 8 (IL-8) secretion compared to control. The stimulating effects of factor VIIa could be inhibited by anti-TF and anti-PAR2 but not anti-PAR1 antibodies. In summary, this study demonstrates that TF and PAR2 are strongly expressed on highly metastatic colonic tumor cells and are closely associated with the proliferation and migration of the cells. TF may elucidate its roles in colonic cancer invasion and metastasis via PAR2 pathway.

Topics: Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Colonic Neoplasms; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Interleukin-8; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Receptor, PAR-2; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Thromboplastin

Topics: Alternative Splicing; Biomarkers, Tumor; Colonic Neoplasms; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Lung Neoplasms; Reproducibility of Results; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger; Sensitivity and Specificity; Thromboplastin; Up-Regulation

To assess the expression of Promatrilysin in LoVo colon cancer cell by FVIIa stimulation,and to investigate the effect of MAPKs signal transduction pathway on up-regulation of Promatrilysin.. (1) The expression of ProMMP-7 was detected by Western blot at different time points (0,2,4,6,9,12 and 24 h) and with different doses of (0,0.1,1,5,10,25 and 100 nmol/L) FVIIa stimulation. The change of ProMMP-7 expression was observed with 5 mg/L tissue factor (TF) antibody prior to 100 nmol/L FVIIa. (2) The activation of MAPKs (ERK, p38, JNK) signaling pathways were assessed at different time points after being stimulated with 100 nmol/L FVIIa and the changes of ProMMP-7 expression were detected after the special signal pathway inhibitors (PD98059,SB203580,SP600125) were applied,respectively.. (1) The expression of ProMMP-7 in LoVo cells was up-regulated by FVII a in a time-effect dependent and dose-effect dependent manner,and markedly reached the peak level at h12, 5.5 folds that of the control group (P=0.006).The up-regulation of ProMMP-7 was completely inhibited by blockade with TF antibody. (2) A time-dependent phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and P38 in LoVo cells was induced with FVIIa incubation,reached the peak at min10,2.2 folds and 3.9 folds those of the control groups respectively, but not JNK. (3) The upregulation effect of ProMMP-7 was partially blocked after incubation of ERK1/2 inhibitors PD98059 and P38 inhibitors SB203580 prior to FVIIa, The expression of ProMMP-7 decreased by 32%+/-5% and 61%+/-10% respectively (P<0.05).whereas JNK inhibitors SP600125 did not have the effect.. FVIIa induces tissue factor-dependent up-regulation of ProMMP-7 in LoVo cells. ERK1/2 and p38 signal pathways are not only involved in TF/FVIIa mediated signaling,but also related to the upregulation of MMP-7 in LoVo cells.

Topics: Anthracenes; Cell Line, Tumor; Colonic Neoplasms; Enzyme Inhibitors; Enzyme Precursors; Factor VII; Flavonoids; Humans; Imidazoles; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Matrix Metalloproteinase 7; Metalloendopeptidases; Pyridines; Thromboplastin

To investigate the role of tissue factor expression in the invasive ability of human colon carcinoma cells and to analyze the correlation between tissue factor and MMP-2 and MMP-9.. HT-29 cells with sense-TFcDNA transfection and LoVo cells with antisense-TFcDNA transfection were implanted subcutaneously into nude mice as well as controls. The expressions of MMP-9 and MMP-2 at the protein and mRNA levels were detected by Western blot and RT-PCR respectively; Gelatin zymography was used for assay of the MMP-9 and MMP-2 activities in the supernatant cultured media of LoVo cells with antisense-TFcDNA transfection and controls.. The expressions of MMP-9 and MMP-2 at the protein and mRNA levels in the group of HT-29 cells with sense-TFcDNA were significantly increased with untransfected HT-29 cells. The expression in the group of LoVo cells with antisense-TFcDNA had a significant decrease than that of the controls. The MMP-9 and MMP-2 activities of LoVo cells with antisense-TFcDNA were weakened because of the lower expression of tissue factor by gelatin zymography. The expression of MMP-9 and MMP-2 were closely correlated to the expression of tissue factor.. Tissue factor can increase the invasive ability of human colon carcinoma cells. The partial mechanism is that TF can upregulate the expressions of MMP-9 and MMP-2. Tissue factor may be an inner agonist in the secretion of MMPs in colon carcinoma cells.

Topics: Animals; Cell Line, Tumor; Colonic Neoplasms; Humans; Male; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Matrix Metalloproteinases; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Nude; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Neoplasm Transplantation; Thromboplastin; Transfection

To analyze the role of tissue factor (TF) in the in vitro invasive ability of human colon carcinoma cells (HT-29).. The eukaryotic expression vectors pcDNA3.1/Zeo bearing either sense or antisense TFcDNA were transfected into HT-29 cells by the way of lipofactamine 2000. TF proteins in transfected cells were detected by Western blot. In vitro Matrigel invasion assays were used to show the invasive ability of HT-29 cells with sense/antisense TFcDNA transfection.. HT-29 cells with sense-TFcDNA transfection showed increased TF expression and invasive ability compared with the cells without transfection, but HT-29 cells with antisense-TFcDNA transfection got the contrary change.. TF can increase the invasive ability of HT-29 cells in vitro.

Topics: Colonic Neoplasms; DNA, Antisense; HT29 Cells; Humans; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Thromboplastin; Transfection

Expression of tissue factor (TF), a cellular initiator of the extrinsic coagulation cascade, is a feature of many malignant tumours and is intimately involved in the process of metastasis. SW-480 human colon adenocarcinoma cells responded to thrombin (1 U ml(-1)) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 0.1 microM) with a 6.0-fold and a 7.7-fold increase in their procoagulant activity (PCA), respectively, after 4-6 h incubation in serum-free medium. The thrombin-enhanced PCA was significantly inhibited by complexing of thrombin with hirudin, or by serine protease inhibition with 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin. Both effects of thrombin and PMA on PCA in SW-480 cells were blocked by pretreatment of cells with cycloheximide or actinomycin D, indicating that the response required de novo protein and RNA synthesis. The thrombin-enhanced PCA depended on the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) as it was diminished by staurosporine and calphostin C. Moreover, stimulation of SW-480 cells by thrombin or PMA led to a significant increase in TF mRNA within 3 h as measured by the reverse-transcription PCR method, which was also dependent on the activation of PKC. The unaltered decay rate of thrombin-enhanced TF mRNA, evaluated after the addition of staurosporine, suggested that its inhibitory effect occurred at a transcription level. Our data suggest that thrombin enhances TF gene expression and protein synthesis in tumour cells in vitro via PKC activation. The induction of TF expression in tumour cells by thrombin indicates that tumour-associated PCA might have a positive-feedback effect on in vivo local propagation of thrombus by thrombin formation.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Coagulants; Colonic Neoplasms; Enzyme Activation; Enzyme Inhibitors; Hemostatics; Humans; Neoplasm Proteins; RNA, Messenger; Staurosporine; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Thrombin; Thromboplastin; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Systemic activation of the coagulation mechanism is known to exist in patients with colon cancer. The mechanism of such activation was investigated using immunohistochemical techniques applied to fresh frozen sections of resected primary colon cancer specimens. Tumor cells stained for tissue factor, factor V, and urokinase-type plasminogen activator. Perivascular and intercellular areas stained for fibrinogen and the "a" subunit of factor XIII. Staining was minimal or absent for protein C, protein S, plasminogen activator inhibitors 1-3, factor VII, factor X, and fibrin (the antigenic site on the amino-terminal portion of B beta chain that is exposed following thrombin cleavage of fibrinopeptide B was not detected). The lack of an intact thrombin-generating pathway in situ associated with viable colon cancer cells is consistent with the findings of others that coagulation activation in colon cancer may be triggered by a soluble tumor product that exerts its effect at sites distant from the tumor. These results may explain the absence of clinical responsiveness of colon cancer to antithrombotic drug therapy and may clarify therapeutic strategies for this common tumor.

Topics: Blood Coagulation; Blood Coagulation Factors; Colonic Neoplasms; Fibrinogen; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Plasminogen Activators; Thrombin; Thromboplastin

Generation of thromboplastin by monocytes has been shown to play a vital role in hypercoagulable states seen in malignancy. The purpose of this study was to compare the procoagulant activity in cancer patients and controls. Recalcification times (RT) of whole blood from 19 normal volunteers, 8 patients with benign polyps, 12 patients previously treated by surgery for head and neck (H&N) or colon cancer, and 13 untreated patients with various stages of H&N or colon cancer were determined. Tests were performed with and without stimulation with Escherichia coli endotoxin. The mean RT in saline (RTS) of untreated patients with early cancer (4.58 +/- 0.83 min) and that of patients with advanced cancer (5.23 +/- 1.16 min) were lower than that of controls (6.55 +/- 0.82 min), P less than 0.01 and P less than 0.05, respectively. The RTS of patients previously treated and of those with benign polyps were no different from those of controls. Activation with endotoxin significantly lowered the recalcification times (RTE) in the early (3.90 +/- 0.58 min) and advanced cancer patients (4.23 +/- 0.66 min) compared to the RTE of controls (5.69 +/- 0.75 min, P less than 0.01 for both groups) as well as compared to those with benign tumors, P less than 0.05. The mean RTE of previously treated patients (4.72 +/- 0.58 min) was also lower than that of controls, P less than 0.05. Our results suggest that RT is significantly reduced in cancer patients compared to that of controls. Furthermore, monocyte activation with endotoxin may enable us to distinguish cancer patients from controls as well as from those with benign tumors.

Topics: Adenoma; Adult; Blood Coagulation Tests; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Colonic Neoplasms; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Monocytes; Neoplasms; Thromboplastin