Tumor blood vessels and angiogenesis

11 important questions on Tumor blood vessels and angiogenesis

What are the causes of VEGF expression?

Hypoxia and genetic factors

What is the angiogenesis dogma?

The angiogenesis dogma states that tumors cannot grow beyond 2-3 mm3 unless they attract new blood vessels. At the beginning tumors often grow along blood vessels, however at one point not all cells will be provided with oxygen anymore by which they get hypoxic. Thus anti-angiogenesis causes hypoxia.

What happens when normoxia is occuring?

HIF-1a is hydroxylated by oxygen. When the hydroxylation has taken place a VHL protein binds to HIF-1a and cause ubiquitination (degradation of HIF-1a) --> low concentration levels and a short half-life
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What happens when hypoxia is occuring?

HIF-1a will not be hydroxated, and will therefore not be broken down --> stable HIF-1a. High HIF-1a concentrations in a cell will cause its transport to the nucleus where it acts as a TF and increases transcription.

What is a genetic disease linked to hypoxia + explain the disease

VHL syndrome (von hippel lindau): mutations in BHL that affect HIF binding --> accumulation of HIF and a pseudo-hypoxic response

What is the difference between tip and stalk cells (both endothelial cells)?

Tip cells express VEGFR2 and DLL, while stalk cells do not express these.

In which ways can the VEGF pathway be targeted (in order to counter angiogensis)?

  • VEGF inhibitors : prevention of binding to receptor and thereby inhibiting the whole VEGF signaling pathway
  • Small molecules: binding to the intracellular phosphorylation site and prevents ATP binding to the VEGFR receptor, blocking intracellular signaling.
  • Anti-DDL4: no blood vessel formation since no stalk cells are recruited
  • physiological inhibitors: counteract the action of VEGF and controls VEGF activity.

What are advantages of anti-angiogenic therapies compared to conventional treatment?

  1. The endothelium is well accessible to intravenous drugs
  2. No resistance is expected (because endothelium is genetically stable)

What can the angiogenic factor VEGF cause?

  1. Endothelial cell proliferation
  2. expression of proteases for the degradation of the basement membrane.
  3. the production of tissue factors which creates fibrin

What happens if VEGF is expressed?

VEGF binds to RTKs leiding to their activation and thereby activation of e.g. PLCy and Ras-Raf pathway (proliferation).

What is a glioblastoma?

A tumor in the brain with a necrotic core. A glioblastoma (GBM) is inoperable, and because of the BBB both radio- and chemotherapy are not possible as well.

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