U.S. patent application number 13/034415 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-21 for methods for detecting and inhibiting angiogenesis.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Regents of the University of California. Invention is credited to Judith A. VARNER.
Application Number | 20110177528 13/034415 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26771503 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110177528 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
VARNER; Judith A. |
July 21, 2011 |
METHODS FOR DETECTING AND INHIBITING ANGIOGENESIS
Abstract
The present invention provides methods for reducing or
inhibiting angiogenesis in a tissue, by contacting .alpha.5.beta.1
integrin in the tissue with an agent that interferes with specific
binding of the .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin to a ligand expressed in
the tissue; and methods of identifying angiogenesis in a tissue, by
contacting the tissue with an agent that specifically binds
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin, and detecting specific binding of the
agent to .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin associated with a blood vessel in
the tissue. Also provided are methods of diagnosing a pathological
condition characterized by angiogenesis in a tissue in an
individual. The invention further provides methods of reducing or
inhibiting angiogenesis in a tissue in an individual, by
administering to the individual an agent that interferes with the
specific binding of .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin to a ligand expressed
in the tissue; and methods of reducing the severity of a
pathological condition associated with angiogenesis in an
individual, by administering to the individual an agent that
interferes with specific binding of .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin to a
ligand in a tissue associated with the pathological condition. The
invention also provides methods of identifying an agent that
reduces or inhibits angiogenesis associated with .alpha.5.beta.1
integrin expression in a tissue by contacting a tissue exhibiting
angiogenesis associated with .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin expression
with an agent, and detecting a reduction or inhibition of
angiogenesis in the tissue.
Inventors: |
VARNER; Judith A.;
(Encinitas, CA) |
Assignee: |
The Regents of the University of
California
Oakland
CA
|
Family ID: |
26771503 |
Appl. No.: |
13/034415 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12580225 |
Oct 15, 2009 |
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13034415 |
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11743008 |
May 1, 2007 |
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12580225 |
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10685665 |
Oct 14, 2003 |
7311911 |
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11743008 |
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09307223 |
May 7, 1999 |
6852318 |
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10685665 |
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60084850 |
May 8, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
435/7.21 ;
530/333 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C07K 16/2842 20130101;
A61K 38/08 20130101; A61K 2039/505 20130101; A61P 35/00 20180101;
C07K 2317/76 20130101; C07K 16/2845 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
435/7.21 ;
530/333 |
International
Class: |
G01N 33/68 20060101
G01N033/68; C07K 1/00 20060101 C07K001/00 |
Goverment Interests
[0002] This invention was made, in part, with government support
under grant number R01 CA71619 awarded by the National Cancer
Institute. The government has certain rights in the invention.
Claims
1. A method of identifying an .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin antagonist
agent, said method comprising identifying an agent as reducing or
inhibiting angiogenesis associated with .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin
expression in a tissue by detecting said agent as interfering with
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin binding to its ligand.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said ligand is fibronectin.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said agent is an antibody or a
fragment thereof, or a peptide.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein said agent is an antibody or a
fragment thereof, or a peptide.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein said agent is a peptide.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein said agent is a peptide.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein said peptide specifically binds
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein said peptide specifically binds
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin.
9. The method of claim 5 wherein said peptide is a cyclic
peptide.
10. The method of claim 6 wherein said peptide is a cyclic
peptide.
11. The method of claim 7 wherein said peptide comprises a sequence
represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 (CRRETAWAC).
12. The method of claim 8 wherein said peptide comprises a sequence
represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 (CRRETAWAC).
13. The method of claim 1 wherein said identifying is by detecting
the agent as interfering with .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin binding to
its ligand in a tissue.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein said tissue exhibits
angiogenesis.
15. A method of preparing a peptide that reduces or inhibits
angiogenesis associated with .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin expression in
a tissue, said method comprising chemically synthesizing a peptide
identified by the method of claim 5.
16. A method of preparing a peptide that reduces or inhibits
angiogenesis associated with .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin expression in
a tissue, said method comprising chemically synthesizing a peptide
identified by the method of claim 6.
17. A method of preparing an .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin antagonist
peptide, said method comprising chemically synthesizing a peptide
identified as reducing or inhibiting angiogenesis associated with
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin expression in a tissue by said peptide's
interference with .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin binding to its
ligand.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein said peptide specifically binds
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin.
19. A method of determining a peptide to be an .alpha.5.beta.1
integrin antagonist peptide, said method comprising contacting a
peptide with .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin and its ligand, and
determining said peptide to be an .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin
antagonist which interferes with .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin binding
to its ligand and reduces or inhibits angiogenesis associated with
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin expression in a tissue.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein said peptide specifically binds
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein said ligand is fibronectin.
22. The method of claim 19 wherein said .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin
and its ligand are in a tissue.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein said tissue exhibits
angiogenesis.
24. The method of claim 13 wherein said screening is for more than
one peptide and said contacting comprises a plurality of peptides
with .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin and its ligand.
25. A method of preparing a peptide that reduces or inhibits
angiogenesis associated with .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin expression in
a tissue, said method comprising chemically synthesizing an
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin antagonist peptide determined by the
method of claim 19.
26. A method of preparing a peptide that reduces or inhibits
angiogenesis associated with .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin expression in
a tissue, said method comprising chemically synthesizing an
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin antagonist peptide according to claim
19.
27. A method of preparing an .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin antagonist
peptide, said method comprising chemically synthesizing an
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin antagonist peptide that interferes with
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin binding to its ligand and reduces or
inhibits angiogenesis associated with .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin
expression in a tissue.
28. The method of claim 26 wherein said peptide specifically binds
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin.
29. The method of claim 27 wherein said peptide specifically binds
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending application
Ser. No. 12/580,225, filed Oct. 15, 2009, which is a continuation
of application Ser. No. 11/743,008, filed May 1, 2007, which is a
continuation of application Ser. No. 10/685,665, filed Oct. 14,
2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,911, which is a continuation of
application Ser. No. 09/307,223, filed May 7, 1999, now U.S. Pat.
No. 6,852,318, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/084,850 to Judith A. Varner,
filed May 8, 1998, and entitled A NOVEL METHOD FOR THE DETECTION
AND INHIBITION OF ANGIOGENESIS. All said applications are hereby
incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] This invention relates generally to methods for detecting
and treating conditions involving undesirable angiogenesis and more
specifically to methods of detecting or inhibiting angiogenesis by
interfering with specific binding of .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin to a
ligand.
[0005] 2. Background Information
[0006] Angiogenesis is the process whereby new blood vessels are
formed. Angiogenesis, also called neovascularization, occurs
normally during embryogenesis and development, and occurs in fully
developed organisms during wound healing and placental development.
In addition, angiogenesis occurs in various pathological
conditions, including in ocular diseases such as diabetic
retinopathy and macular degeneration due to neovascularization, in
conditions associated with tissue inflammation such as rheumatoid
arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, and in cancer, where
blood vessel formation in the growing tumor provides oxygen and
nutrients to the tumor cells, as well as providing a route via
which tumor cells metastasize throughout the body. Since millions
of people around the world are afflicted by these diseases, a
considerable effort has been made to understand the mechanisms
involved in angiogenesis in the hope that such an understanding
will allow the development of methods for detecting and inhibiting
such undesirable angiogenesis.
[0007] Angiogenesis occurs in response to stimulation by one or
more known growth factors, and also may involve other as yet
unidentified factors. Endothelial cells, which are the cells that
line mature blood vessels, normally do not proliferate. However, in
response to an appropriate stimulus, the endothelial cells become
activated and begin to proliferate and migrate into unvascularized
tissue, to form new blood vessels. In some cases, precursor cells
can be activated to differentiate into endothelial cells, which
form new blood vessels.
[0008] Blood vessels are surrounded by an extracellular matrix. In
addition to stimulation by growth factors, angiogenesis depends on
interaction of the endothelial cells with the extracellular matrix,
as well as with each other. The activation of endothelial cells by
growth factors and the migration into and interaction with the
extracellular matrix and with each other is dependent on cell
surface receptors expressed by the endothelial cells. These cell
surface receptors, which include growth factor receptors and
integrins, interact specifically with particular molecules.
[0009] In pathological conditions such as age-related macular
degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, decreasing availability of
oxygen to the retina results in a hypoxic condition that stimulates
the secretion of angiogenic growth factors such as vascular
endothelial growth factors (VEGF), which induce abnormal migration
and proliferation of endothelial cells into tissues of the eye.
Such vascularization in ocular tissues can induce corneal scarring,
retinal detachment and fluid accumulation in the choroid, each of
which can adversely affect vision and lead to blindness.
[0010] Angiogenesis also is associated with the progression and
exacerbation of inflammatory diseases, including psoriasis,
rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and inflammatory bowel
diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. In
inflammatory arthritic disease, for example, influx of lymphocytes
into the region surrounding the joints stimulates angiogenesis in
the synovial lining. The increased vasculature provides a means for
greater influx of leukocytes, which facilitate the destruction of
cartilage and bone in the joint. Angiogenic vascularization that
occurs in inflammatory bowel disease results in similar effects in
the bowel.
[0011] The growth of capillaries into atherosclerotic plaques in
the coronary arteries represents another pathological condition
associated with growth factor induced angiogenesis. Excessive blood
flow into neovascularized plaques can result in rupture and
hemorrhage of the blood-filled plaques, releasing blood clots that
can result in coronary thrombosis.
[0012] The involvement of angiogenesis in such diverse diseases as
cancer, ocular disease and inflammatory diseases has led to an
effort to identify methods for specifically inhibiting angiogenesis
as a means to treat these diseases. For cancer patients, such
methods of treatment can provide a substantial advantage over
currently used methods such as chemotherapy, which kill or impair
not only the target tumor cells, but also normal cells in the
patient, particularly proliferating normal cells such as blood
cells, epithelial cells, and cells lining the intestinal lumen.
Such non-specific killing by chemotherapeutic agents results in
side effects that are, at best, unpleasant, and can often result in
unacceptable patient morbidity, or mortality. In fact, the
undesirable side effects associated with cancer therapies often
limit the treatment a patient can receive.
[0013] For other pathological conditions associated with abnormal
angiogenesis such as diabetic retinopathy, there are no effective
treatments short of retinal transplants. However, even if retinal
transplantation is performed, the new retina would be subject to
the same conditions that resulted in the original retinopathy.
Thus, there exists a need to identify the molecular interactions
involved in the undesirable angiogenesis that occurs in certain
pathological conditions such that methods for diagnosing and
specifically treating such pathologies can be developed. The
present invention satisfies this need and provides related
advantages as well.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention provides methods for reducing or
inhibiting angiogenesis in a tissue, by contacting .alpha.5.beta.1
integrin associated with blood vessels in the tissue with an agent
that interferes with specific binding of the .alpha.5.beta.1
integrin to a ligand expressed in the tissue, thereby reducing or
inhibiting angiogenesis in the tissue. In one embodiment, the agent
is an .alpha.5.beta.1 antagonist that does not substantially
interfere with the specific binding of an integrin other than
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin to its ligand, for example,
.alpha.V.beta.3 integrin binding to vitronectin. In another
embodiment, the .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin ligand is fibronectin.
[0015] A method of the invention is useful, for example, for
reducing or inhibiting angiogenesis in ocular tissue such as
retina, macula or cornea; in skin; in synovial tissue; in
intestinal tissue; or in bone. In addition, a method of the
invention is useful for reducing or inhibiting angiogenesis in a
neoplasm, which can be benign or malignant and, where malignant,
can be a metastatic neoplasm. As such, the invention provides
medicaments, which contain .alpha.5.beta.1 antagonists and are
useful for reducing or inhibiting angiogenesis in an individual. An
agent useful in practicing a method of the invention can be a
peptide, for example, a peptide containing the amino acid sequence
CRRETAWAC (SEQ ID NO: 1); an antibody, for example, an
anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin antibody or an .alpha.5.beta.1
integrin binding fragment thereof; or a nonpeptide, small organic
molecule, for example,
(S)-2-{(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)sulfonyl}amino-3-{7-benzyloxycarbonyl-8-(2--
pyridinylaminomethyl)-1-oxy-2,7-diazaspiro-{4,4}-non-2-en-3-yl}carbonylami-
no) propionic acid. An agent useful as an .alpha.5.beta.1
antagonist can be linked to a cytotoxin, for example, a cancer
chemotherapeutic drug.
[0016] The invention also provides methods of identifying the
presence of angiogenesis in a tissue by contacting the tissue with
an agent that specifically binds .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin, and
detecting specific binding of the agent to .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin
associated with a blood vessel in the tissue. The agent can be a
peptide, an antibody, or a nonpeptide, small organic molecule, and
can be linked to a detectable label, which can be detected
directly, or the presence of which can be detected due to its
interaction with a particular reagent. Such a method is useful for
identifying the presence of angiogenesis in various tissues,
including in normal tissues such as embryonic tissue or placental
tissue, in granulation tissue, or in a tissue involved in a
pathological condition such as a neoplasm, a retinopathy, or an
arthritic condition or other inflammatory condition.
[0017] The invention further provides methods of diagnosing a
pathological condition characterized by angiogenesis in a tissue in
an individual. A method of diagnosis can be performed, for example,
by obtaining a sample of the tissue from the individual, wherein,
in an individual having the pathological condition, the tissue
exhibits angiogenesis; contacting the sample with an agent that
specifically binds .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin; and detecting specific
binding of the agent to .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin associated with a
blood vessel in the tissue, thereby diagnosing a pathological
condition characterized by angiogenesis in the individual. The
pathological condition can involve the eye, for example, diabetic
retinopathy or macular degeneration; the skin, for example, a
hemangioma or psoriasis; a joint, for example, rheumatoid arthritis
or osteoarthritis; or the intestine, for example Crohn's disease or
ulcerative colitis; or can be a neoplasm, which can be benign or
malignant. A malignant neoplasm, which can be metastatic, can be,
for example, a breast carcinoma, colon carcinoma, ovarian
carcinoma, or pancreatic carcinoma.
[0018] A method of diagnosing a pathological condition
characterized by angiogenesis in a tissue in an individual also can
be performed by administering an agent that specifically binds
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin to an individual suspected of having the
pathological condition; and detecting specific binding of the agent
to .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin associated with a blood vessel in the
tissue. The agent can be detectably labeled, for example, by
linking it to a moiety such as a radionuclide, a paramagnetic
material or an X-ray attenuating material. The method of detecting
can be an in vitro imaging method such as a radionuclide imaging,
positron emission tomography, computerized axial tomography, or
magnetic resonance imaging method, or can be an ex vivo method,
wherein, following administration of the agent, a sample of the
tissue is obtained from the individual, and specific binding of the
agent in the sample is detected. Agent that is specifically bound
to .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin in such a sample can be detected
directly, for example, by detecting radioactivity due to the moiety
linked to the agent, or can be detected indirectly by contacting
the specifically bound agent with a reagent that specifically
interacts with the agent, or with the moiety, and detecting an
interaction of the reagent with the agent or the moiety.
[0019] The present invention further provides methods of reducing
or inhibiting angiogenesis in a tissue in an individual, by
administering to the individual an agent that interferes with the
specific binding of .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin to a ligand expressed
in the tissue, thereby reducing or inhibiting angiogenesis in the
tissue in the individual. Also provided is a method of reducing the
severity of a pathological condition associated with angiogenesis
in an individual, by administering to the individual an agent that
interferes with specific binding of .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin to a
ligand in a tissue associated with the pathological condition,
thereby reducing or inhibiting angiogenesis in the tissue and,
consequently, reducing the severity of the pathological condition.
The condition can be any pathological condition associated with
angiogenesis, including a neoplasm, which can be a malignant
neoplasm, for example, a carcinoma such as breast carcinoma, colon
carcinoma, ovarian carcinoma or pancreatic carcinoma, or a sarcoma,
mesothelioma, teratocarcinoma, an astrocytoma, glioblastoma, or
other neoplasm, including a metastatic malignant neoplasm. The
agent can be administered by various routes, for example,
intravenously, orally, or directly into the region to be treated,
for example, directly into a neoplastic tumor; via eye drops, where
the pathological condition involves the eye; or intrasynovially,
where the condition involves a joint.
[0020] The invention also provides methods of identifying an agent
that reduces or inhibits angiogenesis associated with
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin expression in a tissue. Such a method,
which is useful as a screening assay, can be performed by
contacting a tissue exhibiting angiogenesis associated with
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin expression with an agent, and detecting a
reduction or inhibition of angiogenesis in the tissue. Contacting
of the tissue with the agent can occur in vivo or ex vivo. Where
the method is performed using an in vitro format, it readily can be
adapted for automated, high throughput screening assays. The tissue
can be any tissue that undergoes angiogenesis associated with
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin expression, for example, malignant
neoplastic tissue, and can be from any individual, including, for
example, from a mammal, bird, reptile or amphibian.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 demonstrates the inhibitory effect of the nonpeptide
small organic molecule, SJ749, on .alpha.5.sup.+HT29 tumor cell
adhesion to fibronectin. .alpha.5.sup.+ HT29 tumor cells were
produced by transfecting HT29 cells with .alpha.5.sup.+ cDNA.
[0022] FIG. 2 demonstrates the dose dependent inhibitory effect of
SJ749 on blood vessel branch point formation in chorioallantoic
membranes (CAM's). Angiogenesis was stimulated by treatment of the
CAM's with basic fibroblast growth factor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The present invention provides methods for detecting
angiogenesis in a tissue by identifying .alpha.5.beta.1 binding to
a ligand in a blood vessel in the tissue. Methods of diagnosing the
presence of angiogenesis in an individual also are provided. The
invention further provides methods for reducing or inhibiting
angiogenesis in a tissue by interfering with the specific binding
of .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin to a ligand expressed in the tissue.
Methods of reducing or inhibiting angiogenesis, which can be
associated with a pathological condition, in an individual, also
are provided.
[0024] Angiogenesis depends on the cooperation of various growth
factors and cell adhesion events. The .alpha.V integrins have been
shown to play critical roles in angiogenesis, although studies
using .alpha.V integrin null mice have suggested that other
adhesion receptors and their ligands also may be involved in
angiogenesis. As disclosed herein, the integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 and
its ligand fibronectin are coordinately upregulated during growth
factor stimulated angiogenesis and on blood vessels present in
human tumor biopsies, and the interaction of these molecules is
required for the angiogenesis that occurs during and supports tumor
growth in vivo, as well as angiogenesis associated with various
pathological conditions.
[0025] The development of vascular networks during embryogenesis or
normal and pathological angiogenesis depends on stimulation induced
by growth factors (Breier and Risau, Trends in Cell Biology
6:454-456 (1996); Breier et al., Thromb. Haemost. 78:678-683
(1997); Folkman, Nature Med. 1:27-31 (1995); Risau, Nature
386:671-674 (1997)) and on cellular interactions with the
extracellular matrix (Stromblad and Cheresh, Chemistry and Biology
3:881-885 (1996); Varner, Exs. 79:361-390 (1997); each of the
publications cited in this disclosure is incorporated herein by
reference). Genetic and functional analyses indicate that
extracellular components and cell surface receptors regulate
endothelial cell growth, survival and differentiation in
vasculogenesis and in angiogenesis (George et al., Development
119:1079-1091 (1993); Yang et al., Development 119:1093-1105
(1993); Stromblad and Cheresh, supra, 1996; Bloch et al., J. Cell
Biol. 139: 265-278 (1997); Varner, supra, 1997; Risau, supra, 1997;
Bader et al., Cell 95:507-519 (1998)).
[0026] Blood vessels arise during embryogenesis by two processes,
vasculogenesis and angiogenesis (Risau, supra, 1997), and the role
of growth factors in both processes is well established. For
example, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF; Ferrara et al.,
Nature 380:439-442 (1996)) and its receptors (de Vries et al.,
Science 255:989-991 (1992); Fong et al., Nature 376:66-70 (1995);
Millauer et al., Cell 72:835-846 (1993); Shalaby et al., Cell
89:981-990 (1997)), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF;
Basilico and Moscatelli, Adv. Cancer Res. 59:115-165 (1992))
promote the initial development of the embryonic vascular network,
and are involved in the formation of new blood vessels from
pre-existing vessels during development, wound healing and the
female reproductive cycle. VEGF (Warren et al., J. Clin. Invest.
95:1789-1797 (1995); Yoshida et al., Mol. Cell, Biol. 17:14015-4023
(1997); Kong et al., Human Gene Ther. 9:823-833 (1998)), bFGF (Stan
et al., J. Neurosurg. 81:1044-1052 (1995); Chopra et al., J. Canc.
Res. Clin. Oncol. 123:167-172 (1997); Czubayko et al., Nature Med.
3:1137-1140 (1997); Yoshida et. al., supra, 1997), Interleukin-8
(IL-8; Arenberg et al., J. Clin. Invest. 97: 2792-2802 (1996); Luca
et al., Am. J. Path. 151:1105-1113 (1997); Keane et al., J.
Immunol. 159:1437-43 (1997); Yatsunami et al., Cancer Lett.
120:101-108 (1997); Yoshida et al., Invest. Ophthamol. Vis. Sci.
39:1097-1106 (1998)), and tumor necrosis factor-.alpha.
(TNF.alpha.; Yoshida et. al., supra, 1997) are some of the growth
factors that have a role in the angiogenesis that is associated
with various pathological conditions, including, for example, solid
tumor growth, diabetic retinopathy, and rheumatoid arthritis.
[0027] While growth factors stimulate new blood vessel growth,
adhesion, to the extracellular matrix (ECM) regulates endothelial
cell survival, proliferation and motility during new blood vessel
growth (Stromblad and Cheresh, supra, 1996; Varner, supra, 1997).
Specific integrins or their ligands also influence vascular
development and angiogenesis. For example, the .alpha.V integrins
participate in angiogenesis by providing survival signals to
activated endothelial cells (Arap et al., Science 279:377-380
(1997); Brooks et al., Science 264: 569-571 (1994a); Carron et al.,
Cancer Res. 58:1930-1955 (1998); Clark et al., Amer. J. Pathol.
148:1407-1421 (1997); Drake et al., Devel. Dyn. 193:83-91 (1992);
Clark et al., J. Cell Science 108:2655-2661 (1995); Friedlander et
al., Science 270:1500-1502 (1995)). However, some aspects of
angiogenesis also can proceed in the absence of .alpha.V integrins
(Bader et. al., supra, 1998), suggesting that other molecules,
including the .beta.1 integrin family, may compensate for the
absence .alpha.V integrins during development (Drake et al., supra,
1992; Bloch et al., supra, 1997; Senger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad.
Sci., USA 94:13612-13617 (1997)).
[0028] While active roles for integrins in the promotion of
angiogenesis have been identified, the cognate ECM ligands for
integrins that are involved in angiogenesis in vivo are less well
described. One ECM protein, fibronectin, is expressed in
provisional vascular matrices and provides proliferative signals to
vascular cells during wound healing, atherosclerosis, and
hypertension (Magnusson and Mosher, Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc.
Biol. 18:1363-1370 (1998)). Fibronectin expression is upregulated
on blood vessels in granulation tissues during wound healing (Clark
et al., J. Invest. Dermatol. 79:269-276 (1982)), and an isoform of
fibronectin, the ED-B splice variant; is preferentially expressed
on blood vessels in fetal and tumor tissues, but not on normal
quiescent adult blood vessels (Castellani et al., Int. J. Cancer
59:612-618 (1994); Kaczmarek et al., Int. J. Cancer 58:11-16
(1994); Neri et al., Nature Biotech. 15:1271-1275 (1997)). These
observations suggest that fibronectin may have a role in
angiogenesis. In addition, animals that lack fibronectin die early
in development from a collection of defects, including missing
notochord and somites as well as an improperly formed vasculature
(George et al., supra, 1993). Prior to the present disclosure,
however, a direct functional role for fibronectin in vasculogenesis
or in angiogenesis was not established.
[0029] Several integrins bind to fibronectin (Hynes, Cell 69:11-25
(1992)), and integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 generally is selective for
fibronectin (Pytela et al., Cell 40:191-98 (1985)). Studies have
demonstrated that loss of the gene encoding the integrin .alpha.5
subunit is embryonic lethal in mice and is associated with a
complete absence of the posterior somites and with some vascular
and cardiac defects (Yang et al., supra, 1993; Goh et al.,
Development 124: 4309-4319 (1997)). It was unclear, however,
whether integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 has a direct role in the
regulation of vascular development or of angiogenesis in
particular.
[0030] As disclosed herein, both fibronectin and its receptor,
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin, directly regulate angiogenesis. Moreover,
the specific interaction of fibronectin and .alpha.5.beta.1 is
central to the contribution of these two molecules to angiogenesis.
Integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 participates in pathways of angiogenesis
that are the same as those of integrin .alpha.V.beta.3, but
distinct from the pathways involving .alpha.V.beta.5. It is further
disclosed herein that agents that interfere with the specific
binding of .alpha.5.beta.1 and fibronectin can reduce or inhibit
growth factor stimulated angiogenesis and the angiogenesis that
occurs in tumors and, therefore, can be useful for treating various
pathological conditions, including malignant neoplasms.
[0031] The participation of the central cell binding domain of
fibronectin and its receptor .alpha.5.beta.1 in angiogenesis is
disclosed herein. Expression of both integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 and
fibronectin were significantly enhanced on blood vessels of human
tumors and in growth factor stimulated tissues, while these
molecules were minimally expressed on normal human vessels and on
unstimulated tissues (Example I). In addition, antibody
antagonists, which bind the central cell binding domain of
fibronectin and anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 antibodies, as well as two
other classes of .alpha.5.beta.1 antagonists (peptides and
nonpeptide, small organic molecule antagonists) blocked growth
factor stimulated angiogenesis in chick chorioallantoic membrane
(CAM; Example II) and in human skin grown on SCID mice (Example
III). Antagonists of integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 blocked bFGF,
TNF.alpha. and IL-8 stimulated angiogenesis, but had a minimal
effect on VEGF-induced angiogenesis. Each of these .alpha.5.beta.1
antagonists inhibited tumor angiogenesis and resulted in tumor
regression in animal model systems (Example IV). Antagonists of
fibronectin function also blocked both bFGF and VEGF angiogenesis,
suggesting that other fibronectin receptors are involved in
VEGF-mediated angiogenesis.
[0032] The results disclosed herein demonstrate that the expression
of integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 and fibronectin in angiogenesis is
coordinated. When the expression of each molecule is minimal, as on
unstimulated, quiescent blood vessels, antagonists of each molecule
and addition of fibronectin to chick chorioallantoic membranes
(CAM's) had little effect on angiogenesis. In contrast, after
stimulation with growth factors, .alpha.5.beta.1 and fibronectin
expression are enhanced and blood vessels become sensitive to
agents that act as antagonists of either molecule, as well as to
the effects of exogenously added fibronectin. VEGF stimulation does
not increase .alpha.5.beta.1 expression, supporting the observation
that VEGF angiogenesis is refractory to antagonists of
.alpha.5.beta.1. This result is substantiated by a report that in
vitro expression of integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 on endothelial cells
was upregulated in response to bFGF (Collo and Pepper, J. Cell Sci.
112:569-578 (1999)), and that VEGF failed to upregulate
.alpha.5.beta.1 expression (Senger et al., Am. J. Pathol. 149:1-7
(1996); Senger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 94:13612-13617
(1997)). Thus, the functional roles of integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 and
fibronectin in angiogenesis likely are a direct consequence of
their growth factor induced expression.
[0033] Antibodies directed against the central cell binding
fragment of fibronectin, which contains the RGD integrin binding
site, inhibited angiogenesis (Examples II and III). These
antibodies likely interfere with the specific binding of
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin to fibronectin, and, consequently, with
possible downstream signal transduction events in vivo. Stimulation
of bFGF angiogenesis by fibronectin and its cell binding domain in
an .alpha.5.beta.1-dependent manner indicate that .alpha.5.beta.1
is the integrin receptor for fibronectin during angiogenesis. The
absence of integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 expression in VEGF stimulated
angiogenesis likely accounts for the failure of fibronectin to
enhance VEGF angiogenesis, even though antibodies directed against
the cell binding peptide of fibronectin blocked VEGF angiogenesis.
The results disclosed herein are the first demonstration of a
direct in vivo role for fibronectin in angiogenesis.
[0034] The results disclosed herein also are the first to clearly
identify a role for an extracellular matrix protein in the
promotion of angiogenesis. Although collagens have been suggested
to have roles in vascular development, intact collagens do not
support endothelial cell outgrowth, survival or proliferation (Ilan
et al., J. Cell Sci. 111:3621-3631 (1998); Isik et al., J. Cell.
Phys. 175:149-155 (1999)). In fact, inhibition of the collagen
receptors integrins .alpha.2.beta.1 and .alpha.1.beta.1 prevented
the formation of large blood vessels and promoted the formation of
small vessels (Senger et al., supra, 1997). Those results suggest
that .alpha.2.beta.1, .alpha.1.beta.1, and their ligand, collagen,
are involved in blood vessel maturation, rather than in the
promotion of new blood vessel sprouts.
[0035] A functional role for integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 in
angiogenesis was established by demonstrating that agents that
antagonize .alpha.5.beta.1 binding to its ligand blocked
angiogenesis induced by growth factors and angiogenesis in tumor
fragments (Examples II, III and IV). Like .alpha.5.beta.1,
.alpha.V.beta.3 can serve as a fibronectin receptor (Charo et al.,
J. Cell Biol. 111:2795-800 (1990)), although, as disclosed herein,
endothelial cells use .alpha.5.beta.1 as the major fibronectin
receptor when both integrins are expressed.
[0036] The expression of .alpha.5.beta.1 and .alpha.V.beta.3 is
regulated by similar growth factors, and both integrins have a
significant role in bFGF, TNF.alpha., IL-8 and tumor-induced
angiogenesis, but not in VEGF-induced angiogenesis (see Examples;
see, also, Brooks et al.; supra, 1994a; Brooks et al., Cell
79:1157-1164 (1994b); Friedlander et-al., supra, 1995). These two
integrins likely influence the same angiogenesis pathways, since
combinations of their antagonists in angiogenesis animal models
were neither additive nor synergistic (see Example II).
[0037] Binding of integrins to extracelluar matrix proteins
promotes cell attachment, migration, invasion, survival and
proliferation (Varner, supra, 1997), and antagonists of
.alpha.V.beta.3 induce apoptosis of proliferating endothelial cells
in vitro and in vivo (Brooks et al., supra, 1994b; Stromblad et
al., supra, 1996). As disclosed herein, .alpha.5.beta.1 antagonists
also induce apoptosis of growth factor stimulated endothelial cells
in vitro and in vivo.
[0038] Antagonists of .alpha.5.beta.1 blocked tumor angiogenesis
and growth (Example IV), similar to antagonists of integrin
.alpha.V.beta.3 (Brooks et al., supra, 1994b, 1995). The tumor cell
lines used for in vivo tumorigenicity and angiogenesis studies
(Example IV) were integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 negative, to discount
any direct effect of the antagonists on the tumor cells, and
remained .alpha.5.beta.1 negative through the course of their
culture on CAM's. HT29 tumors express a variety of growth factors,
including VEGF, TNF.alpha., TGF.alpha., TGF.beta., PDGF and IL-8;
it is not known whether HT29 cells also express bFGF. VEGF is most
commonly associated with the hypoxic core of the tumor, and is
transcriptionally regulated by hypoxia, whereas bFGF and other
factors are associated with the growing edge of the tumor (Shweiki,
et. al., supra, 1992; Kumar et al., Oncol. Res. 10:301-311 (1998)).
As observed for growth factor stimulated CAM's, .alpha.5.beta.1
antagonists did not impact large pre-existing vessels on the CAM
that underlie the transplanted tumors. These results demonstrate
that agents that interfere with specific binding of .alpha.5.beta.1
to its ligands, particularly fibronectin, can reduce or inhibit
angiogenesis. The use of such agents, therefore, can provide a
clinical benefit to individuals suffering from various pathological
conditions, including to cancer patients.
[0039] As used herein, the term "integrin" refers to the
extracellular receptors that are expressed in a wide variety of
cells and bind to specific ligands in the extracellular matrix. The
specific ligands bound by integrins can contain an
arginine-glycine-aspartic acid tripeptide (Arg-Gly-Asp; RGD) or a
leucine-aspartic acid-valine tripeptide, and include, for example,
fibronectin, vitronectin, osteopontin, tenascin, and von
Willebrand's factor. The integrins comprise a superfamily of
heterodimers composed of an .alpha. subunit and a .beta. subunit.
Numerous .alpha. subunits, designated, for example, .alpha.V,
.alpha.5 and the like, and numerous .beta. subunits, designated,
for example, .beta.1, .beta.2, .beta.3, .beta.5 and the like, have
been identified, and various combinations of these subunits are
represented in the integrin superfamily, including .alpha.5.beta.1,
.alpha.V.beta.3 and .alpha.V.beta.5. The superfamily of integrins
can be subdivided into families, for example, as
.alpha.V-containing integrins, including .alpha.V.beta.3 and
.alpha.V.beta.5, or the .beta.1-containing integrins, including
.alpha.5.beta.1 and .alpha.V.beta.1. Integrins are expressed in a
wide range of organisms, including C. elegans, Drosophila sp.,
amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, including humans.
[0040] As disclosed herein, antibody, peptide and nonpeptide small
organic molecule antagonists of .alpha.5.beta.1 can interfere with
the specific binding of .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin with its ligands,
particularly fibronectin, in vascular tissue, and can reduce or
inhibit angiogenesis (see Examples II, III and IV). Such molecules
that interfere with the specific binding of .alpha.5.beta.1 with
its ligands are referred to herein generally as "agents," "agent
antagonists" or ".alpha.5.beta.1 antagonists." As used herein, the
term "specific binding" or "binds specifically," when used in
reference to the interaction of two or more molecules, means that
the molecules can associate with each other under in vivo
conditions and in vitro when incubated under appropriate
conditions, which can mimic in vivo conditions. The terms
"specifically interact" and "specific association" also are used to
refer to molecules that specifically bind.
[0041] For purposes of the present invention, the molecules that
specifically interact with each other generally are a receptor-type
molecule and its ligand, including, for example, an integrin and
its particular ligand or ligands, or an antibody and its particular
antigen or antigens. It is recognized, however, that other
molecules, for example, an .alpha. integrin subunit and a .beta.
integrin subunit also interact specifically to form an integrin
heterodimer, as can an .alpha.5.beta.1 antagonist and an
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin. Methods for determining whether two
molecules specifically interact are disclosed herein, and methods
of determining binding affinity and specificity are well known in
the art (see, for example, Harlow and Lane, Antibodies: A
laboratory manual (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1988);
Friefelder, "Physical Biochemistry: Applications to biochemistry
and molecular biology" (W.H. Freeman and Co. 1976)).
[0042] Antibodies, peptides and nonpeptide small organic molecule
antagonists that interfere with the specific binding of
.alpha.5.beta.1 with fibronectin are exemplified (see Example II).
As used herein, the term "interfere," when used in reference to the
action of an agent antagonist on the specific interaction of a
receptor and its ligand, means that the affinity of the interaction
is decreased below the level of binding that occurs in the absence
of the agent. The skilled artisan will recognize that the
association of a receptor and its ligand is a dynamic relationship
that occurs among a population of such molecules such that, at any
particular time, a certain proportion of receptors and ligands will
be in association. An agent that interferes with the specific
interaction of a receptor and its ligand, therefore, reduces the
relative number of such interactions occurring at a given time and,
in some cases, can completely inhibit all such associations.
[0043] The term "antagonist" is used herein to mean an agent, which
can be an antibody, a peptide or a nonpeptide small organic
molecule, that can interfere with the specific interaction of a
receptor and its ligand. An anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin antibody,
which can interfere with the binding of .alpha.5.beta.1 with
fibronectin, thereby reducing or inhibiting the association of
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin with fibronectin, is an example of an
.alpha.5.beta.1 antagonist. An antagonist can act as a competitive
inhibitor or a noncompetitive inhibitor of .alpha.5.beta.1 binding
to its ligand.
[0044] It can be difficult to distinguish whether an antagonist
completely inhibits the association of a receptor with its ligand
or reduces the association below the limit of detection of a
particular assay. Thus, the term "interfere" is used broadly herein
to encompasses reducing or inhibiting the specific binding of a
receptor and its ligand. Furthermore, an agent can interfere with
the specific binding of a receptor and its ligand by various
mechanism, including, for example, by binding to the ligand binding
site, thereby interfering with ligand binding; by binding to a site
other than the ligand binding site of the receptor, but sterically
interfering with ligand binding to the receptor; by binding the
receptor and causing a conformational or other change in the
receptor, which interferes with binding of the ligand; or by other
mechanisms. Similarly, the agent can bind to or otherwise interact
with the ligand to interfere with its specifically interacting with
the receptor. For purposes of the methods disclosed herein for
interfering with the specific interaction of an .alpha.5.beta.1
integrin and its ligand, an understanding of the mechanism by which
the interfering occurs is not required and no mechanism of action
is proposed.
[0045] An agent that acts as an antagonist for .alpha.5.beta.1
integrin binding to its ligand can be an antibody, particularly an
anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 antibody or an anti-fibronectin antibody. As
used herein, the term "antibody" is used in its broadest sense to
include polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, as well as antigen
binding fragments of such antibodies. With regard to an
anti-integrin antibody, particularly an anti-.alpha.5.beta.1
antibody, the term "antigen" means an integrin, particularly an
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin protein, polypeptide, or peptide portion
thereof, which may or may not include some or all of an RGD binding
domain. An anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 antibody, or antigen binding
fragment thereof, is characterized by having specific binding
activity for an .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin of at least about
1.times.10.sup.5 M.sup.-1, generally at least about
1.times.10.sup.6 M.sup.-1, and particularly at least about
1.times.10.sup.7 M.sup.-1. Fab, F(ab').sub.2, Fd or Fv fragments of
an anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 antibody, which retain specific binding
activity for the .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin are included within the
definition of an antibody.
[0046] The term "antibody" as used herein encompasses naturally
occurring antibodies as well as non-naturally occurring antibodies,
including, for example, single chain antibodies, chimeric,
bifunctional and humanized antibodies, as well as antigen-binding
fragments thereof. Such non-naturally occurring antibodies can be
constructed using solid phase peptide synthesis, can be produced
recombinantly or can be obtained, for example, by screening
combinatorial libraries consisting of variable heavy chains and
variable light chains as described by Huse et al., Science
246:1275-1281 (1989), which is incorporated herein by reference.
These and other methods of making, for example, chimeric,
humanized, CDR-grafted, single chain, and bifunctional antibodies
are well known to those skilled in the art (Winter and Harris,
Immunol. Today 14:243-246 (1993); Ward et al., Nature 341:544-546
(1989); Harlow and Lane, supra, 1988; Hilyard et al., Protein
Engineering: A practical approach (IRL Press 1992); Borrabeck,
Antibody Engineering, 2d ed. (Oxford University Press 1995); each
of which is incorporated herein by reference).
[0047] Anti-integrin antibodies, including anti-.alpha.5.beta.1
antibodies, can be purchased from a commercial source, for example,
Chemicon, Inc. (Temecula Calif.), or can be raised using as an
immunogen a substantially purified full length integrin, which can
be a human integrin, mouse integrin or other mammalian or
nonmammalian integrin that is prepared from natural sources or
produced recombinantly, or a peptide portion of an integrin, which
can include a portion of the RGD binding domain, for example, a
synthetic peptide. A non-immunogenic peptide portion of an integrin
such as a human .alpha.5.beta.1 can be made immunogenic by coupling
the hapten to a carrier molecule such bovine serum albumin (BSA) or
keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), or by expressing the peptide
portion as a fusion protein. Various other carrier molecules and
methods for coupling a hapten to a carrier molecule are well known
in the art and described, for example, by Harlow and Lane (supra,
1988).
[0048] Particularly useful antibodies for performing a method of
the invention are those that specifically bind to an
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin. Such antibodies are particularly useful
where they bind .alpha.5.beta.1 with at least an order of magnitude
greater affinity than they bind another integrin, for example,
.alpha.V.beta.3 or .alpha.V.beta.5. An anti-fibronectin antibody
also can be useful in a method of the invention, particularly an
anti-fibronectin antibody that interferes with binding of
fibronectin to .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin, but not to .alpha.V.beta.3
or other integrins.
[0049] As disclosed herein, an anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 antibody was
used to detect regions of growth factor stimulated angiogenesis, as
occurs in a pathological condition (see Example I). The presence or
amount of .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin expression can be identified,
for example, in a tissue sample, which can be a histological
section obtained from a tissue or organ of an individual suspected
of having a pathology characterized, at least in part, by
undesirable angiogenesis. The identification of the presence or
level of an .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin expression in the sample can
be made using well known immunoassay or immunohistochemical methods
(Harlow and Lane, supra, 1988). An anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 antibody,
particularly an antibody that prevents ligand binding to the
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin, also can be used in a screening assay to
identify agents that compete for ligand binding to the integrin. As
disclosed herein, such agents can be useful for inhibiting
.alpha.5.beta.1 mediated angiogenesis.
[0050] Peptides that specifically bind to .alpha.5.beta.1 also are
useful as antagonists of .alpha.5.beta.1 binding to its ligands,
including fibronectin. As discussed for anti-.alpha.5.beta.1
antibodies, a peptide that specifically binds .alpha.5.beta.1 can
be useful in a method of the invention where the antibody binds to
.alpha.5.beta.1 with at least about a two-fold greater specificity
than it binds to another integrin, for example, .alpha.V.beta.3, is
more useful if it has at least about a five-fold greater
specificity for .alpha.5.beta.1, and is particularly useful if it
has at least about a one order of magnitude greater specificity for
.alpha.5.beta.1 than for an integrin such as .alpha.V.beta.3. As
such, the various RGD and RLD containing peptides that have been
identified based on their relatively high binding affinity for
.alpha.V.beta.3 or for .alpha.V.beta.5 (PCT/US94/13542) are not
considered peptide antagonists of .alpha.5.beta.1 binding to its
ligand, as defined herein.
[0051] The term "peptide" is used broadly herein to include
oligomers and polymers of amino acids or amino acid analogs that
are linked by a peptide bond or an analog of a peptide bond. As
such, the term "peptide" includes molecules commonly referred to as
peptides, which generally contain about two to about fifty amino
acids, as polypeptides, which generally contain about twenty to
fifty amino acids or more, and as proteins, which can include
peptides or polypeptides that, for example, are
post-translationally modified. Thus, peptide antagonists contain
two or more amino acids, which can be L-amino acids or D-amino
acids, chemically modified amino acids, which can be naturally
occurring or non-naturally occurring amino acids, or amino acid
analogs. Peptides useful as .alpha.5.beta.1 antagonists that reduce
or inhibit angiogenesis can be identified by screening libraries of
peptides, which can be prepared using well known methods of
chemical synthesis (see, for example, Koivunen et al., supra 1993,
1994), or can be purchased from commercial sources.
[0052] An agent that interferes with .alpha.5.beta.1 binding to its
ligand also can be a nonpeptide, small organic molecule, including
a peptidomimetic, which is an organic molecules that mimics the
structure of a peptide; or a peptoid such as a vinylogous peptoid.
A nonpeptide small organic molecule that acts as an antagonist to
the specific interaction of .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin binding to a
ligand, fibronectin, can be, for example, a heterocycle having the
general structure (S)-2-phenylsulfonylamino-3-{{{8-(2-pyridinyl
aminomethyl)-}-1-oxa-2-azaspiro-{4,5}-dec-2-en-yl}carbonylamino}propionic
acid, as exemplified herein by the molecule designated SJ749, which
has the structure: (S)-2-{(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)
sulfonyl)amino-3-[(7-benzyloxycarbonyl-8-(2-pyridinyl
aminomethyl)-1-oxa-2,7-diazaspiro-{4,4}-non-2-en-3-yl]carbonylamino}propi-
onic acid (see Examples II and IV; U.S. Pat. No. 5,760,029). As
disclosed herein, SJ749 interfered with .alpha.5.beta.1 binding to
fibronectin and reduced or inhibited angiogenesis in a dose
dependent manner (see FIG. 2) Additional nonpeptide, small organic
molecule .alpha.5.beta.1 antagonists useful in a method of the
invention can be identified by screening, for example, chemically
modified derivatives of a heterocycle having the structure
disclosed above, including chemically modified derivatives of
SJ749, or other libraries of nonpeptide, small organic molecules
(see below).
[0053] The present invention provides methods for reducing or
inhibiting angiogenesis in a tissue, by contacting .alpha.5.beta.1
integrin in the tissue with an agent that interferes with specific
binding of the .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin to a ligand expressed in
the tissue, thereby reducing or inhibiting angiogenesis in the
tissue. A particularly useful agent antagonist interferes with the
binding of .alpha.5.beta.1 to fibronectin, but does not
substantially interfere with the specific binding of the ligand to
an integrin other than .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin. As disclosed
herein, an agent such as an anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 antibody, a
peptide, or a nonpeptide small organic molecule that interferes
with binding of .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin to its ligand can reduce
or inhibit growth factor stimulated angiogenesis and angiogenesis
that occurs during tumor growth (see Examples II, III and IV).
[0054] As used herein, the phrase "reduce or inhibit," when used in
reference to angiogenesis, means that the amount of new blood
vessel formation that occurs in the presence of an agent antagonist
is decreased below the amount of blood vessel formation that occurs
in the absence of an exogenously added agent antagonist. The terms
"reduce" and "inhibit" are used together because it is recognized
that the amount of angiogenesis can be decreased below a level
detectable by a particular assay method and, therefore, it may not
be possible to determine whether angiogenesis is reduced to a very
low level or completely inhibited. Nevertheless, it will be clear
from the particular assay being used that, in response to an agent
that interferes with .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin to its ligand,
angiogenesis in a tissue is decreased below the level of
angiogenesis in corresponding untreated tissue. Methods for
determining an amount of blood vessel formation in a tissue,
including the immunohistochemical methods disclosed herein (Example
I), are well known in the art.
[0055] A method of the invention is useful, for example, for
reducing or inhibiting angiogenesis in ocular tissue such as
retina, macula or cornea; in skin such as occurs with psoriasis; in
synovial tissue; in bone; or in intestinal tissue, by interfering
with .alpha.5.beta.1 binding to a ligand such as fibronectin in the
tissue. In addition, a method of the invention is useful for
reducing or inhibiting angiogenesis in a neoplasm, which can be
benign or malignant and, where malignant, can be a metastatic
neoplasm. An agent useful in practicing a method of the invention
can be a peptide, for example, a peptide containing the amino acid
sequence CRRETAWAC (SEQ ID NO: 1); an antibody, for example, an
anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin antibody or an .alpha.5.beta.1
integrin binding fragment thereof; or a nonpeptide, small organic
molecule, for example,
(S)-2-{(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)sulfonyl}amino-3-{7-benzyloxycarbo-
nyl-8-(2-pyridinylaminomethyl)-1-oxy-2,7-diazaspiro-{4,4}-non-2-en-3-yl}ca-
rbonylamino}propionic acid (SJ749). If desired, the agent can be
linked to a cytotoxin such as ricin or a cancer chemotherapeutic
drug, provided linkage of the cytotoxin does not substantially
reduce the ability of the agent to specifically bind
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin and interfere with the binding of
.alpha.5.beta.1 to its ligand.
[0056] The invention also provides methods of identifying the
presence of angiogenesis in a tissue, by contacting the tissue with
an agent that specifically binds .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin, and
detecting specific binding of the agent to .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin
associated with a blood vessel in the tissue, thereby identifying
the presence of angiogenesis in the tissue. The agent can be a
peptide, an antibody, or a nonpeptide, small organic molecule, and
can be linked to a detectable label, which can be detected
directly, or the presence or which can be detected due to its
interaction with a particular reagent. Such a method is useful for
identifying the presence of angiogenesis in various tissues,
including, for example, normal tissues such as embryonic tissue or
placental tissue, granulation tissue, and a tissue involved in a
pathological condition. As such, the invention further provides
methods of diagnosing a pathological condition characterized by
angiogenesis associated with .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin expression in
a tissue in an individual.
[0057] The term "pathological condition" is used broadly herein to
mean any abnormal physical or physiological condition
characterized, at least in part, by angiogenesis associated with
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin expression on newly forming blood vessels
in a tissue. Such pathological conditions are exemplified by
neoplasms (see Example I), ocular diseases such as diabetic
retinopathy and macular degeneration associated with
neovascularization, skin diseases such as psoriasis and
hemangiomas, gingivitis, arthritic conditions such as rheumatoid
arthritis and osteoarthritis, and inflammatory bowel diseases.
Other pathological conditions amenable to a diagnostic or other
method of the invention can be identified using methods such as
those disclosed in Example I or otherwise known in the art.
[0058] The term "neoplasm" is used broadly herein to mean any new,
pathological tissue growth. For purposes of the present invention,
a neoplasm generally results in the formation of a tumor, which is
characterized, in part, by angiogenesis. A neoplasm can be benign,
for example, a hemangioma, glioma, teratoma, and the like, or can
be malignant, for example, a carcinoma, sarcoma, glioblastoma,
astrocytoma, neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, and the like. The term
"tumor" is used generally to refer to a benign or malignant
neoplasm, and the term "cancer" is used generally to refer to a
malignant neoplasm, which may or may not be metastatic. Malignant
neoplasms that can be diagnosed using a method of the invention
include, for example, carcinomas such as lung cancer, breast
cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, pancreatic cancer, colon
cancer and ovarian cancer; and sarcomas such as osteosarcoma and
Kaposi's sarcoma, provided the neoplasm is characterized, at least
in part, by angiogenesis associated with .alpha.5.beta.1 expression
by the newly forming blood vessels (see Examples I and III).
[0059] A method of diagnosis can be performed, for example, by
obtaining a sample of the tissue from the individual, wherein, in
an individual having the pathological condition, the tissue
exhibits angiogenesis; contacting the sample with an agent that
specifically binds .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin; and detecting specific
binding of the agent to .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin associated with a
blood vessel in the tissue. An individual to be diagnosed or
treated using a method of the invention can be any individual
exhibiting angiogenesis associated with .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin
expression and, therefore, can be, for example, a vertebrate such
as a mammal, including a human, dog, cat; horse, cow, or goat; a
bird; or any other animal, particularly a commercially important
animal or a domesticated animal.
[0060] A method of diagnosing a pathological condition
characterized by angiogenesis in a tissue in an individual also can
be performed by administering an agent that specifically binds
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin to an individual suspected of having the
pathological condition; and detecting specific binding of the agent
to .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin associated with a blood vessel in the
tissue. The agent can be detectably labeled, for example, by
linking the agent to a moiety, which is selected based, for
example, on whether specific binding of the agent is to be detected
in vivo or whether a tissue to which the agent is suspected of
binding is to be removed, for example, by biopsy, and examined ex
vivo.
[0061] A moiety useful for labeling an agent antagonist can be a
radionuclide, a paramagnetic material, an X-ray attenuating
material, a fluorescent, chemiluminescent or luminescent molecule,
a molecule such as biotin, or a molecule that can be visualized
upon reaction with a particular reagent, for example, a substrate
for an enzyme or an epitope for an antibody. The moiety can be
linked town agent using well known methods, which are selected, in
part, based on the chemical nature of the agent and the moiety. For
example, where the moiety is an amino acid sequence such as a
hexahistidine (His6) sequence, and the agent is a peptide, the His6
sequence can be synthesized as part of the peptide, and the
His6-labeled agent can be identified by the binding of a nickel ion
reagent to the His6 moiety. Methods for chemically linking a moiety
to an agent also can be utilized (see, for example, Hermanson,
Bioconjugate Techniques, (Academic Press 1996), which is
incorporated herein by reference).
[0062] A specifically bound agent can be detected in an individual
using an in vivo imaging method such as a radionuclide imaging,
positron emission tomography, computerized axial tomography, or
magnetic resonance imaging method, or can be detected using an ex
vivo method, wherein, following administration, a sample of the
tissue is obtained from the individual, and specific binding of the
agent in the sample is detected. An agent that is specifically
bound to .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin in a sample can be detected
directly, for example, by detecting the agent or by detecting the
presence of a moiety such as by detecting radioactivity emitted by
a radionuclide moiety. Specifically bound agent also can be
detected indirectly by further contacting it with a reagent that
specifically interacts with the agent, or with a moiety linked to
the agent, and detecting interaction of the reagent with the agent
or label. For example, the moiety can be detected by contacting it
with an antibody that specifically binds the moiety, particularly
when the moiety is linked to the agent. The moiety also can be, for
example, a substrate, which is contacted by an enzyme that
interacts with and changes the moiety such that its presence can be
detected. Such indirect detection systems, which include the use of
enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase, horseradish peroxidase,
beta-galactosidase and the like, are well known in the art and
commercially available, as are the methods for incorporating or
linking the particular moiety to a particular type of agent.
[0063] The present invention further provides methods of reducing
or inhibiting angiogenesis in a tissue in an individual, by
administering to the individual an agent that interferes with the
specific binding of .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin to a ligand expressed
in the tissue, thereby reducing or inhibiting angiogenesis in the
tissue in the individual. As such, the invention provides methods
of reducing the severity of a pathological condition associated
with angiogenesis in an individual, by administering to the
individual an agent that interferes with specific binding of
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin to a ligand in a tissue associated with
the pathological condition, thereby reducing or inhibiting
angiogenesis in the tissue, and, consequently, reducing the
severity of the pathological condition.
[0064] As used herein, the term "reducing the severity of a
pathological condition" means that adverse clinical signs or
symptoms associated with the pathological condition are
ameliorated. A reduction in the severity of a pathologic condition
can be detected by various methods, including routine clinical
tests such as blood tests, which can used to determine relevant
enzyme levels or circulating antigen or antibody; imaging tests,
which can be used to detect a decrease in the growth rate or size
of a neoplasm; or an ophthalmic procedure, which can be used to
identify a reduction in the number of blood vessels in the retina
of a diabetic patient. Such clinical tests are selected based on
the particular pathological condition being treated. A reduction in
the severity of a pathological condition also can be detected based
on comments made by the patient being treated, for example, that a
patient suffering from arthritis feels less pain or has greater
joint mobility, or that a patient with diabetic retinopathy or with
macular degeneration due to neovascularization can see more
clearly, or the like.
[0065] Where an agent that interferes with the specific binding of
an .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin to its ligand is to be administered to
a living individual, for example, for a diagnostic or therapeutic
procedure, the agent generally will be in the form of a
pharmaceutical compositions comprising the agent or agents and a
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Pharmaceutically acceptable
carriers are well known in the art and include aqueous solutions
such as physiologically buffered saline or other buffers or
solvents or vehicles such as glycols, glycerol, oils such as olive
oil or injectable organic esters. The selection of a
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier will depend, in part, on the
chemical nature of the agent, for example, whether the agent is an
antibody, a peptide or a nonpeptide, small organic molecule.
[0066] A pharmaceutically acceptable carrier can physiologically
acceptable compounds that act, for example, to stabilize the agent
or increase its absorption, or other excipients as desired.
Physiologically acceptable compounds include, for example,
carbohydrates, such as glucose, sucrose or dextrans, antioxidants,
such as ascorbic acid or glutathione, chelating agents, low
molecular weight proteins or other stabilizers or excipients. One
skilled in the art would know that the choice of a pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier, including a physiologically acceptable
compound, depends, for example, on the route of administration of
the agent and on the particular physio-chemical characteristics of
the agent.
[0067] Angiogenesis associated with .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin
expression can occur locally, for example, in the retina of an
individual suffering from diabetic retinopathy, or can occur more
systemically, for example, in an individual suffering from
rheumatoid arthritis or a metastatic malignant neoplasm. Since
regions of such angiogenesis can be localized or can more
systemically dispersed, one skilled in the art would select a
particular route and method of administration of an agent that
interferes with the specific binding of an .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin
with its ligand, for example, fibronectin, based, in part, on this
factor. For example, in an individual suffering from diabetic
retinopathy, where angiogenesis associated with .alpha.5.beta.1
integrin expression is localized to the retina, the agent can be
formulated in a pharmaceutical composition convenient for use as
eye drops, which can be administered directly to the eye. In
comparison, in an individual suffering from a metastatic carcinoma,
the agent in a pharmaceutical composition that can be administered
intravenously, orally or by another method that distributes the
agent systemically. Thus, an agent antagonist can be administered
by various routes, for example, intravenously, orally, or directly
into the region to be treated, for example, directly into a
neoplastic tumor; via eye drops, where the pathological condition
involves the eye; or intrasynovially, where the condition involves
a joint.
[0068] The amount of an .alpha.5.beta.1 agent antagonist that is
administered to an individual will depend, in part, on whether the
agent is administered for a diagnostic purpose or for a therapeutic
purpose. Methods for determining an effective amount of an agent to
administer for a diagnostic or a therapeutic procedure are well
known in the art and include phase I, phase II and phase III
clinical trials. An agent is administered in an effective amount,
which is an amount sufficient to interfere with the specific
binding of .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin to its specific ligand in an
individual. Generally, an agent antagonist is administered in a
dose of about 0.0001 to 100 mg/kg body weight.
[0069] As disclosed herein, systemic administration of 5 .mu.g
anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 antibody/2 ml blood volume of chick embryo
inhibited 500 of the growth factor stimulated angiogenesis (Example
II). Similarly, administration of 120 picomoles of CRRETAWAC (SEQ
ID NO: 1)/2 ml blood volume, and administration of 15 picomoles of
SJ749/2 ml blood volume inhibited angiogenesis by 500. Based on
these results, the skilled artisan can estimate the amounts of such
agents required to effectively inhibit angiogenesis in a tissue in
an individual such as a human, and routine clinical trials can be
used to determine optimal dosages. Assuming, for example, that a
human has a blood volume of about six liters, the artisan would
know that a range of amounts less than or around about 15
milligrams of an anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 antibody can be used in a
clinical trial for determining an amount of the agent to be
administered to a human. Estimates of an amount to be administered
can be adjusted accordingly, for example, where the agent is to be
administered locally.
[0070] The total amount of an agent antagonist can be administered
to a subject as a single dose, either as a bolus or by infusion
over a relatively short period of time, or can be administered
using a fractionated treatment protocol, in which the multiple
doses are administered over a more prolonged period of time. One
skilled in the art would know that the concentration of a
particular agent required to provide an effective amount to a
region or regions of angiogenesis associated with .alpha.5.beta.1
integrin expression in an individual depends on many factors
including the age and general health of the subject as well as the
route of administration, the number of treatments to be
administered, and the nature of the agent, including whether the
agent is an antibody, a peptide, or a non-peptide small organic
molecule. In view of these factors, the skilled artisan would
adjust the particular dose so as to obtain an effective amount for
efficaciously interfering with the specific binding of
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin with its ligand, thereby allowing either
for detection of the agent at a region of angiogenesis associated
with .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin expression for diagnostic purposes,
or for reducing or inhibiting such angiogenesis for therapeutic
purposes.
[0071] An agent useful for detecting or reducing or inhibiting
angiogenesis associated with .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin expression,
or a pharmaceutical composition thereof containing the agent, can
be used for treating any pathological condition that is
characterized, at least in part, by such angiogenesis. One skilled
in the art would know that the agent can be administered by various
routes including, for example, orally, or parenterally, including
intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, intraorbitally,
intracapsularly, intrasynovially, intraperitoneally,
intracisternally or by passive or facilitated absorption through
the skin using, for example, a skin patch or transdermal
iontophoresis. Furthermore, the agent can be administered by
injection, intubation, via a suppository, orally or topically, the
latter of which can be passive, for example, by direct application
of an ointment or powder containing the agent, or active, for
example, using a nasal spray or inhalant. The agent can also be
administered as a topical spray, if desire, in which case one
component of the composition is an appropriate propellant. The
pharmaceutical composition also can be incorporated, if desired,
into liposomes, microspheres or other polymer matrices
(Gregoriadis, Liposome Technology, Vol. 1 (CRC Press, Boca Raton,
Fla. 1984), which is incorporated herein by reference). Liposomes,
for example, which consist of phospholipids or other lipids, are
nontoxic, physiologically acceptable and metabolizable carriers
that are relatively simple to make and administer.
[0072] As disclosed herein, agents that interfere with
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin binding to its ligand can reduce or
inhibit angiogenesis associated with .alpha.5.beta.1 expression. In
addition to the exemplified agent antagonists, other such agents
can be identified by detecting agents that interfere
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin binding to its ligand. Thus, the invention
provides screening assays, which are useful for identifying an
agent that reduces or inhibits angiogenesis associated with
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin expression in a tissue.
[0073] A screening assay of the invention can be performed by
contacting a tissue exhibiting angiogenesis associated with
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin expression with an agent, and detecting a
reduction or inhibition of angiogenesis in the tissue, thereby
identifying an agent that reduces or inhibits angiogenesis
associated with .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin expression in a tissue. A
tissue can be contacted with the agent in vivo or ex vivo (see, for
example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,699). Where a screening method of the
invention is performed using an in vitro format, the can be adapted
to automated procedure, thus allowing high throughput screening
assays for examining libraries of molecules to identify potential
.alpha.5.beta.1 antagonists, which can reduce or inhibit
angiogenesis associated with .alpha.5.beta.1 expression. The tissue
can be any tissue that undergoes angiogenesis associated with
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin expression, for example, malignant
neoplastic tissue.
[0074] Methods for preparing libraries of molecules, which can be
screened using a method of the invention to identify
.alpha.5.beta.1 antagonists, which reduce or inhibit angiogenesis
associated with .alpha.5.beta.1 expression, including, for example,
oligonucleotide libraries (Gold et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,163);
peptide libraries (Koivunen et al., supra, 1993, 1994);
peptidomimetic libraries (Blondelle et al., Trends Anal, Chem.,
14:83-92 (1995)); oligosaccharide libraries (York et al., Carb.
Res., 285:99-128, (1996); Liang at al., Science, 274:1520-1522,
(1996); and Ding et al., Adv. Expt. Med. Biol., 376:261-269,
(1995)); lipoprotein libraries (de Kruif et al., FEBS Lett.,
399:232-236, (1996)); glycoprotein or glycolipid libraries
(Karaoglu et al., J. Cell Biol., 130:567-577 (1995)); or chemical
libraries containing, for example, drugs or other pharmaceutical
agents (Gordon et al., J. Med. Chem., 37:1385-1401 (1994); Ecker
and Crook, Bio/Technology, 13:351-360 (1995)), including, for
example, heterocycles having the general structure
(S)-2-phenylsulfonylamino-3-{{{8-(2-pyridinyl
aminomethyl)-}-1-oxa-2-azaspiro-{4,5}-dec-2-en-yl}carbonylamino}propionic
acid (U.S. Pat. No. 5,760,029). Libraries of diverse molecules also
can be obtained from commercial sources.
[0075] The following examples are intended to illustrate but not
limit the present invention.
Example I
.alpha.5.beta.1 Integrin is Expressed During Angiogenesis
[0076] This Example provides immunohistochemical evidence that
.alpha.5.beta.1 is expressed in association with newly formed blood
vessels in various human and mouse tumors.
[0077] Five .mu.m frozen sections of human normal breast and colon,
colon carcinoma, breast carcinoma, human tumor xenotransplants in
six week old CB17 female SCID mice (Charles River; Wilmington
Mass.), and in breast tumors from Mtag mice were fixed for 1 min in
acetone, air dried and rehydrated for 5 min in phosphate buffered
saline (PBS). Sections were blocked for 2 hr in 8% normal goat
serum in PBS and incubated with: 1) 5 .mu.g/ml anti-.alpha.5.beta.1
cytoplasmic tail polyclonal antibody (AB1928P; Pharmingen, Inc.;
San Diego Calif.) and 5 .mu.g/ml murine anti-human CD31 monoclonal
antibody (PECAM; MA-3100; Endogen); 2) 5 .mu.g/ml
anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 monoclonal antibody and 5 .mu.g/ml rabbit
anti-von Willebrand's factor antibody (016P; Biogenex; San Ramon
Calif.); or 3) 5 .mu.g/ml anti-fibronectin cell binding peptide
monoclonal antibody (784A2A6; Chemicon, Inc.; Temecula Calif.) and
5 .mu.g/ml anti-von Willebrand's factor antibody (016P), in 2%
bovine serum albumin (BSA) in PBS for 2 hr at room temperature
(RT).
[0078] Sections were washed by dipping in six fresh changes of PBS
and incubated in 1:400-1:600 dilutions of goat anti-rabbit-FITC and
in 1:400-1:600 goat anti-mouse-rhodamine for 1 hr at RT
(cross-absorbed secondary antibodies; Biosource International;
Camarillo Calif.). Slides were washed, and coverslips were mounted
in one drop of Fluoromount-G (Southern Biotechnology Associates;
Birmingham Ala.) prior to digital image analysis under fluorescent
illumination using a supercooled CCD camera.
[0079] Analysis of frozen sections of human colon carcinoma and
breast carcinoma for expression of the endothelial cell marker CD31
(PECAM) and integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 by two color
immunohistochemistry indicated that CD31 positive tumor vessels
(stained red) also were positive for integrin .alpha.5.beta.1
expression (stained green); vessels positive for both molecules
appeared yellow by photomicrography. Large vessels with lumens, as
well as large and small vessels without apparent lumens stained
positively for integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 and CD31. Sections of
ovarian and pancreatic carcinoma showed similar patterns of
integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 expression on blood vessels. In contrast,
CD31 positive blood vessels present in sections of normal human
colon and breast were negative for integrin .alpha.5.beta.1, as
were blood vessels in other normal adult tissues, including skin.
These results demonstrate that integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 expression
is upregulated on tumor vasculature and that the majority of blood
vessels in these tumor sections are positive for .alpha.5.beta.1
expression. The results further demonstrate that .alpha.5.beta.1 is
not significantly expressed on blood vessels in normal adult
tissues.
[0080] Tumor tissues also were stained with antibodies directed
against fibronectin (stained red) and von Willebrand's Factor
(stained green), which is another blood vessel marker. Examination
of frozen sections of breast carcinoma and colon carcinoma, as well
as normal human breast and colon indicated that the extracellular
matrix surrounding tumor vessels was positive for fibronectin
expression. In contrast, blood vessels in normal tissues expressed
little, any, fibronectin. Sections of ovarian and pancreatic
carcinoma showed similar patterns of fibronectin expression on
blood vessels.
[0081] Notably, the expression of integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 and its
ligand, fibronectin, were coordinately upregulated on many of the
same blood vessels within human tumor sections. These coordinate
expression of these molecules in human tumor tissues is indicative
of a possible functional interaction between these proteins.
Expression of integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 and fibronectin also were
observed on tumor vasculature in animal models of neoplasia,
including human M21L melanoma tumor xenotransplants in SCID mice
and spontaneous mammary tumors in the PyV mouse (see Guy et al.,
Mol. Cell. Biol. 12:954-961 (1992), which is incorporated herein by
reference, regarding PyV mouse model). Thus, significantly elevated
expression of integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 and fibronectin is
associated with the vasculature in spontaneous tumors and in
experimentally induced human and murine tumors compared to normal
tissues.
Example II
.alpha.5.beta.1 and Fibronectin are Required for Angiogenesis
[0082] This example demonstrates that fibronectin and the
fibronectin receptor integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 are involved in
angiogenesis in tumors and in growth factor stimulated
angiogenesis.
A. Methods
[0083] 1. Cell Adhesion Assay
[0084] HT29 integrin .alpha.5.beta.1.sup.+ cells, integrin
.alpha.5.beta.1.sup.- colon carcinoma cells (Varner et al., Mol.
Biol. Cell 6:725-740 (1995)), and chick embryo fibroblasts (CEF's)
were maintained in DMEM high glucose supplemented with 10% fetal
bovine serum (FBS) and gentamycin. Human umbilical vein endothelial
cells (HUVEC's) were maintained in M199 medium containing sodium
bicarbonate, HEPES, heparin, endothelial cell growth supplement,
20% FBS and gentamycin. Culture media and reagents were from Irvine
Scientific (Irvine, Calif.).
[0085] The wells of 48 well culture dishes (Costar, Inc.) were
coated with 1 .mu.g/ml vitronectin, 2 .mu.g/ml fibronectin (chick
embryo fibroblasts and HUVEC's) or 10 .mu.g/ml fibronectin
(HT29-.alpha.5+ cells) for 1 hr at 37.degree. C., then blocked with
2% heat denatured BSA in PBS for 1 hr. Fifty thousand cells in 250
.mu.l of adhesion buffer were added to triplicate wells containing
250 .mu.l of a solution of 50 .mu.g/ml of an anti-.alpha.5.beta.1
function blocking antibody (NKI-SAM-1, JBS5 or IIA1), 50 .mu.g/ml
of an anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 non-function blocking antibody (HA5 or
VC5; Pharmingen, Inc.; San Diego Calif.), 10 .mu.M cyclic peptides
(Koivunen et al., J. Biol. Chem. 268:20205-20210 (1993); Koivunen
et al., J. Cell Biol. 124:373380 (1994)), 0-10 .mu.M SJ749
((S)-2-{(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)
sulfonyl}amino-3-{7-benzyloxycarbonyl-8-(2-pyridinylaminomethyl)-1-oxa-2,-
7-diazaspiro-{4,4}-non-2-en-3-yl}carbonylamino}propionic acid)), 50
.mu.g/ml of LM609, an anti-.alpha.V.beta.3 function blocking
antibody, 50 .mu.g/ml P4C10, an anti-.beta.1 function blocking
antibody, 50 .mu.g/ml of an anti-fibronectin cell binding domain
monoclonal antibody or 50 .mu.g/ml of an anti-fibronectin
N-terminus monoclonal antibody in adhesion buffer (HEPES buffered
Hanks balanced salt solution, HESS, containing 1% BSA, 2 mM
MgCl.sub.2, 2 mM CaCl.sub.2 and 0.2 mM MnCl.sub.2).
[0086] Cells were allowed to adhere to dishes for min at 37.degree.
C. Nonadherent cells were removed by washing each well four times
with 500 .mu.l of warm adhesion buffer. Adherent cells were then
fixed for 15 min with 3.70 paraformaldehyde in PBS and stained with
a 2% crystal violet solution. After extensive water washing to
remove excess crystal violet, plates were dried overnight. Crystal
violet was extracted by incubation for 15 min in 10% acetic acid
and absorbance at 562 nm determined as an indicator of number of
cells bound. Each experiment was performed in triplicate, with
triplicate samples per condition. Data was presented as percent of
adhesion exhibited by the positive control (adhesion medium alone)
+/- standard error of measurement.
[0087] 2. Cell Migration Assays
[0088] The lower side of 8 .mu.m pore transwell inserts (Costar,
Inc.) were coated with 2 .mu.g/ml of fibronectin, collagen
(Collaborative Biomedical Products; Bedford Mass.) or no protein
for 1 hr and were blocked with 2% BSA in PBS for 1 hr. The inserts
then were placed into 24 well culture dishes containing 500 .mu.l
migration buffer in the lower chamber. Twenty-five thousand HUVEC's
in 50 .mu.l of migration buffer (HEPES buffered M199 medium
containing 1% BSA, 2 mM MgCl.sub.2, 2 mM CaCl.sub.2 and 0.2 mM
MnCl.sub.2) were added to the upper chamber of duplicate inserts
containing 50 .mu.l of a solution of 50 .mu.g/ml of
anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 function blocking antibody (NKI-SAM-1, JBS5 or
IIA1), 0.50 .mu.g/ml of anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 non-function blocking
antibody (HA5 or VC5), or 50 .mu.g/ml of LM609 (an
anti-.alpha.V.beta.3 function blocking antibody) in migration
buffer, or migration buffer alone.
[0089] Cells were allowed to migrate from the upper to the lower
chamber for 4 hr at 37.degree. C. Nonmigratory cells were removed
from the upper surface by wiping the upper side with an absorbant
tip, and cells that had migrated to the lower side of the transwell
insert were fixed for 15 min with 3.7% paraformaldehyde in PBS,
then stained with a 2% crystal violet solution. After extensive
water washing to remove excess crystal violet, the number of cells
that had migrated were counted in three representative high power
(200.times.) fields per insert. Data was presented as number of
cells migrating +/- standard error of measurement.
[0090] 3. In Ovo Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) Angiogenesis
Assay
[0091] Ten day old embryonated chicken eggs (McIntyre Poultry;
Ramona Calif.) were candled to illuminate blood vessels under the
shell and an area with a minimum of small blood vessels is
identified. The CAM was dropped away from the eggshell in this area
by grinding a small hole in the mineralized shell and applying
pressure to the underlying inner shell membrane. This procedure
caused an air pocket to shift from the wide end of the egg to the
identified area and forcing a circular region of the CAM
approximately 2 cm in diameter to drop away from the shell. A
window was cut in the egg shell and a cortisone acetate pre-treated
filter disc 5 mm in diameter that had been saturated in 1 .mu.g/ml
bFGF, VEGF, TNF.alpha., IL-8 (Genzyme, Inc.; Cambridge Mass.) or
saline was placed on the CAM. The window in the shell was sealed
with adhesive tape and the egg was incubated for four days.
[0092] A range of 0-25 .mu.g in 25 .mu.l of function blocking
anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 or a control non-function blocking
anti-.alpha.5.beta.1, 0-25 .mu.M in 25 .mu.l cyclic peptide
(CRRETAWAC; SEQ ID NO: 1) or scrambled control peptide (CATAERWRC;
SEQ ID NO: 2; Koivunen et al., J. Biol. Chem. 268:20205-20210
(1993); Koivunen et al., J. Cell Biol. 124:373380 (1994)), 0-25
.mu.M in 25 .mu.l of SJ749, an inactive control small molecule or
25 .mu.l of saline were applied to the growth factor saturated
filter 24 hours later. Anti-fibronectin antibodies (25 .mu.g in 25
.mu.l) also were applied topically to the CAM.
[0093] Fibronectin, vitronectin and fibronectin fragments (59 pmol
in a final volume of 25 .mu.l) were applied to stimulated or
unstimulated CAM's. Peptide or small molecule antagonists of
.alpha.5.beta.1 (at a final serum concentration of 0-25 .mu.M) also
were injected intravenously into the chick circulation 24 hr later.
CAM's were harvested on the fourth day of stimulation. Blood vessel
branch points in the 5 mm filter disk area were counted at
30.times. magnification in a blinded fashion as a size-independent
quantitative indicator of vascular sprouting in response to growth
factors. Angiogenesis is characterized by the sprouting of new
vessels in response to growth factors. Thus, counting of blood
vessel branch points is a useful quantitative means of obtaining an
angiogenic index (Brooks et al., In "Methods in Molecular Biology"
(Humana Press 1999). At least ten embryos were used per treatment
group. Each experiment was performed a minimum of three times.
[0094] Data was evaluated in terms of average number of blood
vessel branch points per treatment group +/- standard error of
measurement. Statistical analyses were performed using Student's
t-test. Representative CAMS from each treatment group were
photographed at 10.times. magnification. In some, cases, CAM tissue
excised from the egg was frozen in OCT (Baxter; McGraw Park Ill.)
in liquid nitrogen, cut into 5 .mu.m sections, air dried and
processed for immunohistochemical analysis as described in Example
I, except without fixation.
[0095] 4. Integrin Receptor Ligand Binding Assays
[0096] Integrin .alpha.V.beta.3 and .alpha.5.beta.1 receptor
purified from human placenta were obtained from Chemicon
International. Platelet integrin .alpha.IIb.beta.3 was purified
from platelets according to established procedures. Receptors were
coated (100 .mu.l/well) on Costar (3590) high capacity binding
plates overnight at 4.degree. C. Coating solution was discarded and
plates were washed once with blocking/binding (B/B) buffer (50 mM
Tris HCl, pH 7.4, 100 mM NaCl, 2 mM CaCl.sub.2, 1 mM MgCl.sub.2, 1
mM MnCl.sub.2 and 1% BSA).
[0097] One hundred ten microliters of B/B buffer was applied for 60
min at RT. Thirty .mu.l of biotinylated extracellular matrix
protein ligand (fibronectin for integrin .alpha.5.beta.1,
vitronectin for integrin .alpha.V.beta.3 and fibrinogen for
integrin .alpha.IIb.beta.3) plus 50 .mu.l of either SJ749 in B/B
buffer or B/B buffer alone were added to each well, and incubated
for 25 min at RT. Plates were washed twice with B/B buffer and
incubated 1 hr at RT, with anti-biotin alkaline phosphatase (100
.mu.l/well) in B/B buffer. Finally, plates were washed twice with
B/B followed by the addition of 100 .mu.l of phosphatase substrate
(1.5 mg/ml). Reaction was stopped by adding 2 N NaOH (25
.mu.l/well), and the developed color was read at 405 nm.
B. Results
[0098] 1. Antibody Specific for the Cell Binding Domain of
Fibronectin Inhibits Attachment and Migration of Cells Expressing
.alpha.5.beta.1 Integrin to Fibronectin In Vitro and Inhibits
Angiogenesis In Vivo in CAM's
[0099] Since fibronectin was localized to 5.beta.1-expressing blood
vessels in tumors and growth factor treated tissues, the effects of
fibronectin and of function blocking anti-fibronectin antibodies on
angiogenesis was evaluated.
[0100] An in vitro cell adhesion assay was used to determine,
first, whether an antibody directed against the central cell
binding domain peptide (anti-CBP antibody) or an antibody against
an N-terminal peptide of fibronectin (anti-NT antibody) of human
and chicken fibronectin inhibited cell adhesion to fibronectin. The
anti-CBP antibody significantly inhibited the adhesion to
fibronectin of integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 positive cells, including
.alpha.5.beta.1.sup.+ HT29 colon carcinoma cells, CEF's, and
HUVEC's. HUVEC adhesion was blocked 70+/-3% by the anti-CBP
antibody. In contrast, the anti-NT antibody was ineffective in
blocking cell adhesion to fibronectin. These results demonstrate
that the CBP domain of fibronectin is required for adhesion of
cells expressing .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin.
[0101] Function-blocking monoclonal antibody antagonists of
integrin .alpha.5.beta.1, but not control (non-function blocking)
anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin monoclonal antibodies, selectively
inhibited HT29 .alpha.5.sup.+ (100+/-6%), CEF (89.7+/-3.4%), and
HUVEC (72+/-2.5%) adhesion to fibronectin, but did not inhibit
attachment to vitronectin; however, LM609, an anti-.alpha.V.beta.3
specific antibody inhibited attachment of the cells to vitronectin.
These results demonstrate that .alpha.5.beta.1 binding to
fibronectin is required for adhesion .alpha.5.beta.1 expressing
cells to fibronectin.
[0102] As angiogenesis depends in part on endothelial cell
migration and invasion, the ability of anti-.alpha.5.beta.1
antibodies to block HUVEC migration also was evaluated. Migration
of HUVEC's on fibronectin was significantly inhibited (87+/-2%) by
function blocking antibodies directed against integrin
.alpha.5.beta.1, whereas this antibody did not affect endothelial
cell migration on other matrix proteins, including collagen. These
results demonstrate that .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin also is involved
in fibronectin mediated cell migration.
[0103] The roles of fibronectin and of .alpha.5.beta.1 on
angiogenesis was examined in vivo was examined using the CAM assay.
To assess the role of fibronectin in angiogenesis in vivo, CAM's
from ten day old embryos were stimulated with bFGF or VEGF.
Twenty-four hr later, anti-fibronectin antibodies were directly
applied to the CAM's, then, two days later, CAM's were excised and
blood vessels were quantified by counting vessel branch points.
[0104] The anti-CBP antibody inhibited the growth of new blood
vessels induced by bFGF by 75+/-10% (p=0.002), whereas the anti-NT
antibody had a only minimal effect (34+/-15% inhibition, p=0.02).
The anti-CBP antibody also inhibited VEGF angiogenesis by 71+/-7%
(p=0.02), as did the anti-NT antibody (89+/-17% inhibition,
p=0.035). In contrast to anti-fibronectin antibodies, function
blocking antibodies directed against vitronectin had no significant
effect on angiogenesis. These results indicate that the
cell-binding domain of fibronectin plays a critical role in
angiogenesis, and that the N-terminal domain of fibronectin also
may contribute to some angiogenesis.
[0105] To further demonstrate a specific functional association
between fibronectin and angiogenesis stimulation, fibronectin and
vitronectin were directly applied to the CAM's of ten day old
embryos in the presence or absence of growth factors. In the
absence of growth factor addition, neither fibronectin nor
vitronectin promoted angiogenesis. Equimolar amounts of intact
human fibronectin, a 120 kD fragment of fibronectin with the RGD
containing cell binding domain or a 40 kD C-terminal chymotryptic
fibronectin fragment which lacks the RGD containing cell-binding
domain (Chemicon; Temecula Calif.) were applied to bFGF stimulated
CAM's and angiogenesis was examined.
[0106] Intact fibronectin enhanced growth factor stimulated
angiogenesis at least 46+/-11% (p=0.04). The 120 kD cell binding
fragment of fibronectin also significantly enhanced angiogenesis
(65+/-p=0.05); in contrast, the 40 kD fragment of fibronectin had
no significant effect. Furthermore, anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin
antibodies reversed this process, demonstrating that
fibronectin-enhanced angiogenesis was dependent on integrin
.alpha.5.beta.1 activity (see below). Application of vitronectin to
bFGF stimulated CAM's had no effect on vessel number. Addition of
fibronectin or vitronectin to VEGF stimulated CAM's also did not
potentiate the angiogenic effect of VEGF. These results demonstrate
that fibronectin and the endothelial cell integrin .alpha.5.beta.1
have functional roles in growth factor-induced angiogenesis.
[0107] The ability of anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 antibodies to impact
growth factor-induced angiogenesis on the chick CAM also was
examined. Twenty-four hr after stimulating angiogenesis with bFGF,
anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 antibodies were directly applied to the growth
factor saturated filter disk or were injected intravenously into
the embryonic circulation. The antibody antagonists of integrin
.alpha.5.beta.1 blocked bFGF-induced angiogenesis on the CAM by at
least 88+/-6% (p=0.01), whereas control non-function blocking
anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 antibodies had no significant effect.
Applications of function-blocking or control anti-.alpha.5.beta.1
antibodies to unstimulated CAM's had no effect on the number or
integrity of blood vessels present within the application area.
Similarly, anti-.alpha.V.beta.3 antibody also blocked angiogenesis
induced by bFGF by 65+/-10% (p=0.008).
[0108] Distinct growth factors can induce selective pathways of
angiogenesis that activate or utilize distinct integrins. For
example, integrin .alpha.V.beta.3 participates in the bFGF and
TNF.alpha. pathways of angiogenesis, while .alpha.V.beta.5
participates in the VEGF and TGF.alpha. pathways. Accordingly, the
role of other integrins in growth factor induced angiogenesis was
examined further.
[0109] When angiogenesis was stimulated with TNF.alpha. or IL-8,
anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 antibodies blocked angiogenesis by an average
of 70.4+/-12% (p=0.04) and 85+/-4.8% (p<0.0001), respectively,
and, in some experiments anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 antibodies inhibited
TNF.alpha. and IL-8 angiogenesis by up to 99+/-5% (p=0.005).
Similarly, antibody antagonists of integrin .alpha.V.beta.3 blocked
TNF.alpha. and IL-8 angiogenesis by 93.6+/-6.2% (p=0.004) and
77+/-5.2% (p=0.0001), respectively. However, when angiogenesis was
induced with VEGF, antibody antagonists of integrin .alpha.5.beta.1
failed to block angiogenesis, whereas anti-.alpha.V.beta.5 antibody
blocked VEGF-induced angiogenesis by 99+/-0.1% (p=0.004). When
anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin and anti-.alpha.V.beta.3 integrin
antibodies were applied in combination to bFGF stimulated CAM's, no
additive or synergistic inhibitory effects were observed,
suggesting that these integrins participate in the same angiogenic
pathway.
[0110] These results demonstrate that an interaction of
.alpha.5.beta.1 integrin with the cell-binding domain of
fibronectin is involved in growth factor-induced angiogenesis in
vivo, and that an anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 antibody can interfere with
such angiogenesis. The results also indicate that integrin
.alpha.5.beta.1 regulates the same pathway of angiogenesis as does
.alpha.V.beta.3 and that this pathway is distinct from that
regulated by .alpha.V.beta.5.
[0111] 2. Peptide and Nonpeptide Small Organic Molecule
.alpha.5.beta.1 Antagonists Inhibit Attachment and Migration of
Cells Expressing .alpha.5.beta.1 Integrin to Fibronectin In Vitro
and Inhibit Angiogenesis In Vivo in CAM's.
[0112] The ability of peptide and nonpeptide small organic molecule
antagonists of .alpha.5.beta.1 integrin to interfere with cell
interactions with fibronectin and with growth factor induced
angiogenesis also was examined.
[0113] Non-antibody antagonists of integrin .alpha.5.beta.1
potently inhibited cell attachment to fibronectin. The selective
cyclic peptide antagonist of integrin .alpha.5.beta.1, CRRETAWAC
(SEQ ID NO: 1), significantly inhibited adhesion of .alpha.5.sup.+
HT29 colon carcinoma cells, CEF's and HUVEC's to fibronectin, but
not to vitronectin, whereas a "scrambled" control peptide
(CATAERWRC; SEQ ID NO: 2) had little effect on cell adhesion to
either fibronectin or vitronectin. CRRETAWAC (SEQ ID NO: 1), but
not the control peptide, also interfered with endothelial cell
migration on fibronectin, but not on other matrix proteins such as
collagen. The cyclic peptide antagonist of .alpha.5.beta.1 also
significantly blocked bFGF-induced angiogenesis (90+/-6%;
p<0.0001), whereas control peptides did not inhibit
angiogenesis. The peptide antagonists of integrin .alpha.5.beta.1
failed to block VEGF angiogenesis.
[0114] The .alpha.5.beta.1 selective nonpeptide small organic
molecule antagonist, SJ749, blocked the adhesion of these cells to
fibronectin in a concentration-dependent manner (half maximal
inhibitory concentration of 0.8 .mu.M for .alpha.5.sup.+ HT29
cells; FIG. 1), but was ineffective in blocking cell attachment to
vitronectin or other extracellular matrix ligands. SJ749 also
selectively inhibited ligand binding to .alpha.5.beta.1 and was
substantially less effective in blocking ligand binding to
.alpha.V.beta.3 and other integrins. The nonpeptide small organic
molecule antagonist of integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 also was highly
effective in blocking endothelial cell migration on fibronectin,
but not on other matrix proteins such as collagen. SJ749 also
blocked bFGF-induced angiogenesis on chick CAM's in a
dose-dependent manner when applied either topically or systemically
(FIG. 2), whereas control nonpeptide molecules did not inhibit
angiogenesis, even at the highest dose tested. Like the other
.alpha.5.beta.1 antagonists, SJ749 did not block VEGF
angiogenesis.
[0115] These results demonstrate that peptide and nonpeptide small
organic molecule antagonists of .alpha.5.beta.1 significantly and
selectively interfere with the function of human and chick
.alpha.5.beta.1, similarly to anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 antibodies. More
specifically, systemic administration of antibody, peptide and
nonpeptide small molecule antagonists inhibited growth
factor-induced angiogenesis with IC.sub.50's of approximately 5
.mu.g, 120 pmoles and 15 pmoles, respectively, per 2 ml blood
volume of the chick embryos. These results also confirm that the
fibronectin receptor integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 contributes to growth
factor angiogenesis on the CAM.
Example III
.alpha.5.beta.1 Antagonists Inhibit Growth Factor Induced
Angiogenesis in Human Skin in SCID Mice
[0116] This example demonstrates that .alpha.5.beta.1 antagonists
inhibit angiogenesis in human skin grown in SCID mice.
[0117] Engraftment of SCID mice with human skins was performed as
previously described (Brooks et al., J. Clin. Invest. 96:1815-1822
(1995)). SCID mice were engrafted with an 8 min.times.13 mm piece
of human neonatal foreskin. Fresh human neonatal foreskins were
obtained from the Cooperative Human Tissue Network of the National
Institutes of Health and were stored in RPMI-1640 medium
supplemented with 2% fetal bovine serum and 1% gentamicin.
[0118] Four weeks after engraftment, after the skin had completely
healed, 50 .mu.l of growth factor depleted matrigel (Becton
Dickenson; Bedford Mass.) reconstituted with 2 .mu.g/ml basic
fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), with 1 .mu.g/ml bFGF containing 25
.mu.g/ml anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 function blocking monoclonal antibody
or with 1 .mu.g/ml bFGF containing 25 .mu.g/ml non-function
blocking anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 monoclonal antibody was injected
intradermally in the center of each engrafted skin. Three days
later, the human skin was excised from the mouse. Boundaries were
easily observed since the human skin was pink and hairless; the
mouse skin was covered with white fur. The human skin was embedded
in freezing medium, frozen and sectioned. Sections were stained for
the presence of human blood vessels with anti-CD31, as described in
Immunohistochemical analyses of blood vessel densities. Data was
presented as mean CD31 positive blood vessel numbers per 100.times.
microscopic field, +/- standard error of measurement. Statistical
analyses were performed using Student's t-test.
[0119] Human neonatal foreskin engrafted onto SCID mice was
injected intradermally with growth factor depleted basement
membrane impregnated with bFGF in the presence or absence of the
function-blocking and control anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 antibodies.
Analysis of the human skin after three days for the presence of
human CD31 positive blood vessels. The addition of
function-blocking .alpha.5.beta.1 antibody selectively blocked
angiogenesis induced by the growth factor, and reduced the number
of CD31 positive blood vessels per high power field by 94+/-4.70
(P=0.006).
[0120] These results demonstrate that integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 has
a functional role in the angiogenic response to growth factors of
human blood vessels, and that an antagonist of .alpha.5.beta.1
binding can reduce or inhibit growth factor stimulated angiogenesis
in human skin.
Example IV
Antagonists, Inhibit Tumor Growth
[0121] This example demonstrates that .alpha.5.beta.1 antagonists
inhibit angiogenesis in human tumors in a CAM model system.
[0122] The chick CAM tumor assay was performed by placing ten
million tumor cells on the surface of a CAM, and culturing the
cells for one week. The resulting tumors were excised and cut into
50 mg fragments. These fragments were placed on additional CAM's
and treated topically the following day with 25 .mu.g in 25 .mu.l
of anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 or a control non-function blocking
anti-.alpha.5.beta.1, or systemically by intravenous injection with
a final serum concentration of 25 .mu.M cyclic peptides or 25 .mu.M
SJ7549 and 25 .mu.M scrambled control peptide or 25 .mu.M inactive
small molecule or 25 .mu.l of saline (blood volume of chick embryo
is approximately 2 ml). Forty-eight hours later, CAM's were excised
from the egg and the number of blood vessels entering the tumors
were counted (as vessel branch points).
[0123] Data was presented as mean blood vessel number per treatment
group (+/- standard error of measurement). Each treatment group
incorporated at least ten tumors per experiment. Representative
tumors were photographed at 10.times. magnification. Tumors were
excised from the egg and tumor weights were determined for each
tumor. Data was presented as mean tumor weight per treatment group
(+/- standard error of measurement). Statistical analyses were
performed using Student's t-test.
[0124] HT29 colon carcinoma cells lacking .alpha.5.beta.1
expression were grown on the CAM's of 10-day old embryos. These
tumor cells secrete several angiogenic growth factors, including
VEGF, TGF.alpha., TGF.beta., TNF.alpha., and IL-8 (Anzano et al.,
Cancer Res. 49:2898-2904 (1989); Varner et. al., supra, 1995; Ellis
et al., J. Biol. Chem. 273:1052-1057 (1998)). Integrin
.alpha.5.beta.1 negative tumor cells were used to distinguish the
potential anti-tumor effects from anti-vasculature effects of
integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 antagonists.
[0125] Treatment with function-blocking, but not control,
antibodies significant reduced (70+/-10%, p=0.02) the number of
tumor-associated blood vessels. No significant morphological or
quantitative difference was observed between saline and control
antibody treated tumors or their associated blood vessels.
Furthermore, treatment with function-blocking anti-.alpha.5.beta.1
antibodies resulted in tumor regression. Anti-.alpha.5.beta.1
treated tumors were 32% smaller than control treated tumors
(p=0.02).
[0126] Intravenous administration of cyclic peptide inhibitors of
integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 and nonpeptide small molecule inhibitors
of integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 also induced tumor regression on the
CAM, whereas control peptide or control nonpeptide treated tumors
continued to increase in size. Tumors treated with peptide and
nonpeptide inhibitors were 31% and 51% smaller than control treated
tumors, respectively (p=0.003). Tumor cells remained integrin
.alpha.5.beta.1 negative throughout the course of the experiment,
indicating that the anti-tumor effects were based on the targeting
of the tumor associated blood vessels.
[0127] The effect of .alpha.5.beta.1 antagonists on tumor
angiogenesis in .alpha.5.beta.1.sup.+ Hep 3 squamous carcinoma
cells also was examined. Treatment of the tumors with
function-blocking anti-.alpha.5.beta.1 resulted in tumor
regression, with the tumors being 45% smaller than control tumors
(p=0.046). No significant morphological or quantitative differences
were observed between saline and control antibody treated
tumors.
[0128] These results demonstrate that targeting vascular cell
integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 inhibits tumor angiogenesis and tumor
growth, and that antagonists of integrin .alpha.5.beta.1 are potent
inhibitors of tumor growth and tumor-induced angiogenesis.
[0129] Although the invention has been described with reference to
the examples provided above, it should be understood that various
modifications can be made with departing from the spirit of the
invention. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the
claims.
Sequence CWU 1
1
219PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic peptide 1Cys Arg Arg Glu Thr Ala
Trp Ala Cys1 529PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic peptide 2Cys Ala
Thr Ala Glu Arg Trp Arg Cys1 5
* * * * *