Genetic variations in angiopoietin and pericyte pathways and clinical outcome in patients with resected colorectal liver metastases
CANCER
Authors: Stremitzer, Stefan; Zhang, Wu; Yang, Dongyun; Ning, Yan; Stintzing, Sebastian; Sebio, Ana; Sunakawa, Yu; Yamauchi, Shinichi; Matsusaka, Satoshi; El-Khoueiry, Rita; Stift, Judith; Wrba, Friedrich; Gruenberger, Thomas; Lenz, Heinz-Josef
Abstract
BACKGROUNDGenes involved in the angiopoietin and pericyte pathways may become escape mechanisms under antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy. The authors investigated whether variations within genes in these pathways are associated with clinical outcome in patients with colorectal liver metastases who undergo liver resection and receive perioperative, bevacizumab-based chemotherapy. METHODSSingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 9 genes (angiopoietin-1 [ANGPT1]; ANGPT2; TEK tyrosine kinase, endothelial [TEK]; platelet-derived growth factor [PDGFB]; -type platelet-derived growth factor receptor [PDGFRB]; insulin-like growth factor 1 [IGF1]; transforming growth factor 1 [TGFB1]; RalA binding protein 1 [RALBP1]; and regulator of G-protein signaling 5 [RGS5]) were analyzed in samples of genomic DNA from 149 patients and were evaluated for associations with clinical outcome. RESULTSRALBP1 reference SNP 329007 (rs329007) A>G resulted in a significant difference in recurrence-free survival (A/A genotype, 14.0 months; A/G or G/G genotype, 9.2 months; hazard ratio [HR], 1.60; P=.024). PDGFB rs1800818 A>G was associated with 3-year overall survival rates (A/A genotype, 78%; A/G genotype, 69%; [HR 1.37]; G/G genotype, 53%; [HR 2.12]; P=.048). In multivariate analysis, RALBP1 rs329007 A>G remained significant (HR, 1.99; P=.002). PDGFB rs1800818 A>G and RALBP1 rs329007 A>G were correlated with radiologic response (A/A or A/G genotype, 86%; G/G genotype, 71% [P=.042]; A/A genotype, 78%; A/G or G/G genotype, 94% [P=.018], respectively). RALBP1 rs329007 A>G demonstrated significantly different rates of histologic response (A/A genotype: major histologic response, 35%; partial histologic response, 34%; no histologic response, 30%; A/G or G/G genotype: 46%, 13%, and 41%, respectively; P=.029). Recursive partitioning analysis revealed that ANGPT2 rs2442599 T>C and RALBP1 rs329007 A>G were the main SNPs that predicted histologic response and recurrence-free survival, whereas PDGFB rs1800818 A>G was the leading SNP that predicted overall survival. ANGPT2 rs2916702 C>T and rs2442631 G>A were significantly associated with the probability of achieving a cure. CONCLUSIONSThe current data suggest that variations in genes involved in the angiopoietin and pericyte pathways may be predictive and/or prognostic biomarkers in patients with resected colorectal liver metastases who receive bevacizumab-based chemotherapy. Cancer 2015;121:1898-1905. (c) 2015 American Cancer Society. Variations in genes involved in angiopoietin and pericyte pathways that may become escape mechanisms under antivascular endothelial growth factor-targeted therapy are investigated in a unique cohort of patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases who received perioperative bevacizumab-based chemotherapy and underwent liver resection in curative intent. Genetic variants in RALBP1, PDGFB, and ANGPT2 were associated with response, recurrence-free survival, overall survival, and the probability of achieving a cure and may serve as predictive and/or prognostic biomarkers in patients who are treated using a multidisciplinary approach.
Endothelial exocytosis of angiopoietin-2 resulting from CCM3 deficiency contributes to cerebral cavernous malformation
NATURE MEDICINE
Authors: Zhou, Huanjiao Jenny; Qin, Lingfeng; Zhang, Haifeng; Tang, Wenwen; Ji, Weidong; He, Yun; Liang, Xiaoling; Wang, Zongren; Yuan, Qianying; Vortmeyer, Alexander; Toomre, Derek; Fuh, Germaine; Yan, Minghong; Kluger, Martin S.; Wu, Dianqing; Min, Wang
Abstract
Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are vascular malformations that affect the central nervous system and result in cerebral hemorrhage, seizure and stroke. CCMs arise from loss-of-function mutations in one of three genes: KRIT1 (also known as CCM1), CCM2 or PDCD10 (also known as CCM3). PDCD10 mutations in humans often result in a more severe form of the disease relative to mutations in the other two CCM genes, and PDCD10-knockout mice show severe defects, the mechanistic basis for which is unclear. We have recently reported that CCM3 regulates exocytosis mediated by the UNC13 family of exocytic regulatory proteins. Here, in investigating the role of endothelial cell exocytosis in CCM disease progression, we found that CCM3 suppresses UNC13B- and vesicle-associated membrane protein 3 (VAMP3)-dependent exocytosis of angiopoietin 2 (ANGPT2) in brain endothelial cells. CCM3 deficiency in endothelial cells augments the exocytosis and secretion of ANGPT2, which is associated with destabilized endothelial cell junctions, enlarged lumen formation and endothelial cell-pericyte dissociation. UNC13B deficiency, which blunts ANGPT2 secretion from endothelial cells, or treatment with an ANGPT2-neutralizing antibody normalizes the defects in the brain and retina caused by endothelial-cell-specific CCM3 deficiency, including the disruption of endothelial cell junctions, vessel dilation and pericyte dissociation. Thus, enhanced secretion of ANGPT2 in endothelial cells contributes to the progression of CCM disease, providing a new therapeutic approach for treating this devastating pathology.