Biomedical subjects

S A Rabbani

Publications and source records attributed to S A Rabbani.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

Induction of parathyroid hormone-related peptide by the Ras oncogene: role of Ras farnesylation inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents for hypercalcemia of malignancy.

Parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHRP) is the major causal agent in the syndrome of malignancy-associated hypercalcemia (MAH). Several studies have shown that PTHRP production is increased in response to growth factors and oncogenes, such as Tpr-Met, that are associated with the tyrosine kinase signaling pathway. Using site-directed mutagenesis of Tpr-Met and chemical inhibitors of phosphotidylinositol-3 kinase and Ras isoprenylation, we demonstrated previously that induction of PTHRP is mediated via the Ras signaling pathway. In the present study, we have directly investigated the role of the Ras oncogene in MAH. As a model system, we used Fisher rat 3T3 fibroblasts stably transfected with a Ras oncogene (Ras-3T3). Ras transfection enhanced PTHRP production 5-10-fold in these cells, and inoculation of this cell line into nude mice led to the development of hypercalcemia within 2 weeks. We used this system to evaluate the effect of a potent inhibitor of Ras processing, B-1086, on cell growth, PTHRP production, plasma calcium, and tumor growth. Treatment of Ras-3T3 cells in vitro with B-1086 at 0.1-10 microg/ml produced a significant reduction in PTHRP mRNA expression and PTHRP secretion and a significant decrease in cell proliferation. Treatment in vivo of BALB/c/nu/nu mice bearing Ras-3T3 tumors with B-1086 resulted in a significant inhibition in tumor growth. In addition, this treatment produced near normalization of serum Ca2+, a significant decrease in plasma PTHRP, and a reduction in tumoral PTHRP mRNA levels. These results show that the Ras pathway is involved in PTHRP production by tumors, identifies Ras as a potential target for treatment of MAH, and demonstrates Ras processing inhibitors as candidate therapeutic agents against this syndrome.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

PubMed1997

Prevention of breast cancer growth, invasion, and metastasis by antiestrogen tamoxifen alone or in combination with urokinase inhibitor B-428.

Urokinase (urokinase plasminogen activator, uPA) and its cell surface receptor (uPA receptor, uPAR) play an important role in a variety of physiological and pathological processes requiring cell migration and tissue remodeling. Using our syngeneic model of uPAR overexpression by the rat breast cancer cell line Mat B-III, we have examined the ability of the nonsteroidal antiestrogen, tamoxifen (TAM), and of a selective synthetic inhibitor of uPA, 4-iodo benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxamidine (B-428), to inhibit expression of uPA and uPAR as well as cell growth, invasion, and metastasis of wild-type Mat B-III cells and of cells overexpressing uPAR (Mat B-III-uPAR). Both TAM and B-428 inhibited uPAR gene transcription, mRNA expression, protein production and also decreased the proliferative and invasive capacity of Mat B-III and Mat B-III-uPAR. The effects of TAM and B-428 were more pronounced when these agents were tested in combination. Both control and experimental cells (1 x 10(6) cells) were inoculated orthotopically into the mammary fat pad of syngeneic female Fisher rats, and animals were infused i.p. with either TAM and B-428 alone or in combination for 2 weeks. Control animals receiving vehicle alone developed large tumors and macroscopic metastases to lungs, liver, and lymph nodes. In contrast to this, experimental animals receiving TAM and B-428 showed a significant decrease in primary tumor volume and metastases. Combination therapy had especially marked effects in blocking progression of the primary tumor in experimental animals inoculated with highly aggressive Mat B-III-uPAR cells. These results underscore the utility of anti-proteolytic agents (B-428) in addition to standard hormone therapy (TAM) in advanced breast cancer patients where the uPA/uPAR system plays a key role in tumor progression.

Amidines↗

PubMed1997

Expression and characterization of recombinant rat parathyroid hormone-related peptide (1-141) and an amino-terminally-truncated analogue (38-141).

We have synthesized and purified recombinant parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP (1-141)) and PTHrP (38-141) using an E. coli system that requires minimal purification. The cDNAs encoding PTHrP (1-141) and PTHrP (35-141) respectively were inserted into the multiple cloning site of the pTrcHis-B bacterial expression plasmid. The PTHrP encoded sequences were thereby fused at their NH2-termini to six histidine residues within the fusion protein. The recombinant plasmids were transfected into E. coli cells and PTHrP synthesis was induced by addition of 1 mM isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) at 37 degrees C. The recombinant fusion proteins were purified by binding of the histidine residues to a nickel column followed by gradient elusion and dialysis. PTHrP (1-141) was released from its fusion protein by cyanogen bromide cleavage, whereas PTHrP (38-141) was released by enzymatic digestion with enterokinase. This rapid isolation method resulted in pure PTHrP (1-141) and (38-141) as judged by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and NH2-terminal sequence analysis. PTHrP (1-141) stimulated cAMP accumulation and mobilized intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) in UMR106 osteoblast-like cells, and stimulated phosphate transport in OK/E renal cells, whereas PTHrP (38-141) was inert in these bioassays. Availability of PTHrP and its NH2-terminally truncated analogue, which lacks the sequence necessary for its hypercalcemic actions, will enable their biological activities to be examined in greater detail.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Induction in human osteoblastic cells (SaOS2) of the early response genes fos, jun, and myc by the amino terminal fragment (ATF) of urokinase.

Previous studies have demonstrated that overexpression of urinary plasminogen activator (uPA) in rat prostate cancer cells results in increased skeletal metastases, which are primarily of the osteoblastic variety. The osseous activation induced by the metastases appears to be mediated through the amino terminal fragment (ATF) of uPA, which lacks the catalytic domain and can act as a growth factor for osteoblasts. To explore further the mechanism of action of uPA in bone cells, we evaluated the effects of ATF on modulating the expression of various proto-oncogenes. Human-osteoblast-derived osteosarcoma cells, SaOS2, were treated with graded doses of ATF for 10-120 min, and effects on early response proto-oncogenes were monitored. ATF increased c-myc, c-jun, and c-fos gene expression in a time-dependent manner for up to 60 min, after which mRNA levels fell. The maximum induction was seen in c-fos gene expression, which was found to be dose dependent. This effect of ATF was localized to its growth-factorlike domain. Examination of the half life of these transcripts in the presence of the transcriptional inhibitor actinomycin D demonstrated that ATF does not alter the stability of c-fos mRNA in these bone cells. Nuclear run-off assays indicated that ATF effects were due to stimulation of c-fos gene transcription. An increase in c-fos protein levels was correlated with the augmentation of its mRNA in ATF-treated SaOS2 cells. Pretreatment of SaOS2 cells with the protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin and recombinant soluble uPA receptor (uPAR) caused a significant reduction in the ability of ATF to induce c-fos expression. These results demonstrate a novel role for uPA in activating early response proto-oncogenes, in particular c-fos, which plays an important role in bone cell growth and differentiation and may be a key factor in the signal transduction pathway of ATF.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator and its receptor during ovarian follicular development.

Although tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) are believed to be involved in the biochemical cascade leading to extracellular matrix degradation during ovulation, the presence and possible role of urokinase-type PA (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR) in follicular wall remodeling during follicular development are poorly understood. In the current studies, we have examined their presence in the rat ovary and compared the changes in both uPA and uPAR expression with those of tPA and PAI-1 during follicular growth in vivo. The presence of these proteins in various follicular cells at different stages of maturation was evaluated by immunolocalization and ELISA. Abundance of respective messenger RNA in granulosa cells from preantrallearly antral, midantral and preovulatory follicles and the residual ovaries was determined by Northern blot analysis. Whereas uPA transcript and protein levels were highest at the earliest stage of follicular growth examined and decreased markedly before the expected time of ovulation, the opposite was true for uPAR. In addition, tPA and PAI-1 messenger RNA abundance and protein contents were low in both granulosa and residual ovarian tissue during early follicular development but increased thereafter, reaching highest levels at the preovulatory period. These findings demonstrate for the first time the presence of uPAR in ovarian follicles and its developmental expression. The coincidental rise in uPAR and PAI-1 proteins during the preovulatory period may be important for the regulation of extracellular matrix remodelling before ovulation. The reciprocal expression of uPA and tPA during follicular development are consistent with the notion that these proteases have different biological functions in the ovary, i.e. tPA is involved in follicular wall remodelling before ovulation whereas uPA is important in extracellular matrix degradation during cell proliferation and migration that accompany follicle growth.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Overexpression of urokinase receptor in breast cancer cells results in increased tumor invasion, growth and metastasis.

We have examined the role of urokinase receptor (uPAR) in tumor invasion and metastasis by developing a homologous model of uPAR overexpression in a rat breast cancer cell line (Mat B III) using gene transfer technique. Control (pRc-CMV) and experimental plasmid (pRc-uPAR-S) were transfected into Mat B III cells by using Lipofectin reagent. Levels of uPAR production were accessed by Northern blotting, immunofluorescence, receptor binding and ELISA. At least 3 experimental clones (pRc-uPAR-S), expressing 3- to 5-fold higher levels of uPAR than control (pRc-CMV), were selected for further analysis. Experimental cells overexpressing uPAR showed a 4-to 5-fold higher invasive capacity compared with control cells in a Boyden chamber invasion assay. Both control and experimental cells (1 x 10(6) cells) were injected into the mammary fat pad of syngeneic female Fischer rats. Animals were sacrificed at timed intervals and evaluated for the development of tumor growth and metastasis. Animals receiving cells overexpressing uPAR had significantly larger tumor volume and weight throughout our study. Furthermore, due to increased uPAR expression, experimental animals developed large metastatic lesions in liver, spleen and lymph nodes. Our results therefore demonstrate the role of uPAR in tumor progression, due to its ability to localize uPA within the tumor cell milieu.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1996

Increased PTHRP production by a tyrosine kinase oncogene, Tpr-Met: role of the Ras signaling pathway.

We have used the Tpr-Met oncogene as a model to examine signaling pathways of growth factors and tyrosine kinase oncogenes that can increase parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHRP) production. PTHRP production in Tpr-Met transfected cells, when assessed by Northern blot analysis and radioimmunoassay, was increased four- to eightfold. Treatment of these cells with the transcriptional inhibitor actinomycin D and nuclear run-off assays showed that the major cause of increased PTHRP mRNA was enhanced gene transcription. To analyze the intracellular signaling molecules involved in PTHRP production, stable cell lines expressing a Tyr489 Phe mutant of the Tpr-Met oncoprotein were examined. The mutant fails to activate phosphatidylinositol (PI)-3 kinase or associate with the Grb-2 adaptor protein and caused a significant reduction in PTHRP production. Treatment of wild-type Tpr-Met transfected cells with wortmannin, a PI-3 kinase inhibitor, had no effect on PTHRP production; however, treatment of these cells with lovastatin, an inhibitor of p21ran isoprenylation, significantly reduced PTHRP expression. These results show that PTHRP is a downsteam target of the Tpr-Met oncogene and indicate that the PTHRP stimulating activity is mediated via the Ras signaling pathway.

1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase↗

PubMed1995

Prevention of prostate-cancer metastasis in vivo by a novel synthetic inhibitor of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA).

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) is a serine protease associated with tissue remodeling, cellular invasiveness, matrix degradation and tumor growth. Over-expression of uPA by the rat prostate-cancer cell line Dunning R3227, Mat LyLu, results in increased tumor metastasis to several non-skeletal and skeletal sites. Histological examination of these skeletal lesions has shown them to be primarily osteoblastic. In the present study we examined the capacity of a selective inhibitor of uPA enzymatic activity, 4-iodo benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxamidine (B-428), to prevent the development of tumor growth and invasiveness in a syngeneic model of rat prostate cancer using a Dunning R3227 cell line over-expressing rat uPA. Male Copenhagen rats were inoculated s.c. with experimental cells into the right flank and continuously infused i.p. with either vehicle alone or uPA inhibitor for 2 to 3 weeks. Animals were killed at timed intervals and evaluated for the development of tumor growth and metastasis. Serum from these animals was collected to examine any signs of nephrotoxicity. Control animals receiving vehicle alone developed large tumors at the site of inoculation as well as macroscopic metastases in the lungs, kidney, spleen and lymph nodes. In contrast, experimental animals receiving uPA inhibitor showed a marked decrease in primary tumor volume and weight as well as in the development of tumor metastases. The occasional tumor metastases observed after infusion of B-428 were significantly smaller than those observed in vehicle controls. These effects of B-428 were found to be dose-dependent without any adverse effects on the renal function of experimental animals. These studies demonstrate that uPA-specific inhibitors can decrease primary tumor volume and invasiveness as well as metastasis in a model of prostate cancer where uPA has been implicated as a major pathogenetic factor.

Amidines↗

PubMed1995

Inhibition of processing of parathyroid hormone-related peptide by anti-sense furin: effect in vitro and in vivo on rat Leydig (H-500) tumor cells.

To attain full biological activity, the precursor pro-parathyroid hormone-related peptide (ProPTHRP) must be converted to the mature peptide PTHRP. We have examined the effect of inhibiting expression of the pro-hormone convertase furin in H-500 rat Leydig tumor cells on PTHRP production and action in vitro and in vivo. H-500 Leydig tumor cells were stably transfected with a mammalian expression plasmid containing furin cDNA in an anti-sense orientation. This resulted in inhibition of endogenous furin mRNA expression and of protein production as assessed by immunocytochemistry. These experimental cells secreted extended NH2-terminal PTHRP forms with reduced adenylate cyclase-stimulating activity. This was associated with a marked decrease in the proliferation of these tumor cells in vitro. Transfected and control cells were then implanted into male Fischer rats. Animals implanted with control cells became hypercalcemic. In contrast, animals implanted with experimental cells maintained near normal levels of plasma calcium. Experimental cells inoculated in vivo developed into tumors of significantly decreased volume compared to control cells and animal survival time was prolonged. Our results indicate that alteration of the processing of PTHRP can diminish the hypercalcemic endocrine actions of PTHRP and can reduce autocrine/paracrine effects of PTHRP on tumor cell growth both in vitro and in vivo. Furin may also exert a broader role in processing other factors required for tumor proliferation. Consequently, anti-sense modulation of furin activity may be a potential modality for understanding the mechanism of neoplastic growth and progression.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Induction of urinary plasminogen activator by retinoic acid results in increased invasiveness of human prostate cancer cells PC-3.

Overproduction of uPA by prostate cancer cells in vivo results in tumor invasiveness and osteoblastic skeletal metastasis due to its mitogenic actions in osteoblasts. In the present study we have examined the effect of several growth factors and steroid hormones on regulating uPA gene expression in the human prostate cancer cell line (PC-3). Treatment of these cells with dexamethasone (Dex) caused a decrease, whereas epidermal growth factor (EGF) and fetal bovine serum (FBS) increased uPA expression in a dose-dependent manner. Trans retinoic acid (RA) also induced uPA mRNA and protein production in a dose-dependent manner (10(-6) to 10(-9) M). This increase was seen as early as 2 hr of treatment until 48 hr. Dex treatment resulted in decreased tumor cells invasiveness, whereas exposure to EGF and RA caused an increase in the invasive capacity of PC-3 cells. These studies should help to better understand the control mechanism of uPA expression in prostate cancer, where uPA has been implicated as a major pathogenetic factor.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1995

Processing of pro-PTHRP by the prohormone convertase, furin: effect on biological activity.

We have examined the conversion of parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHRP) from its NH2-terminally extended precursor pro-PTHRP. Within pro-PTHRP, an amino acid sequence exists that can serve as a substrate for the prohormone convertase, furin. To evaluate the potential role of furin in processing of this entity, we expressed pro-PTHRP in COS-7 cells, which normally produce this enzyme. Transiently transfected COS-7 cells secreted high levels of PTHRP into conditioned culture medium. Cotransfection of these cells with antisense furin cDNA resulted in marked inhibition of furin mRNA expression and secretion of an NH2-terminal fragment of pro-PTHRP, which comigrated with synthetic pro-PTHRP-(-12-->+36) on gel-permeation high-pressure liquid chromatography. In an adenylate cyclase bioassay, condition medium containing this fragment and synthetic pro-PTHRP-(-12-->+36) both exhibited lower potency than synthetic PTHRP-(1-36) and conditioned medium containing PTHRP produced by COS-7 cells in the absence of antisense furin. These results demonstrate the capacity of furin to convert pro-PTHRP to a more active product and suggest a role for this enzyme in the normal intracellular processing of this hormone.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

Coordinated expression of the vitronectin receptor and the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor in metastatic melanoma cells.

Integrin alpha v beta 3 is a marker of progression in malignant melanoma. Previously we reported that human melanoma cells derived from regional lymph node metastases had increased alpha v beta 3-mediated adhesion to lymph node vitronectin. In the present study, the expression and function of alpha v beta 3 were further investigated with emphasis on the functional relationship between alpha v beta 3 and the urokinase-type plasminogen activator system of proteolysis. We found that metastases-derived melanoma MeWo LNI 6I (6I) and MIM/8 LNI cells had a markedly increased expression of alpha v mRNA transcripts relative to the parent lines which was reflected in significantly elevated levels of the alpha v beta 3 heterodimers on the cell surface. These cells also expressed elevated levels of urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) mRNA and had higher levels of surface bound urokinase plasminogen activator as detected by immunolabeling. To determine whether the expression of uPAR and alpha v were linked, alpha v synthesis in the metastatic melanoma cells was suppressed using alpha v antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotides. This resulted in a marked decrease in detectable alpha v mRNA and protein and a corresponding substratum-specific reduction in cell adhesion to vitronectin. When uPAR expression in these cells was subsequently analyzed, we found a reduction of approximately 50% in uPAR mRNA levels. On the other hand, ligation of the alpha v beta 3 receptor on the melanoma cells by immobilized antibody resulted in a twofold increase in uPAR mRNA. The results suggest that the expression of uPAR in metastatic melanoma cells is linked to the expression and function of the vitronectin receptor.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Regulation in vivo of the growth of Leydig cell tumors by antisense ribonucleic acid for parathyroid hormone-related peptide.

PTH-related peptide (PTHrP) has been shown to be the major mediator of hypercalcemia of malignancy, but may also exert effects on cell growth and differentiation. The Leydig cell tumor H-500, when implanted in Fischer rats, produces abundant PTHrP and eventually causes the death of the host animal. In the present study we have used antisense RNA technology to block the effects of PTHrP in H-500 Leydig tumor cells in vivo. The full-length rat PTHrP complementary DNA encoding amino acid -36-->141 was subcloned as an EcoRI-BglII insert in the antisense orientation into the mammalian expression vector pRc/CMV to produce the plasmid pRc-PAS. This plasmid was then stably transfected into the H-500 Leydig tumor cells with a Lipofectin reagent. After selection with the neomycin derivative G-418, a stable cell line, H-500-PTHrP-AS, was obtained which showed 80% inhibition of endogenous PTHrP messenger RNA compared to wild-type or vector-only transfected H-500 cells. Conditioned culture medium from these experimental cells showed a marked decrease in PTHrP immunoreactivity and in the ability of the medium to stimulate adenylate cyclase in UMR-106 rat osteosarcoma cells. Furthermore, inhibition of PTHrP production resulted in a significant increase in the doubling time of the H-500 cells. Transfection of the experimental plasmid into Rat-2 fibroblasts, which do not produce PTHrP, had no effect on cell growth. Control and experimental cells were then implanted sc into male Fischer rats. Animals were killed at timed intervals, and their tumor volumes were determined. Experimental animals receiving cells transfected with antisense PTHrP plasmid showed near-normal levels of plasma calcium and decreased expression of tumoral PTHrP messenger RNA. These animals also showed a 30-70% lower tumor volume during the course of the experiment compared to control animals. These studies have demonstrated that PTHrP can play a role as a promoter of tumor growth in vitro and in vivo.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Urokinase overproduction results in increased skeletal metastasis by prostate cancer cells in vivo.

We previously reported that urokinase (uPA) is produced by the human prostate cancer cell line, PC-3, and could function as a growth factor for cells of the osteoblast phenotype. To examine the role of uPA in metastasis to the skeleton and to extraskeletal sites, we have developed a homologous model of uPA overexpression in a rat prostate cancer cell line. Full length cDNA encoding rat (r) uPA was isolated and subcloned as a 1.4-kilobase XbaI-BspHI fragment in the sense and antisense orientation into the Moloney murine leukemia retroviral vector pYN. The control (pYN) and experimental (pYN-ruPA, pYN-ruPA-AS) plasmids were transfected into Dunning R 3227, Mat LyLu rat prostate carcinoma cells. Experimental clones expressing at least 5-fold higher (pYN-ruPA) or 3-fold lower (pYN-ruPA-AS) than controls were selected, and control and experimental cells were inoculated into the left ventricles of inbred male Copenhagen rats. Animals were sacrificed at timed intervals to examine the evolution of metastatic lesions. Control animals developed metastases to the lumbar vertebrae resulting in spinal cord compression and hind limb paralysis at 20-21 days postinoculation. Animals inoculated with cells overexpressing uPA developed hind limb paralysis significantly earlier (by day 14-15 postinoculation). Additionally, more widespread skeletal (ribs, scapula, and femora) metastases were seen. Serum from experimental animals showed a progressive elevation in alkaline phosphatase levels, and histological examination of lumbar metastases revealed markedly increased osteoblastic activity over that observed in control animals. In contrast to this, animals inoculated with cells underexpressing uPA developed hind limb paralysis significantly later (days 25-29 postinoculation) and displayed decreased tumor metastasis. These studies support a role for the catalytic domain of uPA in enhancing both skeletal and nonskeletal prostate cancer invasiveness and are consistent with a role for the growth factor domain of uPA in mediating an osteoblastic skeletal response.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Isolation and characterization of multiple isoforms of the rat urokinase receptor in osteoblasts.

A rat urokinase receptor (uPAR) cDNA fragment was amplified by RT-PCR from RNA of the rat osteoblastic cell line CFK-1. Using this DNA species as a hybridization probe two rat uPAR cDNAs were isolated from a CFK-1 cDNA library. These two cDNAs encode an identical uPAR protein except for a single base mutation which results in the substitution of cysteine to serine at amino acid 71 in one variant. PCR analysis of rat genomic DNA revealed the presence of an additional uPAR arising from alternate splicing which is expressed in a variety of tissues. These studies provide the tools for examining uPAR function in fibrinolysis, tumor invasion and metastasis in the rat and for identifying the mechanism of species specificity in uPA actions.

Alternative Splicing↗

PubMed1993

Biosynthesis and processing of endogenous parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHRP) by rat Leydig cell tumor H-500.

We have examined in vitro the biosynthesis and processing of endogenous PTHRP in cultured rat H-500 Leydig tumor cells. Cells were grown to confluence and pulse labeled with [3H]Ile, 50 microCi/mL, in Ile free culture medium for 2 min to 6 h. In some experiments incubations were carried out in culture medium alone in the presence of 0.3 mM cycloheximide or 20 micrograms/mL unlabeled Ile. Cell extracts and culture media were analyzed by affinity chromatography employing an antibody directed against the bioactive NH2-terminal region, PTHRP(1-34), followed by gel-permeation or reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Incorporation of [3H]Ile into PTHRP in cell extracts increased over 20 min during pulse labeling and then remained constant throughout the incubation period up to 6 h. In contrast, the release of [3H]PTHRP into culture medium increased progressively over 6 h. Addition of cycloheximide or unlabeled Ile almost completely blocked incorporation of [3H]Ile into newly synthesised PTHRP. Three molecular forms of PTHRP were seen which comigrated with PTHRP(1-36), PTHRP(1-86), and PTHRP(1-141) standards in both chromatographic systems employed. After 20 min these species comprised approximately 63%, 30%, and 7% of newly synthesized PTHRP, respectively. These three molecular forms of PTHRP were observed both intra- and extracellularly, and no further metabolism of these species was seen after release into conditioned medium. Pulse-chase studies demonstrated a rapid decrease of newly synthesized PTHRP forms within cells after 20 min; there was, however, a progressive increase in [3H]PTHRP in conditioned culture medium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1993

A vitamin D analogue (EB1089) inhibits parathyroid hormone-related peptide production and prevents the development of malignancy-associated hypercalcemia in vivo.

We have examined the effects of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25[OH]2D3) and a low calcemic analogue EB1089 on parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHRP) production and on the development of hypercalcemia in Fischer rats implanted with the Leydig cell tumor H-500. Leydig cell tumors were implanted subcutaneously into male Fischer rats, which received constant infusions intraperitoneally of either 1,25(OH)2D3 (50-200 pmol/24 h), EB1089 (50-400 pmol/24 h), or vehicle for up to 4 wk. A control group of animals received similar infusions without tumor implantation. Plasma calcium, plasma levels of immunoreactive iPTHRP, and tumor PTHRP mRNA levels were determined as well as tumor size, animal body weight, and animal survival time. Non-tumor-bearing animals receiving > 50 pmol/24 h of 1,25(OH)2D3 became hypercalcemic, whereas no significant change in plasma calcium was observed in animals receiving < or = 200 pmol/24 h of EB1089. Tumor-bearing animals receiving vehicle alone or > 50 pmol/24 h of 1,25(OH)2D3 became severely hypercalcemic within 15 d. However, animals treated with low dose 1,25(OH)2D3 and all doses of EB1089 maintained near-normal or normal levels of plasma calcium for up to 4 wk. Additionally, reduced levels of tumor PTHRP mRNA and of plasma iPTHRP were observed compared with controls in both vitamin D- and EB1089-treated rats. Infusion of 50 pmol/24 h of 1,25(OH)2D3 and 200 pmol/24 h of EB1089 significantly reduced tumor volume by the end of experiment. The analogue but not 1,25(OH)2D3 substantially prolonged survival time in tumor-bearing animals with longer survival achieved at the highest dose, 400 pmol/24 h, of EB1089. These studies demonstrate that 1,25(OH)2D3 and a low calcemic vitamin D analogue are potent inhibitors of PTHRP production in vivo. Low calcemic analogues may therefore represent important alternative therapy for malignancy-associated hypercalcemia.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Regulation of parathyroid hormone-related peptide production in vitro by the rat hypercalcemic Leydig cell tumor H-500.

The transplantable rat Leydig cell tumor H-500 is known to cause hypercalcemia in vivo by the release of abundant PTH-related peptide (PTHRP) and to closely reproduce the human syndrome of malignancy-associated hypercalcemia. In the rat only a single messenger RNA species of 1.4 kilobases is expressed which encodes a peptide of 141 amino acid as the sole molecular form. We have examined in cultured rat Leydig tumor cells H-500, the capacity of multiple factors to regulate PTHRP messenger RNA expression and secretion. Both fetal bovine serum and epidermal growth factor stimulated PTHRP gene expression and secretion into conditioned culture medium. Dexamethasone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 produced inhibition of PTHRP gene expression and secretion. Furthermore, in these testicular cells, after 12 h or more of incubation, testosterone produced a dose-dependent (10(-9)-10(-7) M) inhibition of PTHRP production. No significant difference in this inhibitory response was seen between testosterone and its 5 alpha-reduced metabolite dihydrotestosterone whereas 17 beta-estradiol, progesterone, LH, FSH, and PRL were ineffective. An androgen receptor antagonist Win 49596 blocked the androgen-mediated inhibition of PTHRP gene expression and secretion, but not that due to dexamethasone. Epidermal growth factor caused an increase, whereas androgen caused a decrease in PTHRP gene transcription. These studies demonstrated that growth factors, dexamethasone, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 are broadly active regulatory agents of PTHRP production which cross species and tissue barriers. Testosterone may be a more selective modulator which can regulate PTHRP in tissues such as Leydig cell neoplasms which express the androgen receptor.

Androgen Receptor Antagonists↗