| CD73 facilitates tumor growth by upregulation of the adenosine (immunosuppressive
factor) in the tumor microenvironment, however, its precise molecular
mechanisms is not precisely understood. Regarding the importance of angiogenesis
in tumor development and spreading, we decided to assign the anti-angiogenic
effects of CD73 suppression.We used chitosan lactate (ChLa) nanoparticles (NPs) to
deliver CD73-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) into cancer cells. Our results
showed that treatment of the 4T1 cells with CD73-specific siRNA-loaded NPs led to
potent inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and cell cycle arrest, in vitro. This
growth arrest was correlated with downregulation of angiogenesis-related
molecules including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, VEGF-R2,
interleukin (IL)-6, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. Moreover, administration
of NPs loaded with CD73-siRNA into 4T1 breast cancer-bearing mice led to tumor
regression and increased mice survival time accompanied with downregulation of
angiogenesis (VEGF-A, VEGF-R2, VE-Cadherin, and CD31) and lymphangiogenesis
(VEGF-C and LYVE-1)-related genes in the tumor site. Furthermore, the expression
of angiogenesis promoting factors including IL-6, TGF-β, signal transducer, and
activator of transcription (STAT)3, hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α, and cyclooxygenase
(COX)2 was decreased after the CD73 suppression in mice. Moreover,
analysis of leukocytes derived from the tumor samples, spleen, and regional lymph
nodes showed that they had lower capability for secretion of angiogenesis
promoting factors after CD73-silencing. These results indicate that suppression of
tumor development by downregulation of CD73 is in part related to angiogenesis
arrest. These findings imply a promising strategy for inhibiting tumor growth
accompanied with suppressing the angiogenesis process. |