Essen, Univ., Diss., 2002. / Computerdatei im Fernzugriff.

Essen, Univ., Diss., 2002. / Computerdatei im Fernzugriff.

Investigations on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and serotonin (5-HT), molecules stored in platelet granules, imply their potential effects in regulating megakaryopoiesis, which also intimates the existence of an autocrine and/or paracrine loop constructed by megakaryocytes/platelets and their granular constituents. In addition, numerous reports indicate that melatonin, a derivative from serotonin effectively enhances platelet counts in patients with thrombocytopenia. However, their exact roles on human megakaryocytes and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Present studies showed that PDGF, like thrombopoietin (TPO), significantly promoted platelet recovery and the formation of bone marrow colony-forming unit-megakaryocyte (CFU-MK) in an irradiated-mouse model. An increased number of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells and a reduction of apoptosis were found in the bone marrow aspirate. In the M-07e apoptotic model, PDGF had a similar anti-apoptotic effect as TPO on megakaryocytes. Our findings demonstrated that PDGF activated the PI3-k/Akt signaling pathway, while addition of imatinib mesylate reduced p-Akt expression. Our findings suggested that the PDGF-initiated radioprotective effect is likely to be mediated via PDGF receptors (PDGFRs) with subsequent activation of the PI3-k/Akt pathway. We also provide a possible explanation that blockade of PDGFR may reduce thrombopoiesis and play a role in imatinib mesylate-induced thrombocytopenia. We explored how serotonin regulated megakaryopoiesis and proplatelet formation. Our results indicated that serotonin (5-HT) significantly promoted CFU-MK formation and reduced apoptosis on megakaryocytes through phosphorylation of Akt. These effects were attenuated by addition of ketanserin, a 5-HT2 receptor inhibitor. In addition, serotonin was able to stimulate the F-actin reorganization in megakaryocytes through activating the p-Erk1/2 expression. Bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are important in regulating megakaryopoiesis through stimulating the release of thrombopoietic growth factor, such as TPO. Our studies suggested that when activated by serotonin, bone marrow MSCs were induced to release significant amount of TPO. Furthermore, thousands of membrane-derived microparticles (MPs) arose from MSCs and the TPO RNA/proteins contained within MPs were also considerably increased under serotonin treatment. In summary, our findings demonstrated an important role serotonin played on megakaryopoiesis. This effect was likely mediated via 5HT2 receptors with subsequent activation of Akt and Erk 1/2 phosphorylation, which led to survival of megakaryocytes and proplatelet formation. Serotonin also stimulated TPO released from MSCs in both dissociative and MP-encapsulated form, which indirectly promoted megakaryopoiesis. The effects of melatonin on megakaryopoiesis were also determined in our studies. Our findings showed that melatonin enhanced proliferation and reduced doxorubicin-induced toxicity on MKs. We further demonstrated the mechanism for melatonin-mediated protection on MKs maybe via repair of G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and inhibition of cell apoptosis on MK cells. The effects of melatonin on megakaryopoiesis were also determined in our studies. Our findings showed that melatonin enhanced proliferation and reduced doxorubicin-induced toxicity on MKs. We further demonstrated the mechanism for melatonin-mediated protection on MKs maybe via repair of G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and inhibition of cell apoptosis on MK cells. / published_or_final_version / Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Ulm, Univ. Diss., 2006.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2004. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

"February 2002." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 171-209). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

A successful therapy for colorectal cancer (CRC), one of the most common malignancies worldwide, requires the greatest possible research effort. Of critical importance is an understanding of the relevant intracellular networks of signaling cascades, their activation, and the resulting cellular changes that are a prerequisite for a more successful CRC therapy. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the appropriate VEGF receptors represent molecular targets that have already been successfully implemented in the clinic (i.e. using monoclonal antibodies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors). However, for platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) and the relevant PDGF receptors, there are currently no clinically approved molecular therapeutics available. However, there are preliminary data to show that PDGF and its associated signaling pathways play an important role in CRC progression. In particular, the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is emerging as an important intracellular partner of PDGF with which to control proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis in tumor cells. Therefore it was the objective of this work to investigate the multifactorial influence of PDGF on proliferation and metabolism, depending on CRC mutation status. The intention was to identify new therapeutic targets for future cancer therapy through analyses of PDGF-induced intracellular changes. For this purpose two human colorectal cancer cell lines were analyzed at gene and/or protein level for components of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and MAPK signaling pathway, c-Myc, p53, and HIF1α (hypoxia-inducible-factor 1α). Changes in proliferation and metabolism, either during stimulation with PDGF and/or PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibition, were also investigated. Experiments conducted at protein level during PDGF stimulation and/or PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibition revealed changes in signaling pathways and crosstalk. The influence of the tumor suppressors (retinoblastoma, Rb), oncogenes (c-Myc, p53mut), and HIF1α during stimulation with PDGF, and their interactions in the tumor cell with respect to proliferation and glycolysis warrant further examination in terms of clinical treatment options. Investigations at the gene level of ex vivo samples (UICC I-IV) complete the study with regards to the clinical relevance of PDGF. PDGF stimulation increases tumor cell proliferation in HT29 cells via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway rather than the MAPK pathway. However, if the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is pharmacologically blocked, PDGF stimulation is mediated by inhibitory crosstalk through the MAPK pathway. Further analyses revealed that specific Akt inhibition impedes tumor cell growth, while PI3K inhibition had little effect on proliferation. Inhibitory crosstalk was found to be responsible for these different effects. Careful intervention strategies are therefore required if future therapies intend to make use of these specific signaling pathways. One aim of future research should be to gain a better understanding of the crosstalk between these signaling pathways. In this fashion, “over-inhibition” of the signal pathways, which would result in additional clinical side effects for patients, could be prevented. In late stage UICC, more mutation events occur, with tumorigenicity promoted by an increased mutation rate. Given that PDGF is increasingly expressed in the late UICC stages, our data would indicate that PDGF's effects are amplified with increasing malignancy. The activating effect of PDGF on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and subsequent changes in the activity of p53mut, Rb, c-Myc, and HIF1α, lead to an unfavorable prognosis for colon cancer patients. PDGF acts on colon cancer cells in an Akt-activating, glycolysis-dependent manner. PDGF increases glycolysis and the ability of CRC cells to adjust their energy metabolism. These activities should be taken as possible starting points with which to design therapeutic interventions for CRC therapy. PDGF, as another representative of the growth factor family, seems to play a similar role to VEGF in CRC. The data from this study underline the importance of the PDGF - PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway-axis and its potential as a possible target in colorectal cancer. Thus PDGF represents an attractive therapeutic target, besides the VEGF/EGFR-based therapies already used in CRC. / Die erfolgreiche Therapie von Darmkrebs, eine der häufigsten malignen Erkrankungen weltweit, erfordert den größtmöglichen Forschungsaufwand. Von entscheidender Bedeutung ist das Verständnis der maßgeblichen intrazellulären Vernetzungen der Signalkaskaden, deren Aktivierung und die daraus resultierenden zellulären Veränderungen als Vorrausetzung einer erfolgreicheren Darmkrebstherapie. Der Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) und die entsprechenden VEGF Rezeptoren stellen molekulare Ziele dar, die im Kolorektalkarzinom bereits erfolgreich in die Klinik implementiert wurden (wie zum Beispiel monoklonale Antikörper oder Tyrosinkinaseinhibitoren). Für den Wachstumsfaktor Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) und den entsprechenden PDGF Rezeptoren stehen jedoch noch keine klinisch zugelassenen molekularen Therapeutika zu Verfügung. Allerdings zeigen erste Daten, dass PDGF und seine zugehörigen Signalwege auch eine wichtige Rolle in der Tumorprogression spielen. Insbesondere der PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signalweg kristallisiert sich als wichtiger intrazellulärer Partner von PDGF heraus, um die Proliferation, Migration und Angiogenese in Tumorzellen zu steuern. Deshalb war es Ziel dieser Arbeit, den multifaktoriellen Einfluss von PDGF auf die Proliferation und den Metabolismus, abhängig vom Mutationsstatus, im CRC näher zu untersuchen. Neue therapeutische Angriffsziele für eine zukünftige Tumortherapie sollen durch Analyse der PDGF-bedingten intrazellulären Veränderungen gefunden werden. Hierfür wurden zwei humane Kolorektalkarzinom Zelllinien auf Gen- und/oder Proteinebene auf Komponenten des PI3K/Akt/mTOR- und des MAPK-Signalwegs, auf c-Myc, p53 und HIF1α (Hypoxia-inducible-factor 1α) analysiert. Ferner wurden Änderungen der Proliferation und des Metabolismus jeweils unter Stimulation mit PDGF bzw. PI3K/Akt/mTOR Inhibition untersucht. Durchgeführte Proteinuntersuchungen unter PDGF Stimulation bzw. PI3K/Akt/mTOR Inhibition offenbarten Veränderungen in den Signalwegen und des Crosstalks. Auch die Beeinflussung der Tumor Suppressoren (Retinoblastoma, Rb), Onkogenen (c-Myc, p53mut) und HIF1α unter PDGF Stimulation und deren Zusammenspiel in der Tumorzelle hinsichtlich Proliferation und Glykolyse rechtfertigen im Hinblick auf klinische Therapiemöglichkeiten weitere Untersuchungen. Die Genuntersuchung von ex vivo Gewebeproben (UICC I-IV) komplettieren die Untersuchung unter Beachtung der klinischen Relevanz von PDGF. Die PDGF Stimulation steigert die Tumorzellproliferation in den HT29 Kolonkarzinom Zellen über den PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signalweg anstatt über den MAPK Signalweg. Allerdings wird die Stimulation mit PDGF durch den inhibitorischen Crosstalk über den MAPK Signalweg vermittelt, sollte der PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signalweg durch pharmakologische Inhibition blockiert sein. Die weitergehende Analyse hat gezeigt, dass eine spezifische Akt Inhibition das Tumorzellwachstum hemmt, während eine PI3K Inhibition kaum Einfluss auf die Proliferation besitzt. Der inhibitorische Crosstalk ist für diese unterschiedlichen Effekte verantwortlich. Sorgfältige Interventionsstrategien sind daher erforderlich, wenn man diese spezifischen Signalwege zukünftig therapeutisch ausnutzen möchte. Daher sollte ein besseres Verständnis der Crosstalks zwischen diesen Signalwegen Ziel zukünftiger Forschung sein. Auf diese Weise könnte auch eine „Über-Inhibition“ der Signalwege verhindert werden, die zusätzliche klinische Nebenwirkungen für die Patienten zur Folge hätte. In den späten UICC Stadien treten vermehrt Mutationen auf, die die Kanzerogenität mit steigender Mutationsrate fördert. Angesichts der Tatsache, dass PDGF in den späten UICC Stadien verstärkt exprimiert wird, deuten unsere Daten darauf hin, dass die Effekte von PDGF die erhöhte Malignität verstärken. Der aktivierende Effekt von PDGF auf den PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signalweg und nachfolgende Aktivitätsänderungen von p53mut, Rb, c-Myc und HIF1α führen zu einem ungünstigen Verlauf bei Patienten mit Kolorektalkarzinom. PDGF wirkt auf Darmkrebszellen in einer Akt- aktivierenden, Glykolyse-abhängigen Art und Weise. PDGF steigert die Glykolyse und die Fähigkeit der kolorektalen Karzinomzellen, ihren Energiemetabolismus unter PDGF Stimulation anzupassen. Diese Aktivitäten sollten als mögliche therapeutisch nutzbare Ausgangspunkte verwendet werden, um Therapieansätze für das kolorektale Karzinom zu entwerfen. PDGF, als weiterer Vertreter aus der Familie der Wachstumsfaktoren, scheint eine vergleichbare Rolle wie VEGF im kolorektalen Karzinom zu spielen. Die Daten dieser Studie unterstreichen die Wichtigkeit der PDGF - PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signalwegsachse und deren Potential für ein mögliches Angriffsziel im kolorektalen Karzinom. PDGF stellt somit ein interessantes therapeutisches Ziel neben der bereits genutzten VEGF/EGFR – basierten Therapie im kolorektalen Karzinom dar.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Univ., 2004. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Univ., 2003. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.