<p> Blood supply is crucial for tumor growth and metastasis. However, current anti-angiogenic therapy is not as effective as predicted, thus a better understanding of the tumor angiogenic process and new anti-angiogenic agent are urgently required. Anthrax lethal toxin (LeTx) has an anti-angiogenic effect on tumors. Tumors treated with LeTx are smaller, paler, and have lower mean vessel density compared to control treated tumors. Most interestingly, compared to current anti-angiogenic treatment, LeTx does not cause normalization of tumor vessels. Instead, tumors treated with LeTx have massive hemorrhages, pointing to a potential alternative mechanism to inhibit tumor angiogenesis. I hypothesize that instead of causing “normalization” of tumor vasculature, LeTx’s anti-angiogenic effects works in a manner similar to a hemorrhagic toxins. To test this hypothesis, I compared the effect of LeTx to snake venom metalloproteinase, a known hemorrhagic toxin, in tumor vasculature. Quantified by Nuance multispectral imaging system, both LeTx and SVMP caused an increase in tumor hemorrhage. Futher analysis of vasculature integrity using continued vessel length showed disruption of vessels by LeTx and SVMP. With these results, I conclude that the anti-angiogenic effects of LeTx are due to its hemorrhagic nature, and not due to normalization of tumor vasculature. Further understanding of LeTx mechanism can help design novel anti-angiogenic agent that compliments current therapy.</p><p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:10973827 |
| Date | 31 October 2018 |
| Creators | Kuk, Chiu Ying |
| Publisher | Van Andel Research Institute |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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