WMJ-S-001, a Novel Aliphatic Hydroxamate-Based Compound, Suppresses Lymphangiogenesis Through p38mapk-p53-survivin Signaling Cascade

• Published in: Frontiers in oncology 2019-11, Vol.9, p.1188-1188
• Main Authors: Huang, Shiu-Wen, Yang, Hung-Yu, Huang, Wei-Jan, Chen, Wei-Chuan, Yu, Meng-Chieh, Wang, Shih-Wei, Hsu, Ya-Fen, Hsu, Ming-Jen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: hydroxamate; lymphangiogenesis; lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs); Oncology; p38; p53; survivin
• ISSN: 2234-943X; 2234-943X
• DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01188

Background and purpose: Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are major routes for metastatic spread of tumor cells. It thus represent the rational targets for therapeutic intervention of cancer. Recently, we showed that a novel aliphatic hydroxamate-based compound, WMJ-S-001, exhibits anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. However, whether WMJ-S-001 is capable of suppressing lymphangiogenesis remains unclear. We are thus interested in exploring WMJ-S-001's anti-lymphangiogenic mechanisms in lymphatic endothelial cell (LECs). Experimental approach: WMJ-S-001's effects on LEC proliferation, migration and invasion, as well as signaling molecules activation were analyzed by immunoblotting, flow-cytometry, MTT, BrdU, migration and invasion assays. We performed tube formation assay to examine WMJ-S-001's ex vivo anti-lymphangiogenic effects. Key results: WMJ-S-001 inhibited serum-induced cell proliferation, migration, invasion in murine LECs (SV-LECs). WMJ-S-001 reduced the mRNA and protein levels of survivin. Survivin siRNA significantly suppressed serum-induced SV-LEC invasion. WMJ-S-001 induced p53 phosphorylation and increased its reporter activities. In addition, WMJ-S-001 increased p53 binding to the promoter region of survivin, while Sp1 binding to the region was decreased. WMJ-S-001 induced p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) activation. p38MPAK signaling blockade significantly inhibited p53 phosphorylation and restored survivin reduction in WMJ-S-001-stimulated SV-LCEs. Furthermore, WMJ-S-001 induced survivin reduction and inhibited cell proliferation, invasion and tube formation of primary human LECs. Conclusions and Implications: These observations indicate that WMJ-S-001 may suppress lymphatic endothelial remodeling and reduce lymphangiogenesis through p38MAPK-p53-survivin signaling. It also suggests that WMJ-S-001 is a potential lead compound in developing novel agents for the treatment of lymphangiogenesis-associated diseases and cancer.