Title:Novel Action and Mechanism of Auranofin in Inhibition of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3-Dependent Lymphangiogenesis
Volume: 14
Issue: 7
Author(s): Xiaodong Chen, Huanjiao Jenny Zhou, Qunhua Huang, Lin Lu and Wang Min
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Auranofin, lymphangiogenesis, thioredoxin reductase, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3.
Abstract: Auranofin is a gold compound initially developed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Recent data suggest that auranofin
has promise in the treatment of other inflammatory and proliferative diseases. However, the mechanisms of action of auranofin have not
been well defined. In the present study, we identify vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR3), an endothelial cell (EC)
surface receptor essential for angiogiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, as a novel target of auranofin. In both primary EC and EC cell
lines, auranofin induces downregulation of VEGFR3 in a dose-dependent manner. Auranofin at high doses (≥1 µM) decreases cellular
survival protein thioredoxin reductase (TrxR2), TrxR2-dependent Trx2 and transcription factor NF-κB whereas increases stress signaling
p38MAPK, leading to EC apoptosis. However, auranofin at low doses (≤0.5 µM) specifically induces downregulation of VEGFR3 and
VEGFR3-mediated EC proliferation and migration, two critical steps required for in vivo lymphangiogenesis. Mechanistically, we show
that auranofin-induced VEGFR3 downregulation is blocked by antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and lysosome inhibitor
chloroquine, but is promoted by proteasomal inhibitor MG132. These results suggest that auranofin induces VEGFR3 degradation
through a lysosome-dependent pathway. Auranofin may be a potent therapeutic agent for the treatment of lymphangiogenesis-dependent
diseases such as lymphedema and cancer metastasis.
