Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:3.4.21.73 (urokinase-type plasminogen activator)
 10,685 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Prognostic variables in breast cancer are urgently needed to individualize adjuvant cytotoxic therapy, especially in those patients where metastases in the lymph nodes have not been detected (node-negative disease). So far histomorphological criteria, the determination of receptors for steroid hormones or EGF (epidermal growth factor), the protease cathepsin D or DNA-ploidy are used to distinguish between low- and high-risk patients. High-risk patients have a higher incidence of recurrences and/or shorter overall survival after surgery of the primary tumour than low-risk patients. High-risk patients (node-positive; hormone-receptor-negative) would receive adjuvant hormone therapy or chemotherapy. In the node-negative patient, adjuvant therapy is only recommended if a high content of cathepsin D and aneuploidy of the tumour (or high S-phase in diploid tumours) has been diagnosed. Determination of cathepsin D in tumour extracts as a variable in breast cancer patients is based on the fact that invasion and metastasis is correlated with elevated levels of tumour-associated proteases such as cathepsins B and D, collagenase IV and plasminogen activators. The urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) which is secreted by tumour cells as an enzymatically inactive proenzyme (pro-uPA) seems to play a key role in mediating tumour cell invasion in cancer tissues. Receptor-bound uPA converts enzymatically inactive plasminogen into the serine protease plasmin which then degrades the extracellular matrix surrounding the tumour cells (tumour stroma). We localized pro-uPA/uPA immunohistochemically in paraffin-embedded formalin-fixed breast cancer tissue sections. Pro-uPA/uPA was detected in the cytoplasm and on the plasma membrane of the tumour cells reflecting receptor-bound pro-uPA/uPA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Tumour-associated fibrinolysis: the prognostic relevance of plasminogen activators uPA and tPA in human breast cancer. 213 50

Three human tumor cell lines, Bowes' melanoma, HT1080 and Osmond cells, were characterized for their ability to invade the amniotic membrane and their production of plasminogen activator. Bowes' melanoma cells, which release large amounts of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), were poorly invasive on the amniotic membrane. The addition of plasmin inhibitors, anti-tPA antibody or tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) to the amnion assay enhanced invasiveness. The depletion of plasminogen from the growth medium also enhanced the degree of invasiveness. Similarly, HT1080 cells, which produce high levels of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), were poorly invasive under standard conditions but invasion was enhanced by plasmin inhibitors or anti-uPA antibodies. Conversely, Osmond cells, which produce low levels of uPA, were very invasive on the amniotic membrane. Invasion by these cells was blocked by the addition of plasmin inhibitors or anti-uPA antibodies to the amnion assay. These results suggest that invasion requires only a minimum level of PA activity and that, as PA production exceeds this optimal level, the degree of invasion decreases. We propose that high levels of plasmin, generated by the tPA or uPA secreted by the cells, may cause uncontrolled matrix degradation and interrupt the interaction of cells and matrix in the early stages of invasion. The inhibition of excessive plasmin activity may stabilize and increase cell matrix contacts and result in an enhancement of invasion.
Int J Cancer 1990 Jul 15
PMID:Bimodal relationship between invasion of the amniotic membrane and plasminogen activator activity. 214 42

Extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by bovine corneal endothelial cells was used to investigate the role of the plasminogen activator/plasmin system in the degradation of ECM by human squamous cell carcinoma (SqCCs) and human foreskin epidermal cells (HFEC). SqCCs caused an 8- to 34-fold greater solubilization of 3H-glucosamine-labeled ECM than HFEC. This action in SqCCs was dependent upon the presence of acid-treated serum, indicating that tumor-associated proteinases were sensitive to the inhibitory action of acid-labile proteinase inhibitors present in the serum. SqCC mediated digestion of radiolabeled ECM was decreased by 14- to 55-fold in plasminogen depleted serum, and the addition of 100 micrograms/mL of purified human plasminogen resulted in up to a 30-fold increase in the degradation of the ECM. Inhibitors of this proteinase system and murine monoclonal antibodies (MAb) specific for human urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) decreased the SqCC mediated digestion of radiolabeled ECM in a concentration dependent manner. SqCCs exhibited 10- to 30-fold higher extracellular uPA levels than HFEC, as assayed by substrate hydrolysis, zymography, micro-ELISA, western analysis, and northern analysis. These findings reflect the differential ability of these cell types to degrade the ECM. In addition, immuno-cross-reactive plasminogen activator inhibitor type I (PAI type 1) and type II (PAI type 2) were identified in cell-free conditioned medium produced by both tumor cells and normal epidermal cells, using a micro-ELISA assay. Indirect immunofluorescence flow cytometry, employing MAbs directed against uPA, detected the presence and localization of uPA on the SqCC cell surface. These findings were specific for uPA, since cell surface associated tissue plasminogen activator was not detected in these cell types under analogous conditions. In addition, partially purified SqCC plasma membrane preparations exhibited 2- to 10-fold higher uPA-like activity than HFEC, as determined by zymography. The findings support the concept that the plasminogen activator system is important in the breakdown of ECM by SqCCs and suggest that regulatory mechanisms involved in this proteolytic system may be important targets for chemotherapeutic intervention to limit tumor cell invasion and metastasis.
Cancer Commun 1990
PMID:Plasminogen activator mediated degradation of subendothelial extracellular matrix by human squamous carcinoma cell lines. 214 33

Two human breast epithelial cell lines (HBL-100, HMT-3522) of non-malignant origin and six (MCF-7, T47-D, ZR-75-1, CAMA-1, BT-20, HMT-3909) of malignant origin have been studied to evaluate whether in vitro invasion and/or secretion of urokinase-type plasminogen activator are related to tumorigenicity in athymic nude mice. Only the six cell lines of malignant origin were tumorigenic. Two of these were invasive in the in vitro assay. These two cell lines were oestrogen receptor negative. Three of the other four cell lines of malignant origin contained oestrogen receptors. The two cell lines of non-malignant origin were neither tumorigenic nor invasive. Thus tumorigenicity was correlated to malignant origin of the cell line whereas invasiveness in vitro was a property of the most undifferentiated cell lines of tumor origin. Secretion of urokinase-type plasminogen activator was neither correlated to tumorigenicity nor to invasion in vitro nor to malignancy of tissue origin.
Eur J Cancer 1990
PMID:Relationship between tumorigenicity, in vitro invasiveness, and plasminogen activator production of human breast cell lines. 214 97

Plasmin formation is an important and complex process in vivo. It involves two enzymes, two inhibitors, the substrate and specific receptors. Plasmin formation, dependent on the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), is discussed in its biochemical, regulatory and physiological aspects and its involvement in cancer malignancy analysed. The role of cell surface plasminogen activation in the processes of extracellular matrix degradation, basement membrane dissolution and cancer invasiveness and metastasis is now established in a variety of model systems. The ability of cells to produce plasmin on their surface, due to the presence of uPA and plasminogen receptors, is at the basis of the regulation of the plasminogen activating system in vivo. Synthesis, activity and localization of each component can be individually regulated thus providing the system with an enormous flexibility.
Semin Cancer Biol 1990 Apr
PMID:Urokinase-dependent cell surface proteolysis and cancer. 215 34

Components of coagulation and fibrinolysis reactions were identified in situ by immunohistochemical staining in fresh frozen sections of small cell carcinoma of the lung tissue. Tumor cells stained positively for tissue factor, a protein that is capable of activating the extrinsic pathway of coagulation (the components of which have been seen within small cell carcinoma of the lung [SCCL] tissue), and for proteins C and S antigens. Fibrin was seen in a focal distribution at the host-tumor interface, indicating that thrombin had acted upon the fibrinogen found throughout the tumor stroma. Staining with a neoepitope-specific antibody, which does not discriminate between fibrinogen fragment D and fibrin fragment D-dimer, was similar to that of the fibrin antibody. High molecular weight urokinase-type and tissue-type plasminogen activators were seen in vascular endothelium, but neither existed within the tumor. Low molecular weight urokinase was found in rare isolated foci of tumor cells primarily adjacent to areas of necrosis. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-3 occurred in tumor cell cytoplasmic blebs and in necrotic tumor cells, but plasminogen activator inhibitors 1 and 2 were not seen. Our data suggest a mechanism for thrombin generation and fibrin formation within SCCL tissues that could support cell proliferation, stroma formation, and preservation. These features could be conductive to perpetuation of this tumor and conceivably could form the basis of the beneficial effects of antithrombotic therapy seen in SCCL.
Cancer 1990 Feb 01
PMID:Abnormal regulation of coagulation/fibrinolysis in small cell carcinoma of the lung. 215 29

Using B16 F10 murine melanoma cells and sublines generated from the JB/MS melanoma which exhibit various degrees of melanogenesis, the relationships among differentiation, tumorigenicity, and metastatic potential were examined. The effect of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), which specifically stimulates differentiation of melanocytes, was also studied. All melanoma lines tested were capable of growing as experimental pulmonary metastases but, surprisingly, the undifferentiated and amelanotic JB/MS-w cells failed to grow as primary subcutaneous tumors. JB/MS-w cells, which had few surface MSH receptors, did not respond to MSH with an increase in melanin production, unlike the other cell lines. Although in vitro treatment with MSH did not change the rates of growth of primary tumors by these cell lines, such treatment decreased the number of pulmonary metastases from B16 F10, JB/MS cells, JB/MS-b1 cells and JB/MS-w cells. Conversely, MSH treatment significantly increased the rates of pulmonary metastases from JB/MS-p cells. The expression of surface melanoma antigens, urokinase-type plasminogen activity and susceptibility to natural killer cells were examined. MSH did not significantly alter surface melanoma antigen expression, but increased the natural killer cell susceptibility of B16 F10, JB/MS and JB/MS-b1 cells, cells which possess abundant surface MSH receptors. There was an inverse correlation between differentiation (pigmentation) and proliferation in vitro, and the more pigmented melanoma cells (B16 F10, JB/MS and JB/MS-b1) expressed relatively lower levels of class-I MHC, relatively higher levels of class-II MHC and the highest metastatic capacity. These results demonstrate that MSH possesses the capacity to regulate not only melanogenesis, but also other factors critical to the metastatic growth of the cells.
Int J Cancer 1990 Jun 15
PMID:Differentiation and the tumorigenic and metastatic phenotype of murine melanoma cells. 216 2

Several urokinase-expressing tumor cells display surface receptors that avidly bind the plasminogen activator. The present study was undertaken to determine the importance of receptor bound urokinase in promoting the invasive phenotype by cultured colon cancer cells. An HCT 116 cell line that elaborates urokinase and displays 11 x 10(4) receptors per cell, 57% of which are tagged with endogenous plasminogen activator, invaded extracellular matrix (Matrigel) in a plasminogen dependent manner. Matrigel invasion was contingent on plasmin production mediated by urokinase, since epsilon-aminocaproic acid diminished the invasive capacity of the HCT 116 cells by 75%. A specific urokinase receptor peptide-antagonist reduced cell invasion in a dose dependent manner with a maximum effect (78% reduction in tumor cell infiltration) being achieved with a 10(-4) M concentration. These results did not reflect a non-specific "shut down" of urokinase expression by the receptor antagonist insofar as steady state urokinase transcript levels were unchanged compared with untreated controls. In addition, LH-RH, a control peptide, failed to suppress Matrigel invasion by HCT 116 cells. The CBS and FET colon cancer cell lines, which secrete amounts of urokinase similar to HCT 116 cells and display one tenth of the receptor number were found to be poorly invasive. Over a three day period, less than 0.8% of these cells invaded the Matrigel in contrast to the 6.9% seen for HCT 116 cells. These data suggest that for cultured colon cancer cells, at least, the display of receptor bound urokinase was a prerequisite for plasminogen dependent invasion.
Cancer Commun 1990
PMID:Invasion of extracellular matrix by cultured colon cancer cells: dependence on urokinase receptor display. 216 13

The amino terminal portion of urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA) interacts with a cell surface binding protein/receptor that recognizes a region of the molecule autonomous from that of the catalytic domain of the enzyme, which mediates the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin. The expression of cell surface uPA receptors (uPA-Rs) and their association with uPA have been implicated in cellular invasion and tissue destruction. Treatment of A431 squamous carcinoma cells (SqCC) with epidermal growth factor (EGF) has previously been shown to result in an induction of the synthesis and extracellular accumulation of uPA and the plasminogen-dependent proteolysis of extracellular matrix (ECM). Regulation of cell membrane associated uPA activity by EGF and its influence on uPA-R expression in A431 cells, which possess an unusually large number of EGF-R (greater than 10(6)), and in an EGF-R expression variant (A431/A5), which contains 20-fold fewer cell surface EGF-R, were assessed. Exposure to 5-50 ng/mL of EGF for 24 hr enhanced uPA activity 2- to 3-fold in partially purified membrane preparations derived from A431 cells in a concentration dependent manner. In contrast, no changes in tissue type plasminogen activator (tPA) activity were detected under similar conditions. A431/A5 cell membrane preparations did not exhibit such an EGF mediated response. In accord with EGF enhanced uPA activity, a 2-fold increase in immunoreactive cell surface associated uPA was observed in A431 cells using indirect immunofluorescence staining. The increase in cell surface uPA produced by exposure to EGF required protein synthesis and could be blocked by cycloheximide.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Cancer Commun 1990
PMID:Regulation of human squamous cell carcinoma plasma membrane associated urokinase plasminogen activator by epidermal growth factor. 216 31

Twenty-two silicone rubber apheresis catheters were placed into the subclavian veins of 18 cancer patients to allow serial leukapheresis for collection of circulating hematopoietic stem cells. The tips of the catheters were placed in the innominate vein to avoid reinfusion of citrate into the right atrium and the resulting tendency to cardiac arrhythmias. Sixteen catheters were placed without prophylactic anticoagulation. Anticoagulation was prematurely discontinued in one patient because of the inconvenience of the portable heparin infusion pump. Six of these 17 catheters developed venographically proven thrombotic complications and five others had presumed thrombosis-related access failure or caused symptoms of venous obstruction, but confirmation of the presence of a thrombus with venography was not obtained. Three catheters spontaneously withdrew from the vein, one during urokinase infusion for thrombosis. Only three catheters had uncomplicated apheresis courses. Prophylactic heparin infusions via portable infusion pumps were given after placement of six catheters. As long as the heparin infusions were continued all patients had uncomplicated apheresis courses. One patient's heparin was prematurely discontinued. Within 3 days of its discontinuance, radiographically proven thrombotic catheter occlusion occurred. Patients given heparin were less likely to develop complications (P less than 0.001). No unexpected complications of apheresis were encountered as a result of the use of these catheters. Silicone rubber subclavian catheters can be used for peripheral stem cell collection but have a high frequency of thrombotic complications. Systemic anticoagulation with heparin can minimize the likelihood of these complications.
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PMID:Thrombotic complications of subclavian apheresis catheters in cancer patients: prevention with heparin infusion. 222 97


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