Long Pentraxin-3 Modulates the Angiogenic Activity of Fibroblast Growth Factor-2.

Angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel formation from pre-existing ones, plays a key role in various physiological and pathological conditions. Alteration of the angiogenic balance, consequent to the deranged production of angiogenic growth factors and/or natural angiogenic inhibitors, is responsible for angiogenesis-dependent diseases, including cancer. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) represents the prototypic member of the FGF family, able to induce a complex "angiogenic phenotype" in endothelial cells in vitro and a potent neovascular response in vivo as the consequence of a tight cross talk between pro-inflammatory and angiogenic signals. The soluble pattern recognition receptor long pentraxin-3 (PTX3) is a member of the pentraxin family produced locally in response to inflammatory stimuli. Besides binding features related to its role in innate immunity, PTX3 interacts with FGF2 and other members of the FGF family via its N-terminal extension, thus inhibiting FGF-mediated angiogenic responses in vitro and in vivo. Accordingly, PTX3 inhibits the growth and vascularization of FGF-dependent tumors and FGF2-mediated smooth muscle cell proliferation and artery restenosis. Recently, the characterization of the molecular bases of FGF2/PTX3 interaction has allowed the identification of NSC12, the first low molecular weight pan-FGF trap able to inhibit FGF-dependent tumor growth and neovascularization. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the impact of PTX3 and PTX3-derived molecules on the angiogenic, inflammatory, and tumorigenic activity of FGF2 and their potential implications for the development of more efficacious anti-FGF therapeutic agents to be used in those clinical settings in which FGFs play a pathogenic role.

FGF2 as an angiogenic growth factor

Angiogenesis is a multistep process leading to the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones. It occurs in different physiological and pathological settings, including embryonic development, wound repair, inflammation, and cancer. During the “angiogenic switch,” activated endothelial cells (ECs) degrade the basement membrane and start migrating (tip cells) and proliferating (stalk cells) to form EC sprouts that will originate vascular loops and capillary tubes with formation of tight junctions, deposition of a new basement membrane and pericyte recruitment (1, 2). The activation of ECs results from the balance between pro-angiogenic growth factors and anti-angiogenic players released by different perivascular cell types (2). A plethora of molecules have been described to regulate angiogenesis, including Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF2) that, together with FGF1, was first identified in the 1980s as a heparin-binding angiogenic factor (3, 4).

FGF2 exerts pleiotropic activities on target cells, including ECs, by interacting with cell surface heparan-sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) and high affinity tyrosine kinase receptors (FGFRs) (5). FGF2/FGFR interaction fosters the dimerization of the receptor and the autophosphorylation of its intracellular tyrosine kinase domain that, in turn, leads to the activation of complex signal transduction pathways (6).

Among the 23 members of the FGF family (5), FGF2 represents the most characterized and potent pro-angiogenic mediator in vitro and in vivo (7), even though a significant pro-angiogenic activity has been demonstrated also for FGF4 and FGF8 whereas it remains debated for other FGFs (including FGF5, FGF7, FGF9, FGF16, and FGF18) (8). In vitro, FGF2 induces EC proliferation and migration, promotes the production of proteases and expression of integrin and cadherin receptors (9).

In vivo, FGF2 stimulates the neovascularization process in different experimental models, including the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) (10), rabbit/mouse cornea (11, 12), zebrafish yolk membrane (ZFYM) (13), and murine subcutaneous Matrigel plug (14) assays. Conversely, loss of FGF signaling in ECs results in augmented vascular permeability and loss of vessel integrity (15). Notably, the pro-angiogenic function of FGF2 is mostly mediated by FGFR1, that represents the main FGFR expressed by activated ECs (9), and less frequently by FGFR2 (16), whereas FGFR3 and FGFR4 do not appear to be expressed in ECs.

Usually, the biological effect exerted by FGF2 on ECs is the consequence of a paracrine stimulation due to its release by inflammatory cells, stromal components or tumor cells, as well as by its mobilization from FGF-binding components that are present in the extracellular matrix (ECM) (6, 7, 17). Moreover, ECs can undergo autocrine or intracrine stimulation due to the self-production of FGF2 (18).

Finally, FGF2 stimulates lymphangiogenesis by direct and indirect (often vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C mediated) action on lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), where it promotes proliferation, migration, and survival (19, 20). Recent observations have shown that FGF2 controls the glycolytic metabolism in ECs and LECs through a FGFR/MYC/Hexokinase 2-mediated pathway (21).

FGF2-dependent angiogenesis and inflammation

Emerging evidence supports a role for inflammation in angiogenesis and suggests mutual dependency of the two processes in several physiological and pathological conditions (22, 23) due to common signaling pathways and mediators (24). During inflammatory reactions, the immune infiltrate may produce pro-inflammatory cytokines with pro-angiogenic properties, together with growth factors and proteases that contribute to the formation of new vascular structures (25, 26). The newly formed vasculature, in turn, sustains inflammation by facilitating the recruitment of inflammatory cells to the site of inflammation (27–29).

Noteworthy, elevated levels of FGF2 have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases characterized by a deregulated angiogenic/inflammatory response, including cancer (7).

Contribution of inflammatory cells in promoting FGF2-dependent angiogenesis

In response to phlogistic stimuli, inflammatory cells provide key cytokines and growth factors to the angiogenic vascular network and interact with endothelial surface adhesion molecules, affecting vascular permeability and inducing EC migration and proliferation (30–32). These cells can produce pro-angiogenic factors, including FGF2, that stimulate the proliferation and migration of hypoxic ECs, supporting a paracrine model for the modulation of EC growth at the inflammatory site. Thus, various cell types known to play a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of inflammation have been considered active players in angiogenesis (33–36). In this context, monocytes/macrophages (MCs/MPHs) (37, 38), T lymphocytes (34, 39) and mast cells (40) express FGF2 and their homing to inflammatory sites can impact the neovascular response associated to inflammation (41). In addition, platelet alpha granules represent a source of various angiogenic factors, including FGF2, that are released during physiological and pathological conditions and may contribute to angiogenic responses (42).

The involvement of MCs/MPHs in inflammatory angiogenesis has been reported in a variety of experimental settings (43). For instance, Polverini and colleagues found that activated MPHs and their cell culture media were able to induce neovascularization in the cornea assay, thus relating the angiogenic activity of macrophages with their secretome (44). MCs/MPHs are frequently associated with proliferating blood vessels where they accumulate and provide angiogenic growth factors, including FGF2, as is the case for coronary collaterals where the rapid vessel growth correlates with MC adhesion to the intima (45, 46).

Factors released by MCs/MPHs alter the tissue microenvironment, promoting EC migration, proliferation and new vessel formation (47, 48) and stimulate the migration of other accessory cells, in particular mast cells, able to potentiate the angiogenic response (29, 49). The early recruitment of MCs/MPHs (within 2–3days after implantation) precedes blood vessel formation in a FGF2-driven Matrigel plug angiogenesis assay (23). Accordingly, a significant reduction of the angiogenic response elicited by FGF2 and other angiogenic factors has been demonstrated following MC/MPH depletion induced by intraperitoneal pretreatment with clodronate liposomes (Clodrolip) (50, 51). Notably, MPHs may facilitate FGF signaling by producing heparinases and plasmin that degrade the ECM, thus disengaging ECM-bound FGF molecules that eventually will activate FGFRs in ECs, and create “guiding paths” for proliferating and migrating ECs (35, 43). Accordingly, long-term treatment with FGF2 stimulates ECM degradation by MCs/MPHs to facilitate the invasion of Tie2+ EC precursors and blood vessel formation in Matrigel implants (48).

The significant inhibition of the angiogenic response to FGF2 observed in neutropenic mice suggests that, similar to MCs/MPHs, neutrophils may play a key role in FGF2-mediated angiogenesis (32), most likely by producing additional pro-angiogenic cytokines and ECM-degrading proteases (52–54). On the other hand, neutrophil-derived elastase may favor FGF2 degradation, thus counteracting its angiogenic activity (55, 56).

The tissue density of mast cells is highly correlated with the extent of normal and pathologic angiogenesis (57). Mast cells are recruited by FGF2 (58) and, in turn, may release FGF2, as well as other pro-angiogenic factors, leading to EC activation (59, 60). Accordingly, mast cells and their isolated secretory granules induce an angiogenic response in the chick embryo CAM assay (61) that is inhibited by neutralizing anti-FGF2 antibodies (40).

More recently, it has been demonstrated that dendritic cells may sustain inflammatory neovascularization through the expression of a wide array of pro-angiogenic mediators (including FGF2, VEGF, and ETS-1) (62–66). In addition, similar to MCs, DCs may contribute to neovessel formation by differentiating into endothelial-like cells following treatment with FGF2, VEGF-A, and IGF-1 (67).

FGF2 amplifies the EC response to inflammatory stimuli

ECs themselves may play important autocrine, intracrine, or paracrine roles in angiogenesis via FGF2 production (18), thus inducing a pro-angiogenic status in the endothelium that creates a favorable environment for vascular growth. FGF2 production and release from ECs can be triggered by inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β (68), nitric oxide (NO) (69), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) (70), and IL-2 upon exposure of ECs to interferon-α (IFN-α) (71).

The observation that angiogenesis is accompanied by vasodilation prompted studies aimed to assess the involvement of vasodilators, like NO and PGE2, in the angiogenic activity of FGF2. Even though FGF2-induced angiogenesis can occur independently from NO production (72), elevation of NO levels in ECs increases their FGF2 production (72). Similarly, PGE2 exerts its pro-angiogenic action through paracrine activation of endothelial FGFR1 following mobilization of FGF2 sequestered in the ECM (70). Conversely, FGF2 and VEGF-A induce angiogenesis by increasing cyclooxygenase and PGE2 production (73, 74).

A transcriptome study on murine microvascular ECs demonstrated that FGF2-driven neovascularization induces a complex pro-inflammatory signature in the endothelium, with early upregulation of several inflammation-related genes (23). Even though also VEGF-A may upregulate the expression of inflammation-related genes in ECs (75–77), it remains unclear whether the two angiogenic mediators utilize distinct or common molecular pathways to exert their biological effects on ECs. Indeed, although an intimate cross-talk between FGF2 and VEGF-A during angiogenesis may exist (78), FGF2 appears to be responsible for the early induction of inflammation-related genes independently from VEGF expression, that represents a later event (23).

FGF2 amplifies the EC response to inflammatory stimuli by vasoactive effects and recruitment of a consistent inflammatory infiltrate. Besides inducing vasodilation of coronary arterioles through endothelial NO production (79), FGF2 increases vascular permeability via VEGF-A and protease upregulation (80). Moreover, FGF2 enhances the recruitment of MCs, T cells, and neutrophils (25) by increasing their adhesion and trans-endothelial migration via the upregulation/expression of the cell adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in ECs (81, 82).

Notably, studies from different groups suggest that FGF2 might have a context-dependent pro- or anti-inflammatory activity. While a rapid, transient exposure to FGF2 induces the upregulation of endothelial adhesion molecules that contribute to immune infiltrate recruitment, a prolonged exposure to FGF2 may result in a marked down-regulation of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin expression on ECs, accompanied by a strong reduction of adhesion and transmigration of monocytes, neutrophils and CD4+ T lymphocytes even in response to potent chemotactic factors (83–85). This biphasic effect of FGF2 might be one of the mechanisms utilized by cancer cells to escape from host immune reactions during the angiogenic stage of tumor development (86).

Finally, inflammation may also impair the angiogenic effects mediated by FGF2 via the production of molecules that sequester FGF2. For instance, the C-X-C chemokine platelet factor 4, a well-known inhibitor of angiogenesis released from alpha-granules of activated platelets, is able to bind FGF2, thus preventing FGFR activation and proliferation in ECs (87). A further, remarkable example is represented by long pentraxin-3 (PTX3), a member of the innate immunity with relevant functions in inflammatory responses and pathogen recognition, whose FGF2 antagonist activity will be discussed in details here below.

PTX3/FGF interaction

Biochemical interactions

The pentraxin family is a highly conserved group of pattern recognition glycoproteins implicated in innate immunity. PTX3, a prototypic member of the long pentraxin subfamily, is a 340 kDa octamer in which up to 92% of the amino acid sequence (each subunit being formed by 389 residues) is common between mouse and human proteins (88).

The roles played by PTX3 in innate immunity, wound healing/tissue remodeling, cardiovascular diseases, fertility, and infectious diseases span, among others, from opsonization to apoptotic cell clearance, extracellular matrix formation and FGF2 inhibition in tissue homeostasis (89). This functional variety is due to the complex structure of the protein. PTX3 has a unique N-terminal domain with non-redundant functions, whereas its C-terminal domain is common to all pentraxins and contains the “pentraxin signature” (89, 90). PTX3 contains an N-glycosylation site in Asn220 that contributes to the fine tuning of ligand binding (91).

The N-terminal domain of PTX3 binds FGF2 with high affinity (Kd ~ 30–300 nM) (92–94) and one octameric PTX3 molecule binds FGF2 in a 1 to 2 stoichiometric ratio (95). Using various biochemical approaches, the N-terminal amino acidic sequence 97–110 was recognized as responsible for FGF2 binding. Later, the acetylated pentapeptide Ac-ARPCA, corresponding to amino acids 100–104, was identified as the minimal sequence of PTX3 able to bind FGF2 (93, 96). Of note, PTX3 can interact via its N-terminal also with FGF8b, another member of the FGF family endowed with pro-angiogenic properties (97), and other family members, like FGF6, FGF10, and FGF17 (92).

An important player in modulating PTX3/FGF2 interaction is represented by the tumor necrosis factor-stimulated gene-6 (TSG-6) protein. TSG-6 is expressed in inflamed and neovascularization sites by lymphocytes, smooth muscle cells, and ECs in response to inflammatory stimuli (98). TSG-6 binds PTX3 and other ECM components, like hyaluronic acid and the heavy chains of inter-α-inhibitor, thus allowing the formation of intricate molecular webs in the ECM (99, 100). TSG-6 binds the PTX3 N-terminus and prevents its interaction with FGF2, thus reverting the inhibition exerted by PTX3 on FGF2 activity. This may provide a mechanism to control angiogenesis in those inflammatory conditions characterized by the co-expression of TSG-6 and PTX3, in which the relative levels of these proteins may act as a biological rheostat to fine-tune the angiogenic activity of FGF2 (101) (Figure 1).

Figure 1

PTX3/TSG-6 interaction modulates FGF2-mediated angiogenesis. (A) PTX3 acts as a natural FGF trap, thus inhibiting FGF2/FGFR1 complex formation and angiogenesis. (B) TSG-6 binds PTX3 and prevents PTX3/FGF2 interaction. This abrogates the inhibitory effect exerted by PTX3 on FGF2 activity.

Biological implications

PTX3/FGF2 interaction prevents the formation of the biologically active HSPG/FGF2/FGFR ternary complex, thus inhibiting FGF2-dependent EC activation and angiogenesis (94, 102). In vitro experiments demonstrated that the N-terminal domain of PTX3 and the PTX3-derived ARPCA pentapeptide impair the proliferation/activation of ECs in response to FGF2 but not to VEGF-A, thus confirming the specificity of the effect (94, 96). In vivo, PTX3 significantly hampers the angiogenic response triggered by alginate beads adsorbed with FGF2 and implanted on the chick embryo CAM (Figures 2Aa) (96). Similar results were obtained in a zebrafish/tumor xenograft model (103) where the angiogenic response to FGF2-overexpressing tumor cells was strongly impaired by the co-injection of PTX3 or ARPCA (Figures 2Ab) (96). Accordingly, overexpression of PTX3 by tumor cells of different origin (including melanoma, prostate, and breast cancer cells) causes a significant inhibition of tumor-associated neovascularization and FGF-dependent tumor growth (92, 104, 105).

Figure 2

PTX3 inhibits the angiogenic activity of FGF2. (A) When tested in different angiogenesis models, a molar excess of purified PTX3 protein (a,b) or its transgenic endothelial overexpression (c,d) inhibits the neovascular response triggered by an optimal dose of recombinant FGF2 [see references (13), (94), (106) for details] **p < 0.01; #p < 0.001. (B) The PTX3-derived pentapeptide ARPCA (ball and stick representation) interacts with the FGFR-binding domain of FGF2 (red circle) without affecting its heparin-binding region (green circle). A similar mechanism of action is hypothesized for the FGF trap small molecule NSC12.

The effect of PTX3 overexpression on ECs was assessed in a transgenic mouse model where the human Ptx3 gene was under the control of endothelial-specific Tie2 promoter [TgN(Tie2-hPTX3) mice] (106). When isolated from the lung of TgN(Tie2-hPTX3) animals, PTX3-overexpressing ECs showed a reduced capacity to respond to exogenous FGF2 in terms of cell proliferation and 3D-sprouting when compared to ECs isolated from wild type animals (106). This was accompanied by a significant reduction of endothelial FGFR1 activation/phosphorylation following stimulation with FGF2. In agreement with these observations, the overexpression of PTX3 by the endothelium of transgenic animals caused a significant inhibition of the angiogenic response triggered by FGF2 in an ex vivo murine aorta ring assay and in vivo when TgN(Tie2-hPTX3) mice were tested in a Matrigel plug assay (Figures 2Acd). No inhibitory effect was observed when VEGF-A was used an angiogenic stimulus, thus confirming that the anti-angiogenic activity of PTX3 was directly mediated by the impairment of the FGF2/FGFR1 axis. As a consequence of the anti-FGF2/anti-angiogenic activity of PTX3, FGF2-dependent syngeneic tumor grafts of different origin were characterized by impaired FGFR1 activation and reduced CD31+ vascularization and tumor growth when injected in TgN(Tie2-hPTX3) mice (106). Notably, the TRAMP-C2 prostate adenocarcinoma cell grafts generated in TgN(Tie2-hPTX3) mice were characterized also by a significant decrease of the mast cell infiltrate into the lesion (58). These data, in keeping with previous observations about the capacity of mast cells to respond chemotactically to FGF2, provide evidence about a relationship among FGF2-dependent mast cell recruitment, angiogenesis, and tumor growth in prostate adenocarcinoma, all hampered by PTX3.

Moreover, when considering the role of FGF2 in the formation and maintenance of lymphatic vessels (19, 20), it is possible to hypothesize that PTX3 may inhibit FGF2-mediated lymphangiogenesis and its associated events, including tumor metastatic dissemination (107). Further experiments are required to assess this hypothesis.

The anti-angiogenic/anti-tumor activity of PTX3 was not restricted to FGF2. Indeed, due to its capacity to bind FGF8b, PTX3 prevents the interaction of this FGF family member with FGFR1 and blocks FGF8b-induced EC proliferation and chemotaxis in vitro and angiogenesis in vivo, causing a significant inhibition of tumor growth and vascularization when transduced in androgen-regulated Shionogi 115 mouse breast tumor cells (97) that express both FGF2 and FGF8b following stimulation with dihydrotestosterone (105).

PTX3 binds extracellular matrix component of the vessel wall, including collagen and fibrinogen, thus affecting platelet aggregation (108), In addition, it can bind activated circulating platelets and dampen their proinflammatory and prothrombotic action (109). It will be of interest to assess whether such interactions may result in the sequestration of platelet-released FGF2, with a consequent modulation of its bioavailability and biological activity in different thrombosis-prone conditions, including tissue ischemia, wound healing, atherosclerosis, and cancer.

Therapeutic implications

When considering its FGF2 antagonist activity, PTX3 might be regarded as a potential therapeutic agent in those pathological settings in which FGF2 exerts a driving role. Endovascular injection of adeno-associated virus harboring the PTX3 cDNA was used to block FGF2-mediated intimal thickening after balloon injury in the rat carotid artery (110) whereas its retroviral/lentiviral transduction has been exploited to inhibit FGF activity in different tumor models (102). However, due to its size (340 kDa), complex quaternary structure (homo-octamer), and proteinaceous nature, any pharmacological application of PTX3 protein appears unrealistic unless functional “shuttles” can be identified for this “cargo.” One possibility for a direct therapeutic exploitation of the PTX3 protein has been shown by using “tumor targeting” Tie2+ monocytes (TEMs) (111) derived from the bone marrow of TgN(Tie2-hPTX3) mice (106). In this experimental model, PTX3-expressing TEMs were able to efficiently deliver the PTX3 protein to the tumor site in a syngeneic FGF2-dependent model of prostate cancer, causing a significant reduction of the growth of the tumor grafts (106).

In order to set the basis for the development of novel PTX3-derived FGF2 antagonists with potential therapeutic implications, the PTX3-derived pentapeptide ARPCA was characterized in preclinical models of FGF-dependent angiogenesis and cancer. Acetylated ARPCA appears to bind the FGF2 protein in a region responsible for its interaction with the D2-D3 linker and D3 domain of FGFR1 (Figure 2B) and inhibits the angiogenic activity exerted by FGF2/FGF8, as well as the FGF-dependent growth of prostate and androgen-dependent breast tumors (96, 105). More recently, based on the analysis of ARPCA/FGF2 interaction, molecular modeling and small molecule library screening, a PTX3-derived 480 Da compound (named NSC12, Figure 2B) was identified as the first small molecule to function as a pan FGF2 trap (106, 112). Indeed, NSC12 binds and impairs the biological activity of all the canonical FGF family members and displays significant anti-angiogenic activities in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo in a series of FGF2-dependent angiogenesis assays, with no effect on VEGF-dependent EC activation (106). In addition, in vivo experiments performed on FGF-dependent models of prostate and lung cancer confirmed the capacity of NSC12 to inhibit FGFR1 activation and to reduce tumor growth and tumor-associated angiogenesis (26, 74). The non-aminoacidic structure of NSC12 makes this molecule a promising candidate for the development of more efficacious anti-FGF therapeutic agents to be used in clinical settings.

It must be pointed out that, at variance with tyrosine kinase FGFR inhibitors, FGF trapping following PTX3 overexpression in transgenic mice, as well as long-term NSC12 administration (106) or treatment with the FGFR-derived decoy molecule FP-1039 (113), are all devoid of significant toxic effects. This appears to be in contrast with the alterations of vascular integrity observed after systemic overexpression of soluble FGFRs in transgenic mice (15) and calls for further experiments aimed at assessing the therapeutic window of FGF trapping agents.

In conclusion, FGF2/PTX3 interaction may exert a deep impact on the angiogenesis process during inflammation and tumor growth. The balance among these interactors and other FGF and/or PTX3 binding molecules (e.g., TSG-6, ECM components and HSPGs) may further modulate neovessel formation under different physio/pathological conditions. A better understanding of these interactions may provide valuable insights into the pathogenesis of angiogenesis-dependent diseases and will set the basis for the development of novel therapeutic agents.

Author contributions

All the authors contributed to the writing of the manuscript, MP and RR revised the final version.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.