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. 2024 Dec 31;25(1):2366451.
doi: 10.1080/15384047.2024.2366451. Epub 2024 Jun 10.

Role of transforming growth factor-β1 pathway in angiogenesis induced by chronic stress in colorectal cancer

Jie Zhang  1 , Yao-Tiao Deng  2 , Jie Liu  2 , Lu Gan  1 , Yu Jiang  2
Affiliations

Role of transforming growth factor-β1 pathway in angiogenesis induced by chronic stress in colorectal cancer

Jie Zhang et al. Cancer Biol Ther. .

Abstract

Background: Chronic stress can induce stress-related hormones; norepinephrine (NE) is considered to have the highest potential in cancer. NE can stimulate the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), which is associated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion and tumor angiogenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood.

Methods: Tumor-bearing mice were subjected to chronic restraint stress and treated with normal saline, human monoclonal VEGF-A neutralizing antibody bevacizumab, or β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) antagonist (propranolol). Tumor growth and vessel density were also evaluated. Human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells were treated with NE, propranolol, or the inhibitor of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) receptor Type I kinase (Ly2157299) in vitro. TGF-β1 in mouse serum and cell culture supernatants was quantified using ELISA. The expression of HIF-1α was measured using Real time-PCR and western blotting. Cell migration and invasion were tested.

Results: Chronic restraint stress attenuated the efficacy of bevacizumab and promoted tumor growth and angiogenesis in a colorectal tumor model. Propranolol blocked this effect and inhibited TGF-β1 elevation caused by chronic restraint stress or NE. NE upregulated HIF-1α expression, which was reversed by propranolol or Ly2157299. Propranolol and Ly2157199 blocked NE-stimulated cancer cell migration and invasion.

Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the effect of NE on tumor angiogenesis and the critical role of TGF-β1 signaling during this process. In addition, β-AR/TGF-β1 signaling/HIF-1α/VEGF is a potential signaling pathway. This study also indicates that psychosocial stress might be a risk factor which weakens the efficacy of anti-angiogenic therapy.

Keywords: Chronic stress; angiogenesis; hypoxia inducible factor-1α; norepinephrine; transforming growth factor-β1.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Chronic restraint stress promoted tumor growth and weakened the efficacy of bevacizumab.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Propranolol inhibited chronic restraint stress-stimulated angiogenesis in vivo.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Chronic restraint stress and norepinephrine induced TGF-β1 secretion.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
The mRNA and protein expression of TGF-βRI in HT-29 and SW480 cells after norepinephrine treatment.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Propranolol or Ly2157299 blocked norepinephrine-induced mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Norepinephrine stimulated HT-29 and SW480 cells migration and invasion.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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Grants and funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant numbers: 81572853 and 81703083].
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