Title:Orai1 and Transient Receptor Potential Channels as Novel Molecular Targets to Impair Tumor Neovascularization in Renal Cell Carcinoma and other Malignancies
Volume: 14
Issue: 2
Author(s): Francesco Moccia, Silvia Dragoni, Valentina Poletto, Vittorio Rosti, Franco Tanzi, Carlo Ganini and Camillo Porta
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Angiogenesis, endothelial cells, endothelial progenitor cells, store-operated Ca2+ entry, TRP channels, tumor.
Abstract: The term “angiogenic switch” describes one of the earlier events of tumorigenesis, that occurs when the balance between proand
anti-angiogenic factors shifts towards a pro-angiogenic outcome. This leads to the transition from a microscopic indolent lesion to a
macroscopic and vascularised primary tumor, that may eventually metastasize and spread to distant sites. The molecular mechanisms
underlying such a critical step in the carcinogenetic process have been extensively investigated. Both local endothelial cells (ECs) and
endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), recruited from bone marrow, have been implicated in the angiogenic switch, which is ultimately
triggered by a plethora of growth factors released by cancer cells, pivotal among which is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF);
indeed, VEGF both activates ECs nearby the growing tumor, and leads to EPC mobilization into the circulation. In kidney, in particular,
the frequent mutation of the Von Hippel Lindau tumor suppressor gene leads to an overproduction of pro-angiogenic factors which
makes this neoplasm quite sensitive to antiangiogenic drugs. However, it is now evident that the use of VEGF(Rs) inhibitors in everyday
clinical practice is not as effective as observed in murine models.
The investigation of alternative signaling pathways involved in the angiogenic switch is, therefore, imperative in order to induce tumor
regression whereby preventing harmful drawback consequences. Ca2+ entry across the plasma membrane has long been known to
stimulate mature ECs to undergo angiogenesis. Recent work from several groups worldwide has then outlined that members of the
Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) super-family of cationic channels and Orai1 provide the pathway for such proangiogenic Ca2+ signal.
In addition, Canonical TRP 1 (TRPC1) and Orai1 channels control proliferation and tubulogenesis in both normal EPCs and EPCs
isolated from peripheral blood of tumor patients. As a consequence, TRP channels and Orai1 might serve as novel molecular targets to
develop alternative and more effective strategies of angiogenesis inhibition.
