Angiotensin-(1-7) Suppresses Hepatocellular Carcinoma Growth and Angiogenesis via Complex Interactions of Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor, Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor and Mas Receptor

Mol Med. 2015 Jul 27;21(1):626-36. doi: 10.2119/molmed.2015.00022.

Abstract

We recently confirmed that angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor (AT1R) was overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma tissue using a murine hepatoma model. Angiotensin(Ang)-(1-7) has been found beneficial in ameliorating lung cancer and prostate cancer. Which receptor of Ang-(1-7) is activated to mediate its effects is much speculated. This study was designed to investigate the effects of Ang-(1-7) on hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as the probable mechanisms. H22 hepatoma-bearing mice were randomly divided into five groups for treatment: mock group, low-dose Ang-(1-7), high-dose Ang-(1-7), high-dose Ang-(1-7) + A779 and high-dose Ang-(1-7) + PD123319. Ang-(1-7) treatment inhibited tumor growth time- and dose-dependently by arresting tumor proliferation and promoting tumor apoptosis as well as inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. The effects of Ang-(1-7) on tumor proliferation and apoptosis were reversed by coadministration with A779 or PD123319, whereas the effects on tumor angiogenesis were completely reversed by A779 but not by PD123319. Moreover, Ang-(1-7) downregulated AT1R mRNA, upregulated mRNA levels of Ang II type 2 receptor (AT2R) and Mas receptor (MasR) and p38-MAPK phosphorylation and suppressed H22 cell-endothelial cell communication. Thus, Ang-(1-7) administration suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma via complex interactions of AT1R, AT2R and MasR and may provide a novel and promising approach for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin I / administration & dosage
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Liver Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 11 / genetics
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 11 / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Peptide Fragments / administration & dosage
  • Phosphorylation
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 / biosynthesis*
  • Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 / genetics
  • Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2 / biosynthesis*
  • Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2 / genetics
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • MAS1 protein, human
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1
  • Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2
  • Angiotensin I
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 11
  • angiotensin I (1-7)