Summary
Heparanase is implicated in angiogenesis and tumour progression. We previously demonstrated
that heparanase might also affect the haemostatic system in a non-enzymatic manner.
It forms a complex and enhances the activity of the blood coagulation initiator tissue
factor (TF). Peptides that we generated from TF pathway inhibitor (TFPI)-2, which
inhibit heparanase procoagulant activity, were recently demonstrated to attenuate
inflammation in a sepsis mouse model. The present study was designated to explore
peptides effects on tumour growth and vascularisation. Cell lines of mouse melanoma
(B16), mouse breast cancer (EMT-6), and human breast cancer (MDA-231) were injected
subcutaneously to mice. Inhibitory peptides 5, 6 and 7 were injected subcutaneously
in the area opposite to the tumour side. In the three tumour cell lines, peptides
5, 6 and 7 inhibited tumour growth and vascularisation in a dose-dependent manner,
reaching a 2/3 reduction compared to control tumours (p<0.001). Additionally, a survival
advantage (p<0.05) and reduced plasma thrombin-antithrombin complex (p<0.05) were
observed in the treatment groups. Peptides delayed tumour relapse by six days and
inhibited relapsed tumour size (p<0.001). In vitro, peptides did not inhibit tumour cell proliferation, migration or heparanase degradation
of heparan sulfate chains, but significantly decreased tube formation. In conclusion,
peptides inhibiting heparanase procoagulant activity significantly reduced tumour
growth, vascularisation, and relapse. The procoagulant domain in heparanase protein
may play a role in tumour growth, suggesting a new mechanism of coagulation system
involvement in cancer.
Keywords
Heparanase - tumour - inhibitory peptides - tissue factor