Kari Alitalo

Bio: Kari Alitalo is an academic researcher from University of Helsinki. The author has contributed to research in topics: Angiogenesis & Vascular endothelial growth factor C. The author has an hindex of 174, co-authored 817 publications receiving 114231 citations. Previous affiliations of Kari Alitalo include Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto & Cornell University.

Evidence of a leading role for VEGF in Bartonella henselae-induced endothelial cell proliferations.

Abstract: Bartonella henselae causes the vasculoproliferative disorders bacillary angiomatosis (BA) and bacillary peliosis (BP). The pathomechanisms of these tumorous proliferations are unknown. Our results suggest a novel bacterial two-step pathogenicity strategy, in which the pathogen triggers growth factor production for subsequent proliferation of its own host cells. In fact, B. henselae induces host cell production of the angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), leading to proliferation of endothelial cells. The presence of B. henselae pili was associated with host cell VEGF production, as a Pil- mutant of B. henselae was unable to induce VEGF production. In turn, VEGF-stimulated endothelial cells promoted the growth of B. henselae. Immunohistochemistry for VEGF in specimens from patients with BA or BP revealed increased VEGF expression in vivo. These findings suggest a novel bacteria-dependent mechanism of tumour growth.

Vascular growth factors and receptors in capillary hemangioblastomas and hemangiopericytomas.

Abstract: Capillary hemangioblastomas and hemangiopericytomas are highly vascular central nervous system tumors of controversial origin. Of interest in their pathogenesis are mechanisms regulating endothelial cell growth. The endothelial cell mitogen vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulates angiogenesis, and together with its two receptor tyrosine kinases VEGFR-1(FLT1) and VEGFR-2(KDR), is up-regulated during the malignant progression of gliomas. We have analyzed the expression of VEGF and its receptors, the related placental growth factor (PlGF) and the endothelial receptors FLT4 and Tie by in situ hybridization in capillary hemangioblastomas and hemangiopericytomas. VEGF mRNA was up-regulated in all of the hemangiopericytomas studied and highly expressed in the stromal cells of hemangioblastomas. In addition, some hemangioblastoma tumor cells expressed high levels of PlGF. Significantly elevated levels of Tie mRNA, Tie protein, VEGFR-1, and VEGFR-2 but not FLT4 mRNAs were observed in the endothelia of both tumor types. In hemangioblastomas, however, the receptors were also highly expressed by a subpopulation of stromal cells. Consistent results were obtained for a human hemangioblastoma cell line in culture. Up-regulation of the endothelial growth factors and receptors may result in autocrine or paracrine stimulation of endothelial cells and their precursors involved in the genesis of these two vascular tumors.

CXCR4 Signaling Regulates Metastasis of Chemoresistant Melanoma Cells by a Lymphatic Metastatic Niche

Abstract: Highly metastatic and chemotherapy-resistant properties of malignant melanomas stand as challenging barriers to successful treatment; yet, the mechanisms responsible for their aggressive characteristics are not fully defined. We show that a distinct population expressing CD133 (Prominin-1), which is highly enriched after administration of a chemotherapeutic drug, dacarbazine, has enhanced metastatic potential in vivo. CD133(+) tumor cells are located close to tumor-associated lymphatic vessels in metastatic organs such as the regional lymph nodes and lung. Lymphatic endothelial cells promote the migratory activity of a CD133(+) subset to target organs and regulation of lymphatic growth efficiently modulates the metastasis of CD133(+) tumor cells. We found that lymphatic vessels in metastatic tissues stimulate chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4)(+)/CD133(+) cell metastasis to target organs by secretion of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1). The CXCR4(+)/CD133(+) cells exhibited higher metastatic activity compared with CXCR4(-)/CD133(+) cells and, importantly, blockade of CXCR4 coupled with dacarbazine efficiently inhibited both tumor growth and metastasis; dacarbazine alone could not attenuate tumor metastasis. The current study demonstrates a previously unidentified role of the lymphatic microenvironment in facilitating metastasis of chemoresistant melanoma cells via a specific chemotactic axis, SDF-1/CXCR4. Our findings suggest that targeting the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis in addition to dacarbazine treatment could therapeutically block chemoresistant CD133(+) cell metastasis toward a lymphatic metastatic niche.

VEGF-C is required for intestinal lymphatic vessel maintenance and lipid absorption

Abstract: Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) binding to its tyrosine kinase receptor VEGFR-3 drives lymphatic vessel growth during development and in pathological processes. Although the VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 pathway provides a target for treatment of cancer and lymphedema, the physiological functions of VEGF-C in adult vasculature are unknown. We show here that VEGF-C is necessary for perinatal lymphangiogenesis, but required for adult lymphatic vessel maintenance only in the intestine. Following Vegfc gene deletion in adult mice, the intestinal lymphatic vessels, including the lacteal vessels, underwent gradual atrophy, which was aggravated when also Vegfd was deleted. VEGF-C was expressed by a subset of smooth muscle cells adjacent to the lacteals in the villus and in the intestinal wall. The Vegfc-deleted mice showed defective lipid absorption and increased fecal excretion of dietary cholesterol and fatty acids. When fed a high-fat diet, the Vegfc-deficient mice were resistant to obesity and had improved glucose metabolism. Our findings indicate that the lymphangiogenic growth factors provide trophic and dynamic regulation of the intestinal lymphatic vasculature, which could be especially important in the dietary regulation of adiposity and cholesterol metabolism.

疟原虫var基因转换速率变化导致抗原变异[英]／Paul H, Robert P, Christodoulou Z, et al//Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Abstract: 抗原变异可使得多种致病微生物易于逃避宿主免疫应答。表达在感染红细胞表面的恶性疟原虫红细胞表面蛋白1（PfPMP1）与感染红细胞、内皮细胞、树突状细胞以及胎盘的单个或多个受体作用，在黏附及免疫逃避中起关键的作用。每个单倍体基因组var基因家族编码约60种成员，通过启动转录不同的var基因变异体为抗原变异提供了分子基础。

Inflammation and cancer

Abstract: Recent data have expanded the concept that inflammation is a critical component of tumour progression. Many cancers arise from sites of infection, chronic irritation and inflammation. It is now becoming clear that the tumour microenvironment, which is largely orchestrated by inflammatory cells, is an indispensable participant in the neoplastic process, fostering proliferation, survival and migration. In addition, tumour cells have co-opted some of the signalling molecules of the innate immune system, such as selectins, chemokines and their receptors for invasion, migration and metastasis. These insights are fostering new anti-inflammatory therapeutic approaches to cancer development.

Human breast cancer: correlation of relapse and survival with amplification of the HER-2/neu oncogene

Abstract: The HER-2/neu oncogene is a member of the erbB-like oncogene family, and is related to, but distinct from, the epidermal growth factor receptor. This gene has been shown to be amplified in human breast cancer cell lines. In the current study, alterations of the gene in 189 primary human breast cancers were investigated. HER-2/neu was found to be amplified from 2- to greater than 20-fold in 30% of the tumors. Correlation of gene amplification with several disease parameters was evaluated. Amplification of the HER-2/neu gene was a significant predictor of both overall survival and time to relapse in patients with breast cancer. It retained its significance even when adjustments were made for other known prognostic factors. Moreover, HER-2/neu amplification had greater prognostic value than most currently used prognostic factors, including hormonal-receptor status, in lymph node-positive disease. These data indicate that this gene may play a role in the biologic behavior and/or pathogenesis of human breast cancer.