VEGF165b Mutant Promotes the Apoptosis of Murine Breast Cancer Cells Induced by Paclitaxel by Inducing Tumor Vessel Maturation

Abstract

Introduction: The anti-angiogenic agent vascular endothelial growth factor 165b (VEGF165b) mutant (mVEGF165b), which was developed by our laboratory, has superior antitumor activity to that of native VEGF165b; however, its mechanism of action and druggability need further exploration. Methods: Using the commercial anti-angiogenic drug bevacizumab as a positive control, the mechanism and developability of mVEGF165b were evaluated and explored. The Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was performed to evaluate the effects of mVEGF165b and bevacizumab alone on the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Meanwhile, the inhibitory effects of mVEGF165b and bevacizumab combined with paclitaxel in a mouse model of breast cancer were assessed. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect their effects on tumor vascular maturation, and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was used to detect the apoptosis of tumor cells. Results: In vitro cell experiments confirmed that mVEGF165b inhibited the proliferation of HUVECs with an efficacy equivalent to that of bevacizumab. mVEGF165b and bevacizumab combined with paclitaxel significantly delayed the growth of breast cancer in mice. Immunohistochemistry and the TUNEL assay showed that mVEGF165b and bevacizumab combined with paclitaxel-induced higher vascular maturity and more apoptosis than paclitaxel alone. Conclusion: mVEGF165b showed similar efficacy and mechanism of action as bevacizumab, indicating its potential to be developed into a safe and effective anti-angiogenic drug.