Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Conditional Knockdown of Gene Expression in Cancer Cell Lines to Study the Recruitment of Monocytes/Macrophages to the Tumor Microenvironment
10:59

Conditional Knockdown of Gene Expression in Cancer Cell Lines to Study the Recruitment of Monocytes/Macrophages to the Tumor Microenvironment

Published on: November 23, 2017

Angiostatic activity of synthetic inhibitors of urokinase type plasminogen activator

R Swiercz1, E Skrzypczak-Jankun, M M Merrell

  • 1Department of Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, OH 43614-2589, USA.

Oncology Reports
|April 16, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Synthetic urokinase inhibitors significantly reduced tumor angiogenesis. This study investigated how inhibiting urokinase-type plasminogen activator enzymatic activity limits new blood vessel formation, crucial for tumor growth.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Tumor growth and metastasis depend on angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels.
  • Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) is a key enzyme involved in extracellular matrix degradation, facilitating capillary tip cell invasion during angiogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that reducing urokinase enzymatic activity can limit tumor angiogenesis.
  • To evaluate the angiostatic potential of synthetic low molecular weight urokinase inhibitors.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model to assess angiogenesis.
  • Tested the angiostatic activity of synthetic urokinase inhibitors: amiloride, benzamidine, EGCG, B428, and B623.

Main Results:

  • All tested synthetic urokinase inhibitors demonstrated significant reduction in angiogenesis.
  • The study confirmed the role of urokinase in facilitating vessel expansion through proteolysis.

Conclusions:

  • Inhibiting urokinase enzymatic activity is a viable strategy to limit tumor angiogenesis.
  • Synthetic low molecular weight urokinase inhibitors show promise as anti-angiogenic agents for cancer therapy.

More Related Videos

Characterizing Modulators of Protease-Activated Receptors with a Calcium Mobilization Assay Using a Plate Reader07:13

Characterizing Modulators of Protease-Activated Receptors with a Calcium Mobilization Assay Using a Plate Reader

Published on: May 24, 2024

The Nijmegen Hemostasis Assay: Simultaneous Fluorogenic Measurement of Thrombin and Plasmin Generation in a Single Well08:01

The Nijmegen Hemostasis Assay: Simultaneous Fluorogenic Measurement of Thrombin and Plasmin Generation in a Single Well

Published on: February 27, 2026

Related Concept Videos

Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship01:29

Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship

Indirect-acting cholinergic agonists are agents that interact with the acetylcholinesterase enzyme in the synaptic cleft, preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine into choline and acetate. Consequently, the concentration of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft increases. These agonists can be classified into reversible and irreversible inhibitors based on their duration of action.
Reversible inhibitors display short to medium durations of action. Short-acting agents include simple alcohols with...
Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Mechanism of Action01:18

Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Mechanism of Action

Indirect-acting cholinergic agonists work by interacting with an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the synaptic cleft. They can be reversible or irreversible inhibitors and have different effects on the enzyme.
Reversible inhibitors like edrophonium bind to a specific part of the enzyme called the anionic catalytic site. They form noncovalent bonds, which means they are not strongly attached to the enzyme. This creates a temporary and less stable enzyme–inhibitor complex, leading to...
Clot Retraction and Fibrinolysis01:16

Clot Retraction and Fibrinolysis

After a fibrin clot is formed, the next step is clot retraction, a vital process facilitated by platelet contractile proteins, such as actin and myosin. These proteins pull the fibrin strands closer together and condense the clot. This action reduces the size of the clot, creating a smaller, denser structure that effectively seals off the damaged vessel. Clot retraction consolidates the clot and helps with wound healing by bringing the edges of the damaged blood vessel closer together.
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors01:28

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors

Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors are potent enzymes that function to hydrolyze cyclic nucleotides to their corresponding 5' monophosphates. Their unique biochemical properties have been applied in treating Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH).
Among the PDE5 inhibitors, sildenafil (Revatio) stands out as a competitive and selective inhibitor. It operates by elevating cellular levels of cGMP and augmenting signaling through the cGMP-PKG pathway, promoting vasodilation. Upon oral...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists01:23

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists

Prostacyclin receptor agonists are a class of therapeutic agents integral to managing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). These drugs operate by mimicking the action of prostaglandin I2, or PGI2, a naturally occurring compound in the body.
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care01:29

Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care

Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...