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Angiogenic inhibitor protein fractions derived from shark cartilage
Afshar Bargahi1, Azra Rabbani-Chadegani
1Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Department of Biochemistry, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract:
Development of therapies based on the growth inhibition of new blood vessels is among the most intensively studied approaches to the treatment of cancer and other angiogenesis-related diseases. Shark cartilage has been proven to have inhibitory effects on the endothelial cell angiogenesis, metastasis, cell adhesion and MMP (matrix metalloprotease) activity. In the present study, we have used a chromatography-based procedure for the isolation and partial purification of a shark cartilage protein fraction containing anti-angiogenesis activity. Proteins were extracted in 4 M guanidinium chloride, followed by sequential anion- and cation-exchange column chromatography. Angiogenesis assays were performed using the rat aortic ring and chick CAM (chorioallantoic membrane) assay models. The results show that the final fraction contains two proteins with molecular masses of 14.7 and 16 kDa. The protein fraction is able to block microvessel sprouting in the collagen-embedded rat aortic ring assay in vitro and inhibition of capillary sprouting in the CAM assay in vivo. It is suggested that these are partially purified anti-angiogenesis proteins, which have further biotechnological or biomedical applications.
Insights
Researchers isolated anti-angiogenesis proteins from shark cartilage using chromatography. These proteins inhibited blood vessel growth in laboratory and animal models, suggesting potential biomedical applications for cancer and related diseases.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is crucial for cancer growth and metastasis.
- Shark cartilage contains compounds with demonstrated anti-angiogenic properties.
- Targeting angiogenesis is a key strategy in developing novel cancer therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and partially purify proteins with anti-angiogenesis activity from shark cartilage.
- To characterize the isolated protein fraction and assess its biological activity.
- To explore the potential biomedical applications of these anti-angiogenesis proteins.
Main Methods:
- Proteins were extracted from shark cartilage using 4 M guanidinium chloride.
- Sequential anion- and cation-exchange column chromatography were employed for purification.
- Anti-angiogenesis activity was evaluated using in vitro (rat aortic ring assay) and in vivo (chick CAM assay) models.
Main Results:
- A protein fraction containing two distinct proteins (14.7 and 16 kDa) was successfully isolated.
- The purified fraction demonstrated significant inhibition of microvessel sprouting in the rat aortic ring assay.
- Inhibition of capillary sprouting was also observed in the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay.
Conclusions:
- Partially purified anti-angiogenesis proteins were successfully isolated from shark cartilage.
- These proteins effectively inhibit angiogenesis in both in vitro and in vivo models.
- The findings suggest potential biotechnological and biomedical applications for these shark cartilage-derived proteins in treating angiogenesis-related diseases, including cancer.
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