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Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Transfer of Manipulated Tumor-associated Neutrophils into Tumor-Bearing Mice to Study their Angiogenic Potential In Vivo
Published on: July 20, 2019
Targeting vascular NADPH oxidase 1 blocks tumor angiogenesis through a PPARα mediated mechanism
Sarah Garrido-Urbani1, Stephane Jemelin, Christine Deffert
1Department of Pathology and Immunology, Centre Médical Universitaire, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Reactive oxygen species, ROS, are regulators of endothelial cell migration, proliferation and survival, events critically involved in angiogenesis. Different isoforms of ROS-generating NOX enzymes are expressed in the vasculature and provide distinct signaling cues through differential localization and activation. We show that mice deficient in NOX1, but not NOX2 or NOX4, have impaired angiogenesis. NOX1 expression and activity is increased in primary mouse and human endothelial cells upon angiogenic stimulation. NOX1 silencing decreases endothelial cell migration and tube-like structure formation, through the inhibition of PPARα, a regulator of NF-κB. Administration of a novel NOX-specific inhibitor reduced angiogenesis and tumor growth in vivo in a PPARα dependent manner. In conclusion, vascular NOX1 is a critical mediator of angiogenesis and an attractive target for anti-angiogenic therapies.
Insights
Vascular NOX1 (NADPH oxidase 1) is crucial for new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis). Inhibiting NOX1 reduces endothelial cell function and tumor growth, highlighting NOX1 as a therapeutic target.
Area of Science:
- Vascular biology
- Cell signaling
- Oncology
Background:
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulate key endothelial cell functions, including migration, proliferation, and survival, which are essential for angiogenesis.
- NADPH oxidase (NOX) enzymes generate ROS in the vasculature, providing distinct signaling cues via differential localization and activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of specific NOX isoforms in angiogenesis.
- To explore NOX1 as a potential therapeutic target for anti-angiogenic therapies.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of angiogenesis in mice deficient in different NOX isoforms (NOX1, NOX2, NOX4).
- Assessment of NOX1 expression and activity in endothelial cells upon angiogenic stimulation.
- Evaluation of NOX1 silencing effects on endothelial cell migration and tube-like structure formation.
- In vivo studies using a NOX-specific inhibitor to assess its impact on angiogenesis and tumor growth.
Main Results:
- Mice lacking NOX1 exhibited impaired angiogenesis, while NOX2 or NOX4 deficiency did not.
- NOX1 expression and activity were upregulated in endothelial cells during angiogenic stimulation.
- Silencing NOX1 inhibited endothelial cell migration and tube formation by downregulating PPARα, a regulator of NF-κB.
- A novel NOX-specific inhibitor reduced angiogenesis and tumor growth in a PPARα-dependent manner.
Conclusions:
- Vascular NOX1 is a critical mediator of angiogenesis.
- NOX1 represents an attractive molecular target for developing anti-angiogenic therapies.
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