Thrombospondin-1 type 1 repeat recombinant proteins inhibit tumor growth through transforming growth factor-beta-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) is a potent inhibitor of tumor growth and angiogenesis. The antiangiogenic activity of TSP-1 has been mapped to the procollagen homology region and the type 1 repeats (TSR) using synthetic peptides. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms that are involved in the inhibition of tumor growth by the TSRs, we have expressed recombinant versions of these motifs and have assayed their ability to inhibit the growth of experimental B16F10 melanomas and Lewis lung carcinomas. Recombinant proteins that contain all three TSRs (3TSR) or the second TSR with (TSR2+RFK) or without (TSR2) the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) activating sequence (RFK) have been expressed in Drosophila S2 cells. In addition, recombinant proteins with mutations in either the RFK sequence (TSR2+QFK) or the WSHWSPW sequence [TSR2 (W/T)] of the second TSR have been prepared. Similar to platelet TSP-1, these proteins are potent inhibitors of endothelial cell migration, and 3TSR of human TSP-1 (3TSR/hTSP-1) and TSR2+RFK activate TGFbeta. An 81% inhibition of B16F10 tumor growth is observed at 2.5 mg (135 nmol)/kg/day of the recombinant 3TSR/hTSP-1. A comparable level of inhibition is observed with 2.5 mg (360 nmol)/kg/day of TSR2+RFK. By contrast, 3TSR of mouse TSP-2 (3TSR/mTSP-2), TSR2+QFK, and TSR2 are significantly less effective. TSR2+RFK and TSR2 reduce tumor vessel density, but TSR2+RFK has a greater effect on B16F10 tumor cell apoptosis and proliferation. Concurrent treatment of B16F10 tumor-bearing mice with TSR2+RFK and either a soluble form of the TGFbeta receptor or an antibody to active TGFbeta reduces the inhibition of B16F10 tumor growth to levels that are comparable with those of TSR2 and TSR2+QFK. By contrast, the presence of the TGFbeta-activating sequence does not increase the level of inhibition of Lewis lung carcinoma experimental tumor growth. These data indicate that the TSRs inhibit tumor growth by inhibition of angiogenesis and regulation of tumor cell growth and apoptosis. The regulation of tumor cell growth and apoptosis is TGFbeta dependent, whereas the inhibition of angiogenesis is not.