Microglia-Derived Olfactomedin-like 3 Is a Potent Angiogenic Factor in Primary Mouse Brain Endothelial Cells: A Novel Target for Glioblastoma

oleh: Laila M. Joseph, Ryan G. Toedebusch, Eshetu Debebe, Aurelie H. Bastian, Christopher A. Lucchesi, Shafee Syed-Quadri, Luke A. Wittenburg, Xinbin Chen, Frederick J. Meyers, Christine M. Toedebusch

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2022-11-01

Deskripsi

Neoangiogenesis, a hallmark feature of all malignancies, is robust in glioblastoma (GBM). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has long been regarded as the primary pro-angiogenic molecule in GBM. However, anti-VEGF therapies have had little clinical efficacy, highlighting the need to explore VEGF-independent mechanisms of neoangiogenesis. Olfactomedin-like 3 (OLFML3), a secreted glycoprotein, is an established proangiogenic factor in many cancers, but its role in GBM neoangiogenesis is unknown. To gain insight into the role of OLFML3 in microglia-mediated angiogenesis, we assessed endothelial cell (EC) viability, migration and differentiation following (1) siRNA knockdown targeting endogenous EC <i>Olfml3</i> and (2) EC exposure to human recombinant OLFML3 (rhOLFML3; 10 ng/mL, 48 h), and conditioned medium (CM) from isogenic control and <i>Olfml3<sup>−/−</sup></i> microglia (48 h). Despite a 70% reduction in <i>Olfml3</i> mRNA levels, EC angiogenic parameters were not affected. However, exposure to both rhOLFML3 and isogenic control microglial CM increased EC viability (<i>p</i> < 0.01), migration (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and differentiation (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Strikingly, these increases were abolished, or markedly attenuated, following exposure to <i>Olfml3<sup>−/−</sup></i> microglial CM despite corresponding increased microglial secretion of VEGF-A (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). Consistent with reports in non-CNS malignancies, we have demonstrated that OLFML3, specifically microglia-derived OLFML3, promotes VEGF-independent angiogenesis in primary brain microvascular ECs and may provide a complementary target to mitigate neovascularization in GBM.