Dual regulation of Stat1 and Stat3 by the tumor suppressor protein PML contributes to interferon ?-mediated inhibition of angiogenesis.

ABSTRACT: IFNs are effective in inhibiting angiogenesis in preclinical models and in treating several angioproliferative disorders. However, the detailed mechanisms of IFN?-mediated anti-angiogenesis are not completely understood. Stat1/2/3 and PML are IFN? downstream effectors and are pivotal regulators of angiogenesis. Here, we investigated PML's role in the regulation of Stat1/2/3 activity. In Pml knock-out (KO) mice, ablation of Pml largely reduces IFN? angiostatic ability in Matrigel plug assays. This suggested an essential role for PML in IFN?'s anti-angiogenic function. We also demonstrated that PML shared a large cohort of regulatory genes with Stat1 and Stat3, indicating an important role of PML in regulating Stat1 and Stat3 activity. Using molecular tools and primary endothelial cells, we demonstrated that PML positively regulates Stat1 and Stat2 isgylation, a ubiquitination-like protein modification. Accordingly, manipulation of the isgylation system by knocking down USP18 altered IFN?-PML axis-mediated inhibition of endothelial cell migration and network formation. Furthermore, PML promotes turnover of nuclear Stat3, and knockdown of PML mitigates the effect of LLL12, a selective Stat3 inhibitor, on IFN?-mediated anti-angiogenic activity. Taken together, we elucidated an unappreciated mechanism in which PML, an IFN?-inducible effector, possess potent angiostatic activity, doing so in part by forming a positive feedforward loop with Stat1/2 and a negative feedback loop with Stat3. The interplay between PML, Stat1/Stat2, and Stat3 contributes to IFN?-mediated inhibition of angiogenesis, and disruption of this network results in aberrant IFN? signaling and altered angiostatic activity.

SUBMITTER: Hsu KS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5473212 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature