Tumor production of angiostatin is enhanced after exposure to TNF-α

Infection of tumors with an adenoviral vector expressing a chimeric gene composed of the CArG elements of the Egr-1 promoter and a cDNA encoding TNF-alpha (Ad.Egr-TNF) has previously been shown to result in the production of high intratumoral levels of TNF-alpha and thereby tumor regression. The antitumor effects of TNF-alpha were ascribed to vascular thrombosis. We and others, have reported that inhibition of tumor vessel thrombosis using anticoagulation therapy does not abrogate the antitumor effects after TNF-alpha treatment. To investigate the potential antiangiogenic effects of TNF-alpha, we studied the generation of angiostatin after intratumoral injection of Ad.Egr-TNF. We report an increase in plasma angiostatin levels both during and after treatment with Ad.Egr-TNF that parallel tumor regression. We also report that TNF-alpha enhances angiostatin production by inducing the activity of plasminogen activator and the release of MMP-9 by tumor cells. These studies support a model in which the antiangiogenic effects of TNF-alpha on the tumor microvasculature are mediated by generation of angiostatin. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss. Inc.