TKI-31 inhibits angiogenesis by combined suppression signaling pathway of VEGFR2 and PDGFRβ

Tyrosine kinases have been strongly implicated as therapeutic targets that influence the angiogenic process in growing tumors. In this study, we revealed that TKI-31 is a potent broad spectrum tyrosine kinase inhibitor, which inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFR beta) and also inhibits kinases of other class, such as c-Kit and c-Src on molecular base, but showed no activity against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) and epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR). TKI-31 inhibits VEGF-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR2 in endothelial cells as well as PDGFBB-induced phosphorylation in fibroblast cells, and leading to the inhibition of down-stream signaling triggered by these receptors such as PI3K/Akt/mTOR, MAPK42/44( ERK) and paxillin. TKI-31 also inhibited VEGF-induced endothelial cells proliferation, migration and their differentiation into capillary-like tube formation. Its anti-angiogenic property was further confirmed by the inhibition of neovascularization on CAM, in vivo. These results collectively highlight the therapeutic potential of this compound for the treatment of solid tumors and other diseases where angiogenesis plays an important role.