Effect of Dimeric Disintegrins Isolated from Vipera lebetina obtusa Venom on Glioblastoma Cellular Responses

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Integrins play an important role in the development and spread of cancers, including glioblastoma (GBM); therefore, blocking them should be an effective cancer treatment. Our research aims to use the RGD homodimeric disintegrin VLO4, isolated from Vipera lebetina obtusa venom, to target the α5β1 integrin, which is a key regulator of GBM cell migration and invasion. This study shows its effect on the adhesion, spreading, migration, and survival of the LBC3, LN18, and LN229 cell lines. The presented results suggest that VLO4 may be a structural platform to design therapeutics for gliomas, which may be used alone or in combination with other integrin blockers such as inhibitors of α9β1 integrin (e.g., structures based on MLD disintegrin, VLO5). ABSTRACT: Integrins play a fundamental role in the migration and invasiveness of glioblastoma (GBM) cells, making them suitable targets for innovative cancer therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the RGD homodimeric disintegrin VLO4, isolated from Vipera lebetina obtusa venom, on the adhesion, spreading, migration, and survival of LBC3, LN18, and LN229 cell lines. This disintegrin, as a potent antagonist for α5β1 integrin, showed pro-adhesive properties for these cell lines, the highest for LN229 and the lowest for LBC3. Glioblastoma cells displayed significant differences in the spreading on the immobilized VLO4 and the natural α5β1 integrin ligand, fibronectin. Solubilized VLO4 showed different cytotoxicity and pro-apoptotic properties among tested cell lines, with the highest against LN18 and none against LN229. Moreover, VLO4 revealed an inhibitory effect on the migration of LBC3 and LN18 cell lines, in contrast to LN229 cells, which were not sensitive to this disintegrin. However, LN229 migration was impaired by VLO5, a disintegrin antagonistic to integrin α9β1, used in combination with VLO4. A possible mechanism of action of VLO4 may be related to the downregulation of α5β1 integrin subunit expression, as revealed by Western blot. VLO4 also inhibited cell proliferation and induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in LBC3 and LN18 cell lines. These results indicate that targeting α5β1 integrin by related VLO4 compounds may be useful in the development of integrin-targeted therapy for glioblastoma.