PSMB8 inhibition decreases tumor angiogenesis in glioblastoma through vascular endothelial growth factor A reduction

Glioblastoma, also known as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is a fast‐growing tumor and the most aggressive brain malignancy. Proteasome subunit beta type‐8 (PSMB8) is one of the 17 essential subunits for the complete assembly of the 20S proteasome complex. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of PSMB8 expression in GBM progression and angiogenesis. PSMB8 expression in glioblastoma LN229 and U87MG was knocked down by siRNA or inducible shRNA both in vitro and in vivo. After PSMB8 reduction, cell survival, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and the related signaling cascades were evaluated. An orthotopic mouse tumor model was also provided to examine the angiogenesis within tumors. A GEO profile analysis indicated that high expression of PSMB8 mRNA in GBM patients was correlated with a low survival rate. In immunohistochemistry analysis, PSMB8 expression was higher in high‐grade than in low‐grade brain tumors. The proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of human GBM cells were decreased by PSMB8 knockdown in vitro. Furthermore, phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (p‐FAK), p‐paxillin, MMP2, MMP9, and cathepsin B were significantly reduced in LN229 cells. Integrin β1 and β3 were reduced in HUVEC after incubation with LN229‐conditioned medium. In an orthotopic mouse tumor model, inducible knockdown of PSMB8 reduced the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor, and CD31 as well as the progression of human glioblastoma. In this article, we demonstrated the role of PSMB8 in glioblastoma progression, especially neovascularization in vitro and in vivo. These results may provide a target for the anti–angiogenic effect of PSMB8 in glioblastoma therapy in the future.