Angiostatic activity of human plasminogen fragments is highly dependent on glycosylation

To assess the importance of carbohydrate moieties to the anti‐angiogenic activity of plasminogen fragments, we cloned the fragment corresponding to amino acids Val79 to Thr346 (Kint3–4) that presents the three glycosylation sites. The activity of glycosylated and unglycosylated Kint3–4 was tested in murine sponge implant model. We observed a significant decrease in the neovascularization on the sponge after treatment with Kint3–4 by histological examination and determination of the hemoglobin levels. The effects were more intense with the glycosylated than the unglycosylated protein. 99mTechnecium‐labeled red blood cells confirmed the inhibition of cell infiltration in the implanted sponge. Studies using melanoma B16F1 implanted in a mouse demonstrated that treatment with glycosylated Kint3–4 (0.15 nmol/48 h) during 14 days suppresses tumor growth by 80%. The vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA levels on the tumor were reduced after treatment. Kint3–4 is a potent plasminogen fragment that has been found to inhibit tumor growth. (Cancer Sci 2009)