Development of Functional Screens for Dietary Angiogenesis Inhibitors

Abstract Objectives We sought to develop a workflow to evaluate the anti-angiogenic potential of dietary agents in a stringent, systemic manner: 1) in vitro inhibition of angiogenesis, 2) in vivo testing of normal angiogenesis inhibition, and 3) in vivo testing of tumor prevention. Methods We used a tiered workflow for assessment of anti-angiogenic potential of dietary compounds, beginning with cell culture methods, moving to high-throughput D. rerio angiogenesis modeling and finally mouse models of angiogenesis and tumor development to identify potent dietary agents which block tumor angiogenesis. Results We identified quercetin dihydrate as an orally available inhibitor of angiogenesis and our lead candidate for further evaluation for chemoprevention of angiogenesis. Quercetin blocked in vitro sprouting angiogenesis, and displayed a dose-dependent reduction in sprouting angiogenesis in the tail regeneration model in zebrafish. Finally, quercetin implanted at reported physiologic levels blocked blood vessel growth in mouse models of angiogenesis. Conclusions We describe a workflow for systematic evaluation of dietary compounds in increasing complexity models for stringent, systematic evaluation of angiogenesis inhibition. These multi-model approaches allow for filtering of pan-assay interference compounds (PAINS) prior to in vivo screening. This workflow identified quercetin as a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis which warrants further study for chemoprevention through diet. Funding Sources National Cancer Institute Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute Center for Cancer Research.