Thymidine phosphorylase induces carcinoma cell oxidative stress and promotes secretion of angiogenic factors

Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) (E,C, 2,4,2,4), also known as platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor, is a potent angiogenic factor. The express ion of TF correlates with poor prognosis in a range of tumor types. 2-Deoxy -D-ribose-1-phosphate, a product of thymidine catabolism by TP, is a strong ly reducing sugar that generates oxygen radical species during the early st ages of protein glycation, We show that thymidine induces oxidative stress in TP-overexpressing carcinoma cells, promoting secretion of the stress-ind uced angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin- 8, and inducing matrix metalloproteinase-1, Our endings outline a putative mechanism for TP-induced angiogenesis and identify novel targets for interv ention.