Abstract
1/2015
vol. 9
Molecular mechanism of vasculogenic mimicry in tumors
Pielęgniarstwo Chirurgiczne i Angiologiczne 2015; 1: 22–27
Online publish date: 2015/03/13
Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a new model of tumor angiogenesis, which refers to the de novo formation of perfusable, matrix-rich, vasculogenic-like networks by virtue of the plasticity of aggressive tumor cells and the reconstruction of extracellular matrix (ECM). However, little is known about the molecular underpinnings of this phenomenon. To sum up, interactions of the critical VM-modulating pathways such as vascular (VE-cadherin, EphA2, VEGFR), embryonic and/or stem cell (Nodal, Notch4, CD133+, CD271), and hypoxia-related (HIF-1α, Twist1) signaling pathways are necessary for the formation of vasculogenic mimicry. What is more, accompanied by anti-angiogenic therapy of tumors, the use of VM is becoming more and more important.
Keywords
vasculogenic mimicry (VM), molecular mechanism, tumors
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