Molecular Regulation of Lymphangiogenesis in Development and Tumor Microenvironment.

Aug 2012

Li T, Yang J, Zhou Q, He Y.

Source

Laboratory of Vascular and Cancer Biology, Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Thrombosis and Hemostasis Key Lab of the Ministry of Health, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.

Keywords  Lymphatic endothelial cell – Lymphangiogenesis – Tumor microenvironment – Tumor metastasis

Abstract

A rapid progress has been made in the field of lymphatic research during the last 15 years. This includes better understanding of the cellular events and molecular players involved in the lymphatic vessel formation and remodeling indevelopment. The key players identified in developmental lymphangiogenesis, including vascular endothelial cell growth factor-C (VEGF-C) / VEGFR-3 and angiopoietins (ANGPTs)/ TIE pathways, are also crucial for pathological lymphatic vesselgrowth. In solid tumor, tumor cells as well as tumor-associated stromal cells, such as tumor-infiltrating leukocytes, contribute to intra- and peri-tumoral lymphangiogenesis via secreting lymphangiogenic growth factors. Tumor-associated lymphaticendothelial cells also interact actively with tumor cells and leukocytes via secreting various chemokines. It has been well established that tumor lymphangiogenesis promotes tumor cell dissemination to regional lymph nodes. Thus manipulation of lymphangiogenic microenvironment could become another valuable approach in the combat of tumor progression.

Springerlink

Overlapping biomarkers, pathways, processes and syndromes in lymphatic development, growth and neoplasia.

Jul 15, 2012

Witte MH, Dellinger MT, Papendieck CM, Boccardo F.

Source

Department of Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ, 85724-5200, USA, lymph@u.arizona.edu.

Keywords:  Biomarkers – Cancer metastasis – Lymphatic development – EMT-MET – Vascular neoplasia – Lymphogenous dissemination

Abstract

Recent discoveries in molecular lymphology, developmental biology, and tumor biology in the context of long-standing concepts and observations on development, growth, and neoplasia implicate overlapping pathways, processes, and clinical manifestations in developmental disorders and cancer metastasis. Highlighted in this review are some of what is known (and speculated) about the genes, proteins, and signaling pathways and processes involved in lymphatic/blood vascular development in comparison to those involved in cancer progression and spread. Clues and conundra from clinical disordersthat mix these processes and mute them, including embryonic rests, multicentric nests of displaced cells, uncontrolled/invasive "benign" proliferation and lymphogenous/hematogenous "spread", represent a fine line between normal development and growth, dysplasia, benign and malignant neoplasia, and "metastasis". Improved understanding of these normal and pathologic processes and their underlying pathomechanisms, e.g., stem cell origin and bidirectional epithelial-mesenchymal transition, could lead to more successful approaches in classification, treatment, and even prevention of cancer and a whole host of other diseases.

Springerlink