We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Findings Explain How Tumors Guide New Blood Vessel Formation

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 15 Jul 2015
Print article
Image: Without angiogenesis a tumor cannot grow beyond a limited size (Photo courtesy of Cancer Research UK/Wikimedia Commons).
Image: Without angiogenesis a tumor cannot grow beyond a limited size (Photo courtesy of Cancer Research UK/Wikimedia Commons).
Tumors must generate new blood vessels in order to grow, and a recent paper described a novel Rho-family GTPase activation cascade that was required for the generation of the endothelial cell filopodial protrusions that are necessary for the tubule remodeling that forms the lumen through which the blood will flow.

During the process of new blood vessel formation or angiogenesis, enzymes known as Rho-GTPases influence endothelial cell migration and cell-to-cell adhesion. However, it is not known whether they control formation of vessel lumens, which are essential for blood flow. To clarify this point, investigators at the University of Leeds (United Kingdom) worked with mouse models that allowed them to manipulate levels of enzyme expression during VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor)-dependent angiogenesis.

They reported in the July 1, 2015, online edition of the journal Nature Communications that lumen formation required early cytoskeletal remodeling and lateral cell–cell contacts, mediated through the RAC1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) DOCK4 (dedicator of cytokinesis 4). DOCK family proteins contribute to cell signaling by activating G proteins of the Rho family, such as Rac and Cdc42. Dock4 dependent Rac activation regulates reorganization of the cytoskeleton and was known to lead to the formation of membrane protrusions, which are a crucial step in neuronal development and cell migration.

The investigators showed for the first time that DOCK4 signaling was necessary in angiogenesis for lateral filopodial protrusions and tubule remodeling prior to lumen formation, whereas proximal, tip filopodia persisted in the absence of DOCK4.

Senior author Dr. George Mavria, professor of medicine at the University of Leeds, said, “The finding gives an important indicator of how the protein affects the growth of secondary breast tumors in the brain. The discovery could also enable experts to predict which patients might be at risk of their breast cancer spreading, and develop drugs to prevent the growth of secondary tumors. We want to understand how these tumors form and grow, but we still need to do more research to stop these tumors growing altogether.”

Related Links:

University of Leeds 


Gold Member
Serological Pipet Controller
PIPETBOY GENIUS
Automated Blood Typing System
IH-500 NEXT
New
Malaria Rapid Test
OnSite Malaria Pf/Pan Ag Rapid Test
New
Tabletop Centrifuge
Mikro 185

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The new saliva-based test for heart failure measures two biomarkers in about 15 minutes (Photo courtesy of Trey Pittman)

POC Saliva Testing Device Predicts Heart Failure in 15 Minutes

Heart failure is a serious condition where the heart muscle is unable to pump sufficient oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. It ranks as a major cause of death globally and is particularly fatal for... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The smartphone technology measures blood hemoglobin levels from a digital photo of the inner eyelid (Photo courtesy of Purdue University)

First-Of-Its-Kind Smartphone Technology Noninvasively Measures Blood Hemoglobin Levels at POC

Blood hemoglobin tests are among the most frequently conducted blood tests, as hemoglobin levels can provide vital insights into various health conditions. However, traditional tests are often underutilized... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: Under a microscope, DNA repair is visible as bright green spots (“foci”) in the blue-stained cell DNA. Orange highlights actively growing cancer cells (Photo courtesy of WEHI)

Simple Blood Test Could Detect Drug Resistance in Ovarian Cancer Patients

Every year, hundreds of thousands of women across the world are diagnosed with ovarian and breast cancer. PARP inhibitors (PARPi) therapy has been a major advancement in treating these cancers, particularly... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: HNL Dimer can be a novel and potentially useful clinical tool in antibiotic stewardship in sepsis (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Unique Blood Biomarker Shown to Effectively Monitor Sepsis Treatment

Sepsis remains a growing problem across the world, linked to high rates of mortality and morbidity. Timely and accurate diagnosis, along with effective supportive therapy, is essential in reducing sepsis-related... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.