VEGFR-1 expressed by malignant melanoma initiating cells is required for tumor growth

ABSTRACT: Melanoma growth is driven by malignant melanoma initiating cells (MMIC) identified by expression of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) member, ABCB5. ABCB5+ melanoma subpopulations have been shown to overexpress the vasculogenic differentiation markers CD144 (VE-cadherin) and TIE-1 and are associated with CD31-negative vasculogenic mimicry (VM), an established biomarker associated with increased patient mortality. Here we identify a critical role for VEGFR-1 signaling in ABCB5+ MMIC-dependent VM and tumor growth. Global gene expression analyses, validated by mRNA and protein determinations, revealed preferential expression of VEGFR-1 on ABCB5+ tumor cells purified from clinical melanomas and established melanoma lines. In vitro, VEGF induced in a VEGFR-1-dependent manner expression of

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

SUBMITTER: Natasha Frank 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-26569 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress