Functional expression of membrane alanyl-aminopeptidase (CD13/APN) promotes tumor cell proliferation and neoangiogenesis in malignant gliomas.

ABSTRACT: Malignant gliomas are characterized by marked neovascularization and increased tumor cell proliferation. Recently, membrane alanyl-aminopeptidase (CD13/APN) has been identified to play a crucial role in neoangiogenesis. In this study, we show that among various central nervous system tumors, malignant astrocytomas are unique in their high expression levels of functionally active CD13/APN. CD13/APN was found in both tumor cells and tumor vessels of malignant astrocytomas, while in low-grade astrocytomas only endothelial cells of tumor vessels expressed CD13/APN. Inhibitors of the enzymatic activity of CD13/APN significantly reduced the proliferation of U87MG and U138MG malignant glioma cells. Inhibition of CD13/APN mRNA expression by siRNA in glioma cells co-cultured with human umbilical ve

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

SUBMITTER: Joerg Mostertz 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-37923 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress