Thrombomodulin facilitates melanoma progression via FAK- and ezrin-mediated phenotypic plasticity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cancer cell plasticity enables dynamic transitions between cellular states, contributing to tumor progression and the acquisition of phenotypic traits such as vascular mimicry (VM), which promotes malignancy and resistance to anti-angiogenic therapies. Thrombomodulin (TM), a type I transmembrane glycoprotein known for initiating sprouting angiogenesis, has been implicated in tumor vascularization. However, its role in melanoma progression and VM remains poorly characterized.

Methods

TM expression was evaluated in human cutaneous melanoma biopsies and an endothelial-melanoma co-culture system. Functional assays were conducted to assess the impact of TM knockdown and overexpression on cell adhesion and VM formation. Domain-specific contributions of TM were investiga

SUBMITTER: Kuo CH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12849159 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature