The Foxc2 transcription factor regulates tumor angiogenesis.

ABSTRACT: The Forkhead/Fox transcription factor Foxc2 is a critical regulator of vascular development. However, the role of Foxc2 in pathological angiogenesis in cancer remains unknown. Here we show that FoxC2 is highly expressed in human breast and colonic tumors and in the tumor endothelium in human and mouse melanomas. Using the B16 melanoma tumor model, we investigated the function of Foxc2 in tumor angiogenesis. After subcutaneous injection of B16 melanoma cells, primary tumor growth as well as neovascularization was markedly reduced in mice lacking one copy of the Foxc2 gene (Foxc2+/-). Consistently, expression levels of several angiogenic factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (Vegf), matrix metallopeptidase 2 (Mmp2), and platelet-derived growth factor-B (Pdgfb), were significa

SUBMITTER: Sano H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2822046 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature