PlGF/VEGFR-1 Signaling Promotes Macrophage Polarization and Accelerated Tumor Progression in Obesity.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Obesity promotes pancreatic and breast cancer progression via mechanisms that are poorly understood. Although obesity is associated with increased systemic levels of placental growth factor (PlGF), the role of PlGF in obesity-induced tumor progression is not known. PlGF and its receptor VEGFR-1 have been shown to modulate tumor angiogenesis and promote tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) recruitment and activity. Here, we hypothesized that increased activity of PlGF/VEGFR-1 signaling mediates obesity-induced tumor progression by augmenting tumor angiogenesis and TAM recruitment/activity.

Experimental design

We established diet-induced obese mouse models of wild-type C57BL/6, VEGFR-1 tyrosine kinase (TK)-null, or PlGF-null mice, and evaluated the role of PlGF/VEGFR-1 si

SUBMITTER: Incio J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4911258 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature