Gold nanoparticles attenuate metastasis by tumor vasculature normalization and epithelial-mesenchymal transition inhibition.

ABSTRACT: Angiogenesis is a process by which vessels are formed through preexisting ones, and this plays a key role in the progression of solid tumors. However, tumor vessels are influenced by excessive pro-angiogenic factors, resulting in deformed structures that facilitate the intravasation of tumor cells into the circulation and subsequent metastasis. Moreover, abnormal tumor vessels have low blood perfusion and thereby decreased oxygen infusion into tumors. This results in a hostile microenvironment that promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process in which epithelial cells lose their polarity and gain increased motility, which is associated with metastasis and invasion. Here, we demonstrate that gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) facilitate tumor vasculature normalization, increase blood

SUBMITTER: Li W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5422535 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature