CD36 promotes vasculogenic mimicry in melanoma by mediating adhesion to the extracellular matrix.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The formation of blood vessels within solid tumors directly contributes to cancer growth and metastasis. Until recently, tumor vasculature was thought to occur exclusively via endothelial cell (EC) lined structures (i.e. angiogenesis), but a second source of tumor vasculature arises from the cancer cells themselves, a process known as vasculogenic mimicry (VM). While it is generally understood that the function of VM vessels is the same as that of EC-lined vessels (i.e. to supply oxygen and nutrients to the proliferating cancer cells), the molecular mechanisms underpinning VM are yet to be fully elucidated.

Methods

Human VM-competent melanoma cell lines were examined for their VM potential using the in vitro angiogenesis assays (Matrigel), together with inhibition

SUBMITTER: Martini C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8254274 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature