Autocrine/Paracrine Loop Between SCF⁺/c-Kit⁺ Mast Cells Promotes Cutaneous Melanoma Progression.

ABSTRACT: c-Kit, or mast/stem cell growth factor receptor Kit, is a tyrosine kinase receptor structurally analogous to the colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) CSF-1/PDGF receptor Tyr-subfamily. It binds the cytokine KITLG/SCF to regulate cell survival and proliferation, hematopoiesis, stem cell maintenance, gametogenesis, mast cell development, migration and function, and it plays an essential role in melanogenesis. SCF and c-Kit are biologically active as membrane-bound and soluble forms. They can be expressed by tumor cells and cells of the microenvironment playing a crucial role in tumor development, progression, and relapses. To date, few investigations have concerned the role of SCF⁺/c-Kit⁺ mast cells in normal, premalignant, and m

SUBMITTER: Annese T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8818866 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature