Soluble TREM2 Engages Cell-surface Nucleolin to Drive Vascular Permeability and Malignant Ascites in Ovarian Cancer

ABSTRACT: Ascites, a hallmark of advanced ovarian cancer, severely impairs patients' quality of life and contributes to therapeutic resistance. Current management strategies remain primarily palliative, highlighting the urgent need to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Although TREM2+ macrophages are enriched in malignant ascites, the role of soluble TREM2 (sTREM2) in regulating vascular function and ascites pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Here, we show that sTREM2 levels are elevated in malignant ascites and positively correlate with ascites volume. Using a combination of in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo models, we demonstrated that sTREM2 promotes vascular permeability and drives ascites formation. Mechanistically, sTREM2 binds to nucleolin (NCL) on endothelial cells and activates the AKT/

SUBMITTER: Qianqian Li 

PROVIDER: S-SCDT-10_1038-S44321-026-00452-2 | biostudies-other |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other