Autocrine functions of VEGF in breast tumor cells: adhesion, survival, migration and invasion

Cell Adh Migr. 2012 Nov-Dec;6(6):547-53. doi: 10.4161/cam.23332. Epub 2012 Nov 1.

Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is well known for its key roles in blood vessel growth. Although most studies on VEGF and VEGF receptors have been focused on their functions in angiogenesis and in endothelial cells, the role of VEGF in cancer biology appears as an emerging area of importance. In this context, the presence of VEGF receptors in tumor cells strongly suggests that VEGF-A also promotes a wide range of functions, both in vitro and in vivo, all autocrine functions on tumor cells, including adhesion, survival, migration and invasion. Ultimately, refining our knowledge of VEGF signaling pathways in tumor cells should help us to understand why the current used treatments targeting the VEGF pathway in cancer are not universally effective in inhibiting metastasis tumors, and it should also provide new avenues for future therapies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autocrine Communication*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Movement*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Survival
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Integrin alpha Chains / metabolism
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Mice
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / genetics
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / pathology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Neuropilin-2 / genetics
  • Neuropilin-2 / metabolism
  • Protein Interaction Mapping
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism*

Substances

  • Integrin alpha Chains
  • Neuropilin-2
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • neuropilin-2, human
  • vascular endothelial growth factor A, mouse