Lymphangiogenesis and metastasis--a closer look at the neuropilin/semaphorin3 axis

Microvasc Res. 2014 Nov:96:68-76. doi: 10.1016/j.mvr.2014.07.006. Epub 2014 Aug 1.

Abstract

Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Understanding how the lymphatic system responds to its environment and local stimuli may lead to therapies to combat metastasis and other lymphatic-associated diseases. This review compares lymphatic vessels and blood vessels, discusses markers of lymphatic vasculature, and elucidates some of the signaling motifs involved in lymphangiogenesis. Recent progress implicating the neuropilin and semaphorin axes in this process is discussed.

Keywords: Cancer; Lymphangiogenesis; Metastasis; Neuropilin; Semaphorin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Lymphangiogenesis / physiology*
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Lymphatic System / pathology
  • Lymphatic Vessels / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / physiopathology*
  • Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Neuropilins / physiology*
  • Semaphorin-3A / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Neuropilins
  • Sema3a protein, mouse
  • Semaphorin-3A