IGFBP7 functions as a potential lymphangiogenesis inducer in non-small cell lung carcinoma

Oncol Rep. 2016 Mar;35(3):1483-92. doi: 10.3892/or.2015.4516. Epub 2015 Dec 24.

Abstract

Lymphangiogenesis is not only involved in the processes of embryonic development, tissue repair and chronic inflammation, but also in tumor lymphatic metastasis. Metastatic tumor cells spreading through lymphatic vessels occur in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), with regional lymph node metastasis often being the most important prognostic factor for carcinoma patients. Recent research has identified a range of lymphangiogenic growth factors that could conceivably play a great role in promoting tumor lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis. The most extensively accepted signaling pathways promoting lymphangiogenesis in tumors include the secreted lymphangiogenic proteins: vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and VEGF-D, and their cognate receptor on lymphatic endothelium VEGF receptor-3 (VEGFR-3). Targeting VEGF pathway strategy sometimes failed to decrease tumor metastasis in vivo experiments and clinical trials. It is unclear whether the tumor cells induced the lymphangiogenesis process, while VEGF pathway could not completely illustrate the mechanism of tumor cell lymphatic metastasis. To explore the novel tumor lymphangiogenesis targets, we screened 181 candidate genes between high lymphatic vascular density (LVD) and low LVD in lung adenocarcinomas using Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 Microarray. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) was proven to be associated with metastatic clinicopathological features and high LVD. Furthermore, by assessing the capability of lymphatic endothelial cell forming lymphatic vessel-like structures in vitro, it appears to enhance lymphangiogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Genome, Human
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Lymphangiogenesis / genetics*
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Lymphatic Vessels / metabolism
  • Lymphatic Vessels / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Signal Transduction
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / biosynthesis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / genetics*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D / biosynthesis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D / genetics*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 / biosynthesis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 / genetics*

Substances

  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins
  • VEGFD protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D
  • insulin-like growth factor binding protein-related protein 1
  • FLT4 protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3