内皮祖细胞与肿瘤血管新生

Endothelial progenitor cells and neovascularization of tumors

血管内皮祖细胞(EPCs)是内皮细胞的前体细胞,特异性表达CD34,CD133和VEGFR-2,具有向血管内皮细胞分化的潜能。EPCs主要位于骨髓和外周血。肿瘤的生长和转移依赖于肿瘤血管新生。肿瘤细胞可合成和释放多种细胞因子,在不同因子的趋化作用下EPCs从骨髓动员至外周血循环,然后迁移和定居到肿瘤组织,经细胞因子诱导分化为成熟内皮细胞,参与肿瘤血管新生。VEGF/VEGFR-2信号途径在EPCs参与的肿瘤血管新生方面起重要作用。

Endothelial progenitor cells （EPCs） are precursons of endothelial cells. Vascular endothelial progenitor cells express CD34, CD133 and VEGFR-2 and have potential to differentiate towards vascular endothelial cells. EPCs locate in the bone marrow and peripheral blood. Growth and metastasis of tumors are dependent on neovascularization. Tumor cells may synthesize and release many kinds of cytokines. EPCs are mobilized by the cytokines from the bone marrow to peripheral blood, and migrate to the tumor tissue. After the induction of cytokines in tumor tissue, the cells differentiate into mature endothelial cells. VEGF/VEGFR-2 signaling pathway plays important roles in tumor neovascularization mediated by EPCs