[HTML][HTML] Pericytes limit tumor cell metastasis

X Xian, J Håkansson, A Ståhlberg… - The Journal of …, 2006 - Am Soc Clin Investig
X Xian, J Håkansson, A Ståhlberg, P Lindblom, C Betsholtz, H Gerhardt, H Semb
The Journal of clinical investigation, 2006Am Soc Clin Investig
Previously we observed that neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) deficiency in β tumor
cells facilitates metastasis into distant organs and local lymph nodes. Here, we show that
NCAM-deficient β cell tumors grew leaky blood vessels with perturbed pericyte-endothelial
cell-cell interactions and deficient perivascular deposition of ECM components. Conversely,
tumor cell expression of NCAM in a fibrosarcoma model (T241) improved pericyte
recruitment and increased perivascular deposition of ECM molecules. Together, these …
Previously we observed that neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) deficiency in β tumor cells facilitates metastasis into distant organs and local lymph nodes. Here, we show that NCAM-deficient β cell tumors grew leaky blood vessels with perturbed pericyte-endothelial cell-cell interactions and deficient perivascular deposition of ECM components. Conversely, tumor cell expression of NCAM in a fibrosarcoma model (T241) improved pericyte recruitment and increased perivascular deposition of ECM molecules. Together, these findings suggest that NCAM may limit tumor cell metastasis by stabilizing the microvessel wall. To directly address whether pericyte dysfunction increases the metastatic potential of solid tumors, we studied β cell tumorigenesis in primary pericyte-deficient Pdgfbret/ret mice. This resulted in β tumor cell metastases in distant organs and local lymph nodes, demonstrating a role for pericytes in limiting tumor cell metastasis. These data support a new model for how tumor cells trigger metastasis by perturbing pericyte-endothelial cell-cell interactions.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation