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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Isolation of Circulating Tumor Cells in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Colorectal Cancer

Isolation of Circulating Tumor Cells in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Colorectal Cancer

Published on: July 18, 2017

Pericytes limit tumor cell metastasis.

Xiaojie Xian¹, Joakim Håkansson, Anders Ståhlberg

¹Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.

The Journal of Clinical Investigation

|February 14, 2006

Summary

Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) deficiency in tumors promotes metastasis by disrupting blood vessel integrity and pericyte function. Restoring NCAM stabilizes vessels, reducing tumor spread and improving outcomes.

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Micromanipulation of Circulating Tumor Cells for Downstream Molecular Analysis and Metastatic Potential Assessment

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Published on: May 14, 2019

Area of Science:

Oncology
Cell Biology
Vascular Biology

Background:

Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) deficiency in beta tumor cells was previously linked to increased metastasis.
Tumor microenvironment, particularly blood vessel stability, plays a crucial role in cancer progression.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of NCAM in regulating tumor metastasis.
To determine if pericyte dysfunction contributes to increased metastatic potential.

Main Methods:

Examined NCAM-deficient beta cell tumors for blood vessel integrity and pericyte interactions.
Assessed NCAM expression in a fibrosarcoma model (T241) for effects on pericyte recruitment and ECM deposition.
Studied beta cell tumorigenesis in pericyte-deficient Pdgfb(ret/ret) mice.

Main Results:

NCAM-deficient tumors exhibited leaky blood vessels with impaired pericyte-endothelial cell interactions and reduced ECM deposition.
Tumor cell NCAM expression enhanced pericyte recruitment and perivascular ECM deposition.
Pericyte deficiency led to beta tumor cell metastases, confirming their role in limiting tumor spread.

Conclusions:

NCAM stabilizes the microvessel wall, thereby limiting tumor cell metastasis.
Tumor cell metastasis is facilitated by the perturbation of pericyte-endothelial cell interactions.
Pericytes are critical in preventing tumor cell metastasis.