Notch signaling in the regulation of tumor angiogenesis

Aasia O Rehman1, Cun-Yu Wang

  • 1Laboratory of Molecular Signaling and Apoptosis, Department of Biological and Materials Sciences and Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, School of Dentistry and Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.

Insights

The Notch signaling pathway regulates cell interactions and is crucial in tumor angiogenesis. Targeting this pathway offers a promising strategy for developing novel anti-angiogenic therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • The Notch signaling pathway is a conserved cell-cell communication mechanism.
  • It plays vital roles in development, differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and tumorigenesis.
  • Notch signaling is increasingly recognized for its role in tumor angiogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent insights into the role of Notch signaling in tumor angiogenesis.
  • To explore the potential of targeting Notch signaling for anti-angiogenic therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on Notch signaling and tumor angiogenesis.
  • Analysis of Notch pathway involvement in tumor endothelium and various tumor types.

Main Results:

  • Notch activity is elevated in tumor endothelium and diverse tumor types.
  • The pathway's role in angiogenesis can be context-dependent, sometimes suppressing it.
  • Interactions between tumor and endothelial cells via Notch signaling may promote angiogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • The Notch signaling pathway is a key regulator of tumor angiogenesis.
  • Targeting the Notch pathway presents a novel therapeutic strategy for anti-angiogenic treatments.

Related Concept Videos

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply01:24

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits.  Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...
Notch Signaling Pathway03:14

Notch Signaling Pathway

The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
Notch Signaling Pathway03:14

Notch Signaling Pathway

The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
Mechanism of Angiogenesis01:10

Mechanism of Angiogenesis

Blood vessel formation starts early during embryonic development, around day 7. In the extraembryonic yolk sac, mesodermal precursor cells called hemangioblast proliferate and differentiate into angioblast. Angioblasts express vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 or VEGFR2, which binds VEGF-A, a proangiogenic factor, guiding blood vessel formation. VEGF signaling promotes angioblasts to form a blood island in the developing embryo. Angioblasts further differentiate, giving rise to...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...