Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Direct Bioprinting of 3D Multicellular Breast Spheroids onto Endothelial Networks
Published on: November 2, 2020
Syncytin is involved in breast cancer-endothelial cell fusions
B Bjerregaard1, S Holck, I J Christensen
1Anatomy and Cell Biology, IBHV, KVL, Gronnegaardsvej 7, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract:
Cancer cells can fuse spontaneously with normal host cells, including endothelial cells, and such fusions may strongly modulate the biological behaviour of tumors. However, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. We now show that human breast cancer cell lines and 63 out of 165 (38%) breast cancer specimens express syncytin, an endogenous retroviral envelope protein, previously implicated in fusions between placental trophoblast cells. Additionally, endothelial and cancer cells are shown to express ASCT-2, a receptor for syncytin. Syncytin antisense treatment decreases syncytin expression and inhibits fusions between breast cancer cells and endothelial cells. Moreover, a syncytin inhibitory peptide also inhibits fusions between cancer and endothelial cells. These results are the first to show that syncytin is expressed by human cancer cells and is involved in cancer-endothelial cell fusions.
Related Concept Videos
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...
Metastasis
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
The Tumor Microenvironment
Selectins
Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions
Activation of Integrins
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding events provide an effective stimulus.

