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Updated: May 8, 2026

Endothelial Cell Tube Formation Assay for the In Vitro Study of Angiogenesis
Published on: September 1, 2014
Integrins in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis
Christie J Avraamides1, Barbara Garmy-Susini, Judith A Varner
1Moores UCSD Cancer Center, 3,855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla, California 92092-0819, USA.
Abstract:
Blood vessels promote tumour growth, and both blood and lymphatic vessels facilitate tumour metastasis by serving as conduits for the transport of tumour cells to new sites. Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are regulated by integrins, which are members of a family of cell surface receptors whose ligands are extracellular matrix proteins and immunoglobulin superfamily molecules. Select integrins promote endothelial cell migration and survival during angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, whereas other integrins promote pro-angiogenic macrophage trafficking to tumours. Several integrin-targeted therapeutic agents are currently in clinical trials for cancer therapy. Here, we review the evidence implicating integrins as a family of fundamental regulators of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.
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