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The Tumor Microenvironment

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...

The Tumor Microenvironment

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

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Mechanism of Angiogenesis

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Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Assessing Tumor Microenvironment of Metastasis Doorway-Mediated Vascular Permeability Associated with Cancer Cell Dissemination using Intravital Imaging and Fixed Tissue Analysis

Assessing Tumor Microenvironment of Metastasis Doorway-Mediated Vascular Permeability Associated with Cancer Cell Dissemination using Intravital Imaging and Fixed Tissue Analysis

Published on: June 26, 2019

Altered angiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment.

Kyoko Hida¹, Taisuke Kawamoto, Noritaka Ohga

¹Departments of Vascular Biology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Sapporo, Japan. khida@den.hokudai.ac.jp

Pathology International

|October 28, 2011

Summary

Tumor endothelial cells (TECs) are genetically abnormal and exhibit increased proliferation and migration. These abnormalities suggest the tumor microenvironment induces changes in blood vessel cells, impacting cancer progression.

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Isolation and Culture Expansion of Tumor-specific Endothelial Cells

Isolation and Culture Expansion of Tumor-specific Endothelial Cells

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Last Updated: May 28, 2026

Assessing Tumor Microenvironment of Metastasis Doorway-Mediated Vascular Permeability Associated with Cancer Cell Dissemination using Intravital Imaging and Fixed Tissue Analysis

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Isolation and Culture Expansion of Tumor-specific Endothelial Cells

Isolation and Culture Expansion of Tumor-specific Endothelial Cells

Published on: October 14, 2015

Area of Science:

Oncology
Cell Biology
Cancer Research

Background:

Tumor blood vessels are crucial for cancer progression and metastasis.
Targeting tumor vasculature is a key cancer therapy strategy.
Tumor endothelial cells (TECs) were previously thought to be genetically normal.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the abnormalities of TECs.
To understand the mechanisms by which the tumor microenvironment affects TECs.
To inform the development of anti-angiogenic therapies.

Main Methods:

Isolation of TECs from mouse tumor xenografts.
Comparison of TECs with normal endothelial cells (NECs).
Analysis of gene expression, proliferation, migration, and cytogenetics.

Main Results:

TECs showed significant differences compared to NECs.
TECs up-regulated numerous genes.
TECs exhibited enhanced proliferation and migration.
TECs were found to be cytogenetically abnormal.

Conclusions:

TECs can acquire cytogenetic abnormalities within the tumor microenvironment.
Understanding TEC abnormalities and their interaction with the tumor microenvironment is vital for effective anti-angiogenic therapy development.