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Published on: December 9, 2016
Atypical E2Fs inhibit tumor angiogenesis.
B G M W Weijts1,2, B Westendorp1, B T Hien1
1Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Atypical E2F transcription factors (E2F7 and E2F8) suppress tumor angiogenesis, a key cancer hallmark. This contrasts with their role in fetal development, revealing a novel tumor suppressor mechanism involving DLL4 regulation.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Atypical E2F transcription factors (E2F7 and E2F8) are crucial for cell cycle regulation.
- Inactivation of E2F7/8 leads to spontaneous cancer in mice, but their tumor suppressor mechanisms are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of atypical E2Fs in tumor angiogenesis.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which E2F7/8 function as tumor suppressors.
Main Methods:
- Genetic inactivation of E2F7/8 in epithelial and mesenchymal neoplasms.
- Analysis of blood vessel formation in three distinct cancer models (chemical induction and oncogene overexpression).
- Real-time imaging of blood vessel development in zebrafish xenografts.
Main Results:
- Atypical E2Fs suppressed tumor angiogenesis across all three cancer models.
- E2F7/8 deficiency led to enhanced intratumoral blood vessel branching in zebrafish xenografts.
- DLL4 expression, a negative regulator of vascular branching, was decreased in E2F7/8-deficient tumors.
Conclusions:
- Atypical E2Fs (E2F7/8) act as suppressors of tumor angiogenesis, a novel function distinct from their role in fetal development.
- E2F7/8 may inhibit intratumoral vessel branching through the induction of DLL4.
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