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Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Orthotopic Mouse Model of Colorectal Cancer
Published on: December 4, 2007
Lymphatic endothelium contributes to colorectal cancer growth via the soluble matrisome component GDF11
Federica Ungaro1,2, Piergiuseppe Colombo3, Luca Massimino4
1IBD Center, Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Immunopathology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy.
Abstract:
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most malignant tumors worldwide. Stromal cells residing in the tumor microenvironment strongly contribute to cancer progression through their crosstalk with cancer cells and extracellular matrix. Here we provide the first evidence that CRC-associated lymphatic endothelium displays a distinct matrisome-associated transcriptomic signature, which distinguishes them from healthy intestinal lymphatics. We also demonstrate that CRC-associated human intestinal lymphatic endothelial cells regulate tumor cell growth via growth differentiation factor 11, a soluble matrisome component which in CRC patients was found to be associated with tumor progression. Our data provide new insights into lymphatic contribution to CRC growth, aside from their conventional role as conduits of metastasis.
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