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Tumor-Associated Lymphatic Vessel Features and Immunomodulatory Functions
Laure Garnier1, Anastasia-Olga Gkountidi1, Stephanie Hugues1
1Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
Frontiers in Immunology
|April 27, 2019
Summary
Tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis, driven by lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), promotes cancer metastasis. Targeting these tumor lymphatics offers a strategy to impact both primary tumor progression and anti-tumor immunity.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- The lymphatic system, composed of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), is crucial for tissue fluid balance.
- Tumor development triggers tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis, increasing lymphatic endothelial cell activity and lymphatic vessel growth.
- This process enhances tumor drainage and is linked to cancer metastasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) in the tumor microenvironment.
- To discuss the immunoregulatory functions of LECs in cancer.
- To explore the functional remodeling of LEC subsets in different organ microenvironments.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and discussion of existing research on tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis.
- Analysis of the contribution of LECs to anti-tumor immunity.
- Examination of LEC subset remodeling based on organ-specific microenvironments.
Main Results:
- Tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis, mediated by VEGFR-3 signaling, enhances tumor metastasis.
- Inhibiting lymphangiogenesis in rodent models reduces tumor spread to lymph nodes.
- Tumor-associated lymphatics are not merely conduits for tumor cells but also critical regulators of anti-tumor immunity.
Conclusions:
- Manipulating tumor-associated lymphatic remodeling or function can impact primary tumor progression and metastasis.
- LECs within the tumor microenvironment act as significant immunoregulators.
- Further research into LEC subset remodeling is needed to understand their diverse roles in cancer progression and immunity.
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