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Pericytes in Metastasis
Zalitha Pieterse1, Devbarna Sinha2, Pritinder Kaur3
1Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|June 1, 2019
Summary
Pericytes regulate tumor blood vessel growth and permeability. When pericytes relocate within tumors, they gain new functions that promote tumor growth and metastasis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Vascular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Pericytes traditionally support tumor blood vessel stability and regulate permeability.
- Tumor growth relies on angiogenesis, a process influenced by pericytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the emerging roles of pericytes beyond vascular stability.
- To explore how pericyte relocation in the tumor microenvironment alters their function.
- To highlight pericyte-driven promotion of tumor growth and metastasis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on pericyte function in cancer.
- Analysis of pericyte behavior in the tumor microenvironment.
- Synthesis of current research on pericyte-mediated angiogenesis, vascular permeability, and metastasis.
Main Results:
- Pericytes are crucial for maintaining vascular integrity and regulating blood supply in tumors.
- Pericyte coverage is essential for controlling vascular permeability and preventing tumor cell extravasation.
- Relocated pericytes acquire pro-tumorigenic properties, actively promoting tumor progression and metastasis.
Conclusions:
- Pericytes exhibit context-dependent functions in cancer, shifting from vascular support to tumor promotion upon relocation.
- Understanding these dynamic pericyte roles is critical for developing novel anti-cancer therapies targeting the tumor microenvironment.
- Further research into pericyte plasticity is warranted to fully elucidate their impact on tumor metastasis.
