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Analysis of Cell Migration within a Three-dimensional Collagen Matrix
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Migration Stimulating Factor (MSF): Its Role in the Tumour Microenvironment.

A M Schor1, A M Woolston2, K Kankova3

  • 1School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|October 19, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Migration Stimulating Factor (MSF) is a fibronectin isoform promoting tumor progression by stimulating cell migration and angiogenesis. Its presence in most tumors correlates with poor prognosis, highlighting its role in cancer development.

Keywords:
AngiogenesisCancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF)Cell migrationFibronectin isoformsIGD peptidesIGFBP-7MacrophagesMigration Stimulating Factor (MSF)NGALOncofoetal proteinPrognostic factorSprouting (angiogenic) endothelial cellsTGFβ1Tumour cellsTumour microenvironment (TME)

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Migration Stimulating Factor (MSF) is a 70 kDa truncated fibronectin (FN) isoform.
  • MSF is a soluble protein with cytokine-like activities, distinct from matrix-bound FN.
  • Two isoforms, MSF+aa and MSF-aa, exist with differing functionalities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of MSF in tumor microenvironment (TME) and its association with cancer progression.
  • To understand the mechanisms by which MSF influences tumor growth, angiogenesis, and cell migration.
  • To explore the prognostic value of MSF expression in various cancer types.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of MSF expression in tumor tissues and serum from cancer patients.
  • Investigation of MSF's biological activities, including cell migration, invasion, and angiogenesis.
  • Identification of factors regulating MSF expression and its downstream signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • MSF is present in 70-80% of tumors, expressed by tumor cells and stromal components.
  • High MSF expression is linked to tumor progression and poor prognosis in multiple cancers (e.g., breast, NSCLC).
  • MSF stimulates cell migration, angiogenesis, and differentiation, but not proliferation, contributing to tumor growth.

Conclusions:

  • MSF is a key driver of tumor progression, acting through both tumor cells ('seed') and the TME ('soil').
  • MSF's expression is dynamic and regulated by TME interactions, with MSF-aa being the primary cancer-associated isoform.
  • MSF represents a potential therapeutic target for various malignancies due to its multifaceted pro-tumorigenic activities.