Endothelial progenitor cells control the angiogenic switch in mouse lung metastasis.

TitleEndothelial progenitor cells control the angiogenic switch in mouse lung metastasis.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2008
AuthorsGao D, Nolan DJ, Mellick AS, Bambino K, McDonnell K, Mittal V
JournalScience
Volume319
Issue5860
Pagination195-8
Date Published2008 Jan 11
ISSN1095-9203
KeywordsAnimals, Bone Marrow Cells, Carcinoma, Lewis Lung, Disease Progression, Endothelial Cells, Female, Gene Expression, Inhibitor of Differentiation Protein 1, Lung Neoplasms, Male, Mammary Neoplasms, Animal, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mice, Transgenic, Neoplasm Metastasis, Neoplasm Transplantation, Neovascularization, Pathologic, Stem Cells
Abstract

Angiogenesis-mediated progression of micrometastasis to lethal macrometastasis is the major cause of death in cancer patients. Here, using mouse models of pulmonary metastasis, we identify bone marrow (BM)-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) as critical regulators of this angiogenic switch. We show that tumors induce expression of the transcription factor Id1 in the EPCs and that suppression of Id1 after metastatic colonization blocked EPC mobilization, caused angiogenesis inhibition, impaired pulmonary macrometastases, and increased survival of tumor-bearing animals. These findings establish the role of EPCs in metastatic progression in preclinical models and suggest that selective targeting of EPCs may merit investigation as a therapy for cancer patients with lung metastases.

DOI10.1126/science.1150224
Alternate JournalScience
PubMed ID18187653