Deficiency for endoglin in tumor vasculature weakens the endothelial barrier to metastatic dissemination

J Exp Med. 2013 Mar 11;210(3):563-79. doi: 10.1084/jem.20120662. Epub 2013 Feb 11.

Abstract

Therapy-induced resistance remains a significant hurdle to achieve long-lasting responses and cures in cancer patients. We investigated the long-term consequences of genetically impaired angiogenesis by engineering multiple tumor models deprived of endoglin, a co-receptor for TGF-β in endothelial cells actively engaged in angiogenesis. Tumors from endoglin-deficient mice adapted to the weakened angiogenic response, and refractoriness to diminished endoglin signaling was accompanied by increased metastatic capability. Mechanistic studies in multiple mouse models of cancer revealed that deficiency for endoglin resulted in a tumor vasculature that displayed hallmarks of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, a process of previously unknown significance in cancer biology, but shown by us to be associated with a reduced capacity of the vasculature to avert tumor cell intra- and extravasation. Nevertheless, tumors deprived of endoglin exhibited a delayed onset of resistance to anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) agents, illustrating the therapeutic utility of combinatorial targeting of multiple angiogenic pathways for the treatment of cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Endoglin
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism*
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
  • Female
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / physiology
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / deficiency
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / physiology*
  • Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / secondary
  • Mice
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / blood supply*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Twist-Related Protein 1 / physiology
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Endoglin
  • Eng protein, mouse
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Ralbp1 protein, mouse
  • Twist-Related Protein 1
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A