Expansion of TGF-beta-Smad signaling network and intrinsic epithelial-mesenchymal-endothelial transition

大多数肿瘤死亡是由于肿瘤转移。肿瘤生长和肿瘤扩散都需要血管生成，血管生成被认为是由肿瘤驱动的，但起源于宿主内皮细胞。肿瘤细胞的行为和功能是否与内皮细胞相似？本申请旨在通过瞬时间充质状态检测成体上皮细胞向内皮细胞的转变。我们的研究应该揭示血管生成拟态的分子和细胞原因，从而建立一个新的范式，了解肿瘤的生长和转移。这种新的分子理解将开辟新的抗肿瘤治疗机会。

The majority of tumor death occurs due to tumor metastasis. Both tumor growth and tumor spread require angiogenesis, which is thought to be driven by tumor but originated from host endothelial cells. Could tumor cells behave and function like endothelial cells? This application aims to detect the transition of adult epithelial cells to endothelial cells through a transient mesenchymal state. Our studies should reveal both the molecular and cellular causes of vasculogenic mimicry, thus establishing a new paradigm in understanding tumor growth and metastasis. Such novel molecular understanding will open up new anti-tumor therapeutic opportunities.