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引起的。肿瘤的生长和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能像内皮细胞一样吗？这项应用旨在检测成人上皮细胞通过一过性间充质状态向内皮细胞的转变。我们的研究应该揭示血管生成拟态的分子和细胞原因，从而建立一个理解肿瘤生长和转移的新范式。这种新的分子理解将打开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.