Vasculogenic mimicry

Vasculogenic mimicry is the formation of microvascular channels by aggressive, metastatic and genetically deregulated tumour cells.[1][2] This process differs from angiogenesis in that it occurs de novo without the presence of endothelial cells (tumour cells line tumour vessels effectively mimicking a true vascular endothelium). It was first described in uveal melanomas by Maniotis et al. in 1999.[3] There are two main types of vasculogenic mimicry: tubular and patterned. The former is morphologically similar to normal blood vessels, whereas the latter is visibly different although capable of undergoing anastomosis with blood vessels.[2]

The microvasculature generated through vasculogenic mimicry contains a basement membrane that stains positive with periodic acid–Schiff stain.[1]

History

After its discovery in 1999 a controversy arose in the field regarding the validity of the findings and conclusions of Maniotis and colleagues.[4] Nonetheless, their findings have been further supported by several research groups, becoming the focus of much interest due to its potential role as a therapeutic target and indicator of metastasis.[5]

See also

References
  1. Folberg, R; Hendrix, MJ; Maniotis, AJ (February 2000). "Vasculogenic mimicry and tumor angiogenesis". The American Journal of Pathology. 156 (2): 361–81. doi:10.1016/s0002-9440(10)64739-6. PMC 1850026. PMID 10666364.
  2. Folberg, R; Maniotis, AJ (July–August 2004). "Vasculogenic mimicry". APMIS. 112 (7–8): 508–25. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0463.2004.apm11207-0810.x. PMID 15563313.
  3. Maniotis, AJ; Folberg, R; Hess, A; Seftor, EA; Gardner, LM; Pe'er, J; Trent, JM; Meltzer, PS; Hendrix, MJ (September 1999). "Vascular channel formation by human melanoma cells in vivo and in vitro: vasculogenic mimicry". The American Journal of Pathology. 155 (3): 739–52. doi:10.1016/s0002-9440(10)65173-5. PMC 1866899. PMID 10487832.
  4. Fausto, Nelson (February 2000). "Vasculogenic Mimicry in Tumors". The American Journal of Pathology. 156 (2): 359. doi:10.1016/S0002-9440(10)64738-4. PMC 1850025. PMID 10666363.
  5. Seftor, RE; Hess, AR; Seftor, EA; Kirschmann, DA; Hardy, KM; Margaryan, NV; Hendrix, MJ (October 2012). "Tumor cell vasculogenic mimicry: from controversy to therapeutic promise". The American Journal of Pathology. 181 (4): 1115–25. doi:10.1016/j.ajpath.2012.07.013. PMC 4851740. PMID 22944600.

Further reading
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