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Desmoplasia is accompanied by vascular maturation in colon cancer
Author(s) -
Gaumann Andreas KA,
Schulte Stephanie S,
Stephan Schmid,
Hofstädter Ferdinand,
KunzSchughart Leoni
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a385-b
Subject(s) - desmoplasia , stromal cell , podoplanin , pericyte , stroma , cd31 , pathology , microangiography , angiogenesis , tumor microenvironment , biology , cancer research , colorectal cancer , cancer , medicine , lymphatic system , immunohistochemistry , endothelial stem cell , tumor cells , biochemistry , in vitro
The cellular microenvironment affects tumor pathogenesis and progression. Previous reports emphasize the role of pericytes in vessel maturation but the role of pericytes contributing to tumor vascularisation and affecting therapeutic vascular targeting is still ambiguous. We analyzed vascularization and maturation relative to stroma formation in colon cancer. Design: 55 colon carcinomas were retrieved and classified for stroma formation (grade 1–3). Vascularization was quantified in CD31/podoplanin stainings. Vessel maturation was assessed by counting pericyte coverage in sections double labeled for PDGFR‐β or α‐SMA combined with CD31 or podoplanin. The expression pattern of growth factors and their receptors (TGF, VEGF, PDGF) in tumor and stromal compartments was also monitored. Results: High grade desmoplastic tumors show a lower microvessel density than tumors with low grade desmoplasia. Lymphatic vessel density is unaltered. Pericyte coverage is significantly enhanced in desmoplastic high vs. low grade tumors. TGFß‐1 is highly expressed in desmoplastic tumors but the classical receptor type I (Alk‐5) is lacking. Conclusions: The desmoplastic reaction in colon carcinomas is accompanied by reduced vessel density and enhanced vascular maturation supporting the hypothesis that tumor vascularisation is modified by the fibrous stromal reaction. Thus, tumor desmoplasia may critically impact anti‐angiogenic therapy.