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Dual role of macrophages in tumor growth and angiogenesis
Author(s) -
Lamagna Chrystelle,
AurrandLions Michel,
Imhof Beat A.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1189/jlb.1105656
Subject(s) - angiogenesis , biology , neovascularization , immune system , tumor progression , macrophage , cancer research , tumor microenvironment , immunology , cancer , in vitro , biochemistry , genetics
During the neoplastic progression, macrophages as well as dendritic and NK cells are attracted into the tumor site and initiate the immune response against transformed cells. They activate and present tumor antigens to T cells, which are then activated to kill tumor cells. However, tumor cells are often capable of escaping the immune machinery. As the immune surveillance is not sufficient anymore, tumor‐associated macrophages contribute to tumor progression. It is notable that tumor‐associated macrophages promote the proliferation of tumor cells directly by secreting growth factors. They also participate in tumor progression by acting on endothelial cells and thus promoting the neovascularization of the tumor. Tumor‐associated macrophages are indeed key protagonists during angiogenesis and promote each step of the angiogenesis cascade.