The human myoepithelial cell displays a multifaceted anti-angiogenic phenotype

Mai Nguyen, Maggie C. Lee, Jing Liang Wang, James S. Tomlinson, Zhi Ming Shao, Mary L. Alpaugh, Sanford H. Barsky

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

83 Scopus citations

Abstract

Human myoepithelial cells which surround ducts and acini of certain organs such as the breast form a natural border separating epithelial cells from stromal angiogenesis. Myoepithelial cell lines (HMS-1-6), derived from diverse benign myoepithelial tumors, all constitutively express high levels of active angiogenic inhibitors which include TIMP-1, thrombospondin-1 and soluble bFGF receptors but very low levels of angiogenic factors. These myoepithelial cell lines inhibit endothelial cell chemotaxis and proliferation. These myoepithelial cell lines sense hypoxia, respond to low O2 tension by increased HIF-1α but with only a minimal increase in VEGF and iNOS steady state mRNA levels. Their corresponding xenografts (HMS-X-6X) grow very slowly compared to their non-myoepithelial carcinomatous counterparts and accumulate an abundant extracellular matrix devoid of angiogenesis but containing bound angiogenic inhibitors. These myoepithelial xenografts exhibit only minimal hypoxia but extensive necrosis in comparison to their non-myoepithelial xenograft counterparts. These former xenografts inhibit local and systemic tumor-induced angiogenesis and metastasis presumably from their matrix-bound and released circulating angiogenic inhibitors. These observations collectively support the hypothesis that the human myoepithelial cell (even when transformed) is a natural suppressor of angiogenesis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3449-3459
Number of pages11
JournalOncogene
Volume19
Issue number31
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 20 2000
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cancer Research

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The human myoepithelial cell displays a multifaceted anti-angiogenic phenotype'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this