The role of dendritic cell precursors in tumour vasculogenesis.
In this review, we discuss the recent identification in vivo of a population of CD11c+ cells exhibiting simultaneous expression of both endothelial and dendritic cell markers, termed vascular leukocytes (VLCs). VLCs are highly represented in human ovarian carcinomas and, depending on the milieu, can assemble into functional blood vessels or act as antigen-presenting cells. The identification of dendritic cell precursors as bipotent cells has important implications for the physiopathology and therapy of tumours. VLCs emerge as a novel therapeutic target against tumour vascularisation.
Coukos
G
G
Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, BRBII/III, 421 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. gcks@mail.med.upenn.edu
Benencia
F
F
Buckanovich
R J
RJ
Conejo-Garcia
J R
JR
D039521:CD11c Antigen; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007962:Leukocytes; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000494:pharmacology
D039521:CD11c Antigen; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A