Heparan sulfate proteoglycans and heparin regulate melanoma cell functions.
BACKGROUND
The solid melanoma tumor consists of transformed melanoma cells, and the associated stromal cells including fibroblasts, endothelial cells, immune cells, as well as, soluble macro- and micro-molecules of the extracellular matrix (ECM) forming the complex network of the tumor microenvironment. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are an important component of the melanoma tumor ECM. Importantly, there appears to be both a quantitative and a qualitative shift in the content of HSPGs, in parallel to the nevi-radial growth phase-vertical growth phase melanoma progression. Moreover, these changes in HSPG expression are correlated to modulations of key melanoma cell functions.


METHODS
This review will critically discuss the roles of HSPGs/heparin in melanoma development and progression.


CONCLUSIONS
We have correlated HSPGs' expression and distribution with melanoma cell signaling and functions as well as angiogenesis.


CONCLUSIONS
The current knowledge of HSPGs/heparin biology in melanoma provides a foundation we can utilize in the ongoing search for new approaches in designing anti-tumor therapy. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Matrix-mediated cell behaviour and properties.
Department of Anatomy, Histology, Embryology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion 71003, Greece.
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Nikitovic
Department of Anatomy, Histology, Embryology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion 71003, Greece.
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M
Mytilinaiou
Department of Anatomy, Histology, Embryology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion 71003, Greece.
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A
Berdiaki
Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Patras 26110, Greece.
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Karamanos
Department of Anatomy, Histology, Embryology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion 71003, Greece. Electronic address: tzanakak@med.uoc.gr.
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Tzanakakis
D000818:Animals; D018450:Disease Progression; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism*; D006493:Heparin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics
D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans; D006493:Heparin
Cell function; Heparan sulfate proteoglycan; Heparin; Melanoma