title: Orchestration of angiogenesis by immune cells.
abstract: It is widely accepted that the tumor microenvironment (TUMIC) plays a major role in cancer and is indispensable for tumor progression. The TUMIC involves many "players" going well beyond the malignant-transformed cells, including stromal, immune, and endothelial cells (ECs). The non-malignant cells can acquire tumor-promoting functions during carcinogenesis. In particular, these cells can "orchestrate" the "symphony" of the angiogenic switch, permitting the creation of new blood vessels that allows rapid expansion and progression toward malignancy. Considerable attention within the context of tumor angiogenesis should focus not only on the ECs, representing a fundamental unit, but also on immune cells and on the inflammatory tumor infiltrate. Immune cells infiltrating tumors typically show a tumor-induced polarization associated with attenuation of anti-tumor functions and generation of pro-tumor activities, among these angiogenesis. Here, we propose a scenario suggesting that the angiogenic switch is an immune switch arising from the pro-angiogenic polarization of immune cells. This view links immunity, inflammation, and angiogenesis to tumor progression. Here, we review the data in the literature and seek to identify the "conductors" of this "orchestra." We also suggest that interrupting the immune → inflammation → angiogenesis → tumor progression process can delay or prevent tumor insurgence and malignant disease.
authors: Scientific and Technology Pole, IRCCS MultiMedica , Milan , Italy.
authors: Antonino
authors: A
authors: Bruno
authors: Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria , Varese , Italy.
authors: Arianna
authors: A
authors: Pagani
authors: Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria , Varese , Italy.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Pulze
authors: Department of Research and Statistics, IRCCS Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova , Reggio Emilia , Italy.
authors: Adriana
authors: A
authors: Albini
authors: Department of Research and Statistics, IRCCS Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova , Reggio Emilia , Italy.
authors: Katiuscia
authors: K
authors: Dallaglio
authors: Scientific and Technology Pole, IRCCS MultiMedica , Milan , Italy ; Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria , Varese , Italy.
authors: Douglas M
authors: DM
authors: Noonan
authors: Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria , Varese , Italy.
authors: Lorenzo
authors: L
authors: Mortara
keywords: angiogenesis; angiogenic switch; immune cells; inflammation