title: Collagen VI and hyaluronan: the common role in breast cancer.
abstract: Collagen VI and hyaluronan are widely distributed extracellular matrix macromolecules that play a crucial role in tissue development and are highly expressed in cancers. Both hyaluronan and collagen VI are upregulated in breast cancer, generating a microenvironment that promotes tumour progression and metastasis. A growing number of studies show that these two molecules are involved in inflammation and angiogenesis by recruiting macrophages and endothelial cells, respectively. Additionally, collagen VI induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition that is correlated to increased synthesis of hyaluronan in mammary cells. Hyaluronan has also a specific role in cellular functions that depends mainly on the size of the polymer, whereas the effect of collagen VI in tumour progression may be the result of the intact molecule or the C5 peptide of α3(VI) chain, known as endotrophin. Collectively, these findings strongly support the parallel role of these molecules in tumour progression and suggest that they may be used as prognostic factors for the breast cancer treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria, Via J. H. Dunant 5, 21100 Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Evgenia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Karousou
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria, Via J. H. Dunant 5, 21100 Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: D'Angelo
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology-Embryology, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece.
authors.forename: Katerina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kouvidi
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria, Via J. H. Dunant 5, 21100 Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vigetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria, Via J. H. Dunant 5, 21100 Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Viola
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology-Embryology, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece.
authors.forename: Dragana
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3882-7399
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nikitovic
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria, Via J. H. Dunant 5, 21100 Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3332-6704
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Luca
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria, Via J. H. Dunant 5, 21100 Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Passi
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D024142:Collagen Type VI / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / Q000235:genetics; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D024142:Collagen Type VI; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid