title: Nestin involvement in tissue injury and cancer--a potential tumor marker?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In eukaryotic cells, the cytoskeleton contains three major filamentous components: actin microfilaments, microtubules and intermediate filaments. Nestin represents one of the class VI intermediate filament proteins. Clinical and molecular analyses have revealed substantial information regarding the presence of Nestin in cells with progenitor or stem cell properties. During tissue injury Nestin is expressed in cells with progenitor cell-like properties. These cells may serve as a tissue reserve and, as such, may contribute to tissue repair. Based on currently available data, Nestin also appears to be implicated in two oncogenic processes. First, Nestin has been found to be expressed in cancer stem-like cells and poorly differentiated cancer cells and, as such, Nestin is thought to contribute to the aggressive behavior of these cells. Second, Nestin has been found to be involved in tumor angiogenesis through an interaction of cancer cells and blood vessel endothelial cells and, as such, Nestin is thought to facilitate tumor growth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that Nestin may serve as a promising tumor marker and as a potential therapeutic target amenable to tumor suppression and angiogenesis inhibition.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Propedeutic Surgery, Athens University Medical School, Laiko General Hospital, 17 Agiou Thoma Street, 11527, Athens, Greece, cathykristy1@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: Ekaterini Christina
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Tampaki
authors.forename: Lydia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nakopoulou
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tampakis
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kontzoglou
authors.forename: Walter P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kouraklis
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism; D064231:Nestin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D064231:Nestin