title: Vasculogenic mimicry: Possible role of effector caspase-3, caspase-6 and caspase-7.
abstract: Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) describes the process by which aggressive cancer cells form extracellular matrix-rich, vessel-like mesh works, which supply nutrients and oxygen. Furthermore, it offers a new route for tumor cell invasion and metastasis and thus a correspondingly poor prognosis and survival rate for affected patients. Effector caspases are well known for their apoptotic function, whereas a non-apoptotic function in tumor progression is highly disputed. Caspase-3, -6 and -7 are expressed in aggressive tumor cells in a non-mutated form, indicating an active function independent of apoptosis. This review summarizes the possible functions of the above-mentioned caspases in VM. We also discuss the possible involvement of caspases in potential mechanisms towards the formation of vessel-like structures. Furthermore, this review illustrates the importance of new studies in the ongoing investigation into the role of effector caspases in VM, invasion, and migration of aggressive tumor cells.
authors.affiliation: Center of Human and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Linder
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University, Homburg, Saar, Germany. Electronic address: thomas.tschernig@uks.eu.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tschernig
mesh_terms: D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D053178:Caspase 6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D053179:Caspase 7 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: C505407:CASP3 protein, human; C505514:CASP6 protein, human; C505520:CASP7 protein, human; D053148:Caspase 3; D053178:Caspase 6; D053179:Caspase 7
keywords: Caspase-3; Caspase-6; Caspase-7; Tumor invasion; Tumor migration; Vasculogenic mimicry