title: Relationship of VEGF/VEGFR with immune and cancer cells: staggering or forward?
abstract: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is primarily known as a proangiogenic factor and is one of the most important growth and survival factors affecting the vascular endothelium. However, recent studies have shown that VEGF also plays a vital role in the immune environment. In addition to the traditional growth factor role of VEGF and VEGF receptors (VEGFRs), they have a complicated relationship with various immune cells. VEGF also reportedly inhibits the differentiation and function of immune cells during hematopoiesis. Dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages, and lymphocytes further express certain types of VEGF receptors. VEGF can be secreted as well by tumor cells through the autocrine pathway and can stimulate the function of cancer stemness. This review will provide a paradigm shift in our understanding of the role of VEGF/VEGFR signaling in the immune and cancer environment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China.
authors.forename: Yu-Ling
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Research Center of Lung Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China.
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Research Center of Lung Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China.
authors.forename: Xiu-Bao
authors.initials: XB
authors.lastname: Ren
keywords: T lymphocyte; VEGF receptors (VEGFRs); Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); dendritic cell (DC); macrophage; tumor