Understanding How Tumors Grow New Blood Vessels
Tumor angiogenesis is the way tumors create new blood vessels to help them grow. This process is pretty complicated, but we'll break it down into easier parts.
VEGF is a big player in making new blood vessels. Tumor cells often make a lot of VEGF.
This helps other cells called endothelial cells to grow and move around. These endothelial cells are the ones that actually build new blood vessels.
When VEGF attaches to special spots (receptors) on the endothelial cells, it sends signals that help make the blood vessels stronger and more plentiful.
Sometimes, tumors don't have enough oxygen. In these low-oxygen situations, they produce special proteins called HIFs.
HIFs help increase the production of VEGF and other important growth factors. They play a key role in helping tumors adapt to their surroundings by ensuring they get enough nutrients and oxygen through new blood vessels.
PDGF has two main jobs. First, it helps endothelial cells stay alive. Second, it helps bring in other types of cells called pericytes and smooth muscle cells.
These cells are important because they make sure the new blood vessels are strong and work well. This support is crucial for the tumor’s growth.
MMPs are special proteins that help break down the structure around cells, called the extracellular matrix.
By doing this, they help endothelial cells move around and create new tiny blood vessels (called capillaries). This change in the surroundings is really important for tumors to grow and spread.
Angiopoietins, especially Angiopoietin-1 and Angiopoietin-2, help manage how blood vessels grow and stabilize.
When Angiopoietin-2 is present along with VEGF, it can disrupt blood vessel stability. This can make the blood vessel growth in tumors very chaotic.
All of these processes work together to create the unique blood supply that tumors need to thrive. Understanding angiogenesis helps scientists figure out how tumors grow and spread.
Understanding How Tumors Grow New Blood Vessels
Tumor angiogenesis is the way tumors create new blood vessels to help them grow. This process is pretty complicated, but we'll break it down into easier parts.
VEGF is a big player in making new blood vessels. Tumor cells often make a lot of VEGF.
This helps other cells called endothelial cells to grow and move around. These endothelial cells are the ones that actually build new blood vessels.
When VEGF attaches to special spots (receptors) on the endothelial cells, it sends signals that help make the blood vessels stronger and more plentiful.
Sometimes, tumors don't have enough oxygen. In these low-oxygen situations, they produce special proteins called HIFs.
HIFs help increase the production of VEGF and other important growth factors. They play a key role in helping tumors adapt to their surroundings by ensuring they get enough nutrients and oxygen through new blood vessels.
PDGF has two main jobs. First, it helps endothelial cells stay alive. Second, it helps bring in other types of cells called pericytes and smooth muscle cells.
These cells are important because they make sure the new blood vessels are strong and work well. This support is crucial for the tumor’s growth.
MMPs are special proteins that help break down the structure around cells, called the extracellular matrix.
By doing this, they help endothelial cells move around and create new tiny blood vessels (called capillaries). This change in the surroundings is really important for tumors to grow and spread.
Angiopoietins, especially Angiopoietin-1 and Angiopoietin-2, help manage how blood vessels grow and stabilize.
When Angiopoietin-2 is present along with VEGF, it can disrupt blood vessel stability. This can make the blood vessel growth in tumors very chaotic.
All of these processes work together to create the unique blood supply that tumors need to thrive. Understanding angiogenesis helps scientists figure out how tumors grow and spread.