Wey Jane S, Stoeltzing Oliver, Ellis Lee M
Department of Surgical Oncology, Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Clin Adv Hematol Oncol. 2004 Jan;2(1):37-45.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its family members are important mediators of tumor angiogenesis. The multiple functions of the VEGF are mediated through complex and selective interactions between the ligands, their high-affinity tyrosine kinase receptors, and co-receptors (neuropilins). While these receptors are historically described as being exclusively expressed on endothelial cells, emerging evidence has documented expression of these receptors on a number of nonendothelial cells, including tumor cells. The VEGF receptors (VEGFR) have also been shown to be functional in a number of nonendothelial systems, where they may be targets for anti-VEGF therapy. This article will review the basic effects and interactions of the VEGFRs on endothelial cells and the evidence for their expression and function on tumor cells. The novel expression of VEGFRs on tumor cells contributes to the understanding of the complex roles of VEGF within the tumor microenvironment, potentially affecting both endothelial cells and tumor cells expressing the VEGFRs. This elucidation of VEGF activity may further refine antineoplastic regimens for solid malignancies.
血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）及其家族成员是肿瘤血管生成的重要介质。VEGF的多种功能是通过配体、其高亲和力酪氨酸激酶受体和共受体（神经纤毛蛋白）之间复杂且选择性的相互作用介导的。虽然这些受体传统上被描述为仅在内皮细胞上表达，但新出现的证据表明这些受体在包括肿瘤细胞在内的许多非内皮细胞上也有表达。VEGF受体（VEGFR）在许多非内皮系统中也已被证明具有功能，在这些系统中它们可能是抗VEGF治疗的靶点。本文将综述VEGFRs对内皮细胞的基本作用和相互作用，以及它们在肿瘤细胞上表达和功能的证据。VEGFRs在肿瘤细胞上的新表达有助于理解VEGF在肿瘤微环境中的复杂作用，这可能会影响表达VEGFRs的内皮细胞和肿瘤细胞。对VEGF活性的这一阐释可能会进一步优化实体恶性肿瘤的抗肿瘤治疗方案。
