Chemokines in tumor angiogenesis and metastasis

Abstract

Chemokines are a large group of low molecular weight cytokines that are known to selectively attract and activate different cell types. Although the primary function of chemokines is well recognized as leukocyte attractants, recent evidences indicate that they also play a role in number of tumor-related processes, such as growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. Chemokines activate cells through cell surface seven trans-membranes, G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). The role played by chemokines and their receptors in tumor pathophysiology is complex as some chemokines favor tumor growth and metastasis, while others may enhance anti-tumor immunity. These diverse functions of chemokines establish them as key mediators between the tumor cells and their microenvironment and play critical role in tumor progression and metastasis. In this review, we present some of the recent advances in chemokine research with special emphasis on its role in tumor angiogenesis and metastasis.

Fig. 1

The multifaceted role of chemokines in tumor growth, invasion and metastasis: Chemokines produced by tumor cells attract infiltrating leukocyte and/or promote proliferation and can also affect the microenvironment by promoting vascularization. Chemokines can stimulate their specific receptors that alter the adhesive capacity of tumor cells and their migration/invasion into circulation, and extravasation towards distant organs

Fig. 2

CXCL-8 in melanoma growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. CXCL-8 functions as an autocrine/paracrine growth factor for malignant melanoma cells [–202], up-regulates expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, regulates the migratory and invasive potential of melanoma cells and functions as a paracrine and autocrine angiogenic factor [, –208]