Formation of new blood vessels in tumors regulated by p38 protein

p38 protein regulates the formation of new blood vessels in tumours
Structure of a blood vessel. Credit: Raquel Batlle, IRB Barcelona

A study performed at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine(IRB Barcelona) and published in the journal Nature Communications demonstrates that inhibition of the p38 protein boosts the formation of blood vessels in human and mice colon cancers. Known as angiogenesis, this process is critical in fueling cancer cells, allowing them to grow and to eventually develop metastases.

The team led by Ángel R. Nebreda, head of the Signalling and Cell Cycle Laboratory at IRB Barcelona, has shown that the activity of p38 is important in (MSCs), which show high plasticity and can localize around . These participate in various processes such as tumor development, and this study unveils their relevance in the regulation of angiogenesis.

The activity of p38 in had already been described. However, until now, little was known about the role of this protein in MSCs and even less about its involvement in angiogenesis. The objective of this study was to examine the role of p38 in new blood vessel formation during tumorigenesis, in particular considering the contribution of MSCs.

In this regard, says Nebreda, the study demonstrates that "p38 represses angiogenesis by exerting its action specifically in MSCs. Using genetic mouse models, we show that the inhibition of p38 stimulates the formation of new blood vessels both in tumors and during the repair of damaged tissue."

The conclusions of this study shed light on the mechanisms that regulate blood vessel formation and may have implications for the optimisation of chemotherapy-based cancer treatments, as well as for the treatment of diseases involving compromised angiogenesis.

"We hope that the biological knowledge that our work has generated can contribute to the development of more efficient therapies," concludes Raquel Batlle, postdoctoral fellow at IRB Barcelona and first author of the study.

More information: Raquel Batlle et al. Regulation of tumor angiogenesis and mesenchymal–endothelial transition by p38α through TGF-β and JNK signaling, Nature Communications (2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10946-y

Journal information: Nature Communications
Citation: Formation of new blood vessels in tumors regulated by p38 protein (2019, July 16) retrieved 19 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-07-formation-blood-vessels-tumors-p38.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

A newly identified mechanism can be targeted to boost angiogenesis

35 shares

Feedback to editors