Identification and angiogenic role of the novel tumor endothelial marker CLEC14A

Oncogene. 2012 Jan 19;31(3):293-305. doi: 10.1038/onc.2011.233. Epub 2011 Jun 27.

Abstract

Tumor endothelial markers (TEMs) that are highly expressed in human tumor vasculature compared with vasculature in normal tissue hold clear therapeutic potential. We report that the C-type lectin CLEC14A is a novel TEM. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining of tissue arrays has shown that CLEC14A is strongly expressed in tumor vasculature when compared with vessels in normal tissue. CLEC14A overexpression in tumor vessels was seen in a wide range of solid tumor types. Functional studies showed that CLEC14A induces filopodia and facilitates endothelial migration, tube formation and vascular development in zebrafish that is, CLEC14A regulates pro-angiogenic phenotypes. CLEC14A antisera inhibited cell migration and tube formation, suggesting that anti-CLEC14A antibodies may have anti-angiogenic activity. Finally, in endothelial cultures, expression of CLEC14A increased at low shear stress, and we hypothesize that low shear stress due to poor blood flow in the disorganized tumor vasculature induces expression of CLEC14A on tumor vessels and pro-angiogenic phenotypes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / blood supply
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lectins, C-Type / genetics
  • Lectins, C-Type / metabolism*
  • Liver Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Male
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Pseudopodia / metabolism
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Zebrafish

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CLEC14A protein, human
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Lectins, C-Type