The parallel lives of angiogenesis and immunosuppression: cancer and other tales

Nat Rev Immunol. 2011 Sep 23;11(10):702-11. doi: 10.1038/nri3064.

Abstract

Emerging evidence indicates that angiogenesis and immunosuppression frequently occur simultaneously in response to diverse stimuli. Here, we describe a fundamental biological programme that involves the activation of both angiogenesis and immunosuppressive responses, often through the same cell types or soluble factors. We suggest that the initiation of these responses is part of a physiological and homeostatic tissue repair programme, which can be co-opted in pathological states, notably by tumours. This view can help to devise new cancer therapies and may have implications for aseptic tissue injury, pathogen-mediated tissue destruction, chronic inflammation and even reproduction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Communication / immunology
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Homeostasis / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Immunosuppression Therapy*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / immunology*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / metabolism
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / immunology
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Myeloid Cells / cytology
  • Myeloid Cells / immunology
  • Myeloid Cells / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Proteins / immunology*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / immunology*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Stromal Cells / cytology
  • Stromal Cells / immunology
  • Stromal Cells / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • Tumor Microenvironment / immunology

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins