Tumors are dependent upon new blood vessel formation, or angiogenesis, for expansive growth. Our prior analysis of gene expression in tumor endothelium led to the identification of a G-protein coupled receptor called TEM5. In an attempt to understand the role of TEM5 in angiogenesis and its importance for tumor growth, we previously embarked upon a hunt for its physiological ligand. Through a number of serendipitous events we have purified a factor that we now believe is not the ligand of TEM5 but is a very important biological factor that in our model system promotes tumor growth, tumor angiogenesis, and possibly cachexia. We are currently characterizing this factor and its role in tumorigenesis.
| Xu, Lihong; Stevens, Janine; Hilton, Mary Beth et al. (2014) COX-2 inhibition potentiates antiangiogenic cancer therapy and prevents metastasis in preclinical models. Sci Transl Med 6:242ra84 |
| Cullen, Mike; Elzarrad, Mohammed K; Seaman, Steven et al. (2011) GPR124, an orphan G protein-coupled receptor, is required for CNS-specific vascularization and establishment of the blood-brain barrier. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 108:5759-64 |
