Omental Immune Aggregates and Tumor Metastasis Within the Peritoneal Cavity

Overview

Journal Immunol Res

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2009 Mar 3

PMID 19253004

Citations 45

Authors

Elizabeth W Sorensen

Scott A Gerber

Abigail L Sedlacek

Viktoriya Y Rybalko

Winnie M Chan

Edith M Lord

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The omentum, an important peritoneal tissue, is studded with a high number of immune aggregates, or "milky spots," the number, function, and phenotype of which is largely unknown. We have analyzed the immune composition on the normal omentum and also have shown that both free immune cells and tumor cells in the peritoneal fluid bind preferentially to these immune aggregates. This binding may be mediated by the network of collagen I fibers, which overlay these areas. In addition, we have shown that not only do omental vessels express vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR3), a receptor that is only found on angiogenic blood vessels, but that tumor cells co-localize with these vessels, possibly increasing the ability of tumor to induce neovascularization and therefore thrive.

Citing Articles

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Proteobacteria impair anti-tumor immunity in the omentum by consuming arginine.

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