1. Endothelial VCAM-1 tips the balance in melanoma cell plasticity.
Endothelial VCAM-1 tips the balance in melanoma cell plasticity. The schematic illustrates the cellular consequences following modulation of the VCAM-1 density in a putative (micro)environment that is permissive for cell spreading. At low densities of VCAM-1, RGD moieties facilitate spreading of melanoma cells. This morphologic phenotype is also characterized by numerous immature focal adhesions and delicate F-actin fibers. High densities of VCAM-1, in contrast, force the cell into a globular shape with fewer but mature focal adhesions and prominent F-actin stress fibers. This “morphogenic dictate” of VCAM-1 overrules the still-present signals by RGD moieties.
Katharina Amschler et al. Mol Cancer Res 2018;16:
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