The interaction of axon guidance factor Sema4D and its high affinity receptor plexinB1 could activate small GTPase RhoA and its downstream ROCKs; this process has an active role in the migration of endothelial cells and tumor angiogenesis.
Previously, we demonstrated overexpression of semaphorin4D (SEMA4D, CD100) to be closely related to tumor angiogenesis in epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs).
We demonstrate that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the main cells producing Sema4D within the tumor stroma and that their ability to produce Sema4D is critical for tumor angiogenesis and vessel maturation.