In mouse mammary tumors, we showed that Procr<sup>+</sup> cells are enriched for cancer stem cells (CSCs) in Wnt1 basal-like tumors, but not in Brca1 basal-like tumors or PyVT luminal tumors.
EPCR, binding to diverse ligands, is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of severe malaria, immune functions, and cancer by either blocking the APC-mediated signaling or by mechanisms that are yet to be elucidated.
The endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR) serves a key role in activated protein C (APC)-mediated cytoprotective effects in endothelial cells, and is involved in the development of certain types of human cancer.
Comprehensive understanding of EPCR may lead to development of novel therapeutic modalities in treating hemophilia, inflammation, cerebral malaria, and cancer.
Furthermore, we have identified tumor associated macrophages as a major source for recognized ligands of EPCR, suggesting a novel mechanism by which cancer stem cell-like populations are regulated by innate immune cells in the tumor microenvironment.