These findings suggest that VASH2 plays an essential role in the metastasis of PDAC with multiple effects on both cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment, including tubulin detyrosination, tumor angiogenesis and evasion of tumor immunity.
As a well‑known angiogenic factor in different histology and pathological conditions, the pro‑progressive role of vasohibin2 (VASH2) has been reported in various types of tumors.
The effect of VASH2 on cell proliferation was investigated using a bromodeoxyuridine assay in vitro and immunohistochemistry of Ki67 in xenograft tumors.
In addition, the siVASH2-treated tumor contained more blood vessels covered with pericytes, indicating that knockdown of VASH2 contributes to the normalization of tumor blood vessels.
When either EL-4 or MLTC-1 cells were inoculated into VASH2 (-/-) mice, the VASH2 transfectants formed bigger tumors when compared with the controls, and the tumor microvessel density was significantly increased.