[PDF][PDF] Small GTPase R-Ras regulates integrity and functionality of tumor blood vessels

J Sawada, T Urakami, F Li, A Urakami, W Zhu… - Cancer cell, 2012 - cell.com
J Sawada, T Urakami, F Li, A Urakami, W Zhu, M Fukuda, DY Li, E Ruoslahti, M Komatsu
Cancer cell, 2012cell.com
We show that R-Ras, a small GTPase of the Ras family, is essential for the establishment of
mature, functional blood vessels in tumors. The genetic disruption of R-Ras severely
impaired the maturation processes of tumor vessels in mice. Conversely, the gain of function
of R-Ras improved vessel structure and blood perfusion and blocked plasma leakage by
enhanced endothelial barrier function and pericyte association with nascent blood vessels.
Thus, R-Ras promotes normalization of the tumor vasculature. These findings identify R-Ras …
Summary
We show that R-Ras, a small GTPase of the Ras family, is essential for the establishment of mature, functional blood vessels in tumors. The genetic disruption of R-Ras severely impaired the maturation processes of tumor vessels in mice. Conversely, the gain of function of R-Ras improved vessel structure and blood perfusion and blocked plasma leakage by enhanced endothelial barrier function and pericyte association with nascent blood vessels. Thus, R-Ras promotes normalization of the tumor vasculature. These findings identify R-Ras as a critical regulator of vessel integrity and function during tumor vascularization.
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