Neutralization of S100A4 induces stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques: role of smooth muscle cells.

Aims: During atherosclerosis, smooth muscle cells (SMCs) accumulate in the intima where they switch from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype. From porcine coronary artery, we isolated spindle-shaped (S) SMCs exhibiting features of the contractile phenotype and rhomboid (R) SMCs typical of the synthetic phenotype. S100A4 was identified as a marker of R-SMCs in vitro and intimal SMCs, in pig and man.

Anti-S100A4 Antibody Therapy Is Efficient in Treating Aggressive Prostate Cancer and Reversing Immunosuppression: Serum and Biopsy as a Clinical Predictor.

S100A4 oncoprotein plays a critical role during prostate cancer progression and induces immunosuppression in host tissues. We hypothesized that S100A4-regulated oncogenic activity in immunosuppressed prostate tumors promotes growth of neoplastic cells, which are likely to become aggressive. In the current study, we investigated whether biopsy- gene alteration independently predicts the outcome of disease in patients and circulatory-S100A4 is druggable target for treating immunosuppressive prostate cancer.

The Multifaceted S100A4 Protein in Cancer and Inflammation.

The metastasis-promoting S100A4 protein, a member of the S100 family, has recently been discovered as a potent factor implicated in various inflammation-associated diseases. S100A4 is involved in a range of biological functions such as angiogenesis, cell differentiation, apoptosis, motility, and invasion. Moreover, S100A4 is also a potent trigger of inflammatory processes and induces the release of cytokines and growth factors under different pathological conditions.

Laminin α1 orchestrates VEGFA functions in the ecosystem of colorectal carcinoma.

Background Information: Tumor stroma remodeling is a key feature of malignant tumors and can promote cancer progression. Laminins are major constituents of basement membranes that physically separate the epithelium from the underlying stroma.

Results: By employing mouse models expressing high and low levels of the laminin α1 chain (LMα1), we highlighted its implication in a tumor-stroma crosstalk, thus leading to increased colon tumor incidence, angiogenesis and tumor growth.

The role of S100a4 (Mts1) in Apc- and Smad4-driven tumour onset and progression.

Introduction: S100a4 is a calcium-binding protein belonging to the family of S100-proteins, highly expressed in different stromal cell types. S100A4 has been reported as a prognostic marker in colorectal cancer in association with tumour progression and metastasis.

Methods: In this study, we analysed the in vivo role of S100a4 in intestinal tumour initiation and progression using different transgenic and knockout mouse models.