The endothelial cell adhesion mediated by integrins, the recruitment and activation of c-Src, EGFR, ErbB2 and involvement of endocan, influence crucial stages of endothelial-mesenchymal transition

Abstract

Endothelial mesenchymal transition (EndoMT),a newly recognized type of cellular transdifferentiation,is an essential process that occursduring embryonic development and participates in a numberof adult pathologies. Also, the adhesion of cells to theextracellular matrix (ECM) is known as a critical requisiteto generate various cellular changes related to EndoMT.We will review recent findings describing novel signalingmechanisms implicated in the progression of EndoMT thatinvolves changes in distribution and organization of tyrosinekinases receptors (RTKs) that include EGFR and ErbB2/Neu and non-RTKs such as c-Src as well as ECM arterialwall proteoglycans such as endocan, which is associatedto soluble growth factors (EGF, TGF-α) or inflammatorycytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β). The potential role of endocan isalso discussed. Exploration of the signaling mechanismsof EndoMT may provide novel therapeutic strategies fortreating pathologies.