Unraveling the multifaceted interactions between the tumor cell hierarchy and the stroma: Implications on tumor growth

Abstract

In this study, we have functionally characterized the roles of SEZ6, a GSC-specific protein, and FMOD, a DGC-specific protein, in inducing tumor angiogenesis. Angiogenesis being a crucial requirement for both tumor initiation and progression, pro-angiogenic proteins like SEZ6 and FMOD are both equally vital for the tumor to develop. Hence, by elucidating each of these proteins' crucial impact on the angiogenic potential of endothelial cells, our study reiterates the importance of GSCs in tumor growth and also simultaneously shows the important participation of DGCs in providing support to the GSCs in the overall tumor growth. Here, we present a model wherein the tumor growth requires participation from GSCs and DGCs, while GSCs alone can initiate a tumor. This collaborative effort of the GSCs and DGCs is bolstered by the multifaceted interactions between the tumor and the stroma, thereby developing a favorable niche for cancer progression