Figures & data
Figure 1. Osteopontin links CD44+ cancer stem cells with their microenvironment. CD44+ cancer stem cells stimulate the secretion of osteopontin (OPN) by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Upon binding to integrins and CD44 expressed on the surface of several cell types, this results in decreased nitric oxide production by macrophages, in the activation of JNK-transduced signaling pathway in cancer cells as well as in the recruitment of monocytes and lymphocytes to the local microenvironment, overall favoring tumor progression.
