Lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 a representative of vertebrate-specific Lef1/Tcf1 sub-family is a Wnt-beta-catenin pathway target gene in human endothelial cells which regulates matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression and promotes endothelial cell invasion

摘要

BackgroundWnt signaling is activated in many types of cancer and normal physiological processes. Various Wnt-related secreted factors may influence angiogenesis both in the tumor microenvironment and in normal tissues by direct action on endothelial cells. The mechanism of this Wnt action in angiogenesis is not well defined. We hypothesize that endothelial cells are responsive to Wnt signals and that Lef1, a member of the vertebrate-specific Wnt/beta-catenin throughput-inducing transcription factors' sub-family Lef1/Tcf1, mediates this responsiveness and promotes endothelial cell invasion.