CXCL12/CXCR4 axis promotes vasculogenic mimicry via PI3K/AKT signaling in osteosarcoma

摘要

Background: The term vasculogenic mimicry (VM) refers to the unique capability of aggressive tumor cells to mimic the pattern of embryonic vasculogenic networks. Although VM has been shown to occur in osteosarcoma, a degree of which correlates with a poor clinical outcome, the precise molecular events underlying the process of VM in osteosarcoma have not been well defined. In this study, we explored osteosarcoma as a VM model in order to investigate the role of CXCL12/CXCR4 axis in VM formation.