Alternative splicing in endothelial cells: novel therapeutic opportunities in cancer angiogenesis

• Published in: Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research Vol. 39; no. 1; pp. 1 - 275
• Main Authors: Di Matteo, Anna, Belloni, Elisa, Pradella, Davide, Cappelletto, Ambra, Volf, Nina, Zacchigna, Serena, Ghigna, Claudia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BioMed Central Ltd 07-12-2020; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Alternative splicing; RNA binding proteins; Angiogenesis; Anti-angiogenic therapy; Cancer; Care and treatment; Cell adhesion & migration; Cell cycle; Endothelial cells; Endothelium; Gene expression; Genes; Genomes; Hemoglobin; Hypoxia; Protein binding; Proteins; Review; RNA; Shear stress; Thyroid gland; Transcription factors; Tumors; Vascular biology; Vascular endothelial growth factor
• ISSN: 1756-9966; 0392-9078; 1756-9966
• DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01753-1

Alternative splicing (AS) is a pervasive molecular process generating multiple protein isoforms, from a single gene. It plays fundamental roles during development, differentiation and maintenance of tissue homeostasis, while aberrant AS is considered a hallmark of multiple diseases, including cancer. Cancer-restricted AS isoforms represent either predictive biomarkers for diagnosis/prognosis or targets for anti-cancer therapies. Here, we discuss the contribution of AS regulation in cancer angiogenesis, a complex process supporting disease development and progression. We consider AS programs acting in a specific and non-redundant manner to influence morphological and functional changes involved in cancer angiogenesis. In particular, we describe relevant AS variants or splicing regulators controlling either secreted or membrane-bound angiogenic factors, which may represent attractive targets for therapeutic interventions in human cancer. Keywords: Alternative splicing; RNA binding proteins, Endothelial cells, Angiogenesis, Vascular biology, Anti-angiogenic therapy