Collagen VI and Hyaluronan: The Common Role in Breast Cancer

Figure 1

Schematic representation of collagen VI/ETP and hyaluronan contribution in breast cancer progression. Synthesis of collagen VI by adipocytes as well as synthesis of hyaluronan by stromal cells is increased in breast tumour. Macrophages release TGF𝛽 and collagen VI than in turn increase HAS2 and hyaluronan in mammal cells and induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Increased hyaluronan and cleaved ETP induce recruitment of both macrophages and endothelial cells, resulting in neovascularisation that in turn promotes metastasis. This latter phenomenon is also induced by low molecular weight hyaluronan that is the result of HYAL activity on the HMW molecule. Both collagen VI and HMW-hyaluronan induce growth tumour. Abbreviations: ETP, endotrophin; TGF𝛽, transforming growth factor-beta; HMW-HA and LMW-HA: high and low molecular weight hyaluronan, respectively; HYAL: hyaluronidase; HAS: hyaluronan synthase; TAM: tumour-associated macrophages.