Since most adult cells do not divide, these genes are repressed during later development but could be expressed again when a somatic mutation inactivates one of the genes, such as a tumor-suppressor gene, which is involved in the repression mechanism. This mechanism could account for a tumor specific immune response in cancer patients. These findings suggest that the metastatic effect of TF could involve transduction of an angiogenic signal for vascularization of a developing tumor, which is an essential step of the metastatic process. Future experiments are designed to study, by molecular genetic procedures, the postulated TF angiogenic signaling pathway which could function during normal development as well as tumorigenesis. Transgenic mice carrying the TF gene under control of the MMTV promoter have been constructed to study the effects on mouse development of ectopic TF expression.
Tissue factor promotes melanoma metastasis by a pathway independent of blood coagulation.
USA 92, 8205-8209. Selection of specific antibodies from single-chain Fv fusion phage libraries. USA 92, 6537-6542. A melanoma-specific VH antibody cloned from a fusion phage library of a vaccinated melanoma patient. USA 93, 6280-6285.