The role of angiogenic and neuronal factors in the mechanisms of thymic involution in tumor growth
The growth of many human and rodent tumors is accompanied by the development of thymic involution. The mechanisms of this process are still unknown. The article describes modern theories and approaches for studying this problem as well as the results of many years of research of the mechanisms of thymic involution during the growth of experimental tumors. New important data are received on the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in regulation of thymocyte migration and apoptosis. Semaphorin ЗА demonstrated a chemorepellent activity towards thymocytes and abolished chemotactic effect of VEGF. VEGF and Semaphorin ЗА receptors were investigated on thymocytes and thymic stroma. The data obtained indicate on important role of VEGF and Semaphorin ЗА in the regulation of thymocyte migration in normal conditions and tumor growth.