Figure 3.

Normal saline remodels the omentum and stimulates its receptivity for ovarian cancer cells. Schematic representation of (A) the naïve omentum and (B) the omentum following administration of normal saline into the peritoneal cavity. Shown in (B) are the sequence of events following the absorption of normal saline by the omentum including (1) exfoliation of mesothelial cells through downregulation of the tight junction protein ZO-1, (2) induction of CX3CL1 expression in endothelial cells, (3) recruitment of CX3CR1+ monocytes/macrophages, (4) increased expression of pro-angiogenic cytokines in CX3CR1+ monocytes/macrophages through NF-κB activation, (5) stimulation of neoangiogenesis, and (6) implantation of ovarian cancer cells that circulate in the peritoneal fluid. This figure was created with BioRender.com (accessed on 6 October 2023).