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. 2012 Aug 30;7(8):e44488. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044488

Figure 7. A model of periostin-promoted lymphangiogenesis.

Figure 7

Periostin expression is upregulated in cancer cells. Periostin in turn upregulates VEGF-C expression in cancer cells. Periostin secreted from the cancer cells promotes migration and tube formation of lymphatic endothelial cells through the activation of Src and Akt. Src may activate VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 [36]–[38]. Moreover, Secreted VEGF-C from cancer cells also promotes migration and tube formation of lymphatic endothelial cells. Thus, in addition to activation of VEGF-C signaling pathway, periostin-integrin interaction may trigger the intracellular signaling and activation of certain genes that are involved in tube formation and migration of lymphatic endothelial cells through Src and Akt activation.