Figure 2.

A simplified model of EPT regulation. EMT-inducing signaling causes epithelial cells to lose epithelial characteristics and acquire mesenchymal features. These two processes are largely independent of each other and governed by distinct transcriptional programs. The core EMT-TFs (Snail, Zeb, Twist) repress the epithelial phenotype and may promote tumor invasion and metastasis. Activation of the mesenchymal phenotype is at least in part mediated by the SRF transcription factor and its coactivators MRTFs, which are also central regulators of mural cells. Therefore, mesenchymal cells derived from EMT may inherently resemble pericytes and are able to associate with and stabilize blood vessels (this process is termed EPT). As EMT consists of a broad spectrum of intermediate phases, EPT is one of the EMT outputs. Improved pericyte coverage has been suggested to suppress tumor metastasis; therefore, EPT cancer cell-stabilized vasculature may impede metastatic spread of other cancer cells.