Figure 6.

Monocytes recruitment into the tumor and endothelial differentiation. Our working model demonstrate that monocytes could act as EPCs and be incorporated into neo-vasculature. Monocytes are a cell subtype characterized as having high plasticity, and are able to differentiate into macrophages. We unravel that endothelial differentiation can also be an endpoint for monocytes. Monocyte–EC differentiation depends on a pro-angiogenic stimulus (e.g., VEGF) and oxidative stress (ROS). The acquisition of the expression of vWF (EC marker) is undoubtable evidence of this differentiation route, accounting for tumor vascularization and growth.