Hynes Legend

Figure 1. Signals and interactions within the tumor microenvironment could potentially affect lymph node metastasis. A: Tumor-secreted factors have been reported to induce lymphangiogenesis, lymphatic activation, and pre-conditioning of lymph nodes for metastasis. B: Tumor cells can activate their surrounding stroma, while an activated stroma (fibroblasts, immune cells, etc.) can also induce increased tumorigenicity and metastasis in neoplastic cells. C: The stromal microenvironment, particularly immune cells such as macrophages, can induce lymphangiogenesis through a variety of signals. D: The lymphatic endothelium and/or the lymph node can, in turn, release factors that recruit tumor cells. MMPs, matrix metalloproteinases; ECM, extracellular matrix; ROS, reactive oxygen species. [Color figure can be viewed in the online issue, which is available at www.interscience.wiley.com.]

Journal of Cellular Biochemistry 101:840-850 (2007) "Reprinted with permission of Wiley-Liss, Inc. a subsidiary of John Wiley & Sons, Inc."