Endothelial Cells as Precursors for Osteoblasts in the Metastatic Prostate Cancer Bone

Prostate cancer cells metastasize to the bones, causing ectopic bone formation, which results in fractures and pain. The cellular mechanisms underlying new bone production are unknown. In a recent study, Lin and colleagues, by using state-of-the-art techniques, including prostate cancer mouse models in combination with sophisticated in vivo lineage-tracing technologies, revealed that endothelial cells form osteoblasts induced by prostate cancer metastasis in the bone. Strikingly, genetic deletion of osteorix protein from endothelial cells affected prostate cancer–induced osteogenesis in vivo. Deciphering the osteoblasts origin in the bone microenvironment may result in the development of promising new molecular targets for prostate cancer therapy

Macrophages Generate Pericytes in the Developing Brain

Pericytes are defined by their anatomical location encircling blood vessels' walls with their long projections. The exact embryonic sources of cerebral pericytes remain poorly understood, especially because of their recently revealed diversity. Yamamoto et al. (Sci Rep 7(1):3855, 2017) using state-of-the-art techniques, including several transgenic mice models, reveal that a subpopulation of brain pericytes are derived from phagocytic macrophages during vascular development. This work highlights a new possible ancestor of brain pericytes. The emerging knowledge from this research may provide new approaches for the treatment of several neurodevelopmental disorders in the future.Pro-reitoria de Pesquisa/Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (PRPq/UFMG)National Institute of HealthAmerican Cancer Society Mentored Research Scholar GrantUniv Fed Minas Gerais, Dept Pathol, Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Neurobiol Lab, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilColumbia Univ, Dept Radiol, Med Ctr, New York, NY USAUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Neurobiol Lab, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilPRPq/UFMG: Edital 05/2016NIH: 1R01CA179072-01A1ACS: 124443-MRSG-13-121-01-CDDWeb of Scienc