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Tumour follower cells: A novel driver of leader cells in collective invasion (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Xiao-Chen Wang
    • Ya-Ling Tang
    • Xin-Hua Liang
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  • Published online on: August 22, 2023     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2023.5563
  • Article Number: 115
  • Copyright: © Wang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Collective cellular invasion in malignant tumours is typically characterized by the cooperative migration of multiple cells in close proximity to each other. Follower cells are led away from the tumour by specialized leader cells, and both cell populations play a crucial role in collective invasion. Follower cells form the main body of the migration system and depend on intercellular contact for migration, whereas leader cells indicate the direction for the entire cell population. Although collective invasion can occur in epithelial and non‑epithelial malignant neoplasms, such as medulloblastoma and rhabdomyosarcoma, the present review mainly provided an extensive analysis of epithelial tumours. In the present review, the cooperative mechanisms of contact inhibition locomotion between follower and leader cells, where follower cells coordinate and direct collective movement through physical (mechanical) and chemical (signalling) interactions, is summarised. In addition, the molecular mechanisms of follower cell invasion and metastasis during remodelling and degradation of the extracellular matrix and how chemotaxis and lateral inhibition mediate follower cell behaviour were analysed. It was also demonstrated that follower cells exhibit genetic and metabolic heterogeneity during invasion, unlike leader cells.
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October-2023
Volume 63 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
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Spandidos Publications style
Wang X, Tang Y and Liang X: Tumour follower cells: A novel driver of leader cells in collective invasion (Review). Int J Oncol 63: 115, 2023
APA
Wang, X., Tang, Y., & Liang, X. (2023). Tumour follower cells: A novel driver of leader cells in collective invasion (Review). International Journal of Oncology, 63, 115. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2023.5563
MLA
Wang, X., Tang, Y., Liang, X."Tumour follower cells: A novel driver of leader cells in collective invasion (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 63.4 (2023): 115.
Chicago
Wang, X., Tang, Y., Liang, X."Tumour follower cells: A novel driver of leader cells in collective invasion (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 63, no. 4 (2023): 115. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2023.5563