Endothelial metabolic reprogramming influences tumor immune microenvironment

Figure 1 Angiogenic processes in the tumor microenvironment. The hypoxic tumor microenvironment releases vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). When VEGF binds to VEGF receptors on quiescent endothelial cells, it activates the endothelial cells and initiates the angiogenic program. At the same time, pericytes detach and the basement membrane degrades. During angiogenesis, tip cell migrates toward the tumor and stalk cells proliferate to lengthen the vessels. Finally, structurally and functionally abnormal tumor vasculature is formed. VEGF-A: Vascular endothelial growth factor A; VEGFR2: Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2.