Figure 7From: C-X-C motif chemokine 12/C-X-C chemokine receptor type 7 signaling regulates breast cancer growth and metastasis by modulating the tumor microenvironmentSchematic representation of CXCR7-mediated signaling that regulates breast cancer growth and metastasis. CXCL12 binding to CXCR7 leads to activation of ERK and STAT3 and enhanced expression of VCAM-1. CXCR7 also, either directly or indirectly through STAT3, may enhance MMP-9 and TAMs recruitment to the tumor site. TAMs in turn enhance growth factor, chemokines, and MMPs secretion in a tumor microenvironment. These CXCR7-mediated mechanisms may regulate primary breast tumor growth and metastasis, especially to lungs.Back to article page