Lung carcinoma cells were found to secrete the extracellular matrix proteoglycan versican. Versican directly activates the TLR2 receptor complex on macrophages, which in turn promotes tumour metastasis by producing TNF-?. Thus cancer cells utilize signalling pathways of the innate immune system to support metastatic spread.
- Sunhwa Kim
- Hiroyuki Takahashi
- Michael Karin
