Fig. 7: Schematic diagram illustrating the β8 integrin-TGFβ1 axis in VM regulation.
From: Paradoxical role of β8 integrin on angiogenesis and vasculogenic mimicry in glioblastoma

GSCs-derived β8 integrin, which was regulated by p38 activation, released secreted TGFβ1 into GBM microenvironment. GBM cells exhibit activated p-Smad and RhoA and eventually induce VM and EMT phenotype. While human brain microvascular endothelial cells presented upregulated p21 and decreased c-myc expression that ultimately culminate in the suppression of GBM angiogenesis.