Stromal cell-derived factor-1 stimulates vasculogenesis and enhances Ewing's sarcoma tumor growth in the absence of vascular endothelial growth factor

Stromal cell-derived Factor-1α (SDF-1α) stimulates the migration of bone marrow (BM) cells, similar to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We previously demonstrated that inhibition of VEGF₁₆₅ by small interfering RNA inhibited Ewing's sarcoma tumor growth, tumor vessel formation and recruitment of BM cells to the tumor. To determine the importance of BM cells in tumor vessel development, we investigated the effects of SDF-1α on VEGF-inhibited TC/siVEGF_7-1 Ewing's tumor neovasculature formation and growth. The effect of SDF-1α on CD34 ⁺ progenitor cell chemotaxis was determined in vivo. Using a BM transplantation model with GFP⁺ transgenic mice as BM donors and nude mice as recipients, we evaluated the effect of SDF-1α on the recruitment of BM-derived cells to VEGF₁₆₅-inhibited TC/siVEGF_7-1 tumors, as well as its effect on neovasculature development, vessel morphology and tumor growth. SDF-1α stimulated the migration of CD34⁺ progenitor cells to Matrigel plugs in vivo and promoted the retainment of BM-derived pericytes in close association with perfused, functional tumor vessels. Intratumor inoculation of Ad-SDF-1α into TC/siVEGF_7-1 tumors resulted in increased SDF-1 and PDGF-BB expression, augmented tumor growth, an increase in the number of large, lumen-bearing vascular structures, and enhanced vessel pericyte coverage, with no change in VEGF₁₆₅. SDF-1α stimulates BM cell chemotaxis and the association of these cells with functional tumor vessels. Furthermore, SDF-1α enhances tumor neovascularization and growth with no alteration in VEGF₁₆₅. Our work suggests that SDF-1-mediated vasculogenesis may represent an alternate pathway that could potentially be utilized by tumors to sustain growth and neovasculature expansion after anti-VEGF therapy.