Fig. 7

Proposed scheme for tumor microenvironment influence on TGFβrIII shedding from cell surface and modulation of its concentration in bodily fluids. Tumor cells recruit stromal, immune and vascular cells by secreting stimulatory growth factors, chemokines and cytokines. These cells release growth-promoting signals, which have a role in remodeling of tumor structure microenvironment and catalytic sheddases (CS) activity. This results in increased release of sTGFβrIII to the surrounding tissue and bodily fluids. After surgical tumor removal and the stabilization of the tissue CS activity (4–6 months), sTGFβrIII levels are normalized to a level found in healthy and benign breast formations