Paracrine growth factor receptor

Paracrine growth factor receptors in surrounding tissues refer to a functional class of cell-surface proteins, primarily receptor tyrosine kinases, that mediate communication between different cell types within a local environment (PMID: 25207476). These receptors are expressed on cells such as endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and immune cells, and are activated by growth factors like VEGF, PDGF, or FGF secreted by neighboring cells (Nature Reviews Cancer, doi: 10.1038/nrc1272). In pathological states like cancer, tumor cells exploit these paracrine pathways to stimulate angiogenesis and stromal remodeling, which supports tumor progression and immune evasion (PubMed, PMID: 15057279). Similarly, in fibrotic diseases, paracrine activation of these receptors on fibroblasts leads to excessive extracellular matrix deposition and organ dysfunction. Therapeutic agents, including monoclonal antibodies like bevacizumab and small-molecule inhibitors like nintedanib, target these receptors to disrupt the supportive signaling network of the disease microenvironment (StatPearls, NBK482253). Because this term describes a broad signaling mechanism involving multiple distinct proteins rather than a single molecular entity, it is categorized as a functional group rather than a specific therapeutic target.

Other names

Stromal growth factor receptorsParacrine signaling receptorsGrowth factor receptors in the microenvironmentParacrine growth factor receptors in surrounding tissues

Inhibition of receptor tyrosine kinase activity or ligand-receptor binding to disrupt intercellular signaling pathways within the tissue microenvironment.