How Do Hedgehog Ligands Contribute to Tumorigenesis?
Hedgehog ligands contribute to tumorigenesis through both autocrine and paracrine signaling mechanisms. In autocrine signaling, cancer cells produce Hedgehog ligands that bind to receptors on the same cell, leading to self-stimulation and growth. In paracrine signaling, Hedgehog ligands are secreted by stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment, which then act on neighboring cancer cells to promote their growth and survival.
