Cadherin-11 and Breast Cancer
Abstract
Cadherin-11 is unique amongst cadherins in that it is exists as two alternatively spliced forms that are expressed together in the same cell. In year one of this grant we showed that the presence of the cadherin-11 splice variant promotes invasion of cadherin-11 positive breast cancer cells, perhaps by promoting cell-ECM interactions. In year two of the grant we showed that inhibition of cadherin-11 function using proprietary small molecule cadherin-11 inhibitors influences the ability of cadherin-11 -expressing cells to invade in vitro. In year three of the grant we continued our work on the small molecule inhibitors of cadherin-11 and characterized cells lines expressing cadherin-11 siRNA. Our work also showed effects of cadherin-11 blockade on the expression of the angiogenic molecules VEGF-A and VEGF-D. In year three and four we investigated the regulation of cadherin-11 expression in breast cancer cells and showed marked effects of cell density and of wnt and TGF-beta signaling. Remarkably, this regulation was mediated in part at the level of mRNA degradation. Finally, a collaborative study showed that cadherin-11 was increased in human breast cancer cells that were selected for their ability to metastasize to bone.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA444750
Entities
People
- Stephen W. Byers
Organizations
- Georgetown University