The Dialogue of Metastasis-Uncovering Juxtacrine Genetic Cascades with a Toxoplasma Gondii Enzyme
Abstract
The purpose of this project is to develop and test a system that identifies in real time the effects of breast cancer cells on gene transcription by cells in their microenvironment. The accomplishment of this goal will identify messages induced in normal cells adjacent to cancer cells that support cancer cell growth and survival. In this Concept award project, we are testing whether breast cancer cells that make lysyl oxidase (a metastasis promoting enzyme) or have lysyl oxidase suppressed differ in their ability to turn on hospitable genes in bone marrow stromal cells. We have successfully tagged bone marrow stromal cells with a protozoal enzyme (uracil phosphoribosyl transferase) that enables us to measure ongoing stromal cell transcription when stroma is mixed with breast cancer cells. Real time transcription specific to the stromal cell compartment was able to be measured without disaggregating stromal and cancer cells, so that genetic signals arising from cell contact between stroma and cancer cells could be captured. A global assessment of stromal genes induced by high versus low metastatic cancer cells is planned. This project is likely to help guide the development of stromal-based therapeutics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA494955
Entities
People
- Richard A. Steinman
Organizations
- University of Pittsburgh