The Role of Megakaryocytes in Breast Cancer Metastasis to Bone
Abstract
The hypothesis is that megakaryocytes (MKs) contribute to the growth of metastatic breast cancer in the bone either by preparing a niche and/or by responding to the cytokines of the marrow resulting from the interaction of the cancer cells with cells of the marrow. We found that MK increased in mouse femurs bearing MDA-MB-231 human cancer. We are comparing MKs in femurs in mice with subcutaneous (non-metastasizing)vs bone metastasizing (intracardiac injection) tumors over time. The treatments are complete; femurs are embedded in paraffin and are being sectioned. We established immunohistochemical procedures for the von Willibrand factor and will use this approach to determine MK numbers. In the meantime thymopoietin -/- mouse embryos were regenerated and mice are being backcrossed to Balb/c so that metastasis can be determined in MK deficient mice using a syngeneic system. Mouse mammary tumor cells (4T1.2) will be injected into the mammary glands of WT and TPO-/- mice, and femurs collected over time. Bone cytokines also will be assessed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA549461
Entities
People
- Andrea M. Mastro
Organizations
- Pennsylvania State University