The Role of Cell-Cell Signalling in the Induction of Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer Cells.
Abstract
Apoptosis is a normal cellular process involving a specific series of events leading to the death of a cell. In the nude mouse, MCF-7 human breast cancer cells deprived of estrogen undergo this process, but MCF-7 cells grown in vitro respond to estrogen withdrawal by accumulating in G1 rather than dying. This suggests that stromal-epithelial interactions are critically involved in the signaling process that induces apoptosis. The goal of this project is to develop model systems using coculture of breast epithelial cells and fibroblasts that will mimic the in vivo induction of programmed cell death. Our work thus far indicates that both stromal-epithelial signaling and the influence of basement membrane components are important for antiestrogens to induce apoptosis rather than cell cycle arrest, and that there is a secreted signal from normal fibroblasts that can induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. This model system will not only provide a useful alternative to animal models for evaluating the cytotoxic (as opposed to cytostatic) effects of potential therapeutic agents, but will also be a valuable tool for us in elucidating the signals that are responsible for programmed cell death in breast cancer cells with a future goal of manipulating this process to provide new treatments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADB221974
Entities
People
- Susan A. Chrysogelos
Organizations
- Georgetown University