Project description:We focus on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) as an active component of the tumor microenvironment. The transcriptome profiling and analysis of CAFs isolated from breast cancer skin metastasis, cutaneous basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma arising from oral cavity mucous membrane unravelled major gene candidates such as the IL-6, VEGF-A and MFGE8 that induced the expression of several markers associated with poor prognosis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in co-cultivated EM-G3 breast cancer cells.
Project description:Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAF) are key players in the tumor microenvironment. By combining 6 well-known stromal markers, we identify four CAF subsets (CAF-S1 to CAF-S4) in human breast and ovarian cancers.
Project description:Gene expression profiling of CAF co-cultured with human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells compared with mono-cultured CAF. To identify key molecular regulators expressed by carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAF) that promote cancer cell invasion, microarrays were performed by comparing co-cultured OSCC cells and CAF with monoculture controls.
Project description:HCT116 colon carcinoma cells invade more the basement membrane when carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are present. In order to identify if CAFs induce an invasive phenotype to HCT116 cells, and therefore regulate genes expression related to invasion, we compared gene expression of HCT116 cells cultured alone or in the presence of CAFs.
Project description:Systemic chemotherapy inflicts cytotoxic injuries on breast carcinoma-associated fibroblasts. We profiled the transcriptomes of human breast carcinoma-associated fibroblasts before and after clinically relevant cytotoxic stimuli induced by chemotheraputic agents.
Project description:Gene expression profiling of CAF co-cultured with human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells compared with mono-cultured CAF. To identify key molecular regulators expressed by carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAF) that promote cancer cell invasion, microarrays were performed by comparing co-cultured OSCC cells and CAF with monoculture controls. comparison 1: CAF co-cultured with OSCC vs. mono-cultured CAF comparison 2: OSCC co-cultured with CAF vs. mono-cultured OSCC 1.7X10(5) YD-10B OSCC cells and 1.7X10(5) CAF were seeded in the upper chamber and lower chamber, respectively, of 6-transwell plates containing collagen-coated 1 micrometer pore transmembrane filters (Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA). Monoculture control samples were generated by culturing only CAF or OSCC on the same side of the filter as in the co-culture design.
Project description:As the most common form of pre-invasive breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) affects over 50,000 women in the US annually. Despite standardized treatment involving lumpectomy and radiation therapy, up to 25 % of patients with DCIS experience disease recurrence often with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), indicating that a subset of patients may be under-treated. As most DCIS cases will not progress to invasion, many patients may experience over-treatment. By understanding the underlying processes associated with DCIS to IDC progression, we can identify new biomarkers to determine which DCIS cases may become invasive and improve treatment for patients. Accumulation of fibroblasts in IDC is associated with disease progression and reduced survival. While fibroblasts have been detected in DCIS, little is understood about their role in DCIS progression.We sought to determine whether DCIS fibroblasts were similar or distinct from normal and IDC fibroblasts at the transcriptome level, fibroblasts underwent transcriptome profilingthrough bulk RNA seq and pathway analysis. DCIS fibroblasts are phenotypically distinct from normal breast and IDC fibroblasts, and play an important role in breast cancer growth, invasion, and recruitment of myeloid cells. These studies provide novel insight into the role of DCIS fibroblasts in breast cancer progression and identify some key biomarkers associated with DCIS progression to IDC, with important clinical implications.
Project description:Systemic chemotherapy inflicts cytotoxic injuries on breast carcinoma-associated fibroblasts. We profiled the transcriptomes of human breast carcinoma-associated fibroblasts before and after clinically relevant cytotoxic stimuli induced by chemotheraputic agents. Breast cancer associated fibroblasts (BCAFs) were isolated from the tumor specimen by mechanical dissociation and differential centrifugation. The cells at early passages were treated with paclitaxol or doxorubicin at clinically revealent concentration. Total RNA was extracted from the cells at different time points post-treatment for gene expression profiling.
Project description:Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the principal components of tumor microenvironment, play multiple roles in breast cancer onset and progression. While their impact is widely accepted, treatment options to target CAFs in clinical practice were not yet well established. The nuclear receptor superfamily encompasses a druggable class of molecules, expressed in various stroma and parenchymal cell types, with the interesting therapeutic potential to modulate the reactive microenvironment. Having already addressed the oncosuppressive role of the nuclear Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR) in mammary epithelial cancer cells, the present study is aimed to assess the function of FXR in CAFs and evaluate whether its activation may affect their tumor-promoting features.
