CANCER-3DMATRIX-EGF

Interactions of Breast Cancer Cells with Macrophages in Controlled 3D in vitro Microenvironments

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The leading cause of death for cancer patients is metastasis. During metastasis, cancer cells interact with various molecules and cells. It has been shown that a group of macrophages facilitates metastasis. Our goal is to determine the mechanism of interaction between epidermal growth (EGF) produced by macrophages and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expressed by breast cancer cells. Soluble EGF or macrophage conditioned medium does not stimulate breast cancer cell invasion into collagen matrix and 6 kDa EGF is not detected in conditioned medium or cell lysates. Various growth factors are known to bind the extracellular matrix (ECM) and cells can move by haptotaxis (chemo-attractants are substrate-bound). What is more, breast cancer cells do not invade into collagen matrix when macrophages are not present. Based on the above, we will test the following hypotheses: 1) Breast cancer cells show chemotaxis to freely diffusing EGF in ECM. 2) Breast cancer cells show haptotaxis to ECM bound EGF. 3) Breast cancer cells are stimulated by EGF on the cell surface of macrophages. We will use UV lithography to prepare 3D microenvironments for cell culture and use confocal fluorescence microscopy to assay cell behavior and examine the ECM of macrophages. If EGF is soluble in 3D matrix, breast cancer cells will show increased motility with increased proximity to macrophages. If EGF binds to ECM, then ECM produced by macrophages will be able to stimulate breast cancer cell motility via stimulation of EGFR. If EGF stays on the surface of macrophages, breast cancer cells will not invade the matrix without direct contact with macrophages. This interdisciplinary project will establish an experimental system to study interactions between different cell types and will help develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches and devices. The researcher will bring the state-of-the-art knowledge and know-how she has acquired in various international institutions, to Europe.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Macrophages play an important role in metastasis initiation. An EU-funded project's goal is to develop a model system for analysis of the interaction of cancer cells and macrophages.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Metastasis is the spread of cancer from the place where it first started to another place in the body. As such, it is the leading cause of death for cancer patients. During metastasis, cancer cells interact with various molecules and cells, including macrophages. Macrophages are specialised phagocytic cells that attack foreign substances, infectious microbes and cancer cells through destruction and ingestion.

It has been shown that within the tumour environment macrophages facilitate metastasis. Thus, macrophages are at the centre of the invasion microenvironment and are an important drug target for cancer therapy.

The 'Interactions of breast cancer cells with macrophages in controlled 3D in vitro microenvironments' (CANCER-3DMATRIX-EGF) project is studying the role of macrophages in regulation of breast cancer cells' migration and invasion. Researchers will analyse the interaction of epidermal growth factor (EGF) produced by macrophages and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on the cancer cells.

In the initial stage of the project, 3D in vitro models of extracellular matrix (ECM) were fabricated. ECM components collagen and matrigel were used in combination with silicon-based molds. It was shown that these moulds supported proliferation and migration of both cancer breast cells and macrophages.

In the next stage of the project researchers intend to use fabricated 3D models of ECM to investigate migration and invasion of cancer cells in the presence of macrophages.

A better understanding of the role of macrophages in metastasis initiation could lead to the development of new targets for cancer treatment.