Abstract Title
Regulation of FAK, RAC, RHO, and CD44 by Inflammatory Cytokines in Breast Cancer
Abstract
In breast cancer, inflammatory cytokines have been found to promote tumor cell migration, invasive capacity, and metastatic potential. Our lab has set out to determine which signaling molecules and pathways are utilized by these inflammatory proteins to drive metastasis. Rac and Rho are two GTPases, enzymes found to be linked to cancer and invasivion as well as migratory phenotypes. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylates Rac and Rho, which are some of its target molecules. CD44 a glycoprotein on the surface of breast cancer cells is a marker for increased migratory potential. In our studies, Boyden chambers were used to test migration of the human MDA-MB-231, T47D, and MCF7 breast cancer cell lines treated or not treated with inflammatory cytokine for 24 hours. Western blot analysis, qRT-PCR, and immunofluorescence are currently being used to determine induction of Rac, Rho, FAK, and CD44 by these inflammatory cytokines. If the pro-inflammatory proteins are found to induce expression of Rac, Rho, FAK, and CD44 in breast cancer cells, they could be considered as a target for the development of a potential new treatment for breast cancer.
Regulation of FAK, RAC, RHO, and CD44 by Inflammatory Cytokines in Breast Cancer
In breast cancer, inflammatory cytokines have been found to promote tumor cell migration, invasive capacity, and metastatic potential. Our lab has set out to determine which signaling molecules and pathways are utilized by these inflammatory proteins to drive metastasis. Rac and Rho are two GTPases, enzymes found to be linked to cancer and invasivion as well as migratory phenotypes. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylates Rac and Rho, which are some of its target molecules. CD44 a glycoprotein on the surface of breast cancer cells is a marker for increased migratory potential. In our studies, Boyden chambers were used to test migration of the human MDA-MB-231, T47D, and MCF7 breast cancer cell lines treated or not treated with inflammatory cytokine for 24 hours. Western blot analysis, qRT-PCR, and immunofluorescence are currently being used to determine induction of Rac, Rho, FAK, and CD44 by these inflammatory cytokines. If the pro-inflammatory proteins are found to induce expression of Rac, Rho, FAK, and CD44 in breast cancer cells, they could be considered as a target for the development of a potential new treatment for breast cancer.