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A Novel Stromal Fibroblast-Modulated 3D Tumor Spheroid Model for Studying Tumor-Stroma Interaction and Drug Discovery
Published on: February 28, 2020
Expression of Snail protein in tumor-stroma interface
1Unitat de Biologia Cellular i Molecular, Institut Municipal d'Investigació Mèdica, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.
Oncogene
|March 29, 2006
Summary
Snail gene product, a key factor in cell changes, is found in activated mesenchymal cells during wound healing and in fibromatosis. Its expression in tumors suggests a role in tumor-stroma interactions and potential cell conversion.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Snail gene product acts as a repressor of E-cadherin transcription.
- It induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in epithelial tumor cell lines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine Snail expression in animal and human tissues.
- To investigate the role of Snail in activated mesenchymal cells and tumors.
Main Methods:
- Developed a monoclonal antibody (MAb) targeting the Snail protein's regulatory domain.
- Analyzed Snail expression in murine embryos, adult tissues, and various tumors (sarcomas, fibrosarcomas, epithelial tumors).
Main Results:
- Snail is expressed in embryonic mesoderm, mesenchymal cells, and cartilage in murine embryos.
- In adult tissues, Snail is found in activated fibroblasts during wound healing and in fibromatosis.
- High Snail expression observed in sarcomas and fibrosarcomas.
- In epithelial tumors, Snail is localized to stromal and adjacent tumoral cells.
Conclusions:
- Snail is present in activated mesenchymal cells.
- Snail plays a role in tumor-stroma communication.
- Snail may promote the conversion of carcinoma cells to stromal cells.
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