Fate Mapping of Cancer Cells in Metastatic Lymph Nodes Using Photoconvertible Proteins

The lymph node microenvironment is extremely dynamic and responds to immune stimuli in the host by reprogramming immune, stromal, and endothelial cells. In normal physiological conditions, the lymph node will initiate an appropriate immune response to clear external threats that the host may experience. However, in metastatic disease, cancer cells often colonize local lymph nodes, disrupt immune function, and even leave the lymph node to create additional metastases. Understanding how cancer cells enter, colonize, survive, proliferate, and interact with other cell types in the lymph node is challenging. Here, we describe the use of photoconvertible fluorescent proteins to label and trace the fate of cancer cells once they enter the lymph node.