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Updated: Jul 9, 2025
Isolation and Culture Expansion of Tumor-specific Endothelial Cells
Published on: October 14, 2015
The in situ transcriptomic landscape of breast tumour-associated and normal adjacent endothelial cells
Akhilandeshwari Ravichandran1, James Monkman2, Ahmed M Mehdi3
1School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia; Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia.
Background And Aims:
Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is associated with increased angiogenesis, which is known to aid tumour growth and metastasis. Anti-angiogenic therapies that have been developed to target this feature have mostly generated disappointing clinical results. Further research into targeted approaches is limited by a lack of understanding of the in situ molecular profile of tumour-associated vasculature. In this study, we aimed to understand the differences in the molecular profiles of tumour endothelial cells vs normal-adjacent endothelial cells in TNBC tissues.
Method:
We have applied unbiased whole transcriptome spatial profiling of in situ gene expressions of endothelial cells localized in full-face patient TNBC tissues (n = 4) and normal-adjacent regions of the same patient breast tissues.
Results:
Our comparative analysis revealed that 2412 genes were differentially expressed (padj < 0.05) between the tumour endothelial cells and normal-adjacent endothelial cells. Pathway enrichment showed the enrichment of gene sets related to cell-cell, cell-ECM adhesion, chromatin organization and remodeling, and protein-DNA complex subunit organization.
Conclusion:
Overall, the results revealed unique molecular profiles and signalling pathways of tumour-associated vasculature, which is a critical step towards larger cohort studies investigating potential targets for TNBC prognosis and anti-angiogenic treatments.
Insights
Researchers profiled gene expression in Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) endothelial cells versus normal cells. This revealed distinct molecular profiles, offering new targets for anti-angiogenic therapies in TNBC treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Vascular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) exhibits increased angiogenesis, promoting tumor growth and metastasis.
- Current anti-angiogenic therapies for TNBC have shown limited clinical success.
- Understanding the molecular characteristics of tumor-associated vasculature is crucial for developing targeted treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular differences between endothelial cells in TNBC tissues and normal adjacent tissues.
- To identify unique gene expression profiles and signaling pathways in tumor-associated vasculature.
Main Methods:
- Employed unbiased whole transcriptome spatial profiling.
- Analyzed in situ gene expression in endothelial cells from TNBC patient tissues (n=4) and matched normal-adjacent regions.
Main Results:
- Identified 2412 differentially expressed genes between tumor and normal endothelial cells (p_adj < 0.05).
- Pathway enrichment analysis highlighted significant differences in cell-cell adhesion, cell-ECM adhesion, chromatin organization, and protein-DNA complex organization.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrated unique molecular profiles and signaling pathways in tumor-associated vasculature in TNBC.
- These findings provide a foundation for larger studies to identify potential therapeutic targets for TNBC prognosis and anti-angiogenic treatments.
