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Updated: May 2, 2026

Three-Dimensional 3D Tumor Spheroid Invasion Assay
Published on: May 1, 2015
Thrombin receptor overexpression in malignant and physiological invasion processes
S Even-Ram1, B Uziely, P Cohen
1Department of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
Thrombin receptor (protease-activated receptor 1) is highly expressed in metastatic breast cancer and promotes tumor cell invasion. Its role in invasion is further supported by its transient expression during embryonic development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Proteases are known to facilitate tumor cell invasion and metastasis.
- The role of proteolytically activated cell surface receptors in these processes remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of thrombin receptor, a protease-activated receptor, in human breast carcinoma cell invasion and metastasis.
- To explore the expression patterns of thrombin receptor in metastatic breast cancer and embryonic development.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of thrombin receptor expression in metastatic human breast carcinoma cell lines and biopsy specimens.
- Inhibition of thrombin receptor expression using antisense cDNA in breast carcinoma cells.
- Assessment of cell invasion through a reconstituted basement membrane.
- Examination of thrombin receptor expression during human embryonic placental implantation.
Main Results:
- Thrombin receptor is preferentially expressed in highly metastatic human breast carcinoma cell lines and patient samples.
- Inhibition of thrombin receptor expression significantly reduced the invasion of metastatic breast carcinoma cells.
- Thrombin receptor is transiently expressed in invading cytotrophoblasts during human embryonic development.
Conclusions:
- Thrombin receptor plays a significant role in cell invasion associated with breast cancer progression.
- Thrombin receptor involvement in cell invasion is conserved in both pathological (cancer) and normal physiological processes (embryonic development).
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