Breast tumors are often identified by manual palpation due to their apparent hardness compared to normal tissue. The presence of a fibrotic focus in breast tumors is associated with a 10-50-fold increase in tissue stiffness and correlates with distant metastasis and poor outcome. Recent studies show that increasing matrix stiffness can induce a malignant phenotype in cultured human mammary acini, suggesting that mechanical properties of extracellular matrix directly regulate tumor metastasis. However, how mechanical forces are translated into biochemical signals to promote tumor invasion and metastasis is largely unknown. Our preliminary studies found that rigid matrix stiffness activates a key developmental program termed Epithelial- Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) to promote tumor metastasis. We therefore hypothesize that mechanical forces regulate EMT-inducing transcription factors through a novel mechanotransduction pathway to promote tumor invasion and metastasis. To test this hypothesis, we plan to 1-2) dissect the molecular mechanism by which mechanical forces activate EMT-inducing transcription factors; 3) determine the involvement of mechanoregulation of EMT-inducing transcription factors in promoting metastasis in vivo and in predicting long-term survival in human breast cancer patients.

Public Health Relevance

The proposed research aims to determine how mechanical forces are translated into biochemical signals to promote tumor invasion and metastasis. We believe that this work could uncover a novel regulatory machinery of tumor invasion and provide new targets for anti-metastasis therapy.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01CA174869-01A1
Application #
8816864
Study Section
Tumor Microenvironment Study Section (TME)
Program Officer
Woodhouse, Elizabeth
Project Start
2015-08-01
Project End
2020-07-31
Budget Start
2015-08-01
Budget End
2016-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California San Diego
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
804355790
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92093
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