Descripción de The role of an IGFBP in breast cancer:

Category: POSTDOC Heather-Marie P. Wilson, Ph.D. Ph.D. Title: The role of an insulin-like growth factor binding protein in breast cancer. Ph.D. Institution: Pathology, University of Washington Date: 2002 Current Affiliation: Post-doctoral researcher, Surgery-Cardiothoracic Division, University of Washington Explanation: Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-related protein 1 (IGFBP-rP1/IGFBP-7/mac25) was found to be upregulated in senescent normal human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs). We hypothesized that transducing a breast cancer cell line that lacked expression of IGFBP-rP1 may result in inhibited growth of that cell line. The first striking change we noticed after transducing the MCF7 breast cancer cell line with IGFBP-rP1 was the transformation of the morphological characteristics from a cobblestone appearance to that resembling senescent HMECs, displaying large cytoplasmic to nuclear ratios, increased vacuolization, and membrane ruffling. Subsequent molecular analyses confirmed what we saw from the morphology. This dance is an interpretation of what we first observed through the microscope. "Dance of the Senescent Cells" (in three movements: 1) verifying the cDNA sequence - a game of hide & seek between HMEC and graduate student, 2)transduction of the MCF7 cell line with IGFBP-rP1 gene - MCF7 cells have uncontrolled growth prior to addition of IGFBP-rP1, 3) the IGFBP-rP1-transduced MCF7 cells exhibit senescent-like features and controlled growth)