CSB Special Seminar – Junior West – Postdoctoral Fellow – Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

CSB Special Seminar

Junior West, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

TITLE:

Barrier Breakdown: Claudin proteins restrict cancer invasion and metastasis

ABSTRACT:

Metastasis begins with invasion, where cancer cells need to overcome the constraints of several types of adhesive junctions. We focus on the role of claudin proteins, since they are frequently lost during breast cancer progression. To test the role of Claudin proteins during breast cancer invasion and metastasis, we combine genetically engineered mouse models of breast cancer with 3D organotypic culture assays and in vivo metastasis assays. Using these approaches, we demonstrated that the tight junction protein, Cldn7, suppresses invasion and metastasis. Transcriptomic analysis of our organoid models revealed that increased invasion is associated with induction of smooth muscle actin networks. These data support a model whereby down regulation of Cldn7 increases metastatic efficiency by up regulation of smooth muscle actin proteins.

HOST: Tony Harris

LOCATION: Cell and Systems Biology, 25 Harbord Street, Suite 432

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