tumor-stromal interactions in metastatic brain cancer kathryn suttling mentor: victor blanco pi:...
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Tumor-stromal Interactions in Metastatic Brain Cancer
Kathryn Suttling
Mentor: Victor Blanco
PI: Xiaoyang Qi, PhD
Lab Department: Internal Medicine/ Hematology and Oncology
Vontz Center for Molecular Studies
Our Model
Nude Mouse model Skin Cancer Cells
3-4 Weeks
Brain Slides
Immunofluorescence
Dissection and Sectioning of the
mouse brain
Intracarotid Artery Injection
CD11b
1st AB (Rabbit)
against Ki-67
1ry AB (Rat) against CD11b
2ry AB-TRITC (anti-mouse)
2ry AB-FITC (anti-rabbit)
Ki-67
Histology of Experimental Melanoma Brain Metastases (H&E)
H & E: Routine histopathological characterization to identify tumor cells.
4X
10X
10X
40X Normal- 10X
Stromal Cells in Melanoma Brain MetastasesImmunofluorescence
DAPI: Marks nuclei (DNA). Dense areas of cells compared to different regions are generally tumorous.GFAP: High expression indicates reactive astrocytes.Nestin: Stem cell marker- Co-option of host cells.
40X
DAPI/Nestin
Merge DAPI GFAP
Normal
4X
40X
4X
Immune Cells in Melanoma Brain MetastasesCD11b: Labels macrophages/microglia (Tumor Associated
Macrophages)Ki-67: Labels proliferating cellsVersican: Chondroitin sulfate; matrix component; possible immune activator
Ki-67 CD11bDAPI
VersicanDAPI Merge
4X Merge
4X
4X
Summary
Valuable model to study the progression and interaction of brain metastases of melanoma and stromal and immune cells.
Through immunofluorescence techniques, we identified astrogliosis, tumor’s co-option of host cells and immune cell involvement in melanocytic brain metastases.
Next steps are to figure out how to make tumor cells to uptake SapC-DOPS (anticancer liposomes). Right now there is targeting, but only around the tumors.
In the future, we will be looking for the potential therapeutic applications of SapC-DOPS
My Experience
What have I learned?
Research process:
Trial and error
Experiments must be validated
Research takes time
About Myself:
In order to be good at something, work and time must be put into it.
Why does it matter?
To be good in something, you need to put in the work
Passion
My Experience
What now?
Academic: Use basic lab techniques in future science classes. Gain an understanding of what is happening when an experiment is performed.
Professional: As I look towards graduate school, the option of engaging research will be available to me if I so choose.
Personal: This has taking me one step closer to figuring out what direction I want to take in life.