Mechanisms of endothelial gap formation

In collaboration with Georg Krupitza we are interested in the process of tumor intravasation into the lymphatic vasculature.  Breast cancer cell spheroids attached to lymphendothelial cell monolayers are used as in vitro 3D model system to measure formation of circular chemorepellent-induced defects (CCID), which are considered as entry gates for bulky tumour intravasation. We aim to dissect the contribution of cell adhesion molecules, the NF-kB pathway and the arachidonate lipoxygenase pathway to the interaction between tumor cell spheroids and lymphendothelial cells (for reference see Viola et al. 2013).

Collaborations: Georg Krupitza (Department of Clinical Pathology/Medical University of Vienna)

Financial support: Herzfelder Foundation

Research Focus: Tumor Progression and Metastasis