Stromal Function in the Tumour Microenvironment: You Are What You Eat
Event details
| Date | 02.06.2014 |
| Hour | 12:15 |
| Speaker | Dr. Jacqueline Shields, MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge (UK) |
| Location | |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
Joint CANCER and BIOENGINEERING SEMINAR
Abstract:
Non-cancerous cells within tumours form a supportive network commonly known as the tumour stroma. Lymphatic vessels found within stromal zones link a tumour to downstream lymph nodes and the immune system, yet in many cases the anti-tumour immune response is ineffective. The mechanisms by which a tumour evades destruction whilst being directly connected to the immune system still remains unclear, although it is becoming apparent that stromal components have the potential to directly contribute.
A subset of cancer–associated fibroblasts (CAF) share characteristics with lymph node stroma: a site of immune decision making within lymph nodes. One of these shared characteristics is the expression of podoplanin. Clinical studies have correlated its presence with poor prognosis, and in mouse models podoplanin-expressing stroma was also associated with enhanced tumour progression and changes in immune responses.
We are working towards identifying the mechanisms by which supporting cells within a tumour operate in favour of a developing tumour, and in particular, how the uptake of tumour cell debris may facilitate this. We show that CAFs are able to engulf and process tumour debris and soluble antigen, reminiscent of the lymph node stroma and therefore have the potential to directly modulate the developing anti-tumour immune response in situ.
Bio:
Jacqui Shields studied Pathology and Microbiology at the University of Bristol. She then went on to complete her PhD in tumour microcirculation in the Department of Physiology at Bristol, where her interest in tumour-associated lymphatic vessels began.
To gain expertise in lymphatic functionality, and how this could relate to tumour progression, she joined the laboratory of Professor Melody Swartz, at the Institute of Bioengineering at EPFL (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) in Switzerland, to pursue her postdoctoral training.
During this time, Dr. Shields was awarded the "Fondation Latsis Internationale" Prize for her work on understanding how tumour cells sense and exploit functional, draining lymphatics to promote metastasis. In 2008 she was awarded the Servier Award for research of significant contribution to the field of microcirculation.
Dr. Shields' research has helped to elucidate links between lymphatic function and lymphatic growth factors with the processes of tumour progression and metastasis. She arrived at the MRC Cancer Unit in June 2011, where her research group focuses on the relationship between lymphatics and tumour stroma in establishing and maintaining the tumour microenvironment.
Abstract:
Non-cancerous cells within tumours form a supportive network commonly known as the tumour stroma. Lymphatic vessels found within stromal zones link a tumour to downstream lymph nodes and the immune system, yet in many cases the anti-tumour immune response is ineffective. The mechanisms by which a tumour evades destruction whilst being directly connected to the immune system still remains unclear, although it is becoming apparent that stromal components have the potential to directly contribute.
A subset of cancer–associated fibroblasts (CAF) share characteristics with lymph node stroma: a site of immune decision making within lymph nodes. One of these shared characteristics is the expression of podoplanin. Clinical studies have correlated its presence with poor prognosis, and in mouse models podoplanin-expressing stroma was also associated with enhanced tumour progression and changes in immune responses.
We are working towards identifying the mechanisms by which supporting cells within a tumour operate in favour of a developing tumour, and in particular, how the uptake of tumour cell debris may facilitate this. We show that CAFs are able to engulf and process tumour debris and soluble antigen, reminiscent of the lymph node stroma and therefore have the potential to directly modulate the developing anti-tumour immune response in situ.
Bio:
Jacqui Shields studied Pathology and Microbiology at the University of Bristol. She then went on to complete her PhD in tumour microcirculation in the Department of Physiology at Bristol, where her interest in tumour-associated lymphatic vessels began.
To gain expertise in lymphatic functionality, and how this could relate to tumour progression, she joined the laboratory of Professor Melody Swartz, at the Institute of Bioengineering at EPFL (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) in Switzerland, to pursue her postdoctoral training.
During this time, Dr. Shields was awarded the "Fondation Latsis Internationale" Prize for her work on understanding how tumour cells sense and exploit functional, draining lymphatics to promote metastasis. In 2008 she was awarded the Servier Award for research of significant contribution to the field of microcirculation.
Dr. Shields' research has helped to elucidate links between lymphatic function and lymphatic growth factors with the processes of tumour progression and metastasis. She arrived at the MRC Cancer Unit in June 2011, where her research group focuses on the relationship between lymphatics and tumour stroma in establishing and maintaining the tumour microenvironment.
Practical information
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- Free