Multiplex tissue analysis of the tumor microenvironment and crucial factors in melanoma pathogenesis

• Grant number: 17/50122-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2017
• End date: October 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Cytology and Cell Biology
• Agreement: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU)
• Mobility Program: SPRINT - Projetos de pesquisa - Mobilidade
• Principal Investigator: Miriam Galvonas Jasiulionis
• Grantee: Miriam Galvonas Jasiulionis
• Principal researcher abroad: Christian Ostalecki
• Institution abroad: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/13663-0 - Integrating gene and microRNA expression, methylome and hidroxymethylome data from different phases of melanoma progression., AP.R

Abstract

Malignant melanoma is the most aggressive and treatment resistant human skin cancer, and it is one of the tumor entities with the highest increase in incidence worldwide. The aim of our project is to establish a cooperation between the German (Friedrich-Alexander-Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg) and the Brazilian (Universidad Federal de São Paulo) research groups, as both have their research focus on the development of melanoma. Our intention is to investigate: 1) the impact of differentially expressed proteins in melanoma an as result of abnormal epigenetic regulation and 2) the effect of an inflammatory microenvironment on melanoma progression. To study these issues we will perform multiplex tissue analysis of murine and human melanoma tissue samples by a technique called MELC, which allows the fully automated staining of tissue sections: 1) by a theoretically unlimited number of antibodies per section, and 2) in a topographically allocated manner. These data sets allow an extrapolation of the activation and functional status of a cell and by extension of the whole tissue section. This study may contribute, not only with a better understanding of melanoma biology, but also to identify potential targets for therapy and biomarkers of prognostic and drug response. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MONTEIRO, ANA CAROLINA; MUENZNER, JULIENNE K.; ANDRADE, FERNANDO; RIUS, FLAVIA EICHEMBERGER; OSTALECKI, CHRISTIAN; GEPPERT, CAROL I.; AGAIMY, ABBAS; HARTMANN, ARNDT; FUJITA, ANDRE; SCHNEIDER-STOCK, REGINE; et al. Gene expression and promoter methylation of angiogenic and lymphangiogenic factors as prognostic markers in melanoma. MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY, v. 13, n. 6, p. 1433-1449, JUN 2019. (16/09179-1, 13/04829-0, 14/13663-0, 17/50122-6)