Dendritic, mast and tumor cells interaction

• Grant number: 13/08138-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: August 01, 2013
• End date: February 28, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Cellular Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Jose Alexandre Marzagão Barbuto
• Grantee: Cecilia Pessoa Rodrigues
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The tumor microenvironment is a factor that affects significantly the immune response against tumors. It is composed of transformed and immune cells, vascular components and mesenchymal cells. These different cells may have beneficial, harmful or dual roles in the antitumor reaction, depending on various factors that range from the cellular interactions to the cytokines present therein. One example of this functional ambivalence is found in the dendritic cell. These cells, though able to initiate effective immune response, when activated by danger signals, fail to do so in the tumor microenvironment. In this environment, DCs are found in an immature state, thus not only failing to induce an anti-tumor response, but even contributing to the tumor evasion of the immune system. Recent studies demonstrate that cancer cells recruit mast cells in early stages of tumor development. Although their exact role in tumor development is not known, mast cells may promote cancer growth by stimulation of neoangiogenesis, tissue remodeling and pro-inflammatory cytokines production. Furthermore, mast cells are able to modulate the host immune response by suppression of various effector cells, but their influence on DCs has not been determined. This study, thus, aims to contribute to the understanding of the mast cells role in the natural history of neoplasia, evaluating their effects upon DCs. For that, we intend to evaluate if the interaction of mast cells, sensitized or not with HCT-116, a human colorectal cancer lineage, is able to modify, phenotypically and functionally DCs, be it through direct contact or by the secretion of soluble factors. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

RODRIGUES, Cecilia Pessoa. Interactions between dendritic cells, mast cells and tumor cells.. 2015. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI) São Paulo.