Abstract

Interactions between various cell types in a tumor microenvironment (TME) are important for cancer progression and metastasis. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a key role in this intratumoral dialogue regulating Wnt signaling pathway in cancer cells. Co-culture of canine and murine tumor cells with TAMs lead to inhibition of the canonical Wnt pathway and activation of the non-canonical Wnt pathway in tumor cells resulting in change in tumor cell phenotype and subsequent higher potential to invasion and metastasis. These molecular changes in cancer cells that are induced by TAMs resemble the quercetin activity. This natural product is a plant flavonoid from the group of polyphenols. Its biological function is inhibition of the canonical Wnt pathway. As quercetin supplementation is broadly discussed in cancer patients, findings of this study show that this compound should be used with caution, as it may enhance cancer spread.

Keywords

TAMs; Wnt; mammary cancer; tumor microenvironment; canine; murine

Published in

Medycyna Weterynaryjna
2023, Volume: 79, number: 5, pages: 227-231
Publisher: POLISH SOC VETERINARY SCIENCES EDITORIAL OFFICE

SLU Authors

• Hellmén, Eva

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages


UKÄ Subject classification

Clinical Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21521/mw.6757

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/122018