@article{WatzlingKlausWeidemeieretal.2023,
  author    = {Watzling, Martin and Klaus, Lorenz and Weidemeier, Tamara and Horder, Hannes and Ebert, Regina and Blunk, Torsten and Bauer-Kreisel, Petra},
  title     = {Three-dimensional breast cancer model to investigate CCL5/CCR1 expression mediated by direct contact between breast cancer cells and adipose-derived stromal cells or adipocytes},
  series = {Cancers},
  volume    = {15},
  journal   = {Cancers},
  number    = {13},
  issn      = {2072-6694},
  doi       = {10.3390/cancers15133501},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-362502},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {The tumor microenvironment (TME) in breast cancer is determined by the complex crosstalk of cancer cells with adipose tissue-inherent cells such as adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) and adipocytes resulting from the local invasion of tumor cells in the mammary fat pad. This leads to heterotypic cellular contacts between these cell types. To adequately mimic the specific cell-to-cell interaction in an in vivo-like 3D environment, we developed a direct co-culture spheroid model using ASCs or differentiated adipocytes in combination with MDA-MB-231 or MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells. Co-spheroids were generated in a well-defined and reproducible manner in a high-throughput process. We compared the expression of the tumor-promoting chemokine CCL5 and its cognate receptors in these co-spheroids to indirect and direct standard 2D co-cultures. A marked up-regulation of CCL5 and in particular the receptor CCR1 with strict dependence on cell-cell contacts and culture dimensionality was evident. Furthermore, the impact of direct contacts between ASCs and tumor cells and the involvement of CCR1 in promoting tumor cell migration were demonstrated. Overall, these results show the importance of direct 3D co-culture models to better represent the complex tumor-stroma interaction in a tissue-like context. The unveiling of tumor-specific markers that are up-regulated upon direct cell-cell contact with neighboring stromal cells, as demonstrated in the 3D co-culture spheroids, may represent a promising strategy to find new targets for the diagnosis and treatment of invasive breast cancer.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SeilerEbertRudertetal.2022,
  author    = {Seiler, Jonas and Ebert, Regina and Rudert, Maximilian and Herrmann, Marietta and Leich, Ellen and Weißenberger, Manuela and Horas, Konstantin},
  title     = {Bone metastases of diverse primary origin frequently express the VDR (vitamin D receptor) and CYP24A1},
  series = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},
  number    = {21},
  issn      = {2077-0383},
  doi       = {10.3390/jcm11216537},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-297377},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Active vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D3) is known to exert direct anti-cancer actions on various malignant tissues through binding to the vitamin D receptor (VDR). These effects have been demonstrated in breast, prostate, renal and thyroid cancers, which all have a high propensity to metastasise to bone. In addition, there is evidence that vitamin D catabolism via 24-hydroxylase (CYP24A1) is altered in tumour cells, thus, reducing local active vitamin D levels in cancer cells. The aim of this study was to assess VDR and CYP24A1 expression in various types of bone metastases by using immunohistochemistry. Overall, a high total VDR protein expression was detected in 59\% of cases (39/66). There was a non-significant trend of high-grade tumours towards the low nuclear VDR expression (p = 0.07). Notably, patients with further distant metastases had a reduced nuclear VDR expression (p = 0.03). Furthermore, a high CYP24A1 expression was detected in 59\% (39/66) of bone metastases. There was a significant positive correlation between nuclear VDR and CYP24A1 expression (p = 0.001). Collectively, the VDR and CYP24A1 were widely expressed in a multitude of bone metastases, pointing to a potential role of vitamin D signalling in cancer progression. This is of high clinical relevance, as vitamin D deficiency is frequent in patients with bone metastases.},
  language  = {en}
}