Microglial TBK1 Signaling Promotes Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis.

ABSTRACT: Breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM) is the most common and lethal form of brain tumor, marked by abundant infiltration of tumor-associated microglia (TAMG). TAMG can promote the seeding and growth of metastatic breast cancer cells, highlighting the need to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying their function to enable the development of effective strategies to target TAMG in BCBM. In this study, using tumor samples from patients with BCBM and mouse models, and in vitro microglia culture systems, we demonstrated that TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) signaling is enriched and activated in TAMG. TBK1 inhibition in TAMG reduced epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration, invasion, and proliferation of breast cancer cells. Through integrated analyses of transcriptomic profiles, patient

SUBMITTER: Khan F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12516326 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature