Reprogramming metastatic melanoma cells to assume a neural crest cell-like phenotype in an embryonic microenvironment.

ABSTRACT: Human metastatic melanoma cells express a dedifferentiated, plastic phenotype, which may serve as a selective advantage, because melanoma cells invade various microenvironments. Over the last three decades, there has been an increased focus on the role of the tumor microenvironment in cancer progression, with the goal of reversing the metastatic phenotype. Here, using an embryonic chick model, we explore the possibility of reverting the metastatic melanoma phenotype to its cell type of origin, the neural-crest-derived melanocyte. GFP-labeled adult human metastatic melanoma cells were transplanted in ovo adjacent to host chick premigratory neural crest cells and analyzed 48 and 96 h after egg reincubation. Interestingly, the transplanted melanoma cells do not form tumors. Instead, we find t

SUBMITTER: Kulesa PM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1450149 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature