Protein and mRNA expression of uPAR and PAI-1 in myoepithelial cells of early breast cancer lesions and normal breast tissue.

ABSTRACT: Myoepithelial cells (MEs), which surround ducts and acini of the breast glands, exhibit an anti-invasive phenotype and form a natural border separating proliferating tumour cells of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) from basement membrane (bm) and underlying stroma. Invasion requires penetration of these host cellular and extracellular matrix barriers. This destruction is caused by proteolytic activity of tumour cells and host bystander cells. There is substantial evidence that high concentrations of the urokinase plasminogen-activating system are conducive to tumour cell spread and metastasis. Prompted by the conspicuous absence of studies examining the role of the ME in breast cancer progression, we studied the expression of the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and plasminog

SUBMITTER: Hildenbrand R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2409845 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature