Dickkopf1 regulates fate decision and drives breast cancer stem cells to differentiation: an experimentally supported mathematical model.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Modulation of cellular signaling pathways can change the replication/differentiation balance in cancer stem cells (CSCs), thus affecting tumor growth and recurrence. Analysis of a simple, experimentally verified, mathematical model suggests that this balance is maintained by quorum sensing (QS).

Methodology/principal findings

To explore the mechanism by which putative QS cellular signals in mammary stem cells (SCs) may regulate SC fate decisions, we developed a multi-scale mathematical model, integrating extra-cellular and intra-cellular signal transduction within the mammary tissue dynamics. Preliminary model analysis of the single cell dynamics indicated that Dickkopf1 (Dkk1), a protein known to negatively regulate the Wnt pathway, can serve as anti-proliferatio

SUBMITTER: Agur Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3167819 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature