GSE132031
Alterations in Wnt- and/or STAT3 signaling pathways and the immune microenvironment during metastatic progression
Metastatic breast cancer is an extremely complex disease with limited treatment options due to the lack of information about the major characteristics of metastatic disease. There is an urgent need, therefore, to understand the changes in cellular complexity and dynamics that occur during metastatic progression. In the current study, we analyzed the cellular and molecular differences between primary tumors and paired lung metastases using a syngeneic p53-null mammary tumor model of basal-like breast cancer. Distinct subpopulations driven by the Wnt- and/or STAT3 signaling pathways were detected in vivo using a lentiviral Wnt- and STAT3 signaling reporter system. A significant increase in the overlapping populations driven by both the Wnt- and STAT3 signaling pathways was observed in the lung metastases as compared to the primary tumors. Furthermore, STAT3 signaling activity was markedly enhanced in the metastatic lesions relative to the primary tumors with minimal changes observed in Wnt reporter activity. An analysis of the unique molecular features of the lung metastases revealed a significant association with immune response signatures. Specifically, Foxp3 gene expression was markedly increased and elevated levels of Foxp3+ Treg cells were detected in close proximity to lung metastases. Collectively, these studies illustrate the importance of analyzing intratumoral heterogeneity, changes in population dynamics and the immune microenvironment during metastatic progression. Overall design: The breast tumor cells are transplanted into the mammary fat pad to establish primary tumor nodules. The primary tumor can then be surgically removed as in human breast cancer patient Comment: There are 8 additional samples in the processed file which have already been uploaded in the study GSE124821 (see below relations).