PNNL

Abstract

Background: Secretion of proteins by mammary cells results in autocrine and paracrine signaling that defines cell growth, migration and the extracellular environment. Even so, we have a very limited understanding of the cellular regulatory processes that regulate protein secretion. Method: In this study, we utilize an ELISA microarray platform to evaluate the effects of epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) expression on protein secretion in human epithelial mammary cells (HMEC). These secreted proteins included several HER1 ligands, interleukins 1a and 18, RANTES, vascular endothelial and platelet derived growth factors, matrix metalloproteases 1, 2 and 9, and the extracellular portion of the HER1 and HER2 proteins. Result: We utilized HMEC lines that were engineered to express different levels of HER1, HER2 and HER3. We determined the effects of these receptors on the secretion of a variety of growth factors, cytokines, and proteases. Conclusion: Overall, this study suggests that HER overexpression orchestrate broad affects on the tumor microenvironment by altering the secretion of a diverse group of biologically active proteins.