Project Description
The objective of this project is to identify differences in osteocyte mechanobiological function in response to exposure to breast cancer and mechanical loading. These differences will be determined via histological staining and image analysis of relevant osteocyte-derived proteins. Our previous work demonstrates that skeletal mechanical signals have an anti-tumorigenic effect on bone metastatic breast cancer through quantification of loading-induced gene expression. Gene expression is an important indicator of changes to tumor cell function, but proteins are the molecules that actually control physiological processes. Thus, quantifying changes to proteins is a far more relevant outcome measure when trying to elucidate the anti-tumorigenic cellular mechanisms of loading. Protein levels are commonly determined using histological sections. This project seeks to identify changes in osteocyte protein expression via histology following treatment with mechanical loading and breast cancer cells.
Contact
- Maureen Lynch (faculty)