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Crosstalk between Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Pluripotency through Gene Regulatory Networks
Building: Cero Infinito
Room: Posters hall
Date: 2024-12-12 02:00 PM – 04:00 PM
Last modified: 2024-11-19
Abstract
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition is a process through which epithelial cells, characterized by their apical-basal polarity and stable junctions with each other and the basal matrix, acquire mesenchymal traits. These transformed cells exhibit a morphology similar to fibroblasts and possess increased migratory capacity. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition plays a crucial role in embryonic development and wound healing, and is also involved in pathologies. In the context of cancer, clusters of circulating tumor cells expressing both epithelial and mesenchymal markers exhibit decreased cell adhesion and enhanced collective movement, facilitating entry into the bloodstream and dissemination to other tissues. Transitions between epithelial, hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal, and mesenchymal states are regulated by various genes. Recently, a core regulatory network for epithelial-mesenchymal transition has been proposed, which is supposed to be present in many carcinomas. This network consists of two highly interconnected, mutually inhibitory feedback loops composed of transcription factors and microRNAs: miR-34/SNAIL and miR-200/ZEB.
Pluripotency and cancer stem cells play a fundamental role in cancer progression and metastasis, contributing to tumor heterogeneity and resistance to treatments. The transcription factors OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG form an essential regulatory circuit for maintaining pluripotency. These factors not only sustain self-renewal and pluripotency but are also linked to other processes, such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition, enabling cancer cells to adapt and survive under varying conditions.
Based on previous work, we implemented mathematical models of gene regulatory networks for epithelial-mesenchymal transition and pluripotency. We analyzed the dynamics of these circuits separately and explored the implementation of both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. Finally, we integrated these two modules into a single circuit. This combined model provides a framework for unraveling the relationship between pluripotency and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
Pluripotency and cancer stem cells play a fundamental role in cancer progression and metastasis, contributing to tumor heterogeneity and resistance to treatments. The transcription factors OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG form an essential regulatory circuit for maintaining pluripotency. These factors not only sustain self-renewal and pluripotency but are also linked to other processes, such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition, enabling cancer cells to adapt and survive under varying conditions.
Based on previous work, we implemented mathematical models of gene regulatory networks for epithelial-mesenchymal transition and pluripotency. We analyzed the dynamics of these circuits separately and explored the implementation of both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. Finally, we integrated these two modules into a single circuit. This combined model provides a framework for unraveling the relationship between pluripotency and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.