Zeb1 expressing macrophages control metastatic colonisation (B01#)

• Subject Area: Hematology, Oncology
• Term: from 2021 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 429280966

Tumour-infiltrating cells of the myeloid compartment are crucial determinants of tumour progression towards metastasis. Particularly tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) where described to exert both tumour/metastasis promoting and suppressing functions. The underlying molecular basis is not fully understood. Our preliminary data indicate that the EMT transcription factor Zeb1 defines a colonization-suppressive subpopulation of TAMs. The aim in project B01 is understand, how Zeb1 determines the generation of TAM-subpopulations, to isolate and characterize the Zeb1+TAM subpopulation in a mouse model for metastatic colonisation, and to validate the findings in human cancer.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 305: Striking a moving target: From mechanisms of metastatic colonization to novel systemic therapies
• Applicant Institution: Universität Regensburg
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Thomas Brabletz