First Advisor

Nicholas Pullen

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Document Type

Thesis

Date Created

5-1-2024

Department

College of Natural and Health Sciences, Biological Sciences, Biological Sciences Student Work, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Chemistry and Biochemistry Student Work

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is an aggressive disease that takes the lives of thousands of women every year. Although knowledge and treatment of this disease have improved over the years, much is still to be discovered about BC. One area of expertise that we are currently trying to learn more information about is the mast cell (MC) and its role in BC growth and development. The MC is an immune system component discovered in tumors' extracellular matrix (ECM). As a tumor grows within body tissues, the tumor recruits the MC from surrounding connective tissues to the tumor, using signaling cytokines such as IL-6 and TGF-β. However, it is understood that depending on the ECM, the MC could exhibit pro or antitumorigenic factors; both have been observed in BC (Aponte-Lopez et al., 2018). This difference in the role of the MC between tumors is attributed to the type of BC; the different activated or over-expressed receptors can cause a different response by the body and the MCs themselves. This study aims to identify unique MC receptors, such as FcεRI, which could be the target of treatments developed in the future for BC.

Abstract Format

html

Disciplines

Cancer Biology | Immunology and Infectious Disease

Extent

48 pages

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author.

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