Breast tumors in PyMT transgenic mice expressing mitochondrial catalase have decreased labeling for macrophages and endothelial cells

Abstract

We show by immunohistochemical labeling that prominent cell types in the tumor microenvironment of PyMT transgenic mice are tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and endothelial cells, and that both populations are decreased in the presence of mitochondrial targeted catalase (mCAT). This observation suggests that mitochondrial ROS can drive tumor invasiveness in conjunction with the presence of TAMs and increased angiogenesis. Since primary PyMT tumor cells expressing mCAT undergo increased apoptosis, mitochondrial antioxidants might be attractive anti-tumor agents.

• immunohistochemistry of mouse breast cancer
• tumor associated macrophages
• endothelial cells
• mitochondrial catalase
• reactive oxygen species

Acknowledgements

Presented in part at the 2011 Nathan Shock Center Annual Conference on Aging, Inflammation in Aging and Age-related Disease, Mayan Ranch, Bandera, TX, USA. This research was supported by NIH/NCI grant R21 CA140916 (WCL) and NIA grant P30 AG13280, Project 3 (WCL).