Deciphering the role of matrisome genes in 32 tumors. Focusing on the role of the extracellular matrix in acute myeloid leukemia and collagen XVIII in normal and leukemic hematopoiesis.
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
Auditorium F101 (Aapistie 7A). Remote access: https://oulu.zoom.us/j/61622711187?pwd=bFNKcWdYT201ZmlyWGUyay9Kd3ZUdz09
Topic of the dissertation
Deciphering the role of matrisome genes in 32 tumors. Focusing on the role of the extracellular matrix in acute myeloid leukemia and collagen XVIII in normal and leukemic hematopoiesis.
Doctoral candidate
Licentiate of Medicine Juho Lakkala
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit
Subject of study
Medicine
Opponent
Associate professor Sanna Pasonen-Seppänen, Institute of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland
Custos
Associate professor Valerio Izzi, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu
The role of extracellular matrix genes in various tumors, especially in acute myeloid leukemia
In analysis focusing on AML, ECM regulation also shows its intimate connection with patient prognosis and survival. Following our bioinformatic findings, we identified a downregulation of ECM molecule collagen XVIII in AML. Our mouse model confirmed that collagen XVIII is essential at maintaining homeostasis in the bone marrow (BM). The lack of collagen XVIII has an impact on blood cell lines, the vascular network of the BM and specific extra-medullar organs.
Concordant knowledge of the neoplastic ECM increases understanding of the development and behavior of different tumors. In addition, unraveling the role of the ECM in neoplasms may create new therapeutic opportunities against cancer.