@article {291,
	title = {The extracellular matrix: a dynamic niche in cancer progression.},
	journal = {J Cell Biol},
	volume = {196},
	year = {2012},
	month = {2012 Feb 20},
	pages = {395-406},
	abstract = {<p>The local microenvironment, or niche, of a cancer cell plays important roles in cancer development. A major component of the niche is the extracellular matrix (ECM), a complex network of macromolecules with distinctive physical, biochemical, and biomechanical properties. Although tightly controlled during embryonic development and organ homeostasis, the ECM is commonly deregulated and becomes disorganized in diseases such as cancer. Abnormal ECM affects cancer progression by directly promoting cellular transformation and metastasis. Importantly, however, ECM anomalies also deregulate behavior of stromal cells, facilitate tumor-associated angiogenesis and inflammation, and thus lead to generation of a tumorigenic microenvironment. Understanding how ECM composition and topography are maintained and how their deregulation influences cancer progression may help develop new therapeutic interventions by targeting the tumor niche.</p>
},
	keywords = {Disease Progression, Extracellular Matrix, Humans, Neoplasms},
	issn = {1540-8140},
	doi = {10.1083/jcb.201102147},
	author = {Lu, Pengfei and Weaver, Valerie M and Werb, Zena}
}
@article {531,
	title = {beta4 integrin-dependent formation of polarized three-dimensional architecture confers resistance to apoptosis in normal and malignant mammary epithelium.},
	journal = {Cancer Cell},
	volume = {2},
	year = {2002},
	month = {2002 Sep},
	pages = {205-16},
	abstract = {<p>Tumor cells can evade chemotherapy by acquiring resistance to apoptosis. We investigated the molecular mechanism whereby malignant and nonmalignant mammary epithelial cells become insensitive to apoptosis. We show that regardless of growth status, formation of polarized, three-dimensional structures driven by basement membrane confers protection to apoptosis in both nonmalignant and malignant mammary epithelial cells. By contrast, irrespective of their malignant status, nonpolarized structures are sensitive to induction of apoptosis. Resistance to apoptosis requires ligation of beta4 integrins, which regulates tissue polarity, hemidesmosome formation, and NFkappaB activation. Expression of beta4 integrin that lacks the hemidesmosome targeting domain interferes with tissue polarity and NFkappaB activation and permits apoptosis. These results indicate that integrin-induced polarity may drive tumor cell resistance to apoptosis-inducing agents via effects on NFkappaB.</p>
},
	keywords = {Apoptosis, Basement Membrane, Breast Neoplasms, Cell Polarity, Epithelial Cells, Extracellular Matrix, Female, Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic, Humans, Integrin beta4, NF-kappa B, Tumor Cells, Cultured},
	issn = {1535-6108},
	author = {Weaver, Valerie M and Leli{\`e}vre, Sophie and Lakins, Johnathon N and Chrenek, Micah A and Jones, Jonathan C R and Giancotti, Filippo and Werb, Zena and Bissell, Mina J}
}
