Cell lines are populations of cells grown and maintained in a laboratory, originating from a single cell and dividing to provide consistent models for scientific investigation. The E0771 cell line is a widely adopted tool in cancer research, valuable for understanding tumor biology and exploring potential treatments.
Understanding the E0771 Cell Line
The E0771 cell line was derived from a spontaneous mammary adenocarcinoma (breast cancer) in a C57BL/6 mouse. Its murine origin allows researchers to study cancer in an immunocompetent setting, where the mouse’s immune system interacts with the tumor, similar to human cancers. E0771 cells are classified as an epithelial cell line, originating from mammary gland lining cells.
These cells form tumors when injected into syngeneic C57BL/6 mice, making them a valuable model for studying tumor growth and progression in vivo. E0771 cells exhibit cancer cell characteristics, including markers for cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and immune evasion. They are characterized as a luminal B subtype: estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) negative, estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) positive, progesterone receptor positive, and ErbB2 (HER2) positive.
Applications in Cancer Research
The E0771 cell line offers broad applications in cancer research, allowing investigation into various aspects of tumor biology. It is used to study tumor growth dynamics, observing how tumors develop and expand in vivo. The model also provides insights into the tumor microenvironment, including surrounding cells, blood vessels, and molecules that influence tumor behavior.
Investigating the immune response to cancer is another significant application for the E0771 cell line. As a syngeneic model, it allows for the study of complex interactions between tumor cells and the host’s immune system, crucial for developing immunotherapies. Researchers observe how immune cells infiltrate the tumor and affect tumor progression. This model helps answer questions about the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer progression, including specific genes and signaling pathways.
Investigating Metastasis and Drug Efficacy
The E0771 cell line is powerful for studying cancer metastasis, the spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant sites. Its in vivo metastatic ability, often to organs like the lungs, peritoneum, and brain, closely mirrors patterns observed in human breast cancer. This makes it an invaluable tool for understanding the complex mechanisms driving cancer dissemination. Researchers use this model to identify factors that promote or inhibit metastatic spread, providing targets for new therapies.
Beyond metastasis, the E0771 model is extensively used to test the efficacy of new anti-cancer drugs in a preclinical setting. It evaluates various therapeutic compounds, including chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies. For example, E0771 tumors respond to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, an immune checkpoint inhibitor. This responsiveness allows researchers to assess how treatments affect tumor growth, immune cell infiltration, and overall survival, providing data before human clinical trials.
Advancing Cancer Treatment Strategies
Research using the E0771 cell line significantly contributes to developing new cancer treatments and improving patient outcomes. Findings from this model provide preclinical data (laboratory and animal study results) that inform the design and progression of human clinical trials. This bridges basic science and clinical application, providing a structured path for new therapies to reach patients. For instance, its responsiveness to therapies like anti-PD-1 guides the selection of promising immunotherapy candidates for further investigation.
By mimicking key aspects of human breast cancer, including its metastatic behavior and immune interactions, the E0771 cell line helps researchers understand how treatments perform in a complex biological environment. This understanding can lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets or improved ways to use existing therapies. The continued use of the E0771 model in diverse research areas advances cancer knowledge and translates it into tangible benefits for patients.