Abstract 414: Does hedgehog signaling activation affect the tumor immune suppression microenvironment

Abstract

Abstract As an important pathway in embryonic development, hedgehog signaling plays a major role in stem cell maintenance, cell differentiation, tissue differentiation and tissue remodeling. Amounting evidence indicate that hedgehog signaling is frequently activated in a variety of human cancer. In consistent with the stromal effect of hedgehog signaling in development, several recent studies indicate a role of hedgehog signaling in tumor-stromal interaction. The molecular mechanisms by which hedgehog signaling regulates tumor microenvironment, however, remain largely elusive. We have generated data to support that hedgehog signaling regulates tumor immune surveillance. In a mouse model of hedgehog-mediated carcinogenesis, we found that activation of hedgehog signaling is associated with an increase in myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) population, which is decreased after hedgehog signaling inhibition. Our Based on our data, it is proposed that hedgehog signaling creates an immune suppressive environment through regulation of MDSC population, which is in concert with hedgehog signaling- mediated cell proliferation to promote carcinogenesis. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 414. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-414