Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men in the United States, after carcinoma of the lung (Jemal et al., 2010). The Glasscock group is investigating how the proteins of the Protein C System regulate metastasis and angiogenesis in prostate cancer. The ability of the tumor cells to both invade the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) and promote angiogenesis facilitates metastasis and disease progression. These processes are dependent on the interaction of proteases with tumor and endothelial cell receptors and with the inhibitors that interact with these proteases. Dr. Glasscock’s research focuses on how the transmembrane receptor, thrombomodulin (TM), its protease ligands, and members of the anti-coagulant protein C pathway regulate each process. Patients with prostate cancer have elevated levels of the transmembrane protein, thrombomodulin (TM), in their serum and aberrant expression of TM in their tubuloracinar glands.
SC-INBRE Research
Dr. Glasscock’s group is specifically interested in determining how TM and another Protein C System receptor, the endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR), affect the ability of these patients’ tumor and endothelial cells to proliferate, adhere to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, and move through the ECM. The objectives are to:
- Determine how TM and EPCR regulate tumor and endothelial cell proliferation and invasion in the presence of Protein C System proteases and inhibitors.
- Determine how TM regulates tumor and endothelial cell adhesion to other cells and the extracellular matrix.
Current lab members
- Chantalle VanNostern
- Selah Fredrickson
- Krishnan Larkin
- Ryan Williams
Past lab members
- Jonathan Hathaway
- Rachel Wiley
- Chelsea Johnson
- Kris Bennett
- Shereen Mehrem
- Christian Graves
- Cipriano Ayala
- Lacey Brunson
- Amanda Clark
- Pooja Pardhanani
- Sara Merlie
- Stefanie Webb
- Sara Sheehan
- Chris Lambert
- Michela Bologna
- Katelyn Plavney