Michele Vitolo
Assistant Professor, Research Associate
mvitolo@som.umaryland.edu
https://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/profiles/Vitolo-Michele/
Research
The loss of the tumor suppressor PTEN is associated with cancer stage, lymph node status, and disease-related death, and the high rate of loss in primary tumors suggests a potential role in initiation and/or progression of the disease. However, specific cellular alterations in human breast epithelium controlled by PTEN inactivation, which lead to an increased metastatic phenotype, remain poorly defined. Using a PTEN isogenic somatic cell knock-out model, she has been investigating the molecular mechanisms by which PTEN loss promotes metastatic efficiency of circulating tumor cells. The lab has determined that PTEN loss confers both apoptotic resistance and production of microtentacles (McTNs) in mammary epithelial cells upon detachment. McTNs are membrane structures observed in detached cells and are increased in frequency, and number and length per cell as compared to their isogenic, PTEN expressing parental counterparts. These novel structures (McTNs) are structurally distinct from classical actin based extensions of adherent cells, persist for days in breast tumor lines that are resistant to anoikis, and aid in the reattachment to matrix or cell monolayers. Therefore, the combination of apoptotic resistance and enhanced McTNs expression due to PTEN loss may have important consequences for facilitating tumor cell extravasation and efficient adherence to new sites.
Accolades
- NCI Mentored Scientist Research Award
Education
- B.A. Franklin and Marshall College
- Ph.D. and M.S.
- University of Maryland, Baltimore
- Postdoctoral training with Dr. Kurtis Bachman
- Postdoctoral training with Dr. Stuart Martin
Hobbies
Spending time with family, friends, and her rescue dogs.
Martin Laboratory 