Phenotypic heterogeneity driven by plasticity of the intermediate EMT state governs disease progression and metastasis in breast cancer [ATAC-seq]

The Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is a dynamic cellular program that is frequently used by cancer cells to increase migratory and invasive cell characteristics. It is a key contributor to both heterogeneity and chemo-resistance and metastasis in many solid tumors, including triple negative breast cancer. In particular, the intermediate or hybrid EMT state has increased tumor initiating and stem-like properties. Here, we have identified multiple distinct EMT states derived from the human breast cell line, SUM149PT, including three unique intermediate states, possessing distinct migratory, tumor initiating, and metastatic qualities. We have used this model to interrogate the epigenetic landscape of these distinct EMT states in a multi-omics approach, identifying and RUNX2 as relevant in regulating the intermediate state, as well as to develop a novel multiplexed staining approach to evaluate E-M heterogeneity (EMH) and overall EMT score in orthotopic tumors as well as patient tumor samples. This model reveals insights into the complex EMT spectrum of cell states, the networks that control them, and how EMT plasticity contributes to tumor heterogeneity in breast cancer. Paired-end RNA-sequencing of 2 replicates per cell line (7). No treatments or controls