Down-regulation of PPARgamma1 suppresses cell growth and induces apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Background  

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily and is highly expressed in many human tumors including breast cancer. PPARγ has been identified as a potential target for breast cancer therapy based on the fact that its activation by synthetic ligands affects the differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis of cancer cells. However, the controversial nature of current studies and disappointing results from clinical trials raise questions about the contribution of PPARγ signaling in breast cancer development in the absence of stimulation by exogenous ligands. Recent reports from both in vitro and in vivo studies are inconsistent and suggest that endogenous activation of PPARγ plays a much more complex role in initiation and progression of cancer than previously thought.     

S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase overexpression reduces invasiveness and tumorigenicity in nude mice of MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

To elucidate the role of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) in breast cancer biology, we have generated SAMDC overexpressing MCF-7 breast cancer cells. SAMDC overexpression did not alter in a major way growth properties of MCF-7 cells in soft agar, either under basal conditions or in response to estrogen and antiestrogen administration. SAMDC-MCF-7 cells, on the other hand, exhibited a markedly reduced invasive ability in matrigel (p=0.013). Furthermore, they were less tumorigenic in nude mice. The odds for control clones to form tumors were 3.13 (C.1.1.2-8.2, p=0.0184) higher than those for SAMDC clones. The odds ratio were identical in the absence and in the presence of estradiol. In addition, the growth rate of established tumors was slower for SAMDC than for control clones. Overall, our results are consistent with the notion that these phenotypic changes induced by SAMDC overexpression are primarily mediated by suppression of cellular putrescine (and, possibly, spermidine) levels.     

DFU, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, suppresses MCF-7 xenograft tumor growth in mice

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors are regarded as potentially important in strategies for cancer treatment. however, the precise mechanisms of these anti-inflammatory drugs as anti-cancer therapy are still unknown. In this study, we examined the effect of DFU both in vitro on MCF-7 cell growth, as well as in vivo on tumor growth produced by MCF-7 cell injection in mice. DFU has growth inhibitory effects on tumor growth in mice compared to the control group. We examined the tumor tissues for apoptosis and angiogenesis by immunostaining. Apoptosis was detected only in the treatment group. DFU treatment also resulted in the inhibition of angiogenesis, as well as decreased COX-2 expression. Results of this study suggest that inhibitory effects of DFU might be COX-2 dependent.     

MCF-7荷瘤裸鼠不同树突状细胞亚群凋亡的研究

目的:通过建立MCF-7荷瘤裸鼠模型,研究树突状细胞(DCs)不同亚群的凋亡,为设计新的免疫治疗方法和新的疫苗提供详尽信息。方法:建立MCF-7裸鼠模型,随机分为荷瘤组和对照组,肿块达5 mm后处死裸鼠,取骨髓单个核细胞进行DCs诱导、分化,流式细胞仪上检测表面分子标志CD86、CD83、MHC-Ⅱ及CD34,AnnexinⅤ检测CD11c及CD123了解DCs亚群的凋亡率。结果:骨髓起源单个核细胞培养至第9天出现典型DCs形态特征,荷瘤组和对照组细胞均高表达CD86、CD83及MHC-Ⅱ,而CD34表达两组均较低。荷瘤组CD11c+CD123-细胞为(52.01±1.43)%,对照组为(56.36±1.76)%;CD123+CD11c-细胞荷瘤组为(32.19±1.71)%,对照组为(28.95±1.39)%。荷瘤组mDC凋亡率为(23.64±2.43)%,较对照组(20.05±2.49)%高,P<0.05。荷瘤组小鼠pDC凋亡率为(11.53±2.92)%,较对照组(14.96±2.96)%低,P<0.05。结论:MCF-7乳腺癌小鼠体内DCs存在mDC和pDC两种亚型,mDC凋亡率增加,使诱导Th1免疫反应能力减低;而pDC凋亡率减少,诱导体内免疫耐受的发生,机体抗肿瘤免疫反应能力因而下降。     

Role of hormones in the growth and regression of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) transplanted into athymic nude mice

The hormonal environments require by human breast cancer cells MCF-7 to produce solid tumors in nude mice are described. A 100% take was obtained within 7 days following inoculation of 2X10(6) actively growing (log phase) MCF-7 cells into the mammary fat pads of intact, athymic BALB/c nude mice. Tumors failed to develop, even with an inoculum of 20X10(6) cells/mouse, in ovariectomized mice or in mice made diabetic with streptozotocin and observed for 90 days after cell inoculation. A 100% incidence of tumors was obtained in mice that were either hypophysectomized or made diabetic but received injections of 0.2 IU insulin/day/mouse. A 100% incidence of tumors was also obtained in ovariectomized mice that received 17 beta-estradiol in the form of a pellet placed subcutaneously in the interscapular region at the time of cell inoculation. Palpable tumors also developed in ovariectomized mice treated with prolactin, perphenazine, estrone, or estriol, but no takes were observed in ovariectomized mice treated with progesterone, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, or hydrocortisone. Growth of the MCF-7 tumor was stimulated five- to sixfold in both intact and hypophysectomized mice that each received a 17 beta-estradiol pellet. Removal of the 17 beta-estradiol pellets form tumor-bearing ovariectomized mice failed to induce tumor regression. Tumors that continued to grow in ovariectomized mice deprived of 17 beta-estradiol regressed by 50% or more of their initial volume when tamoxifen was injected for 7 days at 5 micrograms/mouse/day) +/- theophyline (1 mg/mouse/day), tumor growth arrest was observed during the 2-to 3-week treatment period. Streptozotocin-induced diabetes in tumor-bearing mice always resulted in complete tumor regression following a 3-week treatment period.     

A selective inhibitor of the immunoproteasome subunit LMP2 induces apoptosis in PC-3 cells and suppresses tumour growth in nude mice

Background:

Although the proteasome is a validated anticancer target, the clinical application of its inhibitors has been limited because of inherent systemic toxicity. To broaden clinical utility of proteasome inhibitors as anticancer agents, it is critical to develop strategies to selectively target proteasomes in cancer cells. The immunoproteasome is an alternative form of the constitutive proteasome that is expressed at high levels in cancer tissues, but not in most normal cells in the body.

Methods:

To validate the immunoproteasome as a chemotherapeutic target, an immunoproteasome catalytic subunit LMP2-targeting inhibitor and siRNA were used. The sensitivity of PC-3 prostate cancer cells to these reagents was investigated using viability assays. Further, a xenograft model of prostate cancer was studied to test the in vivo effects of LMP2 inhibition.

Results:

A small molecule inhibitor of the immunoproteasome subunit LMP2, UK-101, induced apoptosis of PC-3 cells and resulted in significant inhibition (∼50–60%) of tumour growth in vivo. Interestingly, UK-101 did not block degradation of IκBα in PC-3 cells treated with TNF-α, suggesting that its mode of action may be different from that of general proteasome inhibitors, such as bortezomib, which block IκBα degradation.

Conclusion:

These results strongly suggest that the immunoproteasome has important roles in cancer cell growth and thus provide a rationale for targeting the immunoproteasome in the treatment of prostate cancer.     

Chemokine gene transfection into tumour cells reduced tumorigenicity in nude mice in association with neutrophilic infiltration.

To study the effect of localised secretion of chemokines on tumour growth, the genes for human (hu) interleukin 8 (IL-8), hu-MCP-1 (MCAF), hu-MIP-1 alpha (LD78), murine (mu)-MCP-1 (JE), mu-MIP-1 alpha or mu-MIP-2 were introduced, via mammalian expression vectors, into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, and the ability of transfected cells to form tumours in vivo was evaluated. The production of hu-IL-8, hu-MIP-1 alpha or mu-MIP-1 alpha by transfected clones did not influence the growth rate in vitro, but drastically suppressed tumour growth when injected subcutaneously (s.c.) into nude mice. However, clones transfected with hu-MCP-1, mu-MCP-1 or mu-MIP-2 did not show any significant difference in growth rate in vivo compared with clones transfected with vector alone. Histological examination of the site of injection of CHO clones transfected with hu-IL-8, hu-MIP-1 alpha or mu-MIP-1 alpha showed predominantly neutrophilic infiltration. These results indicate that chemokines have potent anti-tumour activity when released, even at low doses, at the tumour site, which may be mediated by recruitment and targeting of neutrophilic granulocytes to chemokine-releasing cells. Our studies highlight the potential usefulness of localised chemokine secretion in inducing potent host anti-tumour defensive responses.     

Hyperoxia retards growth and induces apoptosis,changes in vascular density and gene expression in transplanted gliomas in nude rats

This study describes the biological effects of hyperoxic treatment on BT4C rat glioma xenografts in vivo with special reference to tumor growth, angiogenesis, apoptosis, general morphology and gene expression parameters. One group of tumor bearing animals was exposed to normobaric hyperoxia (1 bar, pO₂ = 1.0) and another group was exposed to hyperbaric hyperoxia (2 bar, pO₂ = 2.0), whereas animals housed under normal atmosphere (1 bar, pO₂ = 0.2) served as controls. All treatments were performed at day 1, 4 and 7 for 90 min. Treatment effects were determined by assessment of tumor growth, vascular morphology (immunostaining for von Willebrand factor), apoptosis by TUNEL staining and cell proliferation by Ki67 staining. Moreover, gene expression profiles were obtained and verified by real time quantitative PCR. Hyperoxic treatment caused a ∼60% reduction in tumor growth compared to the control group after 9 days (p < 0.01). Light microscopy showed that the tumors exposed to hyperoxia contained large “empty spaces” within the tumor mass. Moreover, hyperoxia induced a significant increase in the fraction of apoptotic cells (∼21%), with no significant change in cell proliferation. After 2 bar treatment, the mean vascular density was reduced in the central parts of the tumors compared to the control and 1 bar group. The vessel diameters were significantly reduced (11–24%) in both parts of the tumor tissue. Evidence of induced cell death and reduced angiogenesis was reflected by gene expression analyses. Increased pO₂−levels in experimental gliomas, using normobaric and moderate hyperbaric oxygen therapy, caused a significant reduction in tumor growth. This process is characterized by enhanced cell death, reduced vascular density and changes in gene expression corresponding to these effects.     

Effects of tamoxifen, medroxyprogesterone acetate and estradiol on tumor growth and oncogene expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line transplanted into nude mice.

The effects of three hormonal agents with a different mechanism of action (tamoxifen [TAM], medroxyprogesterone acetate [MPA] and estradiol [E2]) on tumor growth, differentiation and oncogene expression were evaluated using the estrogen-receptor positive human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7 transplanted into nude mice. In MCF-7 tumors treated with E2, tumor incidence, mean weight of tumors, 3H-thymidine labelling index, differentiation antigen HMFGM (human milk-fat globule membrane) and ras p21, c-myc, neu oncogene products, the level was significantly increased. On the other hand MPA suppressed all of them. TAM increased the level of c-myc expression and HMFGM antigen, but suppressed the others. This evidence indicates that E2 induces both proliferation and differentiation of MCF-7 tumor cells. MPA suppresses both proliferation and differentiation, and TAM induces differentiation and suppresses proliferation.     

Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of fibroblast growth factor-1: Angiogenesis and tumorigenicity in nude mice

Gene transfer of angiogenic growth factors with replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus (Ad) vectors may provide a new approach to the treatment of ischemic diseases. To determine if Ad-infected cells could stimulate angiogenesis in vivo and to assess the tumorigenicity of cells infected with these vectors, NIH3T3 fibroblasts infected with Ad vectors coding for human acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF-1) were used in angiogenic and tumorigenic assays. Infected cells induced a strong angiogenic response in vivo, while cells infected with control virus did not. Stable 3T3 transfectants expressing the FGF-1 gene were also highly angiogenic and exhibited growth in soft agar, while Ad-infected cells did not. Ad-infected cells grew transiently in nude mice, whereas 3T3 transfectants formed large tumors which grew exponentially. Extrapolation of cell dose-response curves showed that a minimum of 1.5 × 10⁴ infected cells were required for transient tumor cell growth in vivo. Ad-infected cells cultured in vitro for 30 days lost their invasive phenotype and the ability for transient cell growth in nude mice. Thus, phenotypic changes induced by Ad-mediated gene transfer of FGF-1 are transient both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that these Ad vectors do not have tumorigenic potential. Stimulation of angiogenesis by Ad-infected cells may be useful for the evaluation of anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor agents. Int. J. Cancer 73:258–263, 1997. Published 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Enhanced angiogenesis and growth of 12-lipoxygenase gene-transfected MCF-7 human breast cancer cells in athymic nude mice.

Transfection of the estrogen-dependent and poorly invasive MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line so that it stably overexpressed 12-lipoxygenase and secreted high levels of 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid when cultured with arachidonate resulted in rapid growth in athymic nude mice when compared with the parental line. This enhanced acquisition of tumor mass was a result of both increased cell proliferation and reduced apoptotic cell death and was accompanied by high angiogenic activity.     

Chromosome pattern,growth in agar and tumorigenicity in nude mice of four human bladder carcinoma cell lines

Four human bladder carcinoma cell lines have been characterized by G-banding, and the chromosomal patterns correlated to growth in agar and tumorigenicity in nude mice. Each cell line was shown to be chromosomally unique and although numerical and structural anomalies were present, none were common to all four cell lines. However, one or more copies of a structurally altered chromosome 8 were present in all four cell lines and may be associated with tumorigenicity in nude mice. A combination of three marker chromosomes was found in the more anaplastic cell lines, but not in the two well-differentiated tumour cell lines. Growth in agar may be associated with the presence of the three marker chromosomes but was not correlated with tumorigenicity in nude mice.     

ＲｈｏＡ小干扰ＲＮＡ抑制乳腺癌细胞株ＭＣＦ-７及其裸鼠皮下移植瘤的实验研究

目的　观察ＲｈｏＡ小干扰ＲＮＡ（ｓｉＲｈｏＡ）对乳腺癌细胞株ＭＣＦ-７增殖、迁移、周期和凋亡的影响以及对裸鼠移植瘤生长的影响。方法　ｓｉＲｈｏＡＬｉｐｏｆｅｃｔａｍｉｎｅ２０００介导下转染乳腺癌细胞ＭＣＦ-７,转染４８ｈ后,采用Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎｂｌｏｔ技术检测ＲｈｏＡ蛋白的表达,ＭＴＴ实验检测ｓｉＲｈｏＡ转染细胞的增殖变化,损伤刮擦实验检测ｓｉＲｈｏＡ转染细胞的迁移能力,流式细胞仪检测ｓｉＲｈｏＡ转染细胞的周期和凋亡,裸鼠移植瘤实验检测ｓｉＲｈｏＡ对肿瘤生长的影响。结果　成功转染ｓｉＲｈｏＡ的肿瘤细胞,Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎｂｌｏｔ显示ＲｈｏＡ蛋白表达在ＭＣＦ-７细胞中明显下降;ｓｉＲｈｏＡ对ＭＣＦ-７细胞的增殖、迁移均有显著的抑制作用并能促进肿瘤细胞凋亡及细胞周期中Ｓ期细胞减少,Ｇ１／Ｇ０期细胞增加;裸鼠移植瘤内重复注射ｓｉＲｈｏＡ后肿瘤生长明显减缓。结论　ｓｉＲｈｏＡ能够明显抑制ＲｈｏＡ基因在乳腺癌细胞ＭＣＦ-７中的表达,部分逆转ＭＣＦ-７的恶性生物学行为并抑制裸鼠移植瘤的生长。     

CXCR4单克隆抗体抑制乳腺癌MCF-7细胞裸鼠移植瘤的实验研究

目的：研究CXC趋化因子受体4（CXC chemokine receptor 4,CXCR4）单克隆抗体（CXCR4 mAb）对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞裸鼠皮下移植瘤生长的影响,并初步探讨CXCR4 mAb抗肿瘤的作用机制。方法：采用8周龄Balb/c雌性裸鼠,建立乳腺癌MCF-7细胞裸鼠皮下移植瘤模型。运用CXCR4 mAb进行干预,从整体水平观察CXCR4 mAb对肿瘤生长的影响,采用免疫组织化学法检测肿瘤组织中增殖细胞核抗原（PCNA）、半胱氨酸天冬氨酸酶3（Caspase-3）和血管内皮细胞生长因子（VEGF）的表达情况。结果：CXCR4 mAb可明显抑制移植瘤的生长,瘤体抑制率达到71.4%;CXCR4 mAb治疗后的肿瘤组织中PCNA和VEGF表达明显下降,而Caspase-3表达上升。结论：CXCR4 mAb可能是通过抑制肿瘤细胞增殖、促进肿瘤细胞凋亡及抑制肿瘤血管形成而发挥抗肿瘤生长的作用。     

Effect on growth and cell cycle kinetics of estradiol and tamoxifen on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells grown in vitro and in nude mice

The effects of estradiol and tamoxifen (TAM) on the estrogen-dependent human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 grown in vitro and in nude mice were compared. The effect on growth was determined by cell number in vitro and by tumor growth curves in nude mice. The effects on the cell cycle kinetics were determined by repeated flow cytometric DNA analyses in vitro and in vivo and by the technique of labeled mitosis in nude mouse-grown tumors. Under in vitro conditions, estradiol induced a pronounced increase in S-phase fraction and cell number. TAM inhibited growth of MCF-7 cells with a concomitant increase in the G1 phase from 60% to 75%. In nude mice, MCF-7 only formed tumors in estradiol-supplemented mice. No differences were observed in growth and cell kinetics between 0.1 and 1.0 mg of estradiol. Daily i.p. injections of TAM resulted in tumor growth inhibition with shrinkage of tumors. The flow cytometric DNA analysis and percentage of labeled mitosis investigations revealed no significant differences in the proliferation kinetics of TAM-treated and control tumors. Calculating the cell loss factor demonstrated an increase from 69% in control tumors to 107% in TAM-treated tumors. These experiments have shown that the cell kinetic effect of TAM is different when MCF-7 cells are grown in vitro versus in vivo. In contrast to the in vitro data, the in vivo data indicate that the growth-inhibitory effect of TAM is not mediated through a perturbation of the cell cycle.     

RNA干扰RSK4基因表达对裸鼠移植瘤生长与转移影响观察

目的：应用慢病毒干扰载体（RSK4-RNAi—LV）干扰RSK4基因在乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7中的表达,研究RSK4基因被干扰后对裸鼠移植瘤生长及转移的影响。方法：将转染了siRNA（RSK4-RNAi—LV）的MCF-7细胞组（实验组）、转染了siRNA（NC—GFP-LV）的MCF_7细胞组（阴性对照组）和未转染的MCF-7细胞组（空白对照组）分别接种至裸鼠乳腺脂肪垫下,建立裸鼠移植瘤模型,观察每纽裸鼠移植瘤生长情况;应用实时荧光定量PCR和蛋白质印迹法检测3组移植瘤组织中RSK4mRNA及其蛋白的表达;HE染色观察3纽裸鼠内脏转移情况。结果：实验纽的移植瘤平均体积为（2264．08±367．47）mm2,明显大于阴性对照组（843．67±318．13）mm。及空白对照组的（720．45±241．35）mm。差异有统计学意义,F=112．425,P=0．02;实验组瘤体平均体质量为（1．44±0．25）g,明显重于阴性对照组（0．73±0．20）g及空白对照组的（0．70±0．21）g,差异有统计学意义,F=89．54,P=0．01。实验组裸鼠移植瘤肺转移6只,空白对照及阴性对照组各1只。实验组肿瘤组织RSK4mRNA的相对表达量为0．140±0．843,明显低于阴性对照组的1000±0．000（P=0．008）和空白时照组的0．878±0．689（P=0．005）。实验组、阴性对照组和空白对照组RSK4蛋白的表达量分别为0．138±0．023、0．532±0．032和0．465±0．057,3组间差异有统计学意义,F=73．1,P=0．003;实验组RSK4蛋白表达量明显低于阴性对照组（P=0．006）和空白对照组（P=0．012）。结论：慢病毒干扰MCF-7细胞中RSK4基因表达能促进MCF-7细胞裸鼠移植瘤的生长及转移。     

CXCR4单克隆抗体抑制乳腺癌MCF-7细胞裸鼠移植瘤的实验研究

目的 研究CXC趋化因子受体4(CXC chemokine receptor 4,CXCR4)单克隆抗体(CXCR4 mAb)对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞裸鼠皮下移植瘤生长的影响,并初步探讨CXCR4 mAb抗肿瘤的作用机制.方法 采用8周龄Balb/c雌性裸鼠,建立乳腺癌MCF-7细胞裸鼠皮下移植瘤模型.运用CXCR4 mAb进行干预,从整体水平观察CXCR4 mAb对肿瘤生长的影响,采用免疫组织化学法检测肿瘤组织中增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)、半胱氨酸天冬氨酸酶3(Caspase-3)和血管内皮细胞生长因子(VEGF)的表达情况.结果 CXCR4 mAb可明显抑制移植瘤的生长,瘤体抑制率达到71.4%;CXCR4 mAb治疗后的肿瘤组织中PCNA和VEGF表达明显下降,而Caspase-3表达上升.结论 CXCR4 mAb可能是通过抑制肿瘤细胞增殖、促进肿瘤细胞凋亡及抑制肿瘤血管形成而发挥抗肿瘤生长的作用.     

ONYX-411, a conditionally replicative oncolytic adenovirus, induces cell death in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cell lines and suppresses the growth of xenograft tumors in nude mice

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is the most aggressive thyroid cancer variant, accounting for 1-2% of all cases, but 33% of deaths, and exhibiting an average life expectancy of 5 months. ATC is largely unresponsive to radioactive iodine, chemotherapy, external beam radiation or surgery, underscoring the need for new and effective therapies. We evaluated the therapeutic potential of an oncolytic adenovirus, ONYX-411, that replicates selectively in and kills cells with dysfunction of the retinoblastoma (RB) pathway. In the present study, we report that ONYX-411 is able to induce cell death in eight human anaplastic carcinoma cell lines in vitro. The cytopathic effect of the virus is specific to cells with RB dysfunction, which appears to be frequent in ATC. We confirmed the expression of the coxsackie adenovirus receptor, CAR, in all ATC cell lines, demonstrating the potentially universal application of this oncolytic viral therapy to ATC. In addition, the growth of xenograft tumors induced in athymic mice with the ARO and DRO cell lines was significantly reduced by ONYX-411 treatment. These results indicate that ONYX-411 can be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of ATC, rendering this class of conditionally replicating adenoviruses an attractive candidate for clinical trials.     

Formation of metastasis by human breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7) in nude mice

MCF-7 cells, a human breast carcinoma line, forms tumors when injected into athymic nude mice. These tumors are able to metastasize to lungs, liver and spleen. 17 beta-estradiol treatment increases both the growth rate and frequency of metastases. Castration or diabetes prevents metastasis formation, but treatment with estrogen or insulin restores the metastasizing capacity. MCF-7 cells secrete into the culture media collagenases able to lyse types I and IV collagens. Estrogen or insulin addition to the culture enhances collagenase production. Attention is called to the coexistence of enhancement in collagenase production and metastasis formation.