Expression and regulation of estrogen receptor beta in human breast tumors and cell lines

Expression of estrogen receptor beta (ER-beta) and its regulation by estradiol and anti-estrogens was analyzed in breast cancer cells. We determined that ER-beta is expressed in normal and tumor human breast tissue as well as in breast cancer cell lines. We observed moderate levels of ER-beta expression in both T47D and T47D-V22 (a T47D variant cell line) cells, in contrast with T47DCo (a T47D variant cell line) cells when compared to ER-alpha expression. While T47DCo (a T47D variant cell line), BT474, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-453, MDA-MB-468 and MCF-7 express low levels of ER-beta, other cell lines including the T47D-Y (a T47D variant cell line), MDA-MB-435, BT-549, and SKBr-3 cells express undetectable levels of ER-beta. Interestingly, ER-beta and ER-alpha are apparently not co-expressed in the breast tissue analyzed. Estradiol induced 30-40-fold increased ER-beta mRNA expression in T47D cells over control untreated cells. Moreover, the anti-estrogen, 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen (4OH-Tam) strongly inhibited estradiol induction of ER-beta expression, but had little or no effect on estradiol induction of ER-alpha. A pure anti-estrogen, ICI-182,780, completely abolished the ability of estradiol to up-regulate the expression of ER. In addition, both actinomycin D and cyclohexymide inhibited estradiol induction of ER-beta mRNA, indicating that de novo mRNA and protein synthesis are probably required for this induction. In summary, this study demonstrates that ER-beta is expressed in breast cancer, and it is regulated by estradiol. Moreover, the studies demonstrate that estradiol up-regulation of ER-beta mRNA in T47D cells can be abolished by anti-estrogens. Thus, ER-beta expression may serve as a prognostic, diagnostic and/or therapeutic marker for breast cancer. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report regarding hormonal regulation of ER-beta in human mammary cells.     

Regulation of human estrogen receptor gene, epidermal growth factor receptor gene, and oncogenes by estrogen and antiestrogen in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

It is generally believed that estrogen may act either as an initiator or as a promoter in carcinogenesis of human breast cancer. This estrogenic action is generally dependent on the estrogen receptor. In the human estrogen receptor, cDNA has a homology to V-erb-A oncogene. Experiments using MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were carried out to study the regulatory effect of estrogen and antiestrogen on RNA activities of oncogenes, estrogen receptor gene, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor gene. The effect of estradiol on activation of estrogen and EGF receptor genes and myc, ras, and fos oncogenes was positive in relation to the concentrations of supplemented estradiol. In addition, the effects of antiestrogen (tamoxifen) were investigated. Tamoxifen suppressed MCF-7 cell growth, and spot hybridization of the RNA of MCF-7 cells revealed that RNA activities of estrogen and EGF receptor genes and myc, ras, and fos oncogenes were suppressed by tamoxifen. These results suggest that the three oncogenes and two receptor genes are partly regulated by estrogen and antiestrogen (tamoxifen) in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. This regulatory system may have a role in carcinogenesis and in the treatment of human breast cancer.     

Tamoxifen inhibits secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor in breast cancer in vivo

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is considered a key mediator of tumor angiogenesis, including neovascularization in human breast cancer. High tissue VEGF levels appear to correlate with poor prognosis and decreased overall survival in node-positive and node-negative breast cancer patients. Hormonal regulation of VEGF expression has been demonstrated, and some reports indicate that tamoxifen, a partial estrogen receptor agonist, increases VEGF mRNA in breast cancer cells. These results appear to contradict the efficacy of tamoxifen as an adjuvant for estrogen-dependent breast cancer, yet clinical data show that tamoxifen prevents metastasis and increases overall survival. In this study, we confirmed previous studies showing that intracellular levels of VEGF in vitro increased in response to tamoxifen to levels similar to those observed after estrogen treatment. To further study hormonal effects on the release of VEGF, we used microdialysis to sample the extracellular space, where VEGF is biologically active, in solid tumors in situ. We show for the first time that tamoxifen decreased extracellular VEGF in vivo in solid MCF-7 tumors in nude mice. These in vivo findings were confirmed in vitro where extracellular VEGF in the cell culture medium was decreased significantly by tamoxifen treatment. Furthermore, we illustrate that microdialysis is a viable method that may be applied in human breast tissue to detect soluble VEGF in situ released by the tumor.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor reduces tamoxifen efficacy and promotes metastatic colonization and desmoplasia in breast tumors

Clinical studies have shown that decreased tamoxifen effectiveness correlates with elevated levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A(165) in biopsy samples of breast cancers. To investigate the mechanisms underlying tamoxifen resistance and metastasis, we engineered the estrogen receptor (ER)-positive MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line to express VEGF to clinically relevant levels in a doxycycline-regulated manner. Induction of VEGF expression in orthotopically implanted xenografts that were initially tamoxifen responsive and noninvasive resulted in tamoxifen-resistant tumor growth and metastasis to the lungs. Lung metastases were also observed in a VEGF-dependent manner following tail vein injection of tumor cells. At both primary and metastatic sites, VEGF-overexpressing tumors exhibited extensive fibroblastic stromal content, a clinical feature called desmoplasia. VEGF-induced metastatic colonies were surrounded by densely packed stromal cells before detectable angiogenesis, suggesting that VEGF is involved in the initiation of desmoplasia. Because expression of VEGF receptors R1 and R2 was undetectable in these tumor cells, the observed VEGF effects on reduction of tamoxifen efficacy and metastatic colonization are most likely mediated by paracrine signaling that enhances tumor/stromal cell interactions and increases the level of desmoplasia. This study reveals new roles for VEGF in breast cancer progression and suggests that combination of antiestrogens and VEGF inhibitors may prolong tamoxifen sensitivity and prevent metastasis in patients with ER-positive tumors.     

瘦素对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞增殖的影响及调控机制的研究

目的:研究瘦素对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞增殖的影响及对雌、孕激素受体和VEGF的mRNA表达水平的影响,进而揭示瘦素对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞系作用的分子生物学机制。方法:体外培养人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞系,分为对照组、瘦素组和雌激素组。给药后用MTT法测570nm分光光度值。实时荧光定量PCR法观察各组雌、孕激素受体及VEGF的mRNA表达水平。结果:与对照组相比,瘦素可以呈时间和剂量依赖的方式促进MCF-7细胞增殖,并上调细胞中雌、孕激素受体及VEGF的mRNA表达水平,P<0.05。结论:瘦素有促进乳腺癌细胞增殖的作用,该作用的发挥可能与其上调雌、孕激素受体与VEGF的表达有关。为乳腺癌的内分泌治疗提供了新的理论依据。     

In vitro regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor by estrogens and antiestrogens in estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer

BACKGROUND: The effects of antiestrogens on angiogenesis in breast cancer are not fully defined. In this study we investigated the in vitro effects of antiestrogens at different concentrations on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cells. METHODS: The dose-dependent effects of 17beta-estradiol (E2), 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4OHT), and ICI182,780 were analyzed both with reference to growth rates and VEGF protein production using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in MCF-7 cells. RESULTS: E2 stimulated both the growth rates and VEGF production of MCF-7 cells in the same manner. Although 4OHT stimulated the growth rates as an agonistic effect in an estrogen-free media at levels ranging from 1 nM to 1 micro M, it did not stimulate VEGF expression at the same levels except for at 1 micro M. Although 4OHT had a weak agonistic effect on VEGF production at 1 micro M in an estrogen-free media, it significantly inhibited E2-stimulated VEGF production at the same level. A cytotoxic effect was observed with 10 micro M 4OHT that paradoxically caused a prominent increase in VEGF production. ICI182,780 had no significant effects on the growth rates or VEGF production in this cell line. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the hypothesis that tamoxifen could inhibit angiogenesis induced by estrogens in ER-positive breast cancer cells.     

miR-206通过调节ERα水平影响乳腺癌细胞MCF-7对他莫昔芬敏感度的初步研究

目的 探讨乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7中miR-206能否调节ERα表达水平并影响乳腺癌细胞对他莫昔芬的敏感度。方法 将miR-206 mimic、miR-206 inhibitor及相应阴性对照（miR-206 mimic NC、miR-206 inhibitor NC）分别转染乳腺癌MCF-7细胞,RT-PCR法检测转染后各组乳腺癌细胞中miR-206和ERα mRNA的表达量,用5 μg/ml他莫昔芬处理MCF-7细胞后,MTT法检测不同转染组细胞增殖情况。结果 miR-206 mimic组中乳腺癌细胞miR-206表达升高,ERα mRNA表达降低; miR-206 inhibitor组中乳腺癌细胞miR-206表达降低,ERα mRNA表达升高。他莫昔芬作用24 h后,miR-206 mimic组与阴性对照组（miR-206 mimic NC）的乳腺癌细胞增殖抑制差异无统计学意义（t=-1.169, P=0.276）;miR-206 inhibitor组的乳腺癌细胞增殖抑制明显强于阴性对照组（miR-206 inhibitor NC）（t=-3.054, P=0.016）。结论 下调miR-206表达可以增加ERα阳性乳腺癌细胞对他莫昔芬的敏感度。     

Epidermal growth factor binding and protein kinase C activities in human breast cancer cell lines: possible quantitative relationship

Quantitative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of Ca2+, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (PKC) of human mammary tumor cell lines (MCF-7, ZR-75, T-47-D, MDA-MB-231, BT-20, and HBL-100) revealed that 80% of the total cellular PKC resided in the cytosol. The tumor cells with no detectable levels of estrogen receptors (MDA-MB-231, HBL-100, and BT-20 cells) exhibited significantly larger (P less than 0.001) cytosolic PKC activities than those cells that contained estrogen receptors (MCF-7, T-47-D, and ZR-75 cells). In addition, in estrogen receptor-negative cell lines, relatively high levels of specific low-affinity (apparent Kd = 700 pM) epidermal growth factor (EGF) binding activities were found as compared with estrogen receptor-positive cells with significantly (P less than 0.001) lower levels of specific high-affinity (apparent Kd = 90 pM) EGT binding. A significant positive correlation (P less than 0.01) was observed between the number of EGF receptor (Rs = 0.50) and/or the EGF receptor dissociation constants (Rs = 0.78) with the cytosolic PKC activity levels. These data indicate that, in human breast cancer cells, a positive relationship may exist between PKC activity, estrogen, and EGF receptors.     

Antiestrogens modulate MT1 melatonin receptor expression in breast and ovarian cancer cell lines

An interaction between cellular estrogen response and melatonin signaling mediated by G-protein coupled receptors is present in breast cancer cells. In this study, the effect of antiestrogens on basal and melatonin-modulated expression of MT1 melatonin receptor in breast and ovarian cancer cells was examined. For this purpose, the effects of the selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen and pure antiestrogen ICI 182,780 on MT1 expression in estrogen receptor (ER) alpha-positive and -negative breast and ovarian cancer cell lines cultured in medium supplemented with 1 nM 17-beta estradiol were assessed by Western blot analysis. We were able to detect expression of the MT1 receptor in SK-OV-3 and OVCAR-3 cells and report its up-regulation by melatonin in both ovarian cancer cell lines. MT1 expression was observed to be significantly weaker in ERalpha-positive MCF-7 and OVCAR-3 cells than in ERalpha-negative MDA-MB-231 and SK-OV-3 cells. Treatment with the pure antiestrogen ICI 182,780 increased MT1 receptor expression in OVCAR-3 ovarian cancer cells, but decreased MT1 expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. No effect of ICI 182,780 on MT1 expression was observed in the ERalpha-negative cell lines SK-OV-3 and MDA-MB-231. After treatment with 4-OH tamoxifen, down-regulation of basal MT1 receptor expression in ERalpha-positive MCF-7 cells and inhibition of melatonin-induced up-regulation of MT1 in OVCAR-3 ovarian cancer cells were observed. In contrast, treatment with 4-OH tamoxifen increased the MT1 receptor level in ERalpha-negative SK-OV-3 ovarian cancer cells. Our findings support the existence of close interaction between estrogen and melatonin signaling. Moreover, our data suggest that melatonin signaling is modulated by antiestrogens in breast and ovarian cancer cells.     

Synergistic Effects of Tamoxifen and Tranilast on VEGF and MMP-9 Regulation in Cultured Human Breast Cancer Cells

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinases are two important factorsfor angiogenesis associated with breast cancer growth and progression. The present study was aimed to examinethe effects of tamoxifen and tranilast drugs singly or in combination on proliferation of breast cancer cells andalso to evaluate VEGF and MMP-9 expression and VEGF secretion levels. Materials and Methods: Humanbreast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, were treated with tamoxifen and/or tranilast alone or incombination and percentage cell survival and proliferative activity were evaluated using LDH leakage and MTTassays. mRNA expression and protein levels were examined by real-time RT-PCR and ELISA assay, respectively.Results: LDH and MTT assays showed that the combined treatment of tamoxifen and tranilast resulted in asignificant decrease in cell viability and cell proliferation compared with tamoxifen or tranilast treatment alone,with significant decrease in VEGF mRNA and protein levels. We also found that tamoxifen as a single agent rarelyincreased MMP-9 expression. A decrease in MMP-9 expression was seen after treatment with tranilast aloneand in the combined treatment MMP-9 mRNA level was decreased. Conclusions: This combination treatmentcan able to inhibit growth, proliferation and angiogenesis of breast cancer cells.     

PC cell-derived growth factor mediates tamoxifen resistance and promotes tumor growth of human breast cancer cells

PC cell-derived growth factor, also known as progranulin, is an M(r) 88,000 growth factor (referred as PCDGF/GP88) overexpressed in human breast cancer. Antisense inhibition of PCDGF/GP88 expression in MDA-MB-468 cells inhibited tumor formation in nude mice. In estrogen receptor-positive cells, PCDGF/GP88 was expressed in response to estradiol and shown to mediate its mitogenic effect. Pathologic studies indicated that PCDGF/GP88 was expressed in 80% of invasive ductal carcinomas in correlation with parameters of poor prognosis. In the present article, the relationship between PCDGF/GP88 expression and tamoxifen resistance was examined in MCF-7 cells. PCDGF/GP88 overexpression rendered MCF-7 cells able to proliferate in the absence of estrogen and in the presence of tamoxifen. The PCDGF/GP88-overexpressing cells formed tumors in ovariectomized nude mice in the absence of estradiol and in its presence, in contrast to MCF-7 cells. Tumor growth of the overexpressing cells was increased significantly when the mice were treated with tamoxifen. PCDGF/GP88 blocked tamoxifen-induced apoptosis by preventing down-regulation of bcl-2 expression and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. In addition, PCDGF/GP88-overexpressing cells presented higher level of the angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietin-1 than MCF-7 control cells. Tamoxifen treatment additionally increased the level of vascular endothelial growth factor. These studies suggest that PCDGF/GP88 plays a critical role in breast cancer tumorigenesis and in the transition to estrogen independence and tamoxifen resistance, a hallmark of poor prognosis. On the basis of the in vivo studies, it is postulated that tamoxifen treatment of patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast tumors overexpressing PCDGF/GP88 could have adverse clinical consequences.     

ALDH1A1增强乳腺癌细胞血管生成因子表达并促进共培养HUVEC细胞小管形成和侵袭能力

目的:探讨干细胞标志物醛脱氢酶1A1（ALDH1A1）对乳腺癌细胞血管生成因子表达的影响,以及对与乳腺癌细胞共培养的HUVEC细胞小管形成和侵袭能力的影响。方法:采用免疫组化检测了乳腺癌组织和乳腺增生组织中ALDH1A1的表达。使用ALDH1A1 shRNA或过表达ALDH1A1的pcDNA3.1质粒转染乳腺癌细胞（MCF-7和MDA-MB-231）,通过qRT-PCR和Western blot检测敲低或过表达ALDH1A1对乳腺癌细胞中血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）、缺氧诱导因子-1α（HIF-1α）和白细胞介素-12（IL-12）表达的影响。通过用1 μmol/L 的外源性RA和RAR阻断剂（AGN 193109）处理乳腺癌细胞48 h来考察视黄酸信号通路是否参与ALDH1A1对VEGF和HIF-1α的调控过程。将乳腺癌细胞（MCF-7和MDA-MB-231）和HUVEC细胞共培养来模拟肿瘤形成的微环境,并检测HUVEC的小管形成能力和细胞侵袭能力。结果:乳腺癌组织的ALDH1A1染色平均光密度显著高于乳腺增生组织,并且淋巴结转移的乳腺癌组织显著高于未淋巴结转移的乳腺癌组织（P＜0.05）。敲低ALDH1A1可显著降低MCF-7和MDA-MB-231细胞中VEGF和HIF-1α蛋白表达,并上调IL-12蛋白表达。然而,上调ALDH1A1表达则可逆转上述变化。外源性RA处理可显著上调MCF-7和MDA-MB-231细胞中VEGF和HIF-1α的表达,然而,RAR阻断剂处理可抑制MCF-7和MDA-MB-231细胞中VEGF和HIF-1α的上调。敲低乳腺癌细胞中ALDH1A1的表达可导致共培养的HUVEC细胞的小管形成能力和侵袭能力显著降低。而上调乳腺癌细胞中ALDH1A1的表达则可显著促进共培养的HUVEC细胞的小管形成能力和侵袭能力。结论:在乳腺癌细胞中,ALDH1A1通过激活HIF-1α和视黄酸信号通路来上调血管生成因子的表达并提高共培养的内皮细胞的血管生成能力,从而增加肿瘤的侵袭性。