Breast cancer cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells: a regulated modulation of the breast tumor in the context of immune response

Objective

The role of direct cell–cell interactions mediating selective bone metastasis by breast cancer cells (BCCs) niche is still mostly unknown.

Materials and methods

Conditioned medium and direct cell–cell contacts experiments were used to investigate the effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), osteoprogenitor-like cells (MG-63) and osteosarcoma cells (SaOS-2) on luminal-like (MCF-7) and basal-like (MDA-MB-231) BCCs flow cytometry was used to assess the purity of isolated BCCs and osteoblasts. Expression of osteoblastic markers was investigated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. RANKL and OPG levels were measured by ELISA.

Results

Conditioned medium from MSCs and osteoblasts induced the expression of osteoblastic markers in BCCs. While co-culture assays with SaOS-2 increased the expression of osteoblastic markers in MCF-7 cells, SaOS-2 cell conditioned medium increased the expression of RANKL, PTHrP, VEGF and NOGGIN in MCF-7 cells. Co-cultures with either MG-63 cells or MSCs induced OPG and MMP-2 in both tumor cell lines. Interestingly, conditioned medium from co-cultures of MSCs and MDA-MB-231 cells significantly decreased the proliferation of activated T lymphocytes which was reversed by addition of anti-OPG antibodies to the co-cultures.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that MSCs strongly contribute to the adaptation and invasiveness of breast cancer cells in skeletal tissues.

     

[10]-Gingerol,a major phenolic constituent of ginger root,induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer cells

The ginger rhizome is rich in bioactive compounds, including [6]-gingerol, [8]-gingerol, and [10]-gingerol; however, to date, most research on the anti-cancer activities of gingerols have focused on [6]-gingerol. In this study, we compared [10]-gingerol with [8]-gingerol and [6]-gingerol in terms of their ability to inhibit the growth of human and mouse mammary carcinoma cells. A colorimetric assay based on the enzymatic reduction of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide revealed that [10]-gingerol was more potent than [6]-gingerol and at least as potent as [8]-gingerol for the inhibition of triple-negative human (MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468) and mouse (4T1, E0771) mammary carcinoma cell growth. Further investigation of [10]-gingerol showed that it suppressed the growth of estrogen receptor-bearing (MCF-7, T47D) and HER2-overexpressing (SKBR3) breast cancer cells. The inhibitory effect of [10]-gingerol on the growth of MDA-MB-231 cells was associated with a reduction in the number of rounds of cell division and evidence of S phase-cell cycle arrest, as well as induction of apoptosis due to mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization and the release of proapoptotic mitochondrial cytochrome c and SMAC/DIABLO into the cytoplasm. Surprisingly, killing of MDA-MB-231 cells by [10]-gingerol was not affected by a pan-caspase inhibitor (zVAD-fmk) or an anti-oxidant (N-acetylcysteine), suggesting that the cytotoxic effect of [10]-gingerol did not require caspase activation or the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. These findings suggest that further investigation of [10]-gingerol is warranted for its possible use in the treatment of breast cancer.     

HDAC1调控Wnt/β-catenin信号通路对乳腺癌细胞凋亡的影响

目的:研究组蛋白脱乙酰酶1(HDAC1)对乳腺癌细胞凋亡的影响及机制。方法:RT-qPCR和Western blot法分别测定正常乳腺上皮细胞系MCF-10A和乳腺癌细胞系BT549、MCF-7和MDA-MB-231中HDAC1的m RNA和蛋白水平。在MDA-MB-231细胞中转染HDAC1 si RNA,RT-qPCR和Western blot测定HDAC1的表达水平,MTT法测定细胞活力,流式细胞术测定凋亡,Western blot测定细胞中β-连环蛋白(β-catenin)、c-Myc、细胞周期蛋白D1(cyclin D1)和cleaved caspase-3的蛋白水平。用Wnt/β-catenin信号通路激活剂处理下调HDAC1表达后的乳腺癌细胞,测定细胞活力和凋亡。结果:乳腺癌细胞系BT549、MCF-7和MDA-MB-231中HDAC1的m RNA和蛋白水平均明显高于正常乳腺上皮细胞系MCF-10A(P 0. 01),并且MDA-MB-231细胞中的HDAC1水平最高。HDAC1 si RNA可以降低乳腺癌细胞中HDAC1的m RNA和蛋白水平。敲减HDAC1表达后的MDA-MB-231细胞活力降低,细胞凋亡率升高,细胞中cleaved caspase-3水平升高,β-catenin、c-Myc和cyclin D1的蛋白水平降低(P 0. 05)。Wnt/β-catenin信号通路激活剂可以逆转HDAC1下调诱导的MDA-MB-231细胞凋亡和细胞活力降低,减少cleaved caspase-3的水平(P 0. 05)。结论:敲减HDAC1的表达可以通过抑制Wnt/β-catenin信号通路的激活诱导乳腺癌细胞凋亡。     

Evaluation of chemiluminescence, toluidine blue and histopathology for detection of high risk oral precancerous lesions: A cross-sectional study

Background

Chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) is fast becoming a well established technique for easy and sensitive determination of HER2 gene status in breast cancer. However, for the chromogenic method to achieve status as a safe and reliable technique, the method needs to be validated against already known and validated FISH techniques.

Methods

Here it is reported from a comparative study where HER2 gene status obtained by HER2 CISH pharmDx? Kit was compared to HER2 gene status obtained by the FDA approved HER2 FISH pharmDx? Kit and the PathVysion HER-2 DNA probe Kit. The study included 365 formalin fixed and paraffin-embedded invasive breast cancer tissue specimens collected consecutively at a US reference laboratory.

Results

The data obtained revealed an overall HER2 status concordance of approximately 98% for comparisons of HER2 CISH pharmDx? Kit to both HER2 FISH pharmDx? Kit and PathVysion HER-2 DNA Probe Kit.

Conclusions

The concordance between results obtained using the recently FDA approved HER2 CISH pharmDx? Kit with previously FDA approved FISH techniques for HER2 gene status determination indicate that the HER2 CISH pharmDx? Kit is a reliable chromogenic alternative to fluorescence-based methods.     

STIM1 对乳腺癌细胞存活与增殖的影响及初步机制分析

目的：探讨STIM1对乳腺癌细胞存活与增殖的影响及初步机制分析。方法：以正常乳腺上皮细胞MCF-10A作为对照,Western blot检测乳腺癌 MCF7、HCC1569、MDA-MB-231、BT549细胞中STIM1的蛋白表达;将STIM1的靶向siRNA序列（STIM1-siRNA组）转染MDA-MB-231细胞,并设置阴性对照组和空白对照组,转染48 h后检测各组细胞STIM1的蛋白表达;MTT法检测转染24、48和72 h的细胞活力;流式细胞术检测转染48 h的细胞凋亡率;RT-PCR检测IL-6 和TNF-α 的mRNA表达;Western blot检测增殖相关蛋白细胞增殖核抗原（PCNA）、凋亡蛋白B细胞淋巴瘤/白血病-2（Bcl-2）、Bcl-2相关X蛋白(Bax)、含半胱氨酸的天冬氨酸蛋白水解酶3（Caspase3）及STAT3和磷酸化的信号转导与转录因子3(p-STAT3)的蛋白表达。结果：乳腺癌细胞中STIM1的蛋白表达均显著高于在MCF-10A细胞表达（P<0.05）;转染STIM1的siRNA后MDA-MB-231细胞中STIM1的蛋白表达显著低于空白对照组（P<0.05）;与空白对照组比较,STIM1-siRNA 组细胞在48 h和72 h的细胞活力显著降低,在48 h的细胞凋亡率显著升高,IL-6 和TNF-α 的mRNA表达显著降低,PCNA、Bcl-2和p-STAT3的蛋白表达显著降低,Bax和Caspase3蛋白表达显著升高。结论：STIM1基因在乳腺癌细胞高表达,通过RNA干扰抑制其表达可降低癌细胞活力,诱导细胞凋亡、提高免疫及下调STAT3信号。     

NGF对乳腺癌细胞系MDA-MB-231和MCF-7增殖和存活的影响

目的:研究神经生长因子(NGF)对乳腺癌细胞系MDA-MB-231和MCF-7细胞增殖与存活的影响。方法:运用免疫荧光方法检测NGF及其受体酪氨酸蛋白激酶A(TrkA)的表达;运用酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)方法检测细胞的NGF自分泌情况;运用蛋白质印迹(Western blotting)方法检测TrkA蛋白的表达情况;运用NGF阻断剂Ro 08-2750对细胞进行NGF剥夺,通过单核细胞直接细胞毒性测定法(MTT)检测细胞增殖的情况;运用流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡情况以及细胞周期分布的变化。结果:2株乳腺癌细胞系均表达NGF及其受体TrkA,NGF阻断剂Ro 08-2750能够明显抑制2种细胞的增殖,并具有剂量依赖性;流式细胞仪显示Ro 08-2750处理的MDA-MB-231细胞和MCF-7细胞的S期细胞比例明显增加,G2/M期细胞比例明显降低,MDA-MB-231细胞出现凋亡峰。结论:NGF剥夺明显抑制乳腺癌细胞系MDA-MB-231和MCF-7的增殖,并引起MDA-MB-231细胞凋亡。     

RNA干扰UBQLN1基因表达对乳腺癌细胞增殖、凋亡、侵袭的影响及机制研究

目的：观察抑制泛素1（UBQLN1）基因表达对乳腺癌细胞增殖、凋亡、侵袭的影响。方法： Western blot检测UBQLN1在乳腺癌T47D、BT549、MDA-MB-231、MCF7细胞中相对于正常乳腺上皮细胞MCF-10A的蛋白表达;用Lipofectamine^TM2000将干扰UBQLN1表达的siRNA（UBQLN1-siRNA）转染MDA-MB-231细胞,同时转染阴性对照组（NC组）,并设置空白对照组,收集转染48 h的细胞Western blot检测其UBQLN1的蛋白表达;CCK8法检测UBQLN1-siRNA转染24 h、48 h和72 h的细胞活力;流式细胞仪及Transwell小室分别检测UBQLN1-siRNA转染48 h的细胞凋亡率及侵袭能力;Western blot检测促凋亡蛋白p53和抑凋亡蛋白Survivin、侵袭相关蛋白基质金属蛋白酶2（MMP-2）和基质金属蛋白酶9（MMP-9）及STAT3和磷酸化的信号转导与转录因子3(p STAT3)的蛋白表达。结果：与MCF-10A细胞比较,UBQLN1在T47D、BT549、MDA-MB-231、MCF7乳腺癌细胞中的表达均显著升高（P<0.01）;与NC组比较,UBQLN1-siRNA组UBQLN1的蛋白表达显著降低,24 h、48 h和72 h的细胞活力均显著降低,细胞凋亡率显著升高,细胞侵袭能力显著降低,Survivin、MMP-2、MMP-9和p-STAT3的蛋白表达均显著降低,p53蛋白表达显著升高（P<0.01）,三组间STAT3的蛋白表达差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论：抑制乳腺癌细胞中UBQLN1基因表达可降低乳腺癌细胞活力和侵袭能力,并诱导细胞凋亡和下调STAT3信号通路。     

Knockdown of PINCH-1 protein sensitizes the estrogen positive breast cancer cells to chemotherapy induced apoptosis

Introduction

PINCH-1 is a ubiquitously expressed protein belonging to the focal adhesion protein group which has a role in cell survival, spreading, adhesion and migration. It has been implicated in pathogenesis of several cancers. In the present study we aimed to investigate the role of this protein in estrogen positive and negative breast cancer subtypes.

ER阳性和ER阴性人乳腺癌细胞株p53,mdm—2及p21^WAF1蛋白表达…

目的 研究ＥＲ阳性和ＥＲ阴性人乳腺癌细胞株ｐ５３、ｍｄｍ－２和ｐ２１＾ＷＡＦ１蛋白的表达及其与细胞生物学特性的关系。方法 应用细胞培养、基因转染和免疫组化染色ＬＳＡＢ法等技术，检测ＥＲ阳性、表达野生型ｐ５３（ｗｔｐ５３）蛋白的ＭＣＦ－７细胞和ＥＲ阴性、表达突变型ｐ５３（ｍｔｐ５３）和ＭＤＡ－ＭＢ－２３１细胞以及ＥＲ转染阳性ＭＤＡ－ＭＢ－２３１细胞中ｐ５３、ｍｎｍ－２和ｐ２１＾ＷＡＦ１蛋白的表达水平     

mTOR激酶抑制剂CC-223抑制乳腺癌细胞增殖的实验研究

目的:探讨哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mTOR)激酶抑制剂CC-223对乳腺癌细胞增殖的抑制作用及其相关分子机制。方法:CCK-8法检测CC-223对人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7和MDA-MB-231细胞活力的抑制作用;流式细胞术分析CC-223对乳腺癌细胞周期的影响;Western blot实验检测CC-223对细胞周期调控相关蛋白及细胞增殖相关蛋白c-Myc和存活蛋白(survivin)表达的影响。结果:CCK-8结果表明,CC-223能够显著抑制MCF-7细胞和MDA-MB-231细胞活力(P<0.05);流式细胞术实验结果显示,CC-223能够诱导MCF-7细胞发生G 1期和G 2/M期阻滞(P<0.05);较低浓度的CC-223诱导MDA-MB-231细胞周期阻滞于G 2/M期(P<0.05),而处于G 1期的细胞数量无显著差异。CC-223处理乳腺癌细胞24 h后,细胞周期蛋白B1、细胞周期蛋白D1表达和细胞分裂周期蛋白2(Cdc2)磷酸化水平显著降低(P<0.05)。Western blot结果表明,MCF-7和MDA-MB-231细胞经CC-223作用后,c-Myc和survivin的表达水平显著下调(P<0.05)。结论:CC-223能够抑制乳腺癌细胞活力,阻滞细胞周期进程,同时下调乳腺癌细胞中c-Myc与survivin的蛋白表达。     

Immunohistochemical evaluation of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 and estrogen and progesterone receptors in invasive breast cancer in women

Introduction

Estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) expression are crucial in the biology of breast carcinoma. HER-2/neu gene is amplified and overexpressed in 15-30% of invasive breast cancers. HER-2-positive breast cancers have worse prognosis than HER-2 negative tumors and possess distinctive clinical features. The aim of this study was to assess the expression of HER2 in cancer tissue of patients with invasive breast cancer in correlation with tumor type, histological grade, tumor size, lymph node status, and expression of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor.

Material and methods

Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 40 patients with invasive HER-2-positive breast cancer and from 191 patients with HER-2-negative breast cancer were used in this study. HER2 expression was determined using the test HerceptTest™ DAKO.

Results

Among 231 cases of breast cancer, 18 invasive lobular carcinomas and 213 invasive ductal carcinomas were diagnosed. Sixty percent of HER-2-positive breast cancers were ER-positive compared with 77% in the HER-2-negative group (p = 0.002). The expression of PR was observed in 43% of HER-2-positive breast cancers and in 72% of HER2-negative tumors (p = 0.003). Excessive expression of HER2 protein was detected in 60% of patients positive for estrogen receptors, which may worsen prognosis in these patients.

Conclusions

Determination of HER2 overexpression in breast cancer patients, allows for a determination of a group of patients with a worse prognosis.     

核糖核酸酶抑制因子对人乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞凋亡和侵袭的影响

目的:将核糖核酸酶抑制因子(RI)转染乳腺癌细胞株MDA-MB-231中,探讨RI对细胞凋亡和侵袭的影响。方法:(1)应用脂质体LipofectamineTM2000分别将重组表达载体pLNCX-RI和空载体pLNCX导入MDA-MB-231细胞,G418筛选阳性克隆并扩增传代。RT-PCR和Western blot检测RI表达。(2)流式细胞术、Transwell细胞侵袭实验分别观察RI对乳腺癌细胞凋亡、侵袭的影响。(3)RT-PCR和West-ern blot法检测Survivin mRNA和蛋白的表达,Western blot方法检测Caspase-3蛋白的活化情况,初步探讨RI诱导乳腺癌细胞凋亡的相关机制。(4)RT-PCR和Western blot法检测CD24mRNA和蛋白的表达,初步探讨RI抑制细胞侵袭的机制。结果:(1)成功构建表达外源性RI的亚克隆细胞系MDA-MB-231/pLNCX-RI。(2)与未转染的MDA-MB-231细胞及转染空载体的MDA-MB-231/pLNCX细胞相比,MDA-MB-231/pLNCX-RI细胞凋亡率增加(P<0.01);细胞穿膜数减少(P<0.01);Survivin mRNA和蛋白的表达量下降(P<0.01),且能活化Caspase-3;CD24 mRNA和蛋白的表达量亦下降(P<0.01)。结论:(1)外源性RI基因在乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞中的稳定表达可以通过抑制Survivin的表达和激活Caspase-3促进细胞凋亡,并能通过抑制CD24表达降低细胞侵袭力。     

Metronidazole affects breast cancer cell lines

PurposeThe aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of metronidazole (MTZ) on cytotoxicity and DNA synthesis in MCF-7 (estrogen receptor positive) and MDA-MB-231 (estrogen receptor negative) breast cancer cell lines.Material/MethodsToxicity of MTZ was determined by MTT test. MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were incubated with metronidazole used in different concentrations for 24, 48 and 72 hours. The effect of MTZ on DNA synthesis was measured as [3H]-thymidine incorporation.ResultsWe showed that MTZ in concentration 250 μg/ml significantly increases the growth of MCF-7 cell lines after 24 hours of incubation, but it reduces cell viability in concentrations 1 and 10 μg/ml 72 hours after the drug application. Significant increase of MDA-MB-231 cell viability was obtained in MTZ concentration of 250 μg/ml after 24 and 72 hours. The increase of [3H]-thymidine incorporation in MCF-7 cell line treated with MTZ in concentration 250 μg/ml was statistically significant after 24 hours. Great suppression of cell proliferation was obtained in MDA-MB-231 breast cell line after application of the following concentrations of MTZ: 0.1 μg/ml (after 24 hours) and 0.1, 10, 50, 250 μg/ml (after 72h).ConclusionsWe found that metronidazole exerts different dose- and time- dependent effects on human breast cancer cell lines characterized by presence or absence of estrogen receptors. We suggest that these discrepancies may be influenced by the estrogen signaling.     

Dietary grape polyphenol resveratrol increases mammary tumor growth and metastasis in immunocompromised mice

Background

Resveratrol, a polyphenol from grapes and red wine has many health beneficial effects, including protection against cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. However, our group and others have provided evidence for a dual cancer promoting or inhibitory role for resveratrol in breast cancer, dependent on estrogenic or antiestrogenic activities. Moreover, much of the inhibitory effects of resveratrol have been reported from studies with high non-physiological concentrations.

Methods

We investigated the effects of a range of concentrations (0.5, 5, 50 mg/kg body weight) of resveratrol on mammary tumor development post-initiation, using immunocompromised mice.

Results

Our findings suggest promotion of mammary tumor growth and metastasis by resveratrol at all concentrations tested in tumors derived from the low metastatic estrogen receptor (ER)α(-), ERβ(+) MDA-MB-231 and the highly metastatic ER(-) MDA-MB-435 cancer cell lines. Additionally, the activity of the migration/invasion regulator Rac, which we have previously shown to be regulated by resveratrol in vitro, was measured in tumors from resveratrol treated mice. Our results show a significant induction of tumoral Rac activity and a trend in increased expression of the Rac downstream effector PAK1 and other tumor promoting molecules following resveratrol treatment.

Conclusion

Taken together, our findings implicate low concentrations of resveratrol in potential promotion of breast cancer. Therefore, this study illuminates the importance of further delineating resveratrol’s concentration dependent effects, particularly in breast cancer, before it can be tested in the clinic or used as a dietary supplement for breast cancer patients.     

Protopine Inhibits Heterotypic Cell Adhesion in MDA-MB-231 Cells Through Down-Regulation of Multi-Adhesive Factors

Background

A Chinese herb Corydalis yanhusuo W.T. Wang that showed anticancer and anti-angiogenesis effects in our previous studies was presented for further studies. In the present study, we studied the anticancer proliferation and adhesion effects of five alkaloids which were isolated from Corydalis yanhusuo.

Materials and Methods

MTT dose response curves, cell migration assay, cell invasion assay, as well as three types of cell adhesive assay were performed on MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. The mechanism of the compounds on inhibiting heterotypic cell adhesion were further explored by determining the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), αv-integrin, β₁-integrin and β₅-integrin by western blotting assay.

Results

In five tested alkaloids, only protopine exhibited anti-adhesive and anti-invasion effects in MDA-MB-231 cells, which contributed to the anti-metastasis effect of Corydalis yanhusuo. The results showed that after treatment with protopine for 90 min, the expression of EGFR, ICAM-1, αv-integrin, β₁-integrin and β₅-integrin were remarkably reduced.

Conclusion

The present results suggest that protopine seems to inhibit the heterotypic cell adhesion between MDA-MB-231 cells, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells by changing the expression of adhesive factors.     

Targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 by a cell-penetrating peptide-affibody bioconjugate

Cell-penetrating peptide (CPP)-based delivery systems represent a strategy that facilitates DNA import efficiently and non-specifically into cells. To introduce specificity, we devised an approach that combines a cell-penetrating peptide, TAT-Mu (TM) and a targeting ligand, an HER2 antibody mimetic-affibody (AF), designated as TMAF to deliver nucleic acids into the cells. In this study, we synthesized TMAF protein and its truncated versions, i.e. MAF and AF, by expressing the corresponding plasmids in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)pLysS cells. Purified TMAF binds DNA efficiently and protects plasmid DNA from DNaseI action. Transfection of HER2+ breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-453, SK-OV-3, SK-BR-3 and an ovarian cancer cell line with plasmid DNA pCMVβ-gal, resulted in enhanced β-galactosidase activity when compared to control MDA-MB-231 cells. Maximal activity observed in MDA-MB-453 cells at DNA:TMAF:Protamine sulphate (PS) corresponding to 1:8:2 charge ratios. Further the observed gene transfection was resistant to serum, sensitive to the presence of free AF and non-toxic. Variants of TMAF although non-toxic, were far less efficient indicating the effective role of the TAT and Mu domains. The observed DNA uptake and reporter gene activity mediated by TMAFin vitro could be linked with the cell-surface density of tyrosine kinase receptor HER2 (ErbB2) levels estimated by Western blot. Further, we confirmed the efficacy of DNA transfer by TMAF protein in xenograft mouse models using MDA-MB-453 cells. Expression of β-galactosidase as the reporter gene, upon intratumoral injection of DNA, in complex with TMAF, lends credence to specific DNA import and distribution within the tumor tissue that was attributed to high HER2 receptor overexpression in MDA-MB-453 cells. Through delivery of anti-TF hshRNA: TMAF: PS complex, we demonstrate specific knockdown of tissue factor (TF) in MDA-MB-453 cells in vitro. Most importantly, in a xenograft mouse model, we observe significant (P < 0.05) and specific reduction of tumor volume when anti-TF hshRNA: TMAF: PS complex was injected intratumorally. Collectively our data indicate that AF-based chimeric peptides with nucleic acid binding properties may provide an effective tumor specific strategy to deliver therapeutic nucleic acids.     

Migration of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells depends on the availability of exogenous lipids and cholesterol esterification

We previously described a lipid-accumulating phenotype of estrogen receptor negative (ER⁻) breast cancer cells exemplified by the MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-436 cell lines. These cells had more lipid droplets, a higher uptake of oleic acid and LDL, a higher ratio of cholesteryl ester (CE) to triacylglycerol (TAG), and higher expression of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1) as compared to ER⁺ MCF-7 breast cancer cells. LDL stimulated proliferation of ER-cells only, and proliferation was reduced by inhibition of ACAT. We hypothesized that storage of exogenous lipids would confer an energetic advantage. We tested this by depriving cells of exogenous lipids and measuring chemotactic migration, an energy-intensive behavior. MDA-MB-231 cells were grown for 48 h in medium with either 5% FBS or 5% lipoprotein-depleted (LD) FBS. Growth in LD medium resulted in visibly reduced lipid droplets and an 85% decrease in cell migration. Addition of LDL to the LD medium dose-dependently restored the ability to migrate in an ACAT-sensitive manner. LDL receptor (LDLR) mRNA was 12-fold higher in MDA-MB-231 cells compared to nontumorigenic ER-MCF-10A breast epithelial cells grown in LD medium. Addition of LDL to the LD medium reduced LDLR mRNA levels in MCF-10A cells only. We asked if ACAT1 activity was associated with the expression of the LDLR in MDA-MB-231 cells. LDLR mRNA in MDA-MB-231 cells was substantially reduced by inhibition of ACAT, demonstrating that high ACAT1 activity permitted higher LDLR expression. This data substantiates the association of lipid accumulation with aggressive behavior in an ER-breast cancer cell line.     

Specific expression of matrix metalloproteinases 1, 3, 9 and 13 associated with invasiveness of breast cancer cells in vitro

Several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) were studied in highly invasive (MDA-MB-231) and slightly invasive (MCF-7, T47D, BT-20) breast cancer cell lines. Investigations were carried out at the protein level and/or at the mRNA level, either in cells cultured as monolayers on plastic, or in cells seeded on a thin layer of Matrigel basement membrane matrix. Analysis of MMP expression by RT-PCR showed expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13 in highly invasive MDA-MB-231 cells, but not in slightly invasive cell lines. The extracellular secretion of MMP-1 and MMP-3 by MDA-MB 231 cells could be also shown by ELISA. TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 mRNAs were found in all cell lines, however, the extracellular secretion of both TIMPs was much higher in MDA-MB-231 cells than in the other cell lines. When the cells were cultured on Matrigel matrix, MMP-9 expression was induced in MDA-MB-231 cells only, as assessed by RT-PCR and zymography experiments. The invasive potential of MDA-MB-231 cells evaluated in vitro through Matrigel was significantly inhibited by the MMP inhibitor BB-2516, by 25% and 50% at the concentrations of 2 × 10⁻⁶M and 10⁻⁵M, respectively. In conclusion, our data show that highly invasive MDA-MB-231 cells but not slightly invasive T47D, MCF-7 and BT-20 cells express MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9 and MMP-13. MMP-9 which is specifically up-regulated by cell contact to Matrigel, may play a key role in the invasiveness of MDA-MB-231 cells through basement membranes. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.