Differential role of psoriasin (S100A7) in estrogen receptor α positive and negative breast cancer cells occur through actin remodeling

Psoriasin (S100A7) is a calcium-binding protein that has shown to be highly expressed in high-grade ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and a subset of invasive breast cancers. However, its role in invasion and metastasis is not very well known. In this study, we have shown that S100A7 differentially regulates epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced cell migration and invasion in ERα^? MDA-MB-231 cells and ERα⁺ MCF-7 and T47D breast cancer cells. Further signaling studies revealed that S100A7 enhances EGF-induced EGFR phosphorylation and actin remodeling that seems to favor lamellipodia formation in ERα^? cells. In addition, S100A7 overexpression enhanced NF-κB-mediated matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) secretion in MDA-MB-231 cells indicating its role in enhanced invasiveness. However, S100A7 overexpression inhibited migration and invasion of MCF-7 cells by inactivating Rac-1 pathway and MMP-9 secretion. Moreover, S100A7 overexpressing MDA-MB-231 cells showed enhanced metastasis compared to vector control in in vivo nude mice as detected by bioluminescence imaging. Our tissue microarray data also revealed predominant expression of S100A7 in ERα^? metastatic carcinoma, especially in lymph node regions. Overall these studies suggest that S100A7 may enhance metastasis in ERα^? breast cancer cells by a novel mechanism through regulation of actin cytoskeleton and MMP-9 secretion.     

Dehydroepiandrosterone inhibits events related with the metastatic process in breast tumor cell lines

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), an adrenal hormone, has a protective role against cancer. We previously shown that DHEA inhibits the proliferation and migration of cell lines derived from breast cancer; however, the role of DHEA in others events related with these effects are unknown. We hypothesized that DHEA inhibits the expression of proteins and some events related with cell migration and metastasis. We determined the migration in Boyden chambers, the invasion in matrigel, anchorage-independent growth and the formation of spheroids in 3 cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, ZR-75-30) derived from breast cancer exposed to DHEA. The secretion of metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), and several pro-inflammatory molecules in the secretome of these cells was also evaluated. DHEA inhibited the migration in transwells and the invasion in matrigel of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Besides, DHEA inhibited the anchorage-independent growth on agar and decreased the size of spheroids, and also reduced the secretion of IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in all cell lines. Metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) secretion was slightly decreased by DHEA treatment in MDA-MB-231 cells. Our results also showed that inhibition of migration and invasion induced by DHEA in breast cancer cells is correlated with the decrease of cytokine/chemokine secretion and the diminution of tumor cells growth. MCF-7 cells were the most responsive to the exposure to DHEA, whereas ZR-75-30 cells responded less to this hormone, suggesting that DHEA could be used in the treatment of breast cancer in early stages.     

PPAPDC1A在体内外对乳腺癌细胞增殖、侵袭和转移能力的影响

目的:通过构建稳定过表达和干扰PPAPDC1A的乳腺癌细胞株,探讨PPAPDC1A对乳腺癌细胞增殖、侵袭和转移能力的影响。方法:利用CCK-8和Transwell实验检测PPAPDC1A稳定过表达和干扰后对乳腺癌细胞体外增殖和侵袭能力的影响。采用裸鼠皮下成瘤实验检测PPAPDC1A对乳腺癌细胞体内增殖和裸鼠致瘤性的作用。利用免疫组织化学染色法检测各组肿瘤组织中Ki-67的表达。通过裸鼠尾静脉注射实验检测PPAPDC1A对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞和MDA-MB-231细胞体内转移能力的影响。结果:成功建立稳定过表达PPAPDC1A的乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株和稳定干扰PPAPDC1A的乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞株;CCK-8和Transwell实验结果显示,与MCF-7和MCF-7-Vector细胞株相比,MCF-7-PPAPDC1A细胞株的生长速度显著增快,穿膜细胞数量多（P＜0.05）;与此相反,MDA-MB-231-shPPAPDC1A组细胞的生长速度和穿膜细胞数明显少于MDA-MB-231-shNC和MDA-MB-231 细胞株（P＜0.05）。动物实验结果显示,与MCF-7-Vector组相比,MCF-7-PPAPDC1A组的肿瘤生长速度较快,肿瘤的体积较大,Ki-67的阳性率高,肺转移灶的数目增多（P＜0.05）;与此相反,与MDA-MB-231-shNC组相比MDA-MB-231-shPPAPDC1A组的肿瘤生长速度较慢,肿瘤的体积较小,Ki-67的阳性率低,肺转移灶的数目减少（P＜0.05）。结论:PPAPDC1A对乳腺癌细胞的增殖、侵袭和转移有促进作用。     

Positive regulation of migration and invasion by vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein via Rac1 pathway in human breast cancer cells

This study aimed to investigate the role of the cytoskeleton-associated protein vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) on the migration and invasion of human breast cancer cells and its relationship to Rac1 which is a member of the Rho family and has been found to be implicated in tumorigenesis, invasion and metastasis. We detected the mRNA and protein expression levels of VASP and Rac1 of the non-invasive breast cancer cell line MCF-7 as well as the invasive cell line MDA-MB-231 by RT-PCR and Western blotting. GST pull-down assay was used to examine the activitiy of Rac1. Accordingly, the cell invasive migration ability was analyzed in a wound-healing assay (2D) and transwell assays (3D migration and invasion). We then used VASP-siRNA to inhibit the expression of VASP in breast cancer cells in order to study the relationship between the VASP expression level and the invasive migration ability of breast cancer cells. Rac1-siRNA was used to decrease the expression of Rac1, and observe its effect on the VASP expression level together with the migration and invasion ability of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Our results revealed that the invasive breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 showed a higher Rac1 activity and VASP expression level compared with the non-invasive MCF-7. Inhibition of Rac1 or VASP by siRNA, respectively, decreased the migration and invasion ability of breast cancer cells and the transfection of Rac1 siRNA-mediated reduction of VASP expression at mRNA and protein levels. Collectively, our data showed that the higher expression level of VASP contributed to a higher invasive migration capacity of human breast cancer cells which was controlled by the Rac1 pathway.     

JAK/STAT3和MAPK/ERK在乳腺癌细胞侵袭转移中的交互作用及意义

目的研究应用JAK酶抑制剂AG490对乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231 STAT3和ERK磷酸化的影响,初步探讨JAK/STAT3和MAPK/ERK两条信号转导通路的交互作用以及在乳腺癌细胞侵袭转移中的调控意义。方法以JAK酶抑制剂AG490处理乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231,Western blot检测细胞中P-STAT3、P-ERK蛋白水平变化;RT-PCR检测细胞中STAT3、ERK1、ERK2mRNA的变化;明胶酶谱法检测细胞分泌MMP-2、MMP-9的变化,Transwell小室进行人工重组基底膜侵袭和运动实验。结果应用JAK酶抑制剂AG490后人乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231中P-STAT3、P-ERK蛋白均减少,STAT3、ERK1、ERK2mRNA表达下降,同时可使细胞分泌MMP-2、MMP-9减少,使细胞侵袭、迁移能力降低。结论JAK/STAT3和MAPK/ERK两条信号转导通路之间存在交互作用,通过JAK酶抑制可改变转录因子STAT3和激酶ERK磷酸化水平,进而可以交互影响其基因转录的表达。JAK酶抑制对两条信号转导通路的激活有阻断作用而可以抑制乳腺癌细胞的侵袭转移。     

FSIP1促进乳腺癌细胞迁移和侵袭并导致患者不良预后

目的 探讨乳腺癌组织中纤维鞘相互作用蛋白1(FSIP1)表达对乳腺癌细胞侵袭和迁移能力的影响及其与乳腺癌患者预后的关系,从而为乳腺癌的诊断和治疗提供一定的理论参考。方法 收集2004年1月—2018年12月于哈尔滨医科大学附属肿瘤医院确诊的404例乳腺癌患者的乳腺组织样本和病例资料,对收集的乳腺癌患者资料进行回顾性分析并采用Kaplan-Meier方法绘制生存曲线,采用免疫组织化学方法分析FSIP1在乳腺癌和癌旁组织中的表达情况,取乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7、MDA-MB-231、MDA-MB-435、SK-BR-3、T-47D及正常乳腺上皮细胞(HMECs)MCF-10A进行细胞培养,采用CRISPR/CAS9技术敲除乳腺癌细胞系MDA-MB-231和SK-BR-3中的FSIP1基因,通过Western blot实验检测各乳腺癌细胞系中FSIP1蛋白的表达情况并对FSIP1基因敲除结果进行检测,通过细胞迁移和侵袭实验评估FSIP1蛋白敲除对乳腺癌细胞迁移和侵袭能力的影响。结果 与正常乳腺上皮细胞(MCF-10A)相比,乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7、MDA-MB-231、MDA-MB-435、S...     

CCL25 mediates migration, invasion and matrix metalloproteinase expression by breast cancer cells in a CCR9-dependent fashion

Breast cancer (BrCa) is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in North American women. Most deaths are caused by metastasis, and BrCa is characterized by a distinct metastatic pattern involving lymph nodes, bone marrow, lung, liver and brain. Migration of metastatic cells share many similarities with leukocyte trafficking, which are regulated by chemokines and their receptors. The current study evaluates the expression and functional role of CCR9, and its only known ligand, CCL25, in BrCa cell migration and invasion. Quantitative immunohistochemical analysis showed that both moderately and poorly differentiated BrCa tissue expressed significantly more (P<0.0001) CCR9 compared to non-neoplastic breast tissue. Interestingly, poorly differentiated BrCa tissue expressed significantly more (P<0.0001) CCR9 compared to moderately differentiated BrCa tissue. Similarly, CCR9 was highly expressed by the aggressive breast cancer cell line (MDA-MD-231) compared to the less aggressive MCF-7. Migration as well as invasion assays were used to evaluate the functional interaction between CCR9 and CCL25 in BrCa cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7). Neutralizing CCR9-CCL25 interactions significantly impaired the migration and invasion of BrCa cells. Furthermore, CCL25 enhanced the expression of MMP-1, -9, -11 and -13 active proteins by BrCa cells in a CCR9-dependent fashion. These studies show CCR9 is functionally and significantly expressed by BrCa (poorly > moderately differentiated) tissue and cells as well as that CCL25 activation of this receptor promotes breast tumor cell migration, invasion and MMP expression, which are key components of BrCa metastasis.     

miRNA-613在乳腺癌中的表达及作用机制

  目的  探讨乳腺癌中微小RNA (microRNA,miRNA)-613表达及作用机制。  方法  收集2017年5月至2018年5月91例于南充市中心医院手术切除的乳腺癌患者的组织标本,实时荧光定量PCR检测乳腺癌组织及癌旁组织标本、乳腺癌细胞系(MDAMB-231、MDA-MB-468、MCF-7)和正常乳腺上皮细胞系HBL-100中miRNA-613的表达水平,分析其与乳腺癌患者临床病理特征的关系。TCGA数据库分析miRNA-613与乳腺癌患者预后的关系。双荧光素酶报告实验检测miRNA-613与SOX9的3'UTR区的结合情况。将miRNA-613模拟物转染至MDA-MB-231细胞,CCK-8法和Transwell侵袭及迁移实验分别检测细胞增殖活性、侵袭和迁移能力的变化,Western blot检测细胞中SOX9、β-catenin、E-Cadherin和Vimentin蛋白的表达变化。  结果  miRNA-613在乳腺癌组织中表达明显低于癌旁组织(P < 0.05),并且miRNA-613表达与TNM分期和淋巴结转移密切相关(P < 0.05),TCGA生存数据显示miRNA-613表达与乳腺癌患者的总生存率无关(P>0.05)。乳腺癌细胞系中miRNA-613的表达明显低于正常乳腺上皮细胞系(P < 0.05),并且高侵袭转移性乳腺癌细胞系MDA-MB-231、MDA-MB-468中miRNA-613的表达明显低于低侵袭转移性乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7(P < 0.05)。双荧光素酶报告实验显示miRNA-613可与SOX9的3'UTR特异性结合。上调miRNA-613的表达能抑制MDA-MB-231细胞的增殖和侵袭迁移能力(P < 0.05),同时下调SOX9、β-catenin和Vimentin蛋白的表达(P < 0.05),并上调ECadherin蛋白的表达(P < 0.05)。  结论  在乳腺癌组织和细胞中miRNA-613异常低表达,miRNA-613可能通过调控SOX9、Wnt/β-catenin信号通路抑制乳腺癌细胞的增殖、侵袭转移及上皮间质转化。      

The alpha 3 beta 1 integrin is associated with mammary carcinoma cell metastasis, invasion, and gelatinase B (MMP-9) activity

The alpha 3 beta 1 integrin is elevated in several types of metastatic tumor and has been associated with increased migration and invasion. Our analysis of a series of mammary carcinomas of different histotypes and their corresponding metastases demonstrated significantly increased expression of alpha 3 beta 1 in the tumor metastases. We therefore studied alpha 3 beta 1 expression of several human breast carcinoma cell lines and its association with the invasive phenotype. The MDA-MB-231 cell line expressed high levels of the beta1, alpha 2, alpha 3, alpha 5, and alpha 6 integrin subunits along with moderate levels of the alpha v beta 3 integrin. This line was highly migratory and the most invasive using a chemo-invasion assay. In contrast, the other lines tested, MDA-MB-145, MCF-7, and SK-BR-3, showed lower migratory and invasive activity and reduced alpha 3 integrin subunit expression. Metalloproteases capable of degrading collagen IV are necessary for the invasive process. RT-PCR showed that MDA-MB-231 cells expressed MMP-9, but not MMP-2, gelatinase/collagenase IV. Gelatin zymography demonstrated that invading MDA-MB-231 cells released high levels of MMP-9 gelatinase activity. A direct role for this gelatinase in MDA-MB-231 cell invasion was confirmed by inhibition of invasion using the metalloprotease inhibitor Batimastat. Treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells with a function-blocking anti-alpha 3 antibody strongly inhibited migration and invasion. This correlated with a marked reduction in MMP-9 activity produced by MDA-MB-231 cells, suggesting a role for alpha 3 beta 1 ligand binding in cell signaling and regulation of extracellular matrix degradation.     

Flavonoid baicalein suppresses adhesion,migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells

Baicalein is a widely used Chinese herbal medicine that has been used historically in anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer therapy. However, the molecular mechanism of its anti-cancer activity remains poorly understood and warrants further investigations. The purpose of this study is to verify the activity of baicalein to inhibit the invasion of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. The results indicated that baicalein suppressed MDA-MB-231 cell adhesion to fibronectin-coated substrate, wound healing migration and invasion through the Matrigel in a concentration-dependent manner. Western blot and gelatin zymography analysis showed that baicalein significantly inhibited the expression and secretion of matrix metalloproteinases 2/9 (MMP-2/9) in MDA-MB-231 cells. Additionally, treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells with baicalein down-regulated the expression of MMP-2/9 involved mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathway. Taken together, baicalein had potential to suppress the adhesion, migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cancer cells in vitro and it could serve as a promising drug for the treatment of cancer metastasis.     

TAGLN基因过表达对乳腺癌细胞迁移和侵袭能力的影响

目的 研究TAGLN基因过表达对人乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231迁移能力和侵袭能力的影响及其分子机制.方法 对MDA-MB-231细胞采用慢病毒表达系统构建TAGLN基因稳定过表达细胞株,将MDA-MB-231细胞正常培养设为空白对照组,空载体慢病毒包装感染MDA-MB-231细胞后获得的稳定转染细胞株设为空载体对照组.Real time PCR和Western blot检测TAGLN mRNA和蛋白表达,划痕实验和Transwell侵袭实验检测细胞迁移和侵袭能力,Western blot检测TAGLN基因过表达后基质金属蛋白酶2(matrix metalloproteinase-2,MMP-2)和MMP-9蛋白表达变化.结果 MDA-MB-231细胞感染TAGLN基因过表达慢病毒载体后,细胞中TAGLN mRNA表达和蛋白表达升高(均P＜0.01),成功构建TAGLN基因过表达稳定细胞株(231-TAGLN).231-TAGLN细胞的体外迁移能力和侵袭能力下降,与空载体对照组和空白对照组细胞比较,差异均具有统计学意义(均P＜0.01),同时伴有MMP-2和MMP-9表达水平降低(均P＜0.01).结论 TAGLN基因过表达可以抑制乳腺癌细胞的迁移和侵袭,MMP-2和MMP-9基因表达下降可能参与这一过程.     

沉默CD44表达对乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231增殖与侵袭的影响

目的:探索乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231及MCF-7中CD44分子的表达水平差异及沉默CD44对乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231增殖、侵袭和迁移的影响。方法:利用qRT-PCR及Western blot技术检测细胞中CD44基因表达水平;设计并合成CD44的siRNA片段(CD44-siRNA)转染乳腺癌细胞,利用qRT-PCR、Western blot技术检测细胞中CD44基因表达水平的变化;MTT检测MDA-MB-231细胞增殖;Transwell侵袭实验检测MDA-MB-231细胞的迁移与侵袭能力变化。结果:CD44在侵袭性乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231中的表达高于非侵袭性乳腺癌细胞MCF-7,CD44-siRNA下调了 MDA-MB-231细胞中CD44 mRNA与蛋白水平的表达,并抑制了细胞的增殖和侵袭转移能力。结论:CD44-siRNA能够下调CD44的表达,并有效抑制乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231的增殖及其侵袭迁移力。     

Silencing of Lysyl Oxidase Gene Expression by RNA Interference Suppresses Metastasis of Breast Cancer

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate possible mechanisms of LOX gene effects on invasion andmetastasis of breast cancer cells by RNA interference. Methods: LOX-RNAi-LV was designed, synthesized, andthen transfected into a breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231). Expression of LOX, MMP-2 and MMP-9 wasdetermined by real-time PCR, and protein expression of LOX by Western blotting. Cell migration and invasivenesswere assessed with Transwell chambers. A total of 111 cases of breast cancer tissues, cancer-adjacent normalbreast tissues, and 20 cases of benign lesion tissues were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results: Expressionof LOX mRNA and protein was suppressed, and the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was significantly lowerin the RNAi group than the control group (P<0.05), after LOX-RNAi-LV was transfection into MDA-MB-231cells. Migration and invasion abilities were obviously inhibited. The expression of LOX protein in breast cancer,cancer-adjacent normal breast tissues and benign breast tumor were 48.6% (54/111), 26.1% (29/111), 20.0% (4/20),respectively, associations being noted with clinical stage, lymph node metastasis, tumor size and ER, PR, HER2,but not age. LOX protein was positively correlated with MMP-2 and MMP-9. Conclusion: LOX displayed animportant role in invasion and metastasis of breast cancer by regulating MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression whichprobably exerted synergistic effects on the extracellular matrix (ECM).     

基因芯片技术筛查并鉴定乳腺癌细胞中MAGE-A11的相关基因

目的：应用高通量基因芯片技术筛查乳腺癌细胞中黑色素瘤相关抗原（melanoma antigen,MAGE）-A11 的相关基因,并从数量和功能两方面加以验证。方法：采用基因芯片技术筛选乳腺癌MCF-7、MDA-MB-231 和BT-549 中MAGE-A11 下游靶基因的mRNA的差异表达,对有代表性的基因进行了聚类分析,并利用qRT-PCR进行验证。以CCK-8 法、细胞划痕实验和Transwell实验检测MAGE-A11 对乳腺癌细胞中增殖、迁移和侵袭功能的影响。结果：3 种乳腺癌细胞过表达MAGE-A11 导致1 608个下游基因差异表达,主要涉及蛋白泛素化、细胞增殖和凋亡、肿瘤侵袭和转移。基因芯片中典型高表达的ZNF-451、CENPTJ、CDK13、API5 和LMO7 在qRT-PCR 在验证结果中也显著高于对照组（P<0.01）,低表达的SHPRH、PML、MARK2、LIMA1 和ANGPTL4也显著低于对照组（P<0.01）。转染MAGE-A11 组的乳腺癌细胞MCF-7、MDA-MB-231 和BT-549 72 h 的增殖能力较对照组明显增强（均P<0.01）,培养48 h 后与对照组相比,转染MAGE-A11 的3 种细胞划痕出现明显愈合（P<0.05 或P<0.01）,穿膜数较对照组明显增多（均P<0.01）。结论：在MCF-7、MDA-MB-231 和BT-549 三种乳腺癌细胞中筛查到涉及蛋白泛素化、细胞增殖和凋亡、肿瘤侵袭和迁移等生物功能众多的表达差异基因,对其中10 种典型差异基因从数量和功能两方面进行验证,并得到初步确认。     

Expression of Ets-related transcription factors and matrix metalloproteinase genes in human breast cancer cells

The expression levels of ets and MMP genes was examined in two breast cancer cell lines of differing invasive potential. The more invasive MDA-MB-231 cell line had higher levels of Ets-1, Ets-2, PEA3, ERM, Tel, Net, MMP-13 and -14 mRNA than MCF-7 cells. MMP-1, -3 and -16 mRNAs were expressed equally. TPA stimulated MMP-1, -9 and TIMP-1 mRNA expression in both cell lines. MMP-2 and MMP-7 mRNAs were not detected in either cell line. The Ets-1 protein was only detected in MDA-MB-231 cells and its level increased following TPA stimulation. TPA induced MMP-9 activity in MCF-7 cells and increased its activity in MDA-MB-231 cells, however, MMP-2 activity was not detected.     

miRNA-34a抑制乳腺癌细胞MCF-7、MDA-MB-231的增殖与侵袭

目的:研究miRNA-34a(miR-34a)对乳腺癌细胞MCF-7、MDA-MB-231的生物调控作用。方法:采用定量PCR检测人乳腺上皮细胞MCF-10A,乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7、T47D、MDA-MB-231、MDA-MB-453、Hs578T中miR-34a的表达水平。通过miR-34a mimics分别上调MCF-7、MDA-MB-231细胞中miR-34a的表达水平,MTT和Transwell检测肿瘤细胞增殖能力、侵袭力等生物学行为的变化。结果:乳腺癌细胞MCF-7、T47D、MDA-MB-231、MDA-MB-453、Hs578T中miR-34a处于低表达水平。通过miR-34a mimics上调MCF-7、MDA-MB-231细胞中miR-34a的表达后,细胞的增殖能力被miR-34a抑制（P＜0.05）,miR-34a对细胞侵袭有显著抑制作用（P＜0.05）。结论:miR－34a在乳腺癌细胞MCF-7、T47D、MDA-MB-231、MDA-MB-453及Hs578T中低表达,miR-34a抑制乳腺癌细胞MCF-7、MDA-MB-231的细胞增殖和侵袭能力。     

Temporal and quantitative regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) modulates cell motility and invasion.

We have shown that ER-negative and invasive human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 have constitutively higher mitogen activated protein kinase (ERK1&2/MAPK) when compared to the ER-positive and non-invasive MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. In MCF-7 cells, TGFalpha stimulation induced only transient MAPK activation, leading to a transient increase in cell migration. However, MDA 231 and MDA 468 cells, TGFalpha stimulation induced sustained MAPK activation, which correlated with enhanced cell motility and in vitro invasion. Serum stimulation activates ERK/MAPK activity persistently in both ER-positive and ER-negative breast cancer cells, leading to enhanced and sustained cell migration. Inhibition of MAPK activation by anti-sense MEK expression in MDA-MB-468 cells significantly inhibits cell migration and in vitro invasion. In contrast, MCF-7 cells expressing constitutively activated MEK show a significant increase in MAPK activity and cell migration, but this failed to enhance in vitro invasion. The kinetic profiles of MAPK activation and inhibition show a relationship between the duration and magnitude of MAPK activation and cell migration in both ER-positive and ER-negative human breast cancer cells. These studies show that cell motility is modulated by the magnitude and the duration of MAPK activation; but increased activation of MAPK may not be sufficient to allow in vitro invasion in non-invasive MCF-7 breast cancer cells.     

Differential expression of the α2,3-sialic acid residues in breast cancer is associated with metastatic potential

Aberrant sialylation is closely associated with the malignant phenotype of cancer cells and metastatic potential. However, the precise nature of the molecules in breast cancers has not been unveiled. In this study, we investigated the expression levels of α2,3-sialic acid residues of 50 primary tumor cases, 50 pair-matched lymph node metastasis tumor samples and in the MDA-MB-231, T-47D and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines with different metastatic potential. The expression of α2,3-sialic acid residues was analyzed by histochemistry, cytochemistry and flow cytometry with Maackia amurensis lectin (MAL). The invasion and migration abilities of cells were examined using cell adhesion and transwell in vitro assays. Pair-matched lymph node metastasis tumor samples exhibited higher levels of expression of α2,3-sialic acid residues compared to that of primary tumors (P=0.0432). Furthermore, of 38 tumors cases in T1/T2 stages, 31 (81.58%) had weak staining for MAL, which specifically binds to α2,3-sialic acid residues, whereas of 12 tumor cases in T3/T4 stages, only 1 (8.33%) had weak reactions for MAL. The highly metastatic breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 exhibited the strongest binding to MAL and the highest expression levels of α2,3-sialic acid residues among the selected cell lines, depending on mRNA expression levels of α2,3-sialyltransferase gene. The adhesion, invasion and migration activities confirmed that MDA-MB-231 exhibited the greater cell adhesion to, migration toward and invasion to Matrigel. Taken together, the high expression of α2,3-sialic acid residues in breast cancer was associated with metastatic potential. This property may be important for developing new therapeutic approaches for breast cancer.