Correlation between extent of osteolytic damage and metastatic burden of human breast cancer metastasis in nude mice: real-time PCR quantitation

Orthotopic or intracardiac injection of human breast cancer cell lines into immunocompromised mice allows study of the molecular basis of breast cancer metastasis. We have established a quantitative real-time PCR approach to analyze metastatic spread of human breast cancer cells inoculated into nude mice via these routes. We employed MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells genetically tagged with a bacterial beta-galactosidase (Lac-Z) retroviral vector, enabling their detection by TaqMan real-time PCR. PCR detection was linear, specific, more sensitive than conventional PCR, and could be used to directly quantitative metastatic burden in bone and soft organs. Attesting to the sensitivity and specificity of the PCR detection strategy, as few as several hundred metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells were detectable in 100 microns segments of paraffin-embedded lung tissue, and only in samples adjacent to sections that scored positive by histological detection. Moreover, the measured real-time PCR metastatic burden in the bone environment (mouse hind-limbs, n = 48) displayed a high correlation to the degree of osteolytic damage observed by high resolution X-ray analysis (r2 = 0.972). Such a direct linear relationship to tumor burden and bone damage substantiates the so-called 'vicious cycle' hypothesis in which metastatic tumor cells promote the release of factors from the bone which continue to stimulate the tumor cells. The technique provides a useful tool for molecular and cellular analysis of human breast cancer metastasis to bone and soft organs, can easily be extended to other cell/marker/organ systems, and should also find application in preclinical assessment of anti-metastatic modalities.     

靶向血管内皮生长因子C短发夹式RNA对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞生物学特性的影响

目的 研究重组质粒表达载体介导的短发夹式RNA(shRNA)对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株中血管内皮生长因子C(VEGF-C)的表达及乳腺癌细胞增殖、侵袭能力的影响.方法 脂质体介导重组质粒pSIREN-VEGF-C转染乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株,嘌呤酶素筛选阳性克隆;荧光定量PCR及Western blot检测转染前后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中VEGF-C基因的表达;MTT法及Transwell体外侵袭实验检测转染前后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞的增殖及侵袭能力.结果 转染重组质粒后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中VEGF-C mRNA及蛋白表达均明显下调,抑制率分别为95%及100%(P<0.05);MTT法和 Transwell体外侵袭实验显示,与阴性质粒组和空白对照组比较,转染重组质粒后各时间段乳腺癌MCF-7细胞增殖均明显受抑制(P<0.05),同时穿膜的肿瘤细胞数也明显减少[(29.0±1.9)个与(59.0±2.1)个和(61.0±2.2)个相比,P<0.05].结论 表达VEGF-C shRNA的重组质粒载体pSIREN-VEGF-C在乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中能高效、特异地发挥靶基因沉默作用,并对乳腺癌细胞的增殖及侵袭能力有显著抑制作用.     

靶向血管内皮生长因子C短发夹式RNA对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞生物学特性的影响

目的 研究重组质粒表达载体介导的短发夹式RNA(shRNA)对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株中血管内皮生长因子C(VEGF-C)的表达及乳腺癌细胞增殖、侵袭能力的影响.方法 脂质体介导重组质粒pSIREN-VEGF-C转染乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株,嘌呤酶素筛选阳性克隆;荧光定量PCR及Western blot检测转染前后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中VEGF-C基因的表达;MTT法及Transwell体外侵袭实验检测转染前后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞的增殖及侵袭能力.结果 转染重组质粒后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中VEGF-C mRNA及蛋白表达均明显下调,抑制率分别为95%及100%(P<0.05);MTT法和 Transwell体外侵袭实验显示,与阴性质粒组和空白对照组比较,转染重组质粒后各时间段乳腺癌MCF-7细胞增殖均明显受抑制(P<0.05),同时穿膜的肿瘤细胞数也明显减少[(29.0±1.9)个与(59.0±2.1)个和(61.0±2.2)个相比,P<0.05].结论 表达VEGF-C shRNA的重组质粒载体pSIREN-VEGF-C在乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中能高效、特异地发挥靶基因沉默作用,并对乳腺癌细胞的增殖及侵袭能力有显著抑制作用.     

靶向血管内皮生长因子C短发夹式RNA对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞生物学特性的影响

目的 研究重组质粒表达载体介导的短发夹式RNA(shRNA)对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株中血管内皮生长因子C(VEGF-C)的表达及乳腺癌细胞增殖、侵袭能力的影响.方法 脂质体介导重组质粒pSIREN-VEGF-C转染乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株,嘌呤酶素筛选阳性克隆;荧光定量PCR及Western blot检测转染前后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中VEGF-C基因的表达;MTT法及Transwell体外侵袭实验检测转染前后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞的增殖及侵袭能力.结果 转染重组质粒后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中VEGF-C mRNA及蛋白表达均明显下调,抑制率分别为95%及100%(P<0.05);MTT法和 Transwell体外侵袭实验显示,与阴性质粒组和空白对照组比较,转染重组质粒后各时间段乳腺癌MCF-7细胞增殖均明显受抑制(P<0.05),同时穿膜的肿瘤细胞数也明显减少[(29.0±1.9)个与(59.0±2.1)个和(61.0±2.2)个相比,P<0.05].结论 表达VEGF-C shRNA的重组质粒载体pSIREN-VEGF-C在乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中能高效、特异地发挥靶基因沉默作用,并对乳腺癌细胞的增殖及侵袭能力有显著抑制作用.     

靶向血管内皮生长因子C短发夹式RNA对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞生物学特性的影响

目的 研究重组质粒表达载体介导的短发夹式RNA(shRNA)对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株中血管内皮生长因子C(VEGF-C)的表达及乳腺癌细胞增殖、侵袭能力的影响.方法 脂质体介导重组质粒pSIREN-VEGF-C转染乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株,嘌呤酶素筛选阳性克隆;荧光定量PCR及Western blot检测转染前后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中VEGF-C基因的表达;MTT法及Transwell体外侵袭实验检测转染前后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞的增殖及侵袭能力.结果 转染重组质粒后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中VEGF-C mRNA及蛋白表达均明显下调,抑制率分别为95%及100%(P<0.05);MTT法和 Transwell体外侵袭实验显示,与阴性质粒组和空白对照组比较,转染重组质粒后各时间段乳腺癌MCF-7细胞增殖均明显受抑制(P<0.05),同时穿膜的肿瘤细胞数也明显减少[(29.0±1.9)个与(59.0±2.1)个和(61.0±2.2)个相比,P<0.05].结论 表达VEGF-C shRNA的重组质粒载体pSIREN-VEGF-C在乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中能高效、特异地发挥靶基因沉默作用,并对乳腺癌细胞的增殖及侵袭能力有显著抑制作用.     

靶向血管内皮生长因子C短发夹式RNA对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞生物学特性的影响

目的 研究重组质粒表达载体介导的短发夹式RNA(shRNA)对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株中血管内皮生长因子C(VEGF-C)的表达及乳腺癌细胞增殖、侵袭能力的影响.方法 脂质体介导重组质粒pSIREN-VEGF-C转染乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株,嘌呤酶素筛选阳性克隆;荧光定量PCR及Western blot检测转染前后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中VEGF-C基因的表达;MTT法及Transwell体外侵袭实验检测转染前后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞的增殖及侵袭能力.结果 转染重组质粒后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中VEGF-C mRNA及蛋白表达均明显下调,抑制率分别为95%及100%(P<0.05);MTT法和 Transwell体外侵袭实验显示,与阴性质粒组和空白对照组比较,转染重组质粒后各时间段乳腺癌MCF-7细胞增殖均明显受抑制(P<0.05),同时穿膜的肿瘤细胞数也明显减少[(29.0±1.9)个与(59.0±2.1)个和(61.0±2.2)个相比,P<0.05].结论 表达VEGF-C shRNA的重组质粒载体pSIREN-VEGF-C在乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中能高效、特异地发挥靶基因沉默作用,并对乳腺癌细胞的增殖及侵袭能力有显著抑制作用.     

靶向血管内皮生长因子C短发夹式RNA对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞生物学特性的影响

目的 研究重组质粒表达载体介导的短发夹式RNA(shRNA)对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株中血管内皮生长因子C(VEGF-C)的表达及乳腺癌细胞增殖、侵袭能力的影响.方法 脂质体介导重组质粒pSIREN-VEGF-C转染乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株,嘌呤酶素筛选阳性克隆;荧光定量PCR及Western blot检测转染前后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中VEGF-C基因的表达;MTT法及Transwell体外侵袭实验检测转染前后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞的增殖及侵袭能力.结果 转染重组质粒后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中VEGF-C mRNA及蛋白表达均明显下调,抑制率分别为95%及100%(P<0.05);MTT法和 Transwell体外侵袭实验显示,与阴性质粒组和空白对照组比较,转染重组质粒后各时间段乳腺癌MCF-7细胞增殖均明显受抑制(P<0.05),同时穿膜的肿瘤细胞数也明显减少[(29.0±1.9)个与(59.0±2.1)个和(61.0±2.2)个相比,P<0.05].结论 表达VEGF-C shRNA的重组质粒载体pSIREN-VEGF-C在乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中能高效、特异地发挥靶基因沉默作用,并对乳腺癌细胞的增殖及侵袭能力有显著抑制作用.     

靶向血管内皮生长因子C短发夹式RNA对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞生物学特性的影响

目的 研究重组质粒表达载体介导的短发夹式RNA(shRNA)对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株中血管内皮生长因子C(VEGF-C)的表达及乳腺癌细胞增殖、侵袭能力的影响.方法 脂质体介导重组质粒pSIREN-VEGF-C转染乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株,嘌呤酶素筛选阳性克隆;荧光定量PCR及Western blot检测转染前后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中VEGF-C基因的表达;MTT法及Transwell体外侵袭实验检测转染前后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞的增殖及侵袭能力.结果 转染重组质粒后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中VEGF-C mRNA及蛋白表达均明显下调,抑制率分别为95%及100%(P<0.05);MTT法和 Transwell体外侵袭实验显示,与阴性质粒组和空白对照组比较,转染重组质粒后各时间段乳腺癌MCF-7细胞增殖均明显受抑制(P<0.05),同时穿膜的肿瘤细胞数也明显减少[(29.0±1.9)个与(59.0±2.1)个和(61.0±2.2)个相比,P<0.05].结论 表达VEGF-C shRNA的重组质粒载体pSIREN-VEGF-C在乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中能高效、特异地发挥靶基因沉默作用,并对乳腺癌细胞的增殖及侵袭能力有显著抑制作用.     

靶向血管内皮生长因子C短发夹式RNA对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞生物学特性的影响

目的 研究重组质粒表达载体介导的短发夹式RNA(shRNA)对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株中血管内皮生长因子C(VEGF-C)的表达及乳腺癌细胞增殖、侵袭能力的影响.方法 脂质体介导重组质粒pSIREN-VEGF-C转染乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株,嘌呤酶素筛选阳性克隆;荧光定量PCR及Western blot检测转染前后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中VEGF-C基因的表达;MTT法及Transwell体外侵袭实验检测转染前后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞的增殖及侵袭能力.结果 转染重组质粒后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中VEGF-C mRNA及蛋白表达均明显下调,抑制率分别为95%及100%(P<0.05);MTT法和 Transwell体外侵袭实验显示,与阴性质粒组和空白对照组比较,转染重组质粒后各时间段乳腺癌MCF-7细胞增殖均明显受抑制(P<0.05),同时穿膜的肿瘤细胞数也明显减少[(29.0±1.9)个与(59.0±2.1)个和(61.0±2.2)个相比,P<0.05].结论 表达VEGF-C shRNA的重组质粒载体pSIREN-VEGF-C在乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中能高效、特异地发挥靶基因沉默作用,并对乳腺癌细胞的增殖及侵袭能力有显著抑制作用.     

靶向血管内皮生长因子C短发夹式RNA对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞生物学特性的影响

目的 研究重组质粒表达载体介导的短发夹式RNA(shRNA)对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株中血管内皮生长因子C(VEGF-C)的表达及乳腺癌细胞增殖、侵袭能力的影响.方法 脂质体介导重组质粒pSIREN-VEGF-C转染乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株,嘌呤酶素筛选阳性克隆;荧光定量PCR及Western blot检测转染前后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中VEGF-C基因的表达;MTT法及Transwell体外侵袭实验检测转染前后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞的增殖及侵袭能力.结果 转染重组质粒后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中VEGF-C mRNA及蛋白表达均明显下调,抑制率分别为95%及100%(P<0.05);MTT法和 Transwell体外侵袭实验显示,与阴性质粒组和空白对照组比较,转染重组质粒后各时间段乳腺癌MCF-7细胞增殖均明显受抑制(P<0.05),同时穿膜的肿瘤细胞数也明显减少[(29.0±1.9)个与(59.0±2.1)个和(61.0±2.2)个相比,P<0.05].结论 表达VEGF-C shRNA的重组质粒载体pSIREN-VEGF-C在乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中能高效、特异地发挥靶基因沉默作用,并对乳腺癌细胞的增殖及侵袭能力有显著抑制作用.     

靶向血管内皮生长因子C短发夹式RNA对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞生物学特性的影响

目的 研究重组质粒表达载体介导的短发夹式RNA(shRNA)对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株中血管内皮生长因子C(VEGF-C)的表达及乳腺癌细胞增殖、侵袭能力的影响.方法 脂质体介导重组质粒pSIREN-VEGF-C转染乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株,嘌呤酶素筛选阳性克隆;荧光定量PCR及Western blot检测转染前后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中VEGF-C基因的表达;MTT法及Transwell体外侵袭实验检测转染前后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞的增殖及侵袭能力.结果 转染重组质粒后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中VEGF-C mRNA及蛋白表达均明显下调,抑制率分别为95%及100%(P<0.05);MTT法和 Transwell体外侵袭实验显示,与阴性质粒组和空白对照组比较,转染重组质粒后各时间段乳腺癌MCF-7细胞增殖均明显受抑制(P<0.05),同时穿膜的肿瘤细胞数也明显减少[(29.0±1.9)个与(59.0±2.1)个和(61.0±2.2)个相比,P<0.05].结论 表达VEGF-C shRNA的重组质粒载体pSIREN-VEGF-C在乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中能高效、特异地发挥靶基因沉默作用,并对乳腺癌细胞的增殖及侵袭能力有显著抑制作用.     

靶向血管内皮生长因子C短发夹式RNA对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞生物学特性的影响

目的 研究重组质粒表达载体介导的短发夹式RNA(shRNA)对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株中血管内皮生长因子C(VEGF-C)的表达及乳腺癌细胞增殖、侵袭能力的影响.方法 脂质体介导重组质粒pSIREN-VEGF-C转染乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株,嘌呤酶素筛选阳性克隆;荧光定量PCR及Western blot检测转染前后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中VEGF-C基因的表达;MTT法及Transwell体外侵袭实验检测转染前后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞的增殖及侵袭能力.结果 转染重组质粒后乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中VEGF-C mRNA及蛋白表达均明显下调,抑制率分别为95%及100%(P<0.05);MTT法和 Transwell体外侵袭实验显示,与阴性质粒组和空白对照组比较,转染重组质粒后各时间段乳腺癌MCF-7细胞增殖均明显受抑制(P<0.05),同时穿膜的肿瘤细胞数也明显减少[(29.0±1.9)个与(59.0±2.1)个和(61.0±2.2)个相比,P<0.05].结论 表达VEGF-C shRNA的重组质粒载体pSIREN-VEGF-C在乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中能高效、特异地发挥靶基因沉默作用,并对乳腺癌细胞的增殖及侵袭能力有显著抑制作用.     

Bone sialoprotein promotes tumor cell migration in both in vitro and in vivo models

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of bone sialoprotein (BSP) in promoting vascular invasion of tumor cells in metastasis. We used a Matrigel system and the MDA-231 human breast cancer cells transfected with human BSP cDNA (MDA-231/BSP). Quantative analysis indicated an average of 1.7-fold increase in cell numbers that migrated through the endothelial cells in MDA-231/BSP cells compared with empty vector-transfected MDA-231 cells (MDA-231/EV). In an in vivo assay, the MDA-231 cells were incubated with or without BSP antibodies and were then inoculated onto the upper chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of chicken embryos, in which the only route for the tumor cells to reach the lower CAM was to migrate through the embryonic vasculature. PCR amplification using human Alu primers and genomic DNA from harvested lower CAM showed an average reduction of 67% in the samples treated with BSP antibodies. These preliminary data suggest that, in metastasis, BSP may enhance the penetrating ability of tumor cells through endothelial cells and basement membrane into blood vessels. BSP antibodies can specifically hinder this effect in an in vivo system.     

人肿瘤转移抑制基因1转染对人乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231体外生物学行为的影响

目的研究人肿瘤转移抑制基因1（TMSG-1）转染引起人乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231体外生物学行为的改变及对肿瘤转移表型的影响。方法构建TMSG-1全长编码序列真核表达载体,稳定转染人乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞系,G418筛选挑取TMSG-1过表达阳性克隆。通过MTT比色实验、软琼脂集落形成实验检测体外细胞生长能力;Matrige1穿膜实验检测肿瘤细胞体外侵袭能力。TMSG-1瞬时转染24、48h,分别用Annexin-V碘化丙啶（PI）双标流式细胞术检测肿瘤细胞凋亡情况。结果从稳定转染TMSG-1的MDA-MB-231细胞中挑取3个TMSG-1-FLAG融合蛋白表达量较高的阳性克隆株用于下游生物学行为实验。M1Tr比色实验及软琼脂集落形成实验结果显示,TMSG-1正义转染各组（S1、S2、S3）细胞增殖速度及克隆形成数与未转染组及转染空载体组相比均明显减低（P〈0．05）;Matrigel穿膜实验显示,正义转染各组的穿膜细胞数[（72．3±8．1）个、（85．0±4．2）个、（73．5±7．8）个]与未转染组[（187．5±2．1）个]和转染空载体组[（162。3±6．8）个]相比均明显减少（P〈0．01）。TMSG．1瞬时转染MDA．MB-231细胞,转染24和48h均可引起细胞凋亡率的增加（P〈0．05）。结论TMSG．1表达上调可使人乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231体外生长速度、锚着不依赖性生长能力及侵袭能力明显降低,细胞凋亡增加。该实验为TMSG-1是一个新发现的肿瘤转移抑制基因提供了证据。     

Bone Sialoprotein Promotes Tumor Cell Migration in Both In Vitro and In Vivo Models

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of bone sialoprotein (BSP) in promoting vascular invasion of tumor cells in metastasis. We used a Matrigel system and the MDA-231 human breast cancer cells transfected with human BSP cDNA (MDA-231/BSP). Quantative analysis indicated an average of 1.7-fold increase in cell numbers that migrated through the endothelial cells in MDA-231/BSP cells compared with empty vector-transfected MDA-231 cells (MDA-231/EV). In an in vivo assay, the MDA-231 cells were incubated with or without BSP antibodies and were then inoculated onto the upper chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of chicken embryos, in which the only route for the tumor cells to reach the lower CAM was to migrate through the embryonic vasculature. PCR amplification using human Alu primers and genomic DNA from harvested lower CAM showed an average reduction of 67% in the samples treated with BSP antibodies. These preliminary data suggest that, in metastasis, BSP may enhance the penetrating ability of tumor cells through endothelial cells and basement membrane into blood vessels. BSP antibodies can specifically hinder this effect in an in vivo system.     

可调控型反义基质金属蛋白酶9表达抑制人黑色素瘤细胞侵袭转移表型的研究

目的 探讨基质金属蛋白酶(MMP)-9与肿瘤转移的相关性。方法 利用基因重组技术构建反义MMP—9 cDNA四环素可调控型表达载体,用脂质体法转染反义MMP—9至转移性人黑色素瘤细胞株WM451(高表达MMP—9)。检测转染后细胞MMP—9表达水平的改变以及体外生长、侵袭、裸鼠体内成瘤及自发转移能力的变化。结果 转染反义基因后,WM451细胞MMP—9的表达及活性明显下降,同时MMP—2的表达也受到一定抑制,细胞生长速度、体外侵袭能力及棵鼠体内成瘤性及自发转移能力均受到一定程度抑制;运用四环素可以抑制四环素负调控逆转录病毒载体上的外源基因的表达。结论 反义MMP—9基因下调MMP—9的表达,可使人黑色素细胞转移能力受到一定程度的抑制,说明MMP—9在人黑色素瘤细胞转移过程中起重要作用。同时,四环素负调控逆转录病毒载体可以调控外源基因的表达。     

Increased metastatic potential in human prostate carcinoma cells by overexpression of arachidonate 12-lipoxygenase

Arachidonate 12-lipoxygenase (LOX) converts arachidonic acid to 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE), a bioactive lipid implicated in tumor angiogenesis, growth, and metastasis. Alteration in 12-LOX expression or activity has been reported in various carcinomas including prostate carcinoma. However, little is known about the impact of the altered expression or activity of 12-LOX on tumor metastasis. In the present study, we examined whether or not an increase in 12-LOX expression in human prostate carcinoma cells can modulate their metastatic potential. We report that increased expression of 12-LOX in PC-3 cells caused a significant change in cell adhesiveness, spreading, motility, and invasiveness. Specifically 12-LOX transfected PC-3 cells were more adhesive toward vitronectin, type I and IV collagen, but not to fibronectin or laminin, than cells transfected with control vector. Increased spreading on vitronectin, fibronectin, collagen type I and IV also was observed in 12-LOX transfected PC-3 cells when compared to control PC-3 cells. The increased spreading of 12-LOX transfected PC-3 cells was blocked by treatment with 12-LOX inhibitors, baicalein and CDC. 12-LOX transfected PC-3 cells were more invasive through Matrigel than cells transfected with control vector. In vivo, tumor cell invasion to surrounding muscle or fat tissues was more frequent in nude mice bearing s.c. tumors from 12-LOX transfected PC-3 cells than in those from control vector transfected cells. When injected via the tail vein into SCID mice with implanted human bone fragments, there was an increase in tumor metastasis to human bone by 12-LOX transfected PC-3 cells in comparison to control vector transfected cells. Taken together, our data suggest that an increase in 12-LOX expression enhances the metastatic potential of human prostate cancer cells. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Role of the integrin-binding protein osteopontin in lymphatic metastasis of breast cancer

Although a primary route of breast cancer metastasis is believed to be via lymphatics, the molecular factors involved are poorly understood. We hypothesized that one such factor may be the integrin-binding protein osteopontin (OPN), and we investigated this clinically and experimentally. In breast cancer patients undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy, OPN levels were significantly higher in lymph node metastases than in the primary tumor (P < 0.001). To test the functional contribution of OPN to lymphatic metastasis and to determine whether the RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) integrin-binding sequence of OPN is important for this process, we transfected wild-type OPN or mutant OPN (lacking the RGD sequence) into MDA-MB-468 human breast cancer cells. In vitro, cells overexpressing OPN demonstrated increased anchorage-independent growth in soft agar (P = 0.001) and increased RGD-dependent adhesion (P = 0.045). Following mammary fat pad injection of nude mice, cells overexpressing OPN showed increased lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastases, and lung micrometastases at earlier time points (P = 0.024). Loss of the RGD region partially abrogated this effect in the lymphatics (P = 0.038). These novel findings indicate that OPN is a key molecular player involved in lymphatic metastasis of breast cancer, potentially by affecting RGD-mediated adhesive interactions and by enhancing the establishment/persistence of tumor cells in the lymphatics.     

Expressing connexin 43 in breast cancer cells reduces their metastasis to lungs

Recently the concept that gap junctions play a role in cancer cell metastasis has emerged. However, the mechanism by which this might occur is unknown. To examine this issue a metastatic breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-435, was stably transfected with human Cx43 cDNA. Four clones of 435 transfectants (435/Cx43(+) c1, c6, c8, c14) and two clones of plasmid control (435/hy) were isolated and examined in this study. We found that expressing Cx43 in MDA-MB-435 cells decreased their expression of Cx32 but did not affect gap junctional intercellular communication, migration or invasion through Matrigel((R)). However, forced expression of Cx43 decreased the growth of MDA-MB-435 cells, decreased expression of N-cadherin, which is frequently associated with an aggressive phenotype, and increased MDA-MB-435 sensitivity to apoptosis. More importantly, there were fewer lung metastases in mice injected with 435/Cx43(+) cells relative to mice injected with 435/hy. These results suggest that expressing Cx43 in breast cancer cells decreases their metastatic potential through a mechanism independent of gap junctional communication but, rather, related to N-cadherin expression and apoptosis.