MEK／ERK信号通路活性表达与乳腺癌干细胞增殖和凋亡的关系

目的探讨MEK／ERK信号通路在乳腺癌干细胞增殖和凋亡中的作用。方法体外培养乳腺癌干细胞，采用MEK抑制剂PD98059抑制MEK／ERK信号通路表达，Western blot检测PD98059对p—ERK1／2表达的影响，进一步应用MTT法测定PD98059对乳腺癌干细胞增殖的抑制作用，流式细胞术检测细胞周期变化；同时，TUNEL荧光染色分析、Histone／DNAELISA和流式细胞术检测评价细胞凋亡。结果PD98059可有效下调p—ERK1／2表达，抑制乳腺癌干细胞生长，诱导G0／G1期抑制；TUNEL荧光染色，Histone／DNAELISA检测和流式细胞术检测分析显示PD98059可有效诱导乳腺癌干细胞凋亡。结论MEK／ERK信号通路在乳腺癌干细胞增殖和凋亡中发挥重要作用。

Association between the activation of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway and the proliferation and apoptosis of breast cancer stem cells

Objective To investigate the role of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway in the proliferation and apoptosis of breast cancer stem cells. Methods Breast cancer stem cells were cultivated in vitro. The MEK inhibitor PD98059 was added to block the MEK/ERK signaling pathway. The expression of p - ERK1/2 was detected by Western blot. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of PD98059 on breast cancer stem cells were examined by MTI＂ assay, while cell cycle analysis was carried out using flow cytometry. Meanwhile, the apoptosis of the cells was evaluated by TUNEL staining, Histone/DNA ELISA and flow cytometry. Results PD98059 treatment could result in a remarkably reduced amount of p - ERK1/2, inhibit the growth of breast cancer stem cells, and induce G0/G1 phase arrest. Meanwhile, PD98059 could also substantially induce the apoptosis of breast cancer stem cells according to TUNEL staining, Histone/DNA ELISA detection and flow cytometric analysis. Conclusion The MEK/ERK signaling pathway plays an important role in the pro- liferation and apoptosis of breast cancer stem cells.