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Jia CC, Wang TT, Liu W, Fu BS, Hua X, Wang GY, Li TJ, Li X, Wu XY, Tai Y, Zhou J, Chen GH, Zhang Q. Cancer-associated fibroblasts from hepatocellular carcinoma promote malignant cell proliferation by HGF secretion. PLoS One 2013; 8:e63243. [PMID: 23667593 PMCID: PMC3647063 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2012] [Accepted: 04/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are reported to support tumorigenesis by stimulating angiogenesis, cancer cell proliferation, and invasion in most solid tumors. However, the roles of CAFs in the liver cancer microenvironment have not been thoroughly studied. In our previous study, we successfully isolated CAFs from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (H-CAFs) and proved that H-CAFs suppressed the activation of NK cells and thereby created favorable conditions for HCC progression. In our present study, we found that the proliferation of MHCC97L and Hep3B cells was significantly promoted by treatment with conditioned medium from H-CAFs. Pathological analysis also revealed that H-CAFs increased the proportion of Ki-67 (+) malignant cells and prevented them from undergoing necrosis. Moreover, the concentration of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) cytokine in the conditioned medium of H-CAFs was higher than conditioned medium from normal skin fibroblasts (NSFs). Anti-HGF significantly reduced the proliferation-promoting capability of H-CAFs. In addition, we found that the abundance of H-CAFs correlated positively with tumor size. These results indicate that H-CAFs are an important factor for promoting the growth of HCC in vitro and in vivo, and that HGF plays a key role in HCC proliferation induced by H-CAFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Chang Jia
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tian-Tian Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin-Sheng Fu
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - XueFeng Hua
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guo-Ying Wang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tuan-Jie Li
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xing Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiang-Yuan Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Tai
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- * E-mail: (JZ); (QZ)
| | - Gui-Hua Chen
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
- Cell-gene Therapy Translational Medicine Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- * E-mail: (JZ); (QZ)
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Angelucci C, Maulucci G, Lama G, Proietti G, Colabianchi A, Papi M, Maiorana A, De Spirito M, Micera A, Balzamino OB, Di Leone A, Masetti R, Sica G. Epithelial-stromal interactions in human breast cancer: effects on adhesion, plasma membrane fluidity and migration speed and directness. PLoS One 2012; 7:e50804. [PMID: 23251387 PMCID: PMC3519494 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0050804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2012] [Accepted: 10/25/2012] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Interactions occurring between malignant cells and the stromal microenvironment heavily influence tumor progression. We investigated whether this cross-talk affects some molecular and functional aspects specifically correlated with the invasive phenotype of breast tumor cells (i.e. adhesion molecule expression, membrane fluidity, migration) by co-culturing mammary cancer cells exhibiting different degrees of metastatic potential (MDA-MB-231>MCF-7) with fibroblasts isolated from breast healthy skin (normal fibroblasts, NFs) or from breast tumor stroma (cancer-associated fibroblasts, CAFs) in 2D or 3D (nodules) cultures. Confocal immunofluorescence analysis of the epithelial adhesion molecule E-cadherin on frozen nodule sections demonstrated that NFs and CAFs, respectively, induced or inhibited its expression in MCF-7 cells. An increase in the mesenchymal adhesion protein N-cadherin was observed in CAFs, but not in NFs, as a result of the interaction with both kinds of cancer cells. CAFs, in turn, promoted N-cadherin up-regulation in MDA-MB-231 cells and its de novo expression in MCF-7 cells. Beyond promotion of “cadherin switching”, another sign of the CAF-triggered epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was the induction of vimentin expression in MCF-7 cells. Plasma membrane labeling of monolayer cultures with the fluorescent probe Laurdan showed an enhancement of the membrane fluidity in cancer cells co-cultured with NFs or CAFs. An increase in lipid packing density of fibroblast membranes was promoted by MCF-7 cells. Time-lapsed cell tracking analysis of mammary cancer cells co-cultured with NFs or CAFs revealed an enhancement of tumor cell migration velocity, even with a marked increase in the directness induced by CAFs. Our results demonstrate a reciprocal influence of mammary cancer and fibroblasts on various adhesiveness/invasiveness features. Notably, CAFs' ability to promote EMT, reduction of cell adhesion, increase in membrane fluidity, and migration velocity and directness in mammary cancer cells can be viewed as an overall progression- and invasion-promoting effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana Angelucci
- Istituto di Istologia ed Embriologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Giuseppe Maulucci
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Gina Lama
- Istituto di Istologia ed Embriologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Gabriella Proietti
- Istituto di Istologia ed Embriologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Anna Colabianchi
- Istituto di Istologia ed Embriologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Massimiliano Papi
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | | | - Marco De Spirito
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
- * E-mail:
| | - Alessandra Micera
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico - Fondazione G.B. Bietti, Roma, Italia
| | - Omar Bijorn Balzamino
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico - Fondazione G.B. Bietti, Roma, Italia
| | - Alba Di Leone
- Dipartimento per la Tutela della Salute della Donna e della Vita Nascente, del Bambino e dell'Adolescente - Unità Operativa di Chirurgia Senologica, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia “A. Gemelli”, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Riccardo Masetti
- Dipartimento per la Tutela della Salute della Donna e della Vita Nascente, del Bambino e dell'Adolescente - Unità Operativa di Chirurgia Senologica, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia “A. Gemelli”, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - Gigliola Sica
- Istituto di Istologia ed Embriologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
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Assessing interactions between the associations of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 common genetic variants and hormone receptor status with breast cancer risk. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2012. [PMID: 23184080 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-012-2343-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) is a member of a receptor tyrosine kinase gene superfamily, involved in cell growth, invasiveness, motility, and angiogenesis, which has attracted considerable attention as a candidate gene for breast cancer (BC) since it was first identified through genome-wide association approach. In the past few years, the relationship between FGFR2 and BC has been reported in various ethnic groups; however, these studies have yielded contradictory results. To investigate this inconsistency, we performed a meta-analysis of 37 studies involving a total of 288,142 subjects for rs2981582, rs1219648, and rs2420946 polymorphism of the FGFR2 gene to evaluate the effect of FGFR2 on genetic susceptibility for BC. Overall, significantly increased BC risk was associated with these polymorphisms when all studies were pooled into the meta-analysis. In addition, our data indicate that FGFR2 is involved in BC susceptibility and confer its effect primarily in estrogen receptor-positive and progesterone receptor-positive tumors. When stratified by ethnicity, significantly increased risks were found in Caucasian and East Asian populations. However, no significant associations were detected among African descent populations. There was strong evidence of heterogeneity (P < 0.05), which largely disappeared after stratification by ethnicity. This meta-analysis demonstrated that FGFR2 polymorphism is a risk factor associated with increased BC susceptibility, but these associations vary in different ethnic populations.
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Su G, Sung KE, Beebe DJ, Friedl A. Functional screen of paracrine signals in breast carcinoma fibroblasts. PLoS One 2012; 7:e46685. [PMID: 23056402 PMCID: PMC3466317 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0046685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2012] [Accepted: 09/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Stromal fibroblasts actively participate in normal mammary gland homeostasis and in breast carcinoma growth and progression by secreting paracrine factors; however, little is known about the identity of paracrine mediators in individual patients. The purpose of this study was to characterize paracrine signaling pathways between breast carcinoma cells and breast carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAF) or normal mammary fibroblasts (NF), respectively. CAF and NF were isolated from breast carcinoma tissue samples and adjacent normal mammary gland tissue of 28 patients. The fibroblasts were grown in 3D collagen gel co-culture with T47D human breast carcinoma cells and T47D cell growth was measured. CAF stimulated T47D cell growth to a significantly greater degree than NF. We detected a considerable inter-individual heterogeneity of paracrine interactions but identified FGF2, HB-EGF, heparanase-1 and SDF1 as factors that were consistently responsible for the activity of carcinoma-associated fibroblasts. CAF from low-grade but not high-grade carcinomas required insulin-like growth factor 1 and transforming growth factor beta 1 to stimulate carcinoma growth. Paradoxically, blocking of membrane-type 1 matrix metalloprotease stimulated T47D cell growth in co-culture with NF. The results were largely mirrored by treating the fibroblasts with siRNA oligonucleotides prior to co-culture, implicating the fibroblasts as principal production site for the secreted mediators. In summary, we identify a paracrine signaling network with inter-individual commonalities and differences. These findings have significant implications for the design of stroma-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gui Su
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Kyung E. Sung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - David J. Beebe
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Andreas Friedl
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service, William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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56
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Roberti MP, Arriaga JM, Bianchini M, Quintá HR, Bravo AI, Levy EM, Mordoh J, Barrio MM. Protein expression changes during human triple negative breast cancer cell line progression to lymph node metastasis in a xenografted model in nude mice. Cancer Biol Ther 2012; 13:1123-40. [PMID: 22825326 PMCID: PMC3461818 DOI: 10.4161/cbt.21187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancers (TNBC) lacking hormone receptors and HER-2 amplification are very aggressive tumors. Since relevant differences between primary tumors and metastases could arise during tumor progression as evidenced by phenotypic discordances reported for hormonal receptors or HER-2 expression, in this analysis we studied changes that occurred in our TNBC model IIB-BR-G throughout the development of IIB-BR-G-MTS6 metastasis to the lymph nodes (LN) in nude mice, using an antibody-based protein array to characterize their expression profile. We also analyzed their growth kinetics, migration, invasiveness and cytoskeleton structure in vitro and in vivo.
In vitro IIB-BR-G-MTS6 cells grew slower but showed higher anchorage independent growth. In vivo IIB-BR-G-MTS6 tumors grew significantly faster and showed a 100% incidence of LN metastasis after s.c. inoculation, although no metastasis was observed for IIB-BR-G. CCL3, IL1β, CXCL1, CSF2, CSF3, IGFBP1, IL1α, IL6, IL8, CCL20, PLAUR, PlGF and VEGF were strongly upregulated in IIB-BR-G-MTS6 while CCL4, ICAM3, CXCL12, TNFRSF18, FIGF were the most downregulated proteins in the metastatic cell line. IIB-BR-G-MTS6 protein expression profile could reflect a higher NFκB activation in these cells. In vitro, IIB-BR-G displayed higher migration but IIB-BR-G-MTS6 had more elevated matrigel invasion ability. In agreement with that observation, IIB-BR-G-MTS6 had an upregulated expression of MMP1, MMP9, MMP13, PLAUR and HGF. IIB-BR-G-MTS6 tumors presented also higher local lymphatic invasion than IIB-BR-G but similar lymphatic vessel densities. VEGFC and VEGFA/B expression were higher both in vitro and in vivo for IIB-BR-G-MTS6. IIB-BR-G-MTS6 expressed more vimentin than IB-BR-G cells, which was mainly localized in the cellular extremities and both cell lines are E-cadherin negative.
Our results suggest that IIB-BR-G-MTS6 cells have acquired a pronounced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition phenotype. Protein expression changes observed between primary tumor-derived IIB-BR-G and metastatic IIB-BR-G-MTS6 TNBC cells suggest potential targets involved in the control of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Paula Roberti
- Centro de Investigaciones Oncológicas, Fundación Cáncer and Instituto Alexander Fleming, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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57
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Issues to be considered when studying cancer in vitro. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2012; 85:95-111. [PMID: 22823950 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2012.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2012] [Revised: 05/31/2012] [Accepted: 06/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Various cancer treatment approaches have shown promising results when tested preclinically. The results of clinical trials, however, are often disappointing. While searching for the reasons responsible for their failures, the relevance of experimental and preclinical models has to be taken into account. Possible factors that should be considered, including cell modifications during in vitro cultivation, lack of both the relevant interactions and the structural context in vitro have been summarized in the present review.
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Abstract
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in females worldwide. It is accepted that breast cancer is not a single disease, but instead constitutes a spectrum of tumor subtypes with distinct cellular origins, somatic changes, and etiologies. Molecular gene expression studies have divided breast cancer into several categories, i.e. basal-like, ErbB2 enriched, normal breast-like (adipose tissue gene signature), luminal subtype A, luminal subtype B, and claudin-low. Chances are that as our knowledge increases, each of these types will also be subclassified. More than 66% of breast carcinomas express estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and respond to antiestrogen therapies. Most of these ER+ tumors also express progesterone receptors (PRs), the expression of which has been considered as a reliable marker of a functional ER. In this paper we will review the evidence suggesting that PRs are valid targets for breast cancer therapy. Experimental data suggest that both PR isoforms (A and B) have different roles in breast cancer cell growth, and antiprogestins have already been clinically used in patients who have failed to other therapies. We hypothesize that antiprogestin therapy may be suitable for patients with high levels of PR-A. This paper will go over the experimental evidence of our laboratory and others supporting the use of antiprogestins in selected breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Lanari
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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59
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Giulianelli S, Vaqué JP, Soldati R, Wargon V, Vanzulli SI, Martins R, Zeitlin E, Molinolo AA, Helguero LA, Lamb CA, Gutkind JS, Lanari C. Estrogen Receptor Alpha Mediates Progestin-Induced Mammary Tumor Growth by Interacting with Progesterone Receptors at the Cyclin D1/MYC Promoters. Cancer Res 2012; 72:2416-27. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-11-3290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Riggio M, Polo ML, Blaustein M, Colman-Lerner A, Lüthy I, Lanari C, Novaro V. PI3K/AKT pathway regulates phosphorylation of steroid receptors, hormone independence and tumor differentiation in breast cancer. Carcinogenesis 2011; 33:509-18. [PMID: 22180571 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgr303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Using a model of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)-induced mouse mammary tumors that transit through different stages of hormone dependence, we previously reported that the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT (protein kinase B) pathway is critical for the growth of hormone-independent (HI) mammary carcinomas but not for the growth of hormone-dependent (HD) mammary carcinomas. The objective of this work was to explore whether the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway is responsible for the changes in tumor phenotype and for the transition to autonomous growth. We found that the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway suppresses HI tumor growth. In addition, we were able to induce mammary tumors in mice in the absence of MPA by inoculating HD tumor cells expressing a constitutively active form of AKT1, myristoylated AKT1 (myrAKT1). These tumors were highly differentiated and displayed a ductal phenotype with laminin-1 and cytokeratin 8 expression patterns typical of HI tumors. Furthermore, myrAKT1 increased the tumor growth of IBH-6 and IBH-7 human breast cancer cell lines. In the estrogen-dependent IBH-7 cell line, myrAKT1 induced estrogen-independent growth accompanied by the expression of the adhesion markers focal adhesion kinase and E-cadherin. Finally, we found that cells expressing myrAKT1 exhibited increased phosphorylation of the progesterone receptor at Ser190 and Ser294 and of the estrogen receptor α at Ser118 and Ser167, independently of exogenous MPA or estrogen supply. Our results indicate that the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway promotes tissue architecture remodeling and the activation of steroid receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Riggio
- Laboratorio de Carcinogénesis Hormonal, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IBYME-CONICET), Vuelta de Obligado 2490, C1428ADN Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Associated expressions of FGFR-2 and FGFR-3: from mouse mammary gland physiology to human breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2011; 133:997-1008. [PMID: 22124578 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-011-1883-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2011] [Accepted: 11/12/2011] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) are tyrosine kinase receptors which have been implicated in breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate FGFR-1, -2, -3, and -4 protein expressions in normal murine mammary gland development, and in murine and human breast carcinomas. Using immunohistochemistry and Western blot, we report a hormonal regulation of FGFR during postnatal mammary gland development. Progestin treatment of adult virgin mammary glands resulted in changes in localization of FGFR-3 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, while treatment with 17-β-estradiol induced changes in the expressions and/or localizations of FGFR-2 and -3. In murine mammary carcinomas showing different degrees of hormone dependence, we found progestin-induced increased expressions, mainly of FGFR-2 and -3. These receptors were constitutively activated in hormone-independent variants. We studied three luminal human breast cancer cell lines growing as xenografts, which particularly expressed FGFR-2 and -3, suggesting a correlation between hormonal status and FGFR expression. Most importantly, in breast cancer samples from 58 patients, we found a strong association (P < 0.01; Spearman correlation) between FGFR-2 and -3 expressions and a weaker correlation of each receptor with estrogen receptor expression. FGFR-4 correlated with c-erbB2 over expression. We conclude that FGFR-2 and -3 may be mechanistically linked and can be potential targets for treatment of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer patients.
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Martinez-Outschoorn UE, Goldberg A, Lin Z, Ko YH, Flomenberg N, Wang C, Pavlides S, Pestell RG, Howell A, Sotgia F, Lisanti MP. Anti-estrogen resistance in breast cancer is induced by the tumor microenvironment and can be overcome by inhibiting mitochondrial function in epithelial cancer cells. Cancer Biol Ther 2011; 12:924-38. [PMID: 22041887 DOI: 10.4161/cbt.12.10.17780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we show that tamoxifen resistance is induced by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Coculture of estrogen receptor positive (ER+) MCF7 cells with fibroblasts induces tamoxifen and fulvestrant resistance with 4.4 and 2.5-fold reductions, respectively, in apoptosis compared with homotypic MCF7 cell cultures. Treatment of MCF7 cells cultured alone with high-energy mitochondrial "fuels" (L-lactate or ketone bodies) is sufficient to confer tamoxifen resistance, mimicking the effects of coculture with fibroblasts. To further demonstrate that epithelial cancer cell mitochondrial activity is the origin of tamoxifen resistance, we employed complementary pharmacological and genetic approaches. First, we studied the effects of two mitochondrial "poisons," namely metformin and arsenic trioxide (ATO), on fibroblast-induced tamoxifen resistance. We show here that treatment with metformin or ATO overcomes fibroblast-induced tamoxifen resistance in MCF7 cells. Treatment with the combination of tamoxifen plus metformin or ATO leads to increases in glucose uptake in MCF7 cells, reflecting metabolic uncoupling between epithelial cancer cells and fibroblasts. In coculture, tamoxifen induces the upregulation of TIGAR (TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator), a p53 regulated gene that simultaneously inhibits glycolysis, autophagy and apoptosis and reduces ROS generation, thereby promoting oxidative mitochondrial metabolism. To genetically mimic the effects of coculture, we next recombinantly overexpressed TIGAR in MCF7 cells. Remarkably, TIGAR overexpression protects epithelial cancer cells from tamoxifen-induced apoptosis, providing genetic evidence that increased mitochondrial function confers tamoxifen resistance. Finally, CAFs also protect MCF7 cells against apoptosis induced by other anticancer agents, such as the topoisomerase inhibitor doxorubicin (adriamycin) and the PARP-1 inhibitor ABT-888. These results suggest that the tumor microenvironment may be a general mechanism for conferring drug resistance. In summary, we have discovered that mitochondrial activity in epithelial cancer cells drives tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer and that mitochondrial "poisons" are able to re-sensitize these cancer cells to tamoxifen. In this context, TIGAR may be a key "druggable" target for preventing drug resistance in cancer cells, as it protects cancer cells against the onset of stress-induced mitochondrial dys-function and aerobic glycolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ubaldo E Martinez-Outschoorn
- The Jefferson Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Center, Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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63
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Sun S, Jiang Y, Zhang G, Song H, Zhang X, Zhang Y, Liang X, Sun Q, Pang D. Increased expression of fibroblastic growth factor receptor 2 is correlated with poor prognosis in patients with breast cancer. J Surg Oncol 2011; 105:773-9. [PMID: 22006548 DOI: 10.1002/jso.22120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2011] [Accepted: 09/21/2011] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Although there is growing evidence supporting the hypothesis that fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) is one of the few candidate genes linked with breast cancer susceptibility, the precise role of FGFR2 protein expression in breast cancer is still unknown. Our study examines FGFR2 protein expression in breast cancer and determines its associations with clinicopathological features and survival. METHODS Specimens from 125 invasive ductal carcinoma grade 2 (IDC2) breast cancer patients were investigated by immunohistochemistry for FGFR2 protein expression. Associations between the expression of FGFR2 and various clinicopathological features as well as survival status were studied. RESULT Cytoplasmic and nuclear FGFR2 were expressed in 64.8% and 56.8% of breast cancer patients, respectively. Cytoplasmic FGFR2 expression was significantly associated with tumor size and TNM stage. Furthermore, patients with high expression levels of cytoplasmic and nuclear FGFR2 showed much lower overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates than those patients with low FGFR2 expression. Cytoplasmic FGFR2 expression and lymph node metastasis were independent prognostic factors for both DFS and OS by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS High FGFR2 expression is correlated with poor OS and DFS in breast cancer patients. It could be a biomarker for poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Sun
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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64
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Cerliani JP, Guillardoy T, Giulianelli S, Vaque JP, Gutkind JS, Vanzulli SI, Martins R, Zeitlin E, Lamb CA, Lanari C. Interaction between FGFR-2, STAT5, and progesterone receptors in breast cancer. Cancer Res 2011; 71:3720-31. [PMID: 21464042 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-10-3074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor 2 (FGFR-2) polymorphisms have been associated with an increase in estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor (PR)-positive breast cancer risk; however, a clear mechanistic association between FGFR-2 and steroid hormone receptors remains elusive. In previous works, we have shown a cross talk between FGF2 and progestins in mouse mammary carcinomas. To investigate the mechanisms underlying these interactions and to validate our findings in a human setting, we have used T47D human breast cancer cells and human cancer tissue samples. We showed that medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and FGF2 induced cell proliferation and activation of ERK, AKT, and STAT5 in T47D and in murine C4-HI cells. Nuclear interaction between PR, FGFR-2, and STAT5 after MPA and FGF2 treatment was also showed by confocal microscopy and immunoprecipitation. This effect was associated with increased transcription of PRE and/or GAS reporter genes, and of PR/STAT5-regulated genes and proteins. Two antiprogestins and the FGFR inhibitor PD173074, specifically blocked the effects induced by FGF2 or MPA respectively. The presence of PR/FGFR-2/STAT5 complexes bound to the PRE probe was corroborated by using NoShift transcription and chromatin immunoprecipitation of the MYC promoter. Additionally, we showed that T47D cells stably transfected with constitutively active FGFR-2 gave rise to invasive carcinomas when transplanted into NOD/SCID mice. Nuclear colocalization between PR and FGFR-2/STAT5 was also observed in human breast cancer tissues. This study represents the first demonstration of a nuclear interaction between FGFR-2 and STAT5, as PR coactivators at the DNA progesterone responsive elements, suggesting that FGFRs are valid therapeutic targets for human breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan P Cerliani
- Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine (IBYME), National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Martin AJ, Grant A, Ashfield AM, Palmer CN, Baker L, Quinlan PR, Purdie CA, Thompson AM, Jordan LB, Berg JN. FGFR2 protein expression in breast cancer: nuclear localisation and correlation with patient genotype. BMC Res Notes 2011; 4:72. [PMID: 21418638 PMCID: PMC3073906 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-4-72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2010] [Accepted: 03/21/2011] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in intron 2 of the Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Type 2 (FGFR2) gene, including rs2981582, contribute to multifactorial breast cancer susceptibility. The high risk polymorphism haplotype in the FGFR2 gene has been associated with increased mRNA transcription and altered transcription factor binding but the effect on FGFR2 protein expression is unknown. 40 breast tumours were identified from individuals with known rs2981582 genotype. Tumour sections were stained for FGFR2 protein expression, and scored for nuclear and cytoplasmic staining in tumour and surrounding normal tissue. FINDINGS FGFR2 immunohistochemistry demonstrated variable nuclear staining in normal tissue and tumour tissue, as well as consistent cytoplasmic staining. We did not find an association between nuclear staining for FGFR2 and genotype, and there was no association between FGFR2 staining and estrogen or progestogen receptor status. There was an association between presence of nuclear staining for FGFR2 in normal tissue and presence of nuclear staining in the adjacent tumour (Fishers exact test, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS Variable nuclear staining for FGFR2 in breast cancer, but an absence of correlation with rs2981582 genotype suggests that the mechanism of action of polymorphisms at the FGFR2 locus may be more complex than a direct effect on mRNA expression levels in the final cancer. The effect may relate to FGFR2 function or localisation during breast development or tumourigenesis. Nuclear localisation of FGFR2 suggests an important additional role for this protein in breast development and breast cancer, in addition to its function as a classical cell surface receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy J Martin
- Division of Pathology and Neuroscience, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, DD1 9SY, UK.
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Synthetic progestins induce growth and metastasis of BT-474 human breast cancer xenografts in nude mice. Menopause 2011; 17:1040-7. [PMID: 20461021 DOI: 10.1097/gme.0b013e3181d3dd0c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Previous studies have shown that sequential exposure to estrogen and progesterone or medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) stimulates vascularization and promotes the progression of BT-474 and T47-D human breast cancer cell xenografts in nude mice (Liang et al, Cancer Res 2007, 67:9929). In this follow-up study, the effects of progesterone, MPA, norgestrel (N-EL), and norethindrone (N-ONE) on BT-474 xenograft tumors were compared in the context of several different hormonal environments. N-EL and N-ONE were included in the study because synthetic progestins vary considerably in their biological effects and the effects of these two progestins on the growth of human tumor xenografts are not known. METHODS Estradiol-supplemented intact and ovariectomized immunodeficient mice were implanted with BT-474 cells. Progestin pellets were implanted simultaneously with estradiol pellets either 2 days before tumor cell injection (ie, combined) or 5 days after tumor cell injections (ie, sequentially). RESULTS Progestins stimulated the growth of BT-474 xenograft tumors independent of exposure timing and protocol, MPA stimulated the growth of BT-474 xenograft tumors in ovariectomized mice, and progestins stimulated vascular endothelial growth factor elaboration and increased tumor vascularity. Progestins also increased lymph node metastasis of BT-474 cells. Therefore, progestins, including N-EL and N-ONE, induce the progression of breast cancer xenografts in nude mice and promote tumor metastasis. CONCLUSIONS These observations suggest that women who ingest progestins for hormone therapy or oral contraception could be more at risk for developing breast cancer because of proliferation of existing latent tumor cells. Such risks should be considered in the clinical setting.
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Marian C, Ochs-Balcom HM, Nie J, Kallakury BV, Ambrosone CB, Trevisan M, Edge S, Shields PG, Freudenheim JL. FGFR2 intronic SNPs and breast cancer risk: associations with tumor characteristics and interactions with exogenous exposures and other known breast cancer risk factors. Int J Cancer 2010; 129:702-12. [PMID: 20853316 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.25686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2010] [Accepted: 08/11/2010] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Recent genome-wide association studies have revealed several new candidate genes for breast cancer, including fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) gene. The associations were also replicated in several other independent studies. The next important step is to study whether these common variants interact with known breast cancer risk factors, exogenous exposures and tumor characteristics. In a population-based case-control study of 1,170 breast cancer cases and 2,115 controls, we examined genetic associations of four intronic FGFR2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and breast tumor characteristics and assessed the potential interactions with smoking, alcohol consumption, adiposity and known breast cancer risk factors. FGFR2 variants were significantly associated with breast cancer risk regardless of estrogen and progesterone receptor status, metastasis, lymph node involvement and histologic and nuclear grade. The FGFR2-breast cancer association was modified by smoking status, with increased risk for former and current smokers compared to never smokers; former/current smokers carrying two copies of the rs1219648 minor allele were at highest risk with a crude OR (95% confidence interval) of 2.11 (1.52-2.92) compared to never smokers with no rs1219648 variant alleles. Our study found no evidence for either modification of FGFR2 and breast cancer by alcohol intake or adiposity, even when analyses were stratified by menopausal status. Although these results require further replication, they may provide new insight into the possible new exposures that may interact with FGFR2 susceptibility alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catalin Marian
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057-1465, USA.
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Allen M, Louise Jones J. Jekyll and Hyde: the role of the microenvironment on the progression of cancer. J Pathol 2010; 223:162-76. [PMID: 21125673 DOI: 10.1002/path.2803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 256] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2010] [Revised: 10/01/2010] [Accepted: 10/01/2010] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
It is now recognized that the host microenvironment undergoes extensive change during the evolution and progression of cancer. This involves the generation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which, through release of growth factors and cytokines, lead to enhanced angiogenesis, increased tumour growth and invasion. It has also been demonstrated that CAFs may modulate the cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype, which has therapeutic implications. The altered fibroblast phenotype also contributes to the development of an altered extracellular matrix (ECM), with synthesis of ECM isoforms rarely found in normal tissues, including tenascin-C isoforms and the fibronectin EDA isoform. There is also emerging evidence of how the tensile strength of the tumour-associated ECM may be modified and lead to altered signalling in tumour cells. The hypoxic environment of the tumour stimulates angiogenesis and also impacts on other aspects of cell signalling, including the c-met pathway and lysyl oxidase-mediated signalling, which can directly promote tumour cell invasion. The inflammatory infiltrate associated with many solid tumours also modulates tumour function, having both anti- and pro-tumour effects. All of these components of the microenvironment provide potential targets for therapeutic attack, with a number of molecules already in clinical trials. It is also becoming evident that characterizing the tumour microenvironment can provide important prognostic and predictive information about tumours, independent of the tumour cell phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Allen
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK
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MPA-induced gene expression and stromal and parenchymal gene expression profiles in luminal murine mammary carcinomas with different hormonal requirements. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2010; 129:49-67. [DOI: 10.1007/s10549-010-1185-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2010] [Accepted: 09/17/2010] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Soldati R, Wargon V, Cerliani JP, Giulianelli S, Vanzulli SI, Gorostiaga MA, Bolado J, do Campo P, Molinolo A, Vollmer G, Lanari C. Inhibition of mammary tumor growth by estrogens: is there a specific role for estrogen receptors alpha and beta? Breast Cancer Res Treat 2010; 123:709-24. [PMID: 20012353 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-009-0659-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2009] [Accepted: 11/18/2009] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate the extent to which each estrogen receptor (ER) subtype contributes to the stimulation or to the inhibition of mammary tumor growth, we evaluated the effects of specific agonists in MC4-L2 cells, which are stimulated by 17β-estradiol (E(2)), and in mammary carcinomas of the MPA mouse breast cancer model, which are inhibited by E(2). Both express ERα and ERβ. In MC4-L2 cells, 4,4',4"-(4-propyl-(1H)-pyrazole-1,3,5-triyl)trisphenol (PPT; ERα agonist) and (4-hydroxy-phenyl)-propionitrile (DPN; ERβ agonist) stimulated cell proliferation, whereas the opposite occurred in C4-HI primary cultures. The inhibitory effect was associated with a decrease in ERα and cyclin D1 expression and an increase in progesterone receptor (PR) expression as well as in the Bax/Bcl-xl ratio. In vivo, mice carrying C4-HI or 32-2-HI tumors were treated with E(2), PPT or DPN (3 mg/kg/day) or with vehicle. PPT and DPN inhibited tumor size, as did E(2), during the first 72 h. After a few days, DPN-treated tumors started to grow again, while PPT-treated tumors remained quiescent for a longer period of time. A pronounced decrease in the mitotic index and an increase in the apoptotic index was associated with tumor regression. All treated tumors showed: (a) an increase in integrin α6 and Bax expression, (b) an increased stromal laminin redistribution, and (c) a decrease in ERα, Bcl-xl and Bcl-2 expression (P < 0.001). Apoptosis-inducing factor (Aif) expression was increased in DPN-treated tumors, while active caspase 9 was up-regulated in PPT-treated mice, demonstrating the involvement of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in estrogen-induced regression in this model. In conclusion, our data indicate that although there may be some preferences for activation pathways by the different agonists, the stimulatory or inhibitory effects triggered by estrogens are cell-context dependent rather than ER isoform dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Soldati
- Laboratory of Hormonal Carcinogenesis, Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine, National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET), 1428 Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Fabris VT, Sahores A, Vanzulli SI, Colombo L, Molinolo AA, Lanari C, Lamb CA. Inoculated mammary carcinoma-associated fibroblasts: contribution to hormone independent tumor growth. BMC Cancer 2010; 10:293. [PMID: 20553594 PMCID: PMC2894798 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-10-293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2010] [Accepted: 06/16/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Increasing evidence has underscored the role of carcinoma associated fibroblasts (CAF) in tumor growth. However, there are controversial data regarding the persistence of inoculated CAF within the tumors. We have developed a model in which murine metastatic ductal mammary carcinomas expressing estrogen and progesterone receptors transit through different stages of hormone dependency. Hormone dependent (HD) tumors grow only in the presence of progestins, whereas hormone independent (HI) variants grow without hormone supply. We demonstrated previously that CAF from HI tumors (CAF-HI) express high levels of FGF-2 and that FGF-2 induced HD tumor growth in vivo. Our main goal was to investigate whether inoculated CAF-HI combined with purified epithelial (EPI) HD cells can induce HD tumor growth. Methods Purified EPI cells of HD and HI tumors were inoculated alone, or together with CAF-HI, into female BALB/c mice and tumor growth was evaluated. In another set of experiments, purified EPI-HI alone or combined with CAF-HI or CAF-HI-GFP were inoculated into BALB/c or BALB/c-GFP mice. We assessed whether inoculated CAF-HI persisted within the tumors by analyzing inoculated or host CAF in frozen sections of tumors growing in BALB/c or BALB/c-GFP mice. The same model was used to evaluate early stages of tumor development and animals were euthanized at 2, 7, 12 and 17 days after EPI-HI or EPI-HI+CAF-HI inoculation. In angiogenesis studies, tumor vessels were quantified 5 days after intradermal inoculation. Results We found that admixed CAF-HI failed to induce epithelial HD tumor growth, but instead, enhanced HI tumor growth (p < 0.001). Moreover, inoculated CAF-HI did not persist within the tumors. Immunofluorescence studies showed that inoculated CAF-HI disappeared after 13 days. We studied the mechanisms by which CAF-HI increased HI tumor growth, and found a significant increase in angiogenesis (p < 0.05) in the co-injected mice at early time points. Conclusions Inoculated CAF-HI do not persist within the tumor mass although they play a role during the first stages of tumor formation promoting angiogenesis. This angiogenic environment is unable to replace the hormone requirement of HD tumors that still need the hormone to recruit the stroma from the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria T Fabris
- Laboratory of Hormonal Carcinogenesis, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas - CONICET), Vuelta de Obligado 2490, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Bottino MC, Cerliani JP, Rojas P, Giulianelli S, Soldati R, Mondillo C, Gorostiaga MA, Pignataro OP, Calvo JC, Gutkind JS, Panomwat Amornphimoltham, Molinolo AA, Lüthy IA, Lanari C. Classical membrane progesterone receptors in murine mammary carcinomas: agonistic effects of progestins and RU-486 mediating rapid non-genomic effects. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2010; 126:621-36. [DOI: 10.1007/s10549-010-0971-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2010] [Accepted: 05/26/2010] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Polo ML, Arnoni MV, Riggio M, Wargon V, Lanari C, Novaro V. Responsiveness to PI3K and MEK inhibitors in breast cancer. Use of a 3D culture system to study pathways related to hormone independence in mice. PLoS One 2010; 5:e10786. [PMID: 20520761 PMCID: PMC2877092 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2010] [Accepted: 04/30/2010] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A significant proportion of breast cancer patients face failure of endocrine therapy due to the acquisition of endocrine resistance. We have explored mechanisms involved in such disease progression by using a mouse breast cancer model that is induced by medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). These tumors transit through different stages of hormone sensitivity. However, when cells from tumor variants were seeded on plastic, all were stimulated by progestins and inhibited by antiprogestins such as RU486. Furthermore, cells from a RU486-resistant tumor variant recovered antiprogestin sensitivity. HYPOTHESIS A three-dimensional (3D) culture system, by maintaining differential cellular organization that is typical of each tumor variant, may allow for the maintenance of particular hormone responses and thus be appropriate for the study of the effects of specific inhibitors of signaling pathways associated with disease progression. METHOD We compared the behavior of tumors growing in vivo and cancer cells ex vivo (in 3D Matrigel). In this system, we evaluated the effects of kinase inhibitors and hormone antagonists on tumor growth. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS LY294002, a PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor, decreased both tumor growth in vivo and cell survival in Matrigel in MPA-independent tumors with higher AKT activity. Induction of cell death by anti-hormones such as ICI182780 and ZK230211 was more effective in MPA-dependent tumors with lower AKT activity. Inhibition of MEK with PD98059 did not affect tumor growth in any tested variant. Finally, while Matrigel reproduced differential responsiveness of MPA-dependent and -independent breast cancer cells, it was not sufficient to preserve antiprogestin resistance of RU486-resistant tumors. CONCLUSION We demonstrated that the PI3K/AKT pathway is relevant for MPA-independent tumor growth. Three-dimensional cultures were useful to test the effects of kinase inhibitors on breast cancer growth and highlight the need for in vivo models to validate experimental tools used for selective therapeutic targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Laura Polo
- Laboratory of Hormonal Carcinogenesis, Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine (IBYME)-National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria Victoria Arnoni
- Laboratory of Hormonal Carcinogenesis, Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine (IBYME)-National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marina Riggio
- Laboratory of Hormonal Carcinogenesis, Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine (IBYME)-National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Victoria Wargon
- Laboratory of Hormonal Carcinogenesis, Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine (IBYME)-National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Claudia Lanari
- Laboratory of Hormonal Carcinogenesis, Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine (IBYME)-National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Virginia Novaro
- Laboratory of Hormonal Carcinogenesis, Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine (IBYME)-National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Abstract
New blood vessel formation plays an important role in breast cancer growth, invasion, and metastasis. Tumor growth is preceded by the development of new blood vessels, which provide a pathway for metastases and nutrients essential for growth. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key angiogenic mediator that stimulates endothelial cell proliferation and regulates vascular permeability. Highly proliferative tumors, such as those that are negative for the estrogen, progesterone, and HER2/neu receptors have enhanced angiogenesis that supports rapid growth and early metastases and have been found to have high levels of VEGF. Drugs developed to inhibit the angiogenic process may be particularly effective in triple-negative breast cancer. Subset analyses have demonstrated efficacy with combinations of the VEGF antibody bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy and, to a limited degree, with other antiangiogenic agents. Many targeted biologic agents in development inhibit angiogenesis including those that inhibit the mammalian target of rapamycin, fibroblast growth factor, Notch, hypoxic inducible factor, 2-methoxyestradiol, insulin like growth factor, matrix metalloproteinase, and others. Ongoing studies are focusing on the effects of these agents in triple-negative disease, and there is an urgent need to identify markers that can predict response to specific targeted therapy.
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Wargon V, Fernandez SV, Goin M, Giulianelli S, Russo J, Lanari C. Hypermethylation of the progesterone receptor A in constitutive antiprogestin-resistant mouse mammary carcinomas. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2010; 126:319-32. [PMID: 20440553 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-010-0908-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2010] [Accepted: 04/17/2010] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Most breast carcinomas that are estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) positive respond initially to an endocrine therapy, but over time, they develop resistance (acquired hormone resistance). Others, however, fail to respond from the beginning (constitutive resistance). Overcoming hormone resistance is one of the major desirable aims in breast cancer treatment. Using the medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)-induced breast cancer mouse model, we have previously demonstrated that antiprogestin-responsive tumors show a higher expression level of PR isoform A (PRA) than PR isoform B (PRB), while tumors with constitutive or acquired resistance show a higher expression level of PRB. The aim of this study was to investigate whether PRA silencing in resistant tumors was due to PRA methylation. The CpG islands located in the PRA promoter and the first exon were studied by methylation-specific PCR (MSP) in six different tumors: two antiprogestin-responsive, two constitutive-resistant, and two with acquired resistance. Only in constitutive-resistant tumors, PRA expression was silenced by DNA methylation. Next, we evaluated the effect of a demethylating agent, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, on PRA expression and antiprogestin responsiveness. In constitutive-resistant tumors, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment in vitro and in vivo restored PRA expression and antiprogestin RU-486 responsiveness. Furthermore, high levels of DNA methyltransferase (Dnmts) 1 and 3b were detected in these tumors. In conclusion, our results suggest that methyltransferase inhibitors in combination with antiprogestins may be effective in the treatment of constitutive-resistant carcinomas with a high DNA methyltransferase level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Wargon
- Laboratory of Hormonal Carcinogenesis, Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine (IBYME), National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET), Vuelta de Obligado 2490, C1428ADN, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Chang H, Mohabir N, Done S, Hamel PA. Loss of ALX4 expression in epithelial cells and adjacent stromal cells in breast cancer. J Clin Pathol 2010; 62:908-14. [PMID: 19783719 DOI: 10.1136/jcp.2009.067298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Loss of the stromally-restricted homeodomain transcription factor, Alx4, causes defective mouse mammary epithelial morphogenesis. AIMS To begin to define the role of ALX4 in the human breast and in breast cancer, the expression pattern of ALX4 in the normal human breast and changes in expression in breast cancer were determined. METHODS Cells expressing ALX4 in the human breast were identified by co-immunofluorescence using alpha-ALX4 antibodies and markers of specific mammary cell types. ALX4 expression in breast cancer was then determined by immunohistochemistry on tumour sections that also harboured regions of normal breast tissue. Using criteria that required ALX4 staining in both stromal and epithelial cells, changes in ALX4 expression in tumours on a tissue microarray were determined. RESULTS ALX4 was expressed in both stromal and luminal epithelial cells in the human breast. Scoring tissue sections of duct carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) that also harboured regions of normal breast tissue, a loss of ALX4 (p<0.001) in stromal and epithelial cells in breast tumours was observed. Analysis of ALX4 expression in 123 sections on a tissue microarray confirmed a highly significant loss (p<0.001) of ALX4 in breast cancer in the tumours themselves and in adjacent stromal cells. CONCLUSIONS These data show a distinct pattern of expression of ALX4 in the human breast relative to the murine mammary gland. Furthermore, characterisation of ALX4 in breast cancer showed that loss of ALX4 in tumours and the surrounding untransformed stroma is a basic characteristic of DCIS and IDC.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Chang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Ovarian cancer cells stimulate uPA gene expression in fibroblastic stromal cells via multiple paracrine and autocrine mechanisms. Gynecol Oncol 2009; 115:121-126. [PMID: 19631971 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2009.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2009] [Revised: 06/11/2009] [Accepted: 06/15/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Expression of uPA mRNA is massively up-regulated in the stroma of poorly differentiated ovarian tumors. We hypothesized that this expression was induced by paracrine signals from the epithelial tumor cells, and established an in vitro model of ovarian cancer microenvironment to study intercellular cross-talk. METHODS ES-2 clear cell carcinoma cells were grown in tissue culture inserts in a double-chamber system with fibroblastic stromal LEP cells embedded in Matrigel. Binding-site directed antibodies were used to neutralize soluble cytokines in ES-2 conditioned medium (CM) before incubation with LEP cells. Real time PCR measured uPA mRNA in LEP cells, as well as mRNA for cytokines in both cell types. RESULTS Co-culture with ES-2 cells as well as incubation with ES-2 CM induced uPA mRNA in LEP cells about two-fold. In short time (12 h) incubation of LEP cells with CM, antibodies to EGF and bFGF reduced induction of uPA mRNA, suggesting that these cytokines function as paracrine signals. EGF mRNA and bFGF mRNA were also found in ES-2 cells. At longer incubation (24 h) antibodies to bFGF, HB-EGF, HGF, IGF-1, and IL-1alpha reduced uPA mRNA induction, suggesting an autocrine function for these cytokines in LEP cells. In fact, expression of the same five cytokines was up-regulated in LEP cells exposed to CM. CONCLUSION We identified two cytokines as paracrine signals, and five cytokines as autocrine signals in ovarian cancer cell induced up-regulation of uPA mRNA in stromal fibroblastic cells. It is crucial to understand intra-tumoral cross-talk, since it can offer new therapeutic approaches.
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Chometon G, Jendrossek V. Targeting the tumour stroma to increase efficacy of chemo- and radiotherapy. Clin Transl Oncol 2009; 11:75-81. [DOI: 10.1007/s12094-009-0317-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
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