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Brugnoli F, Dell’Aira M, Tedeschi P, Grassilli S, Pierantoni M, Foschi R, Bertagnolo V. Effects of Garlic on Breast Tumor Cells with a Triple Negative Phenotype: Peculiar Subtype-Dependent Down-Modulation of Akt Signaling. Cells 2024; 13:822. [PMID: 38786044 PMCID: PMC11119207 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer includes tumor subgroups with morphological, molecular, and clinical differences. Intrinsic heterogeneity especially characterizes breast tumors with a triple negative phenotype, often leading to the failure of even the most advanced therapeutic strategies. To improve breast cancer treatment, the use of natural agents to integrate conventional therapies is the subject of ever-increasing attention. In this context, garlic (Allium sativum) shows anti-cancerous potential, interfering with the proliferation, motility, and malignant progression of both non-invasive and invasive breast tumor cells. As heterogeneity could be at the basis of variable effects, the main objective of our study was to evaluate the anti-tumoral activity of a garlic extract in breast cancer cells with a triple negative phenotype. Established triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines from patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) were used, revealing subtype-dependent effects on morphology, cell cycle, and invasive potential, correlated with the peculiar down-modulation of Akt signaling, a crucial regulator in solid tumors. Our results first demonstrate that the effects of garlic on TNBC breast cancer are not unique and suggest that only more precise knowledge of the mechanisms activated by this natural compound in each tumor will allow for the inclusion of garlic in personalized therapeutic approaches to breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Brugnoli
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (F.B.); (M.D.); (M.P.); (R.F.)
| | - Marcello Dell’Aira
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (F.B.); (M.D.); (M.P.); (R.F.)
| | - Paola Tedeschi
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Silvia Grassilli
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Prevention and LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Marina Pierantoni
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (F.B.); (M.D.); (M.P.); (R.F.)
| | - Rebecca Foschi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (F.B.); (M.D.); (M.P.); (R.F.)
| | - Valeria Bertagnolo
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (F.B.); (M.D.); (M.P.); (R.F.)
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2
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Wu YN, Su X, Wang XQ, Liu NN, Xu ZW. The roles of phospholipase C-β related signals in the proliferation, metastasis and angiogenesis of malignant tumors, and the corresponding protective measures. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1231875. [PMID: 37576896 PMCID: PMC10419273 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1231875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
PLC-β is widely distributed in eukaryotic cells and is the key enzyme in phosphatidylinositol signal transduction pathway. The cellular functions regulated by its four subtypes (PLC-β1, PLC-β2, PLC-β3, PLC-β4) play an important role in maintaining homeostasis of organism. PLC-β and its related signals can promote or inhibit the occurrence and development of cancer by affecting the growth, differentiation and metastasis of cells, while targeted intervention of PLC-β1-PI3K-AKT, PLC-β2/CD133, CXCR2-NHERF1-PLC-β3, Gαq-PLC-β4-PKC-MAPK and so on can provide new strategies for the precise prevention and treatment of malignant tumors. This paper reviews the mechanism of PLC-β in various tumor cells from four aspects: proliferation and differentiation, invasion and metastasis, angiogenesis and protective measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Nuo Wu
- Department of Clinical Medical, the First Clinical Medical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xing Su
- Department of Clinical Medical, the First Clinical Medical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xue-Qin Wang
- Department of Clinical Medical, the First Clinical Medical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Na-Na Liu
- Department of Emergency Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Zhou-Wei Xu
- Department of Emergency Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
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Canella R, Brugnoli F, Gallo M, Keillor JW, Terrazzan A, Ferrari E, Grassilli S, Gates EWJ, Volinia S, Bertagnolo V, Bianchi N, Bergamini CM. A Multidisciplinary Approach Establishes a Link between Transglutaminase 2 and the Kv10.1 Voltage-Dependent K + Channel in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010178. [PMID: 36612174 PMCID: PMC9818547 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the multifunctionality of transglutaminase 2 (TG2) includes extra- and intracellular functions, we investigated the effects of intracellular administration of TG2 inhibitors in three breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-436 and MDA-MB-468, which are representative of different triple-negative phenotypes, using a patch-clamp technique. The first cell line has a highly voltage-dependent a membrane current, which is low in the second and almost absent in the third one. While applying a voltage protocol to responsive single cells, injection of TG2 inhibitors triggered a significant decrease of the current in MDA-MB-231 that we attributed to voltage-dependent K+ channels using the specific inhibitors 4-aminopyridine and astemizole. Since the Kv10.1 channel plays a dominant role as a marker of cell migration and survival in breast cancer, we investigated its relationship with TG2 by immunoprecipitation. Our data reveal their physical interaction affects membrane currents in MDA-MB-231 but not in the less sensitive MDA-MB-436 cells. We further correlated the efficacy of TG2 inhibition with metabolic changes in the supernatants of treated cells, resulting in increased concentration of methyl- and dimethylamines, representing possible response markers. In conclusion, our findings highlight the interference of TG2 inhibitors with the Kv10.1 channel as a potential therapeutic tool depending on the specific features of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Canella
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Federica Brugnoli
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Mariana Gallo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy
| | - Jeffrey W. Keillor
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Anna Terrazzan
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elena Ferrari
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy
| | - Silvia Grassilli
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Eric W. J. Gates
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Stefano Volinia
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Valeria Bertagnolo
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Bianchi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0532-455854
| | - Carlo M. Bergamini
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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Grassilli S, Brugnoli F, Cairo S, Bianchi N, Judde JG, Bertagnolo V. Vav1 Selectively Down-Regulates Akt2 through miR-29b in Certain Breast Tumors with Triple Negative Phenotype. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12060993. [PMID: 35743776 PMCID: PMC9224635 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12060993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents the most aggressive breast tumor, showing a high intrinsic variability in terms of both histopathological features and response to therapies. Blocking the Akt signaling pathway is a well-studied approach in the treatment of aggressive breast tumors. The high homology among the Akt isoforms and their distinct, and possibly opposite, oncogenic functions made it difficult to develop effective drugs. Here we investigated the role of Vav1 as a potential down-regulator of individual Akt isozymes. We revealed that the over-expression of Vav1 in triple negative MDA-MB-231 cells reduced only the Akt2 isoform, acting at the post-transcriptional level through the up-modulation of miR-29b. The Vav1/miR-29b dependent decrease in Akt2 was correlated with a reduced lung colonization of circulating MDA-MB-231 cells. In cell lines established from PDX, the Vav1 induced down-modulation of Akt2 is strongly dependent on miR-29b and occurs only in some TNBC tumors. These findings may contribute to better classify breast tumors having the triple negative phenotype, and suggest that the activation of the Vav1/miR-29b axis, precisely regulating the amount of an Akt isozyme crucial for tumor dissemination, could have great potential for driving more accurate therapies to TNBCs, often not eligible or resistant to treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Grassilli
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.G.); (F.B.); (N.B.)
- LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Federica Brugnoli
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.G.); (F.B.); (N.B.)
| | - Stefano Cairo
- Xentech, 91000 Evry, France; (S.C.); (J.-G.J.)
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica, 35127 Padova, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Bianchi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.G.); (F.B.); (N.B.)
| | | | - Valeria Bertagnolo
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.G.); (F.B.); (N.B.)
- Correspondence:
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The Motility and Mesenchymal Features of Breast Cancer Cells Correlate with the Levels and Intracellular Localization of Transglutaminase Type 2. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113059. [PMID: 34831282 PMCID: PMC8616519 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We have investigated motility in breast cancer cell lines in association with the expression of Transglutaminase type 2 (TG2) as well as upon the administration of Doxorubicin (Dox), an active cytotoxic agent that is employed in chemotherapy. The exposure of MCF-7 cells to the drug increased TG2 levels, triggering epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), thereby supporting cell motility. The effects of Dox on the movement of MCF-7 cells were counteracted by treatment with NC9, a TG2 inhibitor, which induced morphological changes and also reduced the migration of MDA-MB-231 cells exhibiting high levels of TG2. The physical association of TG2 with the cytoskeletal component vimentin appeared pivotal both in drug-treated MCF-7 and in MDA-MB-231 cells and seemed to be independent of the catalytic activity of TG2. NC9 altered the subcellular distribution of TG2 and, consequently, the co-localization of TG2 with vimentin. Furthermore, NC9 induced a nuclear accumulation of TG2 as a prelude to TG2-dependent gene expression modifications. Since enzyme activity can affect both motility and nuclear functions, targeting of this protein could represent a method to improve therapeutic interventions in breast tumors, particularly those to control progression and to limit drug resistance.
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Brugnoli F, Tedeschi P, Grassilli S, Maietti A, Brandolini V, Bertagnolo V. Ethanol-based garlic extract prevents malignant evolution of non-invasive breast tumor cells induced by moderate hypoxia. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 142:112052. [PMID: 34426261 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In breast cancer, low oxygen availability is associated with a more aggressive phenotype and with malignant evolution of non-invasive cells. Natural compounds have long attracted attention in cancer treatment, and in recent years garlic (Allium sativum) organosulfur derivatives have been shown to negatively affect growth and invasion of tumor cells. METHODS Homemade ethanol-based garlic extract (GE) was administered to MCF7 and MCF10DCIS breast tumor cell lines grown under moderate hypoxia. Cell cycle, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cell markers were evaluated. RESULTS We revealed that, in the non-invasive MCF10DCIS cells but not in the post-EMT MCF7 cells, low oxygen availability induced the decrease of E-cadherin and the increase of vimentin and motility, that were prevented by GE administration. In both cell lines, treatment with GE counteracted the up-modulation of CD133 positive cells induced by hypoxia. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our data firstly revealed anti-cancer properties of garlic in non-invasive breast cancer cells. In particular, they demonstrated a protective role of this natural product against the hypoxia-induced increase of molecules that play crucial roles in tumor evolution, suggesting that garlic derivatives can be considered in new approaches for preventing progression of breast tumors from non-invasive to infiltrating lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Brugnoli
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paola Tedeschi
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences (DOCPAS), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Silvia Grassilli
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Annalisa Maietti
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences (DOCPAS), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Brandolini
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences (DOCPAS), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Valeria Bertagnolo
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
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Vav1 Sustains the In Vitro Differentiation of Normal and Tumor Precursors to Insulin Producing Cells Induced by all-Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA). Stem Cell Rev Rep 2020; 17:673-684. [PMID: 33165749 PMCID: PMC8036226 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-020-10074-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) promotes the development and the function of insulin producing cells and induces partial differentiation of pancreatic tumor cells. A number of evidences clearly indicate that the ATRA mediated signaling may have a substantial role in therapeutic approaches based on restoration of functional β-cells. Among the proteins up-regulated by ATRA, Vav1 is involved in maturation and function of haematopoietic cells and is essential for retinoids induced differentiation of tumor promyelocytes. The presence of Vav1 in solid tissues, including pancreas, is considered ectopic and no role in the differentiation of human epithelial cells has so far been described. We demonstrated here that Vav1 sustains the maturation to β-cells of the normal precursors human Biliary Tree Stem/progenitor Cells (hBTSCs) induced by a differentiation medium containing ATRA and that, in the mature normal pancreas, insulin-producing cells express variable levels of Vav1. Using pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)-derived cells, we also revealed that the ATRA induced up-modulation of Vav1 is essential for the retinoid-induced trans-differentiation of neoplastic cells into insulin producing cells. The results of this study identify Vav1 as crucial molecule in ATRA induced maturation of insulin producing cells and suggest this protein as a marker for new strategies ended to restore functional β-cells. Graphical abstract ![]()
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8
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Tumorigenesis and Progression As A Consequence of Hypoxic TME:A Prospective View upon Breast Cancer Therapeutic Targets. Exp Cell Res 2020; 395:112192. [PMID: 32738345 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.112192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Intratumoral hypoxia has a significant impact on the development and progression of breast cancer (BC). Rather than exerting limited regional impact, hypoxia create an aggressive macroenvironment for BC. Hypoxia-inducible factors-1(HIF-1) is extensively induced under hypoxia condition of BC, activating the transcription of multiple oncogenes. Thereinto, CD73 is the one which could be secreted into the microenvironment and is in favor of the growth, metastasis, resistance to therapies, as well as the stemness maintenance of BC. In this review, we address the significance of hypoxia/HIF-1/CD73 axis for BC, and provide a novel perspective into BC therapeutic strategies.
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9
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CD133 in Breast Cancer Cells: More than a Stem Cell Marker. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2019; 2019:7512632. [PMID: 31636668 PMCID: PMC6766124 DOI: 10.1155/2019/7512632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Initially correlated with hematopoietic precursors, the surface expression of CD133 was also found in epithelial and nonepithelial cells from adult tissues in which it has been associated with a number of biological events. CD133 is expressed in solid tumors as well, including breast cancer, in which most of the studies have been focused on its use as a surface marker for the detection of cells with stem-like properties (i.e., cancer stem cells (CSCs)). Differently with other solid tumors, very limited and in part controversial are the information about the significance of CD133 in breast cancer, the most common malignancy among women in industrialized countries. In this review, we summarize the latest findings about the implication of CD133 in breast tumors, highlighting its role in tumor cells with a triple negative phenotype in which it directly regulates the expression of proteins involved in metastasis and drug resistance. We provide updates about the prognostic role of CD133, underlining its value as an indicator of increased malignancy of both noninvasive and invasive breast tumor cells. The molecular mechanisms at the basis of the regulation of CD133 levels in breast tumors have also been reviewed, highlighting experimental strategies capable to restrain its level that could be taken into account to reduce malignancy and/or to prevent the progression of breast tumors.
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Bertagnolo V, Grassilli S, Volinia S, Al-Qassab Y, Brugnoli F, Vezzali F, Lambertini E, Palomba M, Piubello Q, Orvieto E, Natali C, Piva R, Croce CM, Capitani S. Ectopic expression of PLC-β2 in non-invasive breast tumor cells plays a protective role against malignant progression and is correlated with the deregulation of miR-146a. Mol Carcinog 2019; 58:708-721. [PMID: 30582225 PMCID: PMC6590318 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cells in non‐invasive breast lesions are widely believed to possess molecular alterations that render them either susceptible or refractory to the acquisition of invasive capability. One such alteration could be the ectopic expression of the β2 isoform of phosphoinositide‐dependent phospholipase C (PLC‐β2), known to counteract the effects of hypoxia in low‐invasive breast tumor‐derived cells. Here, we studied the correlation between PLC‐β2 levels and the propensity of non‐invasive breast tumor cells to acquire malignant features. Using archival FFPE samples and DCIS‐derived cells, we demonstrate that PLC‐β2 is up‐regulated in DCIS and that its forced down‐modulation induces an epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal shift, expression of the cancer stem cell marker CD133, and the acquisition of invasive properties. The ectopic expression of PLC‐β2 in non‐transformed and DCIS‐derived cells is, to some extent, dependent on the de‐regulation of miR‐146a, a tumor suppressor miRNA in invasive breast cancer. Interestingly, an inverse relationship between the two molecules, indicative of a role of miR‐146a in targeting PLC‐β2, was not detected in primary DCIS from patients who developed a second invasive breast neoplasia. This suggests that alterations of the PLC‐β2/miR‐146a relationship in DCIS may constitute a molecular risk factor for the appearance of new breast lesions. Since neither traditional classification systems nor molecular characterizations are able to predict the malignant potential of DCIS, as is possible for invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), we propose that the assessment of the PLC‐β2/miR‐146a levels at diagnosis could be beneficial for identifying whether DCIS patients may have either a low or high propensity for invasive recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Bertagnolo
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Silvia Grassilli
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Stefano Volinia
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.,LTTA, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Yasamin Al-Qassab
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,College of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Federica Brugnoli
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Federica Vezzali
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Lambertini
- Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Maria Palomba
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Quirino Piubello
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Diagnostic and Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Enrico Orvieto
- Department of Medicine DIMED, Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Cristina Natali
- Pathology Division, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Rovigo, Italy
| | - Roberta Piva
- Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Carlo Maria Croce
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Silvano Capitani
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,LTTA, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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11
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Al-Qassab Y, Grassilli S, Brugnoli F, Vezzali F, Capitani S, Bertagnolo V. Protective role of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) against hypoxia-induced malignant potential of non-invasive breast tumor derived cells. BMC Cancer 2018; 18:1194. [PMID: 30497437 PMCID: PMC6267073 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-018-5038-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The presence of hypoxic areas is common in all breast lesions but no data clearly correlate low oxygenation with the acquisition of malignant features by non-invasive cells, particularly by cells from ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), the most frequently diagnosed tumor in women. Methods By using a DCIS-derived cell line, we evaluated the effects of low oxygen availability on malignant features of non-invasive breast tumor cells and the possible role of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), a well-known anti-leukemic drug, in counteracting the effects of hypoxia. The involvement of the β2 isoform of PI-PLC (PLC-β2), an ATRA target in myeloid leukemia cells, was also investigated by specific modulation of the protein expression. Results We demonstrated that moderate hypoxia is sufficient to induce, in DCIS-derived cells, motility, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and expression of the stem cell marker CD133, indicative of their increased malignant potential. Administration of ATRA supports the epithelial-like phenotype of DCIS-derived cells cultured under hypoxia and keeps down the number of CD133 positive cells, abrogating almost completely the effects of poor oxygenation. We also found that the mechanisms triggered by ATRA in non-invasive breast tumor cells cultured under hypoxia is in part mediated by PLC-β2, responsible to counteract the effects of low oxygen availability on CD133 levels. Conclusions Overall, we assigned to hypoxia a role in increasing the malignant potential of DCIS-derived cells and we identified in ATRA, currently used in treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), an agonist potentially useful in preventing malignant progression of non-invasive breast lesions showing hypoxic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasamin Al-Qassab
- Signal Transduction Unit, Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.,College of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Silvia Grassilli
- Signal Transduction Unit, Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Federica Brugnoli
- Signal Transduction Unit, Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Federica Vezzali
- Signal Transduction Unit, Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Silvano Capitani
- Signal Transduction Unit, Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.,LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Valeria Bertagnolo
- Signal Transduction Unit, Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
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12
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Brugnoli F, Grassilli S, Lanuti P, Marchisio M, Al-Qassab Y, Vezzali F, Capitani S, Bertagnolo V. Up-modulation of PLC-β2 reduces the number and malignancy of triple-negative breast tumor cells with a CD133 +/EpCAM + phenotype: a promising target for preventing progression of TNBC. BMC Cancer 2017; 17:617. [PMID: 28870198 PMCID: PMC5584040 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-017-3592-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The malignant potential of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is also dependent on a sub-population of cells with a stem-like phenotype. Among the cancer stem cell markers, CD133 and EpCAM strongly correlate with breast tumor aggressiveness, suggesting that simultaneous targeting of the two surface antigens may be beneficial in treatment of TNBC. Since in TNBC-derived cells we demonstrated that PLC-β2 induces the conversion of CD133high to CD133low cells, here we explored its possible role in down-modulating the expression of both CD133 and EpCAM and, ultimately, in reducing the number of TNBC cells with a stem-like phenotype. Methods A magnetic step-by-step cell isolation with antibodies directed against CD133 and/or EpCAM was performed on the TNBC-derived MDA-MB-231 cell line. In the same cell model, PLC-β2 was over-expressed or down-modulated and cell proliferation and invasion capability were evaluated by Real-time cell assays. The surface expression of CD133, EpCAM and CD44 in the different experimental conditions were measured by multi-color flow cytometry immunophenotyping. Results A CD133+/EpCAM+ sub-population with high proliferation rate and invasion capability is present in the MDA-MB-231 cell line. Over-expression of PLC-β2 in CD133+/EpCAM+ cells reduced the surface expression of both CD133 and EpCAM, as well as proliferation and invasion capability of this cellular subset. On the other hand, the up-modulation of PLC-β2 in the whole MDA-MB-231 cell population reduced the number of cells with a CD44+/CD133+/EpCAM+ stem-like phenotype. Conclusions Since selective targeting of the cells with the highest aggressive potential may have a great clinical importance for TNBC, the up-modulation of PLC-β2, reducing the number of cells with a stem-like phenotype, may be a promising goal for novel therapies aimed to prevent the progression of aggressive breast tumors. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-017-3592-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Brugnoli
- Signal Transduction Unit, Division of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Silvia Grassilli
- Signal Transduction Unit, Division of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paola Lanuti
- Department of Medicine and Aging Science, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Center of Aging Sciences and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Marco Marchisio
- Department of Medicine and Aging Science, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Center of Aging Sciences and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MeT), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Yasamin Al-Qassab
- Signal Transduction Unit, Division of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.,College of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Federica Vezzali
- Signal Transduction Unit, Division of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Silvano Capitani
- Signal Transduction Unit, Division of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.,LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Valeria Bertagnolo
- Signal Transduction Unit, Division of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
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