1
|
Fontana F, Esser AK, Egbulefu C, Karmakar P, Su X, Allen JS, Xu Y, Davis JL, Gabay A, Xiang J, Kwakwa KA, Manion B, Bakewell S, Li S, Park H, Lanza GM, Achilefu S, Weilbaecher KN. Transferrin receptor in primary and metastatic breast cancer: Evaluation of expression and experimental modulation to improve molecular targeting. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293700. [PMID: 38117806 PMCID: PMC10732420 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Conjugation of transferrin (Tf) to imaging or nanotherapeutic agents is a promising strategy to target breast cancer. Since the efficacy of these biomaterials often depends on the overexpression of the targeted receptor, we set out to survey expression of transferrin receptor (TfR) in primary and metastatic breast cancer samples, including metastases and relapse, and investigate its modulation in experimental models. METHODS Gene expression was investigated by datamining in twelve publicly-available datasets. Dedicated Tissue microarrays (TMAs) were generated to evaluate matched primary and bone metastases as well as and pre and post chemotherapy tumors from the same patient. TMA were stained with the FDA-approved MRQ-48 antibody against TfR and graded by staining intensity (H-score). Patient-derived xenografts (PDX) and isogenic metastatic mouse models were used to study in vivo TfR expression and uptake of transferrin. RESULTS TFRC gene and protein expression were high in breast cancer of all subtypes and stages, and in 60-85% of bone metastases. TfR was detectable after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, albeit with some variability. Fluorophore-conjugated transferrin iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO) enhanced TfR uptake in human breast cancer cells in vitro and proved transferrin localization at metastatic sites and correlation of tumor burden relative to untreated tumor mice. CONCLUSIONS TfR is expressed in breast cancer, primary, metastatic, and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Variability in expression of TfR suggests that evaluation of the expression of TfR in individual patients could identify the best candidates for targeting. Further, systemic iron chelation with DFO may upregulate receptor expression and improve uptake of therapeutics or tracers that use transferrin as a homing ligand.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Fontana
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Alison K. Esser
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Christopher Egbulefu
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Partha Karmakar
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Xinming Su
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - John S. Allen
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Yalin Xu
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. Davis
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Ariel Gabay
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Jingyu Xiang
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Kristin A. Kwakwa
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Brad Manion
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Suzanne Bakewell
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Shunqiang Li
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Haeseong Park
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Gregory M. Lanza
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Samuel Achilefu
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Katherine N. Weilbaecher
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xia Q, Du Z, Chen M, Zhou X, Bai W, Zheng X, Lin L, Zhao Y, Ding J, Wu Z, Zou H, Wang S, Xu L, Li E, Wu B. A protein complex of LCN2, LOXL2 and MMP9 facilitates tumour metastasis in oesophageal cancer. Mol Oncol 2023; 17:2451-2471. [PMID: 37753805 PMCID: PMC10620126 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13529] [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: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
During malignant tumour development, the extracellular matrix (ECM) is usually abnormally regulated. Dysregulated expression of lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and lipocalin 2 (LCN2) are associated with ECM remodelling. In this study, protein-protein interaction assays indicated that LCN2 and LOXL2 interactions and LCN2 and MMP9 interactions occurred both intracellularly and extracellularly, but interactions between LOXL2 and MMP9 only occurred intracellularly. The LCN2/LOXL2/MMP9 ternary complex promoted migration and invasion of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells, as well as tumour growth and malignant progression in vivo, while the iron chelator deferoxamine mesylate (DFOM) inhibited ESCC tumour growth. Co-overexpression of LCN2, LOXL2 and MMP9 enhanced the ability of tumour cells to degrade fibronectin and Matrigel, increased the formation and extension of filopodia, and promoted the rearrangement of microfilaments through upregulation of profilin 1. In addition, the LCN2/LOXL2/MMP9 ternary complex promoted the expression of testican-1 (SPOCK1), and abnormally activated the FAK/AKT/GSK3β signalling pathway. In summary, the LCN2/LOXL2/MMP9 ternary complex promoted the migration and invasion of cancer cells and malignant tumour progression through multiple mechanisms and could be a potential therapeutic target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoxi Xia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShantou University Medical CollegeChina
- Central LaboratoryShantou Central HospitalChina
| | - Zepeng Du
- Central LaboratoryShantou Central HospitalChina
- Department of PathologyShantou Central HospitalChina
| | - Mantong Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShantou University Medical CollegeChina
| | - Xiao Zhou
- Central LaboratoryShantou Central HospitalChina
| | - Wenjing Bai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShantou University Medical CollegeChina
| | - Xiaoqi Zheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShantou University Medical CollegeChina
| | - Ling Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShantou University Medical CollegeChina
| | - Yan Zhao
- Central LaboratoryShantou Central HospitalChina
| | - Jiyu Ding
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShantou University Medical CollegeChina
| | - Zhisheng Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShantou University Medical CollegeChina
| | - Haiying Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShantou University Medical CollegeChina
| | - Shaohong Wang
- Department of PathologyShantou Central HospitalChina
| | - Liyan Xu
- Institute of Oncologic PathologyShantou University Medical CollegeChina
| | - Enmin Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShantou University Medical CollegeChina
| | - Bingli Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShantou University Medical CollegeChina
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Buschhaus JM, Rajendran S, Humphries BA, Cutter AC, Muñiz AJ, Ciavattone NG, Buschhaus AM, Cañeque T, Nwosu ZC, Sahoo D, Bevoor AS, Shah YM, Lyssiotis CA, Ghosh P, Wicha MS, Rodriguez R, Luker GD. Effects of iron modulation on mesenchymal stem cell-induced drug resistance in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Oncogene 2022; 41:3705-3718. [PMID: 35732800 PMCID: PMC9288981 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02385-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Patients with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, the most common subtype, remain at risk for lethal metastatic disease years after diagnosis. Recurrence arises partly because tumor cells in bone marrow become resistant to estrogen-targeted therapy. Here, we utilized a co-culture model of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and ER+ breast cancer cells to recapitulate interactions of cancer cells in bone marrow niches. ER+ breast cancer cells in direct contact with MSCs acquire cancer stem-like (CSC) phenotypes with increased resistance to standard antiestrogenic drugs. We confirmed that co-culture with MSCs increased labile iron in breast cancer cells, a phenotype associated with CSCs and disease progression. Clinically approved iron chelators and in-house lysosomal iron-targeting compounds restored sensitivity to antiestrogenic therapy. These findings establish iron modulation as a mechanism to reverse MSC-induced drug resistance and suggest iron modulation in combination with estrogen-targeted therapy as a promising, translatable strategy to treat ER+ breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johanna M Buschhaus
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2200 Bonisteel, Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2099, USA
- Center for Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2200, USA
| | - Shrila Rajendran
- Center for Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2200, USA
| | - Brock A Humphries
- Center for Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2200, USA
| | - Alyssa C Cutter
- Center for Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2200, USA
| | - Ayşe J Muñiz
- Macromolecular Science and Engineering and Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2200, USA
| | - Nicholas G Ciavattone
- Center for Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2200, USA
| | - Alexander M Buschhaus
- Center for Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2200, USA
| | - Tatiana Cañeque
- Institut Curie, Chemical Biology of Cancer Laboratory, CNRS UMR 3666, INSERM U1143, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Zeribe C Nwosu
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Debashis Sahoo
- Pediatrics, and Computer Science and Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Avinash S Bevoor
- Center for Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2200, USA
| | - Yatrik M Shah
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Costas A Lyssiotis
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Pradipta Ghosh
- Departments of Medicine and Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Max S Wicha
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Raphaël Rodriguez
- Institut Curie, Chemical Biology of Cancer Laboratory, CNRS UMR 3666, INSERM U1143, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Gary D Luker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2200 Bonisteel, Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2099, USA.
- Center for Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2200, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2200, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Islam S, Hoque N, Nasrin N, Hossain M, Rizwan F, Biswas K, Asaduzzaman M, Rahman S, Hoskin DW, Sultana S, Lehmann C. Iron Overload and Breast Cancer: Iron Chelation as a Potential Therapeutic Approach. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12070963. [PMID: 35888054 PMCID: PMC9317809 DOI: 10.3390/life12070963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer has historically been one of the leading causes of death for women worldwide. As of 2020, breast cancer was reported to have overtaken lung cancer as the most common type of cancer globally, representing an estimated 11.3% of all cancer diagnoses. A multidisciplinary approach is taken for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer that includes conventional and targeted treatments. However, current therapeutic approaches to treating breast cancer have limitations, necessitating the search for new treatment options. Cancer cells require adequate iron for their continuous and rapid proliferation. Excess iron saturates the iron-binding capacity of transferrin, resulting in non-transferrin-bound iron (NTBI) that can catalyze free-radical reactions and may lead to oxidant-mediated breast carcinogenesis. Moreover, excess iron and the disruption of iron metabolism by local estrogen in the breast leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, iron concentration reduction using an iron chelator can be a novel therapeutic strategy for countering breast cancer development and progression. This review focuses on the use of iron chelators to deplete iron levels in tumor cells, specifically in the breast, thereby preventing the generation of free radicals. The inhibition of DNA synthesis and promotion of cancer cell apoptosis are the targets of breast cancer treatment, which can be achieved by restricting the iron environment in the body. We hypothesize that the usage of iron chelators has the therapeutic potential to control intracellular iron levels and inhibit the breast tumor growth. In clinical settings, iron chelators can be used to reduce cancer cell growth and thus reduce the morbidity and mortality in breast cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sufia Islam
- Department of Pharmacy, East West University, A/2, Jahurul Islam Avenue, Jahurul Islam City, Aftabnagar, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh; (N.H.); (N.N.); (F.R.); (K.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +880-2-8811381 (ext. 385) or +880-1614282327; Fax: +880-9857322
| | - Nazia Hoque
- Department of Pharmacy, East West University, A/2, Jahurul Islam Avenue, Jahurul Islam City, Aftabnagar, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh; (N.H.); (N.N.); (F.R.); (K.B.)
| | - Nishat Nasrin
- Department of Pharmacy, East West University, A/2, Jahurul Islam Avenue, Jahurul Islam City, Aftabnagar, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh; (N.H.); (N.N.); (F.R.); (K.B.)
| | - Mehnaz Hossain
- Department of Political Science and Global Governance, Balsillie School of International Affairs, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada;
| | - Farhana Rizwan
- Department of Pharmacy, East West University, A/2, Jahurul Islam Avenue, Jahurul Islam City, Aftabnagar, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh; (N.H.); (N.N.); (F.R.); (K.B.)
| | - Kushal Biswas
- Department of Pharmacy, East West University, A/2, Jahurul Islam Avenue, Jahurul Islam City, Aftabnagar, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh; (N.H.); (N.N.); (F.R.); (K.B.)
| | - Muhammad Asaduzzaman
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh;
| | - Sabera Rahman
- Department of Pharmacy, City University, Dhaka 1215, Bangladesh;
| | - David W. Hoskin
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada;
| | - Saki Sultana
- Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (S.S.); (C.L.)
| | - Christian Lehmann
- Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (S.S.); (C.L.)
| |
Collapse
|