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Gregory KJ, Mason H, Casaubon J, Schneider SS. SFRP1 decreases WNT-Mediated M2 macrophage marker expression in breast tissue. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2024; 73:86. [PMID: 38554160 PMCID: PMC10981600 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-024-03638-0] [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: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
The Wnt family of secreted proteins are involved in mammary gland development and tumorigenesis. It has recently been shown that Wnt ligands promote M2 macrophage polarization and so we sought to determine the effects of a Wnt signaling antagonist, Secreted Frizzled Related Protein 1 (SFRP1), on M2 marker expression. We measured a murine M2 marker (Arg1) in mice with a targeted deletion of Sfrp1 during different stages of mammary gland development including puberty, pregnancy, and lactation, as well as in response to obesity. Next, to determine whether Wnt signaling/antagonism affects human M2 markers (CD209 and CCL18), we treated a human patient derived explant (PDE) breast tissue sample with exogenous Wnt3a in the presence and absence of rSFRP1. Finally, we expanded our PDE study to 13 patients and performed bulk RNAseq analysis following the treatment described above. We found that in loss of Sfrp1 in the murine mammary gland increased Arg1 expression. Moreover, we showed that Wnt3a increases CD209 and CCL18 mRNA and protein expression in breast PDEs and that their expression is decreased in response to rSFRP1. Our RNAseq analysis unveiled novel genes that were affected by Wnt3a treatment and subsequently reversed when rSFRP1 was added. Validation of these data exhibited that chemokines involved in promoting macrophage polarization and cancer metastasis, including CCL11 and CCL26, were stimulated by Wnt3a signaling and their expression was abrogated by treatment with rSFRP1. Our data suggest that SFRP1 may be an important mediator that tempers Wnt signaling in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly J Gregory
- Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA, 01199, USA.
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
| | - Holly Mason
- Department of Surgery, UMass Chan Medical School- Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA, 01107, USA
| | - Jesse Casaubon
- Department of Surgery, UMass Chan Medical School- Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA, 01107, USA
| | - Sallie S Schneider
- Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA, 01199, USA
- Department of Surgery, UMass Chan Medical School- Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA, 01107, USA
- Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
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2
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Liu YF, An T, Yu H, Fan YY, Pei XH. Xiaozheng pill exerts an anti-mammary hyperplasia effect through Raf/ERK/ELK and HIF-1α/bFGF pathways. J Tradit Complement Med 2023; 13:600-610. [PMID: 38020551 PMCID: PMC10658343 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2023.05.002] [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] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aim The purpose of this study is to explore whether the Xiaozheng pill (XZP) has the effect of anti-hyperplasia of mammary glands (HMG) and to identify the related signaling pathways. Experimental procedure We analyzed the effective chemical components of the XZP, as well as the key chemical components, key proteins, main biological processes, and pathways in the treatment of HMG; Secondly, the levels of Estradiol (E2), Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), Progesterone (P), Raf/ERK/ELK and HIF-1α/bFGF pathways related proteins were detected; Finally, the effect of XZP on metabolites was analyzed by metabolomics. Results and conclusion In this study, we identified key targets and pathways for XZP therapy of HMG, including EGFR, VEGFA, ER, and Ras signaling pathways. Animal experiments show that XZP can reduce the levels of E2, LH, and FSH and increase the expression of P in HMG mice. XZP can restore the normal structure of breast tissue and reduce ERα, ERβ, and PR expression in breast tissue. In addition, metabolomics results show that XZP also regulates HMG metabolites, including HIF-1α and metabolic pathways. The Western blot results showed that XZP intervention can reduce the protein expression of p-Raf1, Raf1, p-ERK1/2, ERK1/2, ELK, HIF-1α, and bFGF in the breast tissue of HMG mice. XZP may eliminate abnormal breast hyperplasia through inhibition of apoptosis and angiogenesis, which may be linked with the regulation of the Raf/ERK/ELK and HIF-1α/bFGF signaling pathways in HMG mice. These results suggest that XZP treatment may be beneficial for the management of HMG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-fei Liu
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Third Affiliated Hospital, Beijing, China
- Department of General Surgery, Tsinghua University Yuquan Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Tian An
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Yu
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Third Affiliated Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ying-yi Fan
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Third Affiliated Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-hua Pei
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Third Affiliated Hospital, Beijing, China
- Xiamen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Xiamen, China
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3
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Liu L, Xiao B, Hirukawa A, Smith HW, Zuo D, Sanguin-Gendreau V, McCaffrey L, Nam AJ, Muller WJ. Ezh2 promotes mammary tumor initiation through epigenetic regulation of the Wnt and mTORC1 signaling pathways. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2303010120. [PMID: 37549258 PMCID: PMC10438390 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2303010120] [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: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The regulation of gene expression through histone posttranslational modifications plays a crucial role in breast cancer progression. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the contribution of histone modification to tumor initiation remain unclear. To gain a deeper understanding of the role of the histone modifier Enhancer of Zeste homology 2 (Ezh2) in the early stages of mammary tumor progression, we employed an inducible mammary organoid system bearing conditional Ezh2 alleles that faithfully recapitulates key events of luminal B breast cancer initiation. We showed that the loss of Ezh2 severely impairs oncogene-induced organoid growth, with Ezh2-deficient organoids maintaining a polarized epithelial phenotype. Transcriptomic profiling showed that Ezh2-deficient mammary epithelial cells up-regulated the expression of negative regulators of Wnt signaling and down-regulated genes involved in mTORC1 (mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1) signaling. We identified Sfrp1, a Wnt signaling suppressor, as an Ezh2 target gene that is derepressed and expressed in Ezh2-deficient epithelium. Furthermore, an analysis of breast cancer data revealed that Sfrp1 expression was associated with favorable clinical outcomes in luminal B breast cancer patients. Finally, we confirmed that targeting Ezh2 impairs mTORC1 activity through an indirect mechanism that up-regulates the expression of the tumor suppressor Pten. These findings indicate that Ezh2 integrates the mTORC1 and Wnt signaling pathways during early mammary tumor progression, arguing that inhibiting Ezh2 or therapeutically targeting Ezh2-dependent programs could be beneficial for the treatment of early-stage luminal B breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linshan Liu
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Bin Xiao
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Alison Hirukawa
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Harvey W. Smith
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Dongmei Zuo
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Virginie Sanguin-Gendreau
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Luke McCaffrey
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
- Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A0G4, Canada
| | - Alice Jisoo Nam
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
| | - William J. Muller
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 1A3, Canada
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4
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Brewer T, Yehia L, Bazeley P, Eng C. Integrating somatic CNV and gene expression in breast cancers from women with PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome. NPJ Genom Med 2023; 8:14. [PMID: 37407629 DOI: 10.1038/s41525-023-00361-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Women with germline PTEN variants (PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome, PHTS) have up to 85% lifetime risk of female breast cancer (BC). We previously showed that PHTS-derived BCs are distinct from sporadic BCs both at the clinical and genomic levels. In this study, we examined somatic copy number variations (CNV) and transcriptome data to further characterize the somatic landscape of PHTS-derived BCs. We analyzed exome sequencing data from 44 BCs from women with PHTS for CNV. The control group comprised of 558 women with sporadic BCs from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. Here, we found that PHTS-derived BCs have several distinct CNV peaks compared to TCGA. Furthermore, RNA sequencing data revealed that PHTS-derived BCs have a distinct immunologic cell type signature, which points toward cancer immune evasion. Transcriptomic data also revealed PHTS-derived BCs with pathogenic germline PTEN variants appear to have vitamin E degradation as a key pathway associated with tumorigenesis. In conclusion, our study revealed distinct CNV x transcript features in PHTS-derived BCs, which further facilitate understanding of BC biology arising in the setting of germline PTEN mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takae Brewer
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Lamis Yehia
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Peter Bazeley
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Charis Eng
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA.
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA.
- Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA.
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
- Germline High Risk Cancer Focus Group, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
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5
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Seitz J, Bilsland A, Puget C, Baasner I, Klopfleisch R, Stein T. SFRP1 Expression is Inversely Associated With Metastasis Formation in Canine Mammary Tumours. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2023; 28:15. [PMID: 37402051 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-023-09543-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Canine mammary tumours (CMTs) are the most frequent tumours in intact female dogs and show strong similarities with human breast cancer. In contrast to the human disease there are no standardised diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers available to guide treatment. We recently identified a prognostic 18-gene RNA signature that could stratify human breast cancer patients into groups with significantly different risk of distant metastasis formation. Here, we assessed whether expression patterns of these RNAs were also associated with canine tumour progression. METHOD A sequential forward feature selection process was performed on a previously published microarray dataset of 27 CMTs with and without lymph node (LN) metastases to identify RNAs with significantly differential expression to identify prognostic genes within the 18-gene signature. Using an independent set of 33 newly identified archival CMTs, we compared expression of the identified prognostic subset on RNA and protein basis using RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry on FFPE-tissue sections. RESULTS While the 18-gene signature as a whole did not have any prognostic power, a subset of three RNAs: Col13a1, Spock2, and Sfrp1, together completely separated CMTs with and without LN metastasis in the microarray set. However, in the new independent set assessed by RT-qPCR, only the Wnt-antagonist Sfrp1 showed significantly increased mRNA abundance in CMTs without LN metastases on its own (p = 0.013) in logistic regression analysis. This correlated with stronger SFRP1 protein staining intensity of the myoepithelium and/or stroma (p < 0.001). SFRP1 staining, as well as β-catenin membrane staining, was significantly associated with negative LN status (p = 0.010 and 0.014 respectively). However, SFRP1 did not correlate with β-catenin membrane staining (p = 0.14). CONCLUSION The study identified SFRP1 as a potential biomarker for metastasis formation in CMTs, but lack of SFRP1 was not associated with reduced membrane-localisation of β-catenin in CMTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Seitz
- Institute of Veterinary Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alan Bilsland
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Sciences, College of MVLS, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Chloé Puget
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ian Baasner
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert Klopfleisch
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Torsten Stein
- Institute of Veterinary Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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Saha ST, Abdulla N, Zininga T, Shonhai A, Wadee R, Kaur M. 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) as a Potential Therapeutic Agent for Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2828. [PMID: 37345165 PMCID: PMC10216648 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol accumulation is documented in various malignancies including breast cancer. Consequently, depleting cholesterol in cancer cells can serve as a viable treatment strategy. We identified the potency of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD), a cholesterol-depletor in vitro against two breast cancer cell lines: MCF-7 (Oestrogen-receptor positive, ER+) and MDA-MB-231 (Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC)). The results were then compared against two non-cancerous cell lines using cytotoxic-, apoptosis-, and cholesterol-based assays. Treatment with HPβCD showed preferential and significant cytotoxic potential in cancer cells, inducing apoptosis in both cancer cell lines (p < 0.001). This was mediated due to significant depletion of cholesterol (p < 0.001). We further tested HPβCD in a MF-1 mice (n = 14) xenograft model and obtained 73.9%, 94% and 100% reduction in tumour size for late-, intermediate-, and early-stage TNBC, respectively. We also detected molecular-level perturbations in the expression patterns of several genes linked to breast cancer and cholesterol signalling pathways using RT2-PCR arrays and have identified SFRP1 as a direct binding partner to HPβCD through SPR drug interaction analysis. This work unravels mechanistic insights into HPβCD-induced cholesterol depletion, which leads to intrinsic apoptosis induction. Results from this study potentiate employing cholesterol depletion as a promising unconventional anticancer therapeutic strategy, which warrants future clinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Taru Saha
- School of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, WITS-2050, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
| | - Naaziyah Abdulla
- School of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, WITS-2050, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
| | - Tawanda Zininga
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
| | - Addmore Shonhai
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
| | - Reubina Wadee
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand/National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
| | - Mandeep Kaur
- School of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, WITS-2050, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
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Clemenceau A, Lacouture A, Bherer J, Ouellette G, Michaud A, Audet-Walsh É, Diorio C, Durocher F. Role of Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein 1 in Early Breast Carcinogenesis and Breast Cancer Aggressiveness. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082251. [PMID: 37190179 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082251] [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: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
A human transcriptome array on ERα-positive breast cancer continuum of risk identified Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein 1 (SFRP1) as decreased during breast cancer progression. In addition, SFRP1 was inversely associated with breast tissue age-related lobular involution, and differentially regulated in women with regard to their parity status and the presence of microcalcifications. The causal role of SFRP1 in breast carcinogenesis remains, nevertheless, not well understood. In this study, we characterized mammary epithelial cells from both nulliparous and multiparous mice in organoid culture ex vivo, in the presence of estradiol (E2) and/or hydroxyapatite microcalcifications (HA). Furthermore, we have modulated SFRP1 expression in breast cancer cell lines, including the MCF10A series, and investigated their tumoral properties. We observed that organoids obtained from multiparous mice were resistant to E2 treatment, while organoids obtained from nulliparous mice developed the luminal phenotype associated with a lower ratio between Sfrp1 and Esr1 expression. The decrease in SFRP1 expression in MCF10A and MCF10AT1 cell lines increased their tumorigenic properties in vitro. On the other hand, the overexpression of SFRP1 in MCF10DCIS, MCF10CA1a, and MCF7 reduced their aggressiveness. Our results support the hypothesis that a lack of SFRP1 could have a causal role in early breast carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisson Clemenceau
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Cancer Research Centre, CHU de Quebec Research Centre, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Aurélie Lacouture
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Cancer Research Centre, CHU de Quebec Research Centre, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Juliette Bherer
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Cancer Research Centre, CHU de Quebec Research Centre, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Geneviève Ouellette
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Cancer Research Centre, CHU de Quebec Research Centre, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Annick Michaud
- Cancer Research Centre, CHU de Quebec Research Centre, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Étienne Audet-Walsh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Cancer Research Centre, CHU de Quebec Research Centre, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Caroline Diorio
- Cancer Research Centre, CHU de Quebec Research Centre, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Francine Durocher
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Cancer Research Centre, CHU de Quebec Research Centre, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
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8
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Morin SM, Majhi PD, Crisi GM, Gregory KJ, Franca R, Schalet B, Mason H, Casaubon JT, Cao QJ, Haddad S, Makari-Judson G, Jerry DJ, Schneider SS. Interindividual variation contributes to differential PCB 126 induced gene expression in primary breast epithelial cells and tissues. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 241:113722. [PMID: 35724515 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
PCB 126 is a pervasive, dioxin-like chemical pollutant which can activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Despite being banned from the market, PCB 126 can be detected in breast milk to this day. The extent to which interindividual variation impacts the adverse responses to this chemical in the breast tissue remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of 3 nM PCB 126 on gene expression in a panel of genetically diverse benign human breast epithelial cell (HBEC) cultures and patient derived breast tissues. Six patient derived HBEC cultures were treated with 3 nM PCB 126. RNAseq was used to interrogate the impact of exposure on differential gene expression. Gene expression changes from the top critical pathways were confirmed via qRT-PCR in a larger panel of benign patient derived HBEC cultures, as well as in patient-derived breast tissue explant cultures. RNAseq analysis of HBEC cultures revealed a signature of 144 genes significantly altered by 3 nM PCB 126 treatment. Confirmation of 8 targets using a panel of 12 HBEC cultures and commercially available breast cell lines demonstrated that while the induction of canonical downstream target gene, CYP1A1, was consistent across our primary HBECs, other genes including AREG, S100A8, IL1A, IL1B, MMP7, and CCL28 exhibited significant variability across individuals. The dependence on the activity of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor was confirmed using inhibitors. PCB 126 can induce significant and consistent changes in gene expression associated with xenobiotic metabolism in benign breast epithelial cells. Although the induction of most genes was reliant on the AhR, significant variability was noted between genes and individuals. These data suggest that there is a bifurcation of the pathway following AhR activation that contributes to the variation in interindividual responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M Morin
- Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute, Springfield, MA 01199, United States; Dept of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, United States
| | - Prabin Dhangada Majhi
- Dept of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, United States
| | - Giovanna M Crisi
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School-Baystate, Department of Pathology, Springfield, MA 01199, United States
| | - Kelly J Gregory
- Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute, Springfield, MA 01199, United States
| | - Renata Franca
- Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute, Springfield, MA 01199, United States
| | - Benjamin Schalet
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School-Baystate, Department of Surgery, Springfield, MA 01199, United States
| | - Holly Mason
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School-Baystate, Department of Surgery, Springfield, MA 01199, United States
| | - Jesse Thomas Casaubon
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School-Baystate, Department of Surgery, Springfield, MA 01199, United States
| | - Qing Jackie Cao
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School-Baystate, Department of Pathology, Springfield, MA 01199, United States
| | - Sandra Haddad
- Dept of Science, Bay Path University, Longmeadow, MA 01106, United States
| | - Grace Makari-Judson
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School-Baystate, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Springfield, MA, United States
| | - D Joseph Jerry
- Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute, Springfield, MA 01199, United States; Dept of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, United States
| | - Sallie S Schneider
- Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute, Springfield, MA 01199, United States; Dept of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, United States; University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School-Baystate, Department of Surgery, Springfield, MA 01199, United States.
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9
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Rebbeck CA, Xian J, Bornelöv S, Geradts J, Hobeika A, Geiger H, Alvarez JF, Rozhkova E, Nicholls A, Robine N, Lyerly HK, Hannon GJ. Gene expression signatures of individual ductal carcinoma in situ lesions identify processes and biomarkers associated with progression towards invasive ductal carcinoma. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3399. [PMID: 35697697 PMCID: PMC9192778 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30573-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is considered a non-invasive precursor to breast cancer, and although associated with an increased risk of developing invasive disease, many women with DCIS will never progress beyond their in situ diagnosis. The path from normal duct to invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) is not well understood, and efforts to do so are hampered by the substantial heterogeneity that exists between patients, and even within patients. Here we show gene expression analysis from > 2,000 individually micro-dissected ductal lesions representing 145 patients. Combining all samples into one continuous trajectory we show there is a progressive loss in basal layer integrity heading towards IDC, coupled with two epithelial to mesenchymal transitions, one early and a second coinciding with the convergence of DCIS and IDC expression profiles. We identify early processes and potential biomarkers, including CAMK2N1, MNX1, ADCY5, HOXC11 and ANKRD22, whose reduced expression is associated with the progression of DCIS to invasive breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare A Rebbeck
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Jian Xian
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Susanne Bornelöv
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Joseph Geradts
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Amy Hobeika
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Jose Franco Alvarez
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Elena Rozhkova
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ashley Nicholls
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Herbert K Lyerly
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Gregory J Hannon
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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10
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Yang Y, Liu HL, Liu YJ. A Novel Five-Gene Signature Related to Clinical Outcome and Immune Microenvironment in Breast Cancer. Front Genet 2022; 13:912125. [PMID: 35646102 PMCID: PMC9136328 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.912125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent cancer in women and the main cause of cancer-related deaths in the globe, according to the World Health Organization. The need for biomarkers that can help predict survival or guide treatment decisions in BC patients is critical in order to provide each patient with an individualized treatment plan due to the wide range of prognoses and therapeutic responses. A reliable prognostic model is essential for determining the best course of treatment for patients. Patients’ clinical and pathological data, as well as their mRNA expression levels at level 3, were gleaned from the TCGA databases. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between BC and non-tumor specimens were identified. Tumor immunity analyses have been utilized in order to decipher molecular pathways and their relationship to the immune system. The expressions of KIF4A in BC cells were determined by RT-PCR. To evaluate the involvement of KIF4A in BC cell proliferation, CCK-8 tests were used. In this study, utilizing FC > 4 and p < 0.05, we identified 140 upregulated genes and 513 down-regulated genes. A five-gene signature comprising SFRP1, SAA1, RBP4, KIF4A and COL11A1 was developed for the prediction of overall survivals of BC. Overall survival was distinctly worse for patients in the high-risk group than those in the low-risk group. Cancerous and aggressiveness-related pathways and decreased B cell, T cell CD4+, T cell CD8+, Neutrophil and Myeloid dendritic cells levels were seen in the high-risk group. In addition, we found that KIF4A was highly expressed in BC and its silence resulted in the suppression of the proliferation of BC cells. Taken together, as a possible prognostic factor for BC, the five-gene profile created and verified in this investigation could guide the immunotherapy selection.
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Savino A, De Marzo N, Provero P, Poli V. Meta-Analysis of Microdissected Breast Tumors Reveals Genes Regulated in the Stroma but Hidden in Bulk Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3371. [PMID: 34282769 PMCID: PMC8268805 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcriptome data provide a valuable resource for the study of cancer molecular mechanisms, but technical biases, sample heterogeneity, and small sample sizes result in poorly reproducible lists of regulated genes. Additionally, the presence of multiple cellular components contributing to cancer development complicates the interpretation of bulk transcriptomic profiles. To address these issues, we collected 48 microarray datasets derived from laser capture microdissected stroma or epithelium in breast tumors and performed a meta-analysis identifying robust lists of differentially expressed genes. This was used to create a database with carefully harmonized metadata that we make freely available to the research community. As predicted, combining the results of multiple datasets improved statistical power. Moreover, the separate analysis of stroma and epithelium allowed the identification of genes with different contributions in each compartment, which would not be detected by bulk analysis due to their distinct regulation in the two compartments. Our method can be profitably used to help in the discovery of biomarkers and the identification of functionally relevant genes in both the stroma and the epithelium. This database was made to be readily accessible through a user-friendly web interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurora Savino
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Niccolò De Marzo
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Paolo Provero
- Department of Neurosciences “Rita Levi Montalcini”, University of Turin, Corso Massimo D’Azeglio 52, 10126 Turin, Italy;
- Center for Omics Sciences, Ospedale San Raffaele IRCCS, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Poli
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Turin, Italy;
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Breast Cancer and Microcalcifications: An Osteoimmunological Disorder? Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228613. [PMID: 33203195 PMCID: PMC7696282 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of microcalcifications in the breast microenvironment, combined with the growing evidences of the possible presence of osteoblast-like or osteoclast-like cells in the breast, suggest the existence of active processes of calcification in the breast tissue during a woman’s life. Furthermore, much evidence that osteoimmunological disorders, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or periodontitis influence the risk of developing breast cancer in women exists and vice versa. Antiresorptive drugs benefits on breast cancer incidence and progression have been reported in the past decades. More recently, biological agents targeting pro-inflammatory cytokines used against rheumatoid arthritis also demonstrated benefits against breast cancer cell lines proliferation, viability, and migratory abilities, both in vitro and in vivo in xenografted mice. Hence, it is tempting to hypothesize that breast carcinogenesis should be considered as a potential osteoimmunological disorder. In this review, we compare microenvironments and molecular characteristics in the most frequent osteoimmunological disorders with major events occurring in a woman’s breast during her lifetime. We also highlight what the use of bone anabolic drugs, antiresorptive, and biological agents targeting pro-inflammatory cytokines against breast cancer can teach us.
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Clemenceau A, Hanna M, Ennour-Idrissi K, Burguin A, Diorio C, Durocher F. Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein 1 as a Biomarker against Incomplete Age-Related Lobular Involution and Microcalcifications' Development. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092693. [PMID: 32967276 PMCID: PMC7565692 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
As a downregulator of the Wnt signaling pathway, SFRP1 is involved in several components of the age-related lobular involution process such as inflammation, apoptosis, and adipogenesis. Because microcalcifications are associated with inflammation, we aimed to demystify the cross talk between SFRP1, inflammatory markers, and microcalcifications by assessing SFRP1 expression (immunohistochemistry) in a cohort of 162 women with different degrees of lobular involution. SFRP1 expression was inversely associated with the degree of lobular involution (OR = 0.84; p-value < 0.01). SFRP1 expression, age at mastectomy, and waist circumference taken together predicted the degree of lobular involution (AUC = 78.1). This predictive model was best in patients with microcalcifications (AUC = 81.1) and in parous women (AUC = 87.8). SFRP1 expression was correlated with leptin (rho = 0.32), TNF-α (rho = 0.21), and IL-6 (rho = 0.21) expression by epithelial cells (all p-values <0.001). SFRP1 expression was lower in nulliparous women with involuted breast tissue compared with parous women with involuted breast tissue (Δmean = -2.31; p-value < 0.01) and was higher in nulliparous women with microcalcifications compared with nulliparous women without microcalcifications (Δmean = 2.4; p-value < 0.05). In this study, we highlighted two SFRP1-based predictive models for incomplete lobular involution and the development of microcalcifications and identified two distinct inflammatory profiles associated with age-related lobular involution in parous and nulliparous women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisson Clemenceau
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (A.C.); (A.B.)
- Cancer Research Centre, CHU de Quebec Research Centre, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; (M.H.); (K.E.-I.); (C.D.)
| | - Mirette Hanna
- Cancer Research Centre, CHU de Quebec Research Centre, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; (M.H.); (K.E.-I.); (C.D.)
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Kaoutar Ennour-Idrissi
- Cancer Research Centre, CHU de Quebec Research Centre, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; (M.H.); (K.E.-I.); (C.D.)
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Anna Burguin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (A.C.); (A.B.)
- Cancer Research Centre, CHU de Quebec Research Centre, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; (M.H.); (K.E.-I.); (C.D.)
| | - Caroline Diorio
- Cancer Research Centre, CHU de Quebec Research Centre, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; (M.H.); (K.E.-I.); (C.D.)
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Francine Durocher
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (A.C.); (A.B.)
- Cancer Research Centre, CHU de Quebec Research Centre, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; (M.H.); (K.E.-I.); (C.D.)
- Correspondence:
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Role of Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein 1 in Early Mammary Gland Tumorigenesis and Its Regulation in Breast Microenvironment. Cells 2020; 9:cells9010208. [PMID: 31947616 PMCID: PMC7017175 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In mice, the lack of secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (SFRP1) is responsible for mammogenesis and hyperplasia, while, in bovines, its overexpression is associated with post-lactational mammary gland involution. Interestingly, there are no reports dealing with the role of SFRP1 in female involution. However, SFRP1 dysregulation is largely associated with human tumorigenesis in the literature. Indeed, the lack of SFRP1 is associated with both tumor development and patient prognosis. Considering the increased risk of breast tumor development associated with incomplete mammary gland involution, it is crucial to demystify the "grey zone" between physiological age-related involution and tumorigenesis. In this review, we explore the functions of SFRP1 involved in the breast involution processes to understand the perturbations driven by the disappearance of SFRP1 in mammary tissue. Moreover, we question the presence of recurrent microcalcifications identified by mammography. In bone metastases from prostate primary tumor, overexpression of SFRP1 results in an osteolytic response of the tumor cells. Hence, we explore the hypothesis of an osteoblastic differentiation of mammary cells induced by the lack of SFRP1 during lobular involution, resulting in a new accumulation of hydroxyapatite crystals in the breast tissue.
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Majhi PD, Sharma A, Roberts AL, Daniele E, Majewski AR, Chuong LM, Black AL, Vandenberg LN, Schneider SS, Dunphy KA, Jerry DJ. Effects of Benzophenone-3 and Propylparaben on Estrogen Receptor-Dependent R-Loops and DNA Damage in Breast Epithelial Cells and Mice. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2020; 128:17002. [PMID: 31939680 PMCID: PMC7015622 DOI: 10.1289/ehp5221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endocrine-disrupting chemicals have been shown to have broad effects on development, but their mutagenic actions that can lead to cancer have been less clearly demonstrated. Physiological levels of estrogen have been shown to stimulate DNA damage in breast epithelial cells through mechanisms mediated by estrogen-receptor alpha (ERα). Benzophenone-3 (BP-3) and propylparaben (PP) are xenoestrogens found in the urine of >96% of U.S. OBJECTIVES We investigated the effect of BP-3 and PP on estrogen receptor-dependent transactivation and DNA damage at concentrations relevant to exposures in humans. METHODS In human breast epithelial cells, DNA damage following treatment with 17β-estradiol (E2), BP-3, and PP was determined by immunostaining with antibodies against γ-H2AX and 53BP1. Estrogenic responses were determined using luciferase reporter assays and gene expression. Formation of R-loops was determined with DNA: RNA hybrid-specific S9.6 antibody. Short-term exposure to the chemicals was also studied in ovariectomized mice. Immunostaining of mouse mammary epithelium was performed to quantify R-loops and DNA damage in vivo. RESULTS Concentrations of 1μM and 5μM BP-3 or PP increased DNA damage similar to that of E2 treatment in a ERα-dependent manner. However, BP-3 and PP had limited transactivation of target genes at 1μM and 5μM concentrations. BP-3 and PP exposure caused R-loop formation in a normal human breast epithelial cell line when ERα was introduced. R-loops and DNA damage were also detected in mammary epithelial cells of mice treated with BP-3 and PP. CONCLUSIONS Acute exposure to xenoestrogens (PP and BP-3) in mice induce DNA damage mediated by formation of ERα-dependent R-loops at concentrations 10-fold lower than those required for transactivation. Exposure to these xenoestrogens may cause deleterious estrogenic responses, such as DNA damage, in susceptible individuals. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5221.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabin Dhangada Majhi
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Botany, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, Odisha, India
| | - Aman Sharma
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amy L. Roberts
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Elizabeth Daniele
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Aliza R. Majewski
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lynn M. Chuong
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amye L. Black
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Laura N. Vandenberg
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sallie S. Schneider
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Baystate Campus, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
- Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Karen A. Dunphy
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - D. Joseph Jerry
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
- Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
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