Agonist Effects of Propranolol on Non-Tumor Human Breast Cells

β2-Adrenoceptor Activation Favor Acquisition of Tumorigenic Properties in Non-Tumorigenic MCF-10A Breast Epithelial Cells

Noradrenaline and adrenaline, and their cognate receptors, are currently accepted to participate in cancer progression. They may also participate in cancer initiation, although their role in this phase is much less explored. The aim of this work was to study the influence of adrenergic stimulation in several processes related to breast cancer carcinogenesis, using several adrenergic agonists in the MCF-10A non-tumorigenic breast cells. Activation of the β-adrenoceptors promoted an epithelial phenotype in MCF-10A cells, revealed by an increased expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin and a decrease in the mesenchymal markers, N-cadherin and vimentin. MCF-10A cell motility and migration were also impaired after the β-adrenoceptors activation. Concomitant with this effect, β-adrenoceptors decrease cell protrusions (lamellipodia and filopodia) while increasing cell adhesion. Activation of the β-adrenoceptors also decreases MCF-10A cell proliferation. When the MCF-10A cells were cultured under low attachment conditions, activation the of β- (likely β2) or of α2-adrenoceptors had protective effects against cell death, suggesting a pro-survival role of these adrenoceptors. Overall, our results showed that, in breast cells, adrenoceptor activation (mainly through β-adrenoceptors) may be a risk factor in breast cancer by inducing some cancer hallmarks, providing a mechanistic explanation for the increase in breast cancer incidences that may be associated with conditions that cause massive adrenergic stimulation, such as stress.

The Beta2-adrenergic agonist salbutamol synergizes with paclitaxel on cell proliferation and tumor growth in triple negative breast cancer models

PURPOSE

Globally breast cancer accounts for 24.5% in incidence and 15.5% in cancer deaths in women. The triple-negative subtype lacks any specific therapy and is treated with chemotherapy, resulting in significant side-effects. We aimed to investigate if the dose of chemotherapeutic drugs could be diminished by co-administering it with the β2-agonist salbutamol.

METHODS

Cell proliferation was measured by thymidine incorporation; gene expression, by real-time PCR and protein phosphorylation by WB. Apoptosis was assessed by acridine orange / ethidium bromide and TUNEL tests. Public patient databases were consulted. Cells were inoculated to nude mice and their growth assessed.

RESULTS

The β2-agonist salbutamol synergizes in MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro with paclitaxel and doxorubicin on cell proliferation through ADRB2 receptors, while the β-blocker propranolol does not. The expression of this receptor was assessed in patient databases and other cell lines. Triple negative samples had the lowest expression. Salbutamol and paclitaxel decreased MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation while their combination further inhibited it. The pathways involved were analyzed. When these cells were inoculated to nude mice, paclitaxel and salbutamol inhibited tumor growth. The combined effect was significantly greater. Paclitaxel increased the expression of MDR1 while salbutamol partially reversed this increase.

CONCLUSION

While the effect of salbutamol was mainly on cell proliferation, suboptimal concentrations of paclitaxel provoked a very important enhancement of apoptosis. The latter enhanced transporter proteins as MDR1, whose expression were diminished by salbutamol. The expression of ADRB2 should be assessed in the biopsy or tumor to eventually select patients that could benefit from salbutamol repurposing.

Adrenergic receptors in breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed malignancy in women worldwide and in the majority of the countries. Breast cancers are classified on the expression of estrogen and progesterone receptor expression and overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) as luminal, HER2+ and triple negative breast cancer. The intrinsic molecular subtypes match this classification. Cancer diagnosis and treatment cause distress. In both acute and chronic stress, the secreted catecholamines adrenaline and noradrenaline trigger the "fight-or-flight" response. This chapter focuses on the actions of the β2 and α2 adrenergic receptors in several models of breast cancer. The actions of these receptors depend on the model used to investigate them. The β₂-adrenergic receptors seem to exert a dual action. They can directly act on the epithelial cells inhibiting cell proliferation and migration/invasion and indirectly upon the immune microenvironment. The proportion of β2 receptors in each compartment could, therefore, lean the scale to an inhibition or to an exacerbation of tumor growth, invasion and metastasis. All the work points to a beneficial or neutral action of β-blockers on breast cancer. With respect to α2-adrenergic receptors, the investigation performed by our group suggest that the α2B and the α2C receptors are linked to enhanced cell proliferation and tumor growth acting through both the epithelial and the stromal (fibroblastic) compartments while α2A could be beneficial for patients. Some adrenergic compounds could be repurposed for breast cancer treatment due to their very low side effects and very well-known pharmacology.

Cross-Talk of Cholinergic and β-Adrenergic Receptor Signalling in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia K562 Cells

In many studies on breast, skin, and intestinal cancers, beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists have been shown to inhibit cell proliferation and angiogenesis and increase apoptosis in cancers. Carbachol inhibits chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cell proliferation. Beta-blockers are known to inhibit cell progression. The aim of this study, explain the mechanism of action of beta-adrenergic receptors agonists and antagonists on apoptosis in chronic myeloid leukemia cells. We tried to determine the effect of combined treatment of beta-adrenergic and cholinergic drugs on Adrenergic β1 and β2 gene expression, cell proliferation and apoptosis in chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells. Cell proliferation was evaluated by the BrdU incorporation kit. Caspase 3, 8, 9 activities were measured by the caspase-assay kit. Protein expression level detected by western blotting. We found that exposure to propranolol either by combination with carbachol facilitates additive effects on inhibition of caspase 3 and 8 expression in chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells. But caspase 9 expression level was increased by propranolol alone or with propranolol and Carbachol combination. The combined therapy of cholinergic and adrenergic receptor drugs will decrease cell proliferation in K562 cells. This decrease in cell proliferation may be mediated by the mitochondrial dependent intrinsic apoptosis pathway.

Homeodomain-containing gene 10 contributed to breast cancer malignant behaviors by activating Interleukin-6/Janus kinase 2/Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway

Homeodomain‑containing gene 10 (HOXC10) has been identified as an oncogene in various malignancies. Nevertheless, the role and function of HOXC10 in breast cancer (BC) remain unclear. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein levels of genes, respectively. CCK-8, transwell, and TUNEL assays were performed to evaluate cell viability, invasion, migration, and apoptosis of BC cells in vitro. The xenograft model was established to examine the effect of HOXC10 on tumor growth in vivo. Our results indicated that HOXC10 expression was increased in BC and correlated with an unsatisfactory prognosis. Functional assays indicated that HOXC10 overexpression promoted cell proliferation and metastasis, and suppressed cell apoptosis of BC, while HOXC10 knockdown showed opposite trends. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo assays uncovered that HOXC10 promoted the tumorigenesis of BC via the activation of IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling. Overall, our study revealed that HOXC10 could function as a tumor promotor in BC by upregulating IL-6 levels to activate the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

The stimulation and inhibition of beta-2 adrenergic receptor on the inflammatory responses of ovary and immune system in the aged laying hens

Background

Ovarian chronic inflammation has been known to incidence in the laying hen mainly via increasing laying frequency and microbial infection, especially during late stage of production period. This study was aimed to evaluate beta-2 adrenergic agonist (Beta-2 Adrenergic Agonist, BAA) Salmeterol and beta blocker (Beta Blocker, BB) Propranolol on the gene expression of the ovarian pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators, inflammatory responses of immune system, ovarian functions and, hormones in the laying hens on the late stage of production period. Forty-eight White Leghorn hens aged 92 weeks were used for 4 weeks to be supplemented by Salmeterol and Propranolol. Ovulation rate and follicular growth were determined based on laying frequency and ovarian visual evaluation, respectively; the mRNA expressions of follicular beta-2 adrenergic receptor (Beta-2 Adrenergic Receptor, β2ADR), cyclooxygenases (Cyclooxygenases, COX) 1 and 2, and cytokines were measured by real-time PCR. The plasma concentration of ovarian hormones, cellular, and humoral immune responses were measured via ELISA, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (Heterophil to Lymphocyte ratio, H:L), and sheep red blood cell (Sheep Red Blood Cell, SRBC) test, respectively.

Results

As compared to control, both of BAA Salmeterol and BB Propranolol resulted in a significant decrease in the mRNA expression of β2ADR, cyclooxygenases, and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (P < 0.01). A significant elevation was observed in the ovulation rate (P < 0.05), plasma estradiol content on both treated groups (P < 0.05), and the content of progesterone and was just significantly (P < 0.05) increased in Salmeterol group. H:L was reduced in BAA group (P < 0.05), and immunoglobulin (Ig) M was elevated in both treated hens, when compared to control. The results indicated that Salmeterol significantly increases body weight (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The stimulation and inhibition of beta-2 adrenergic signaling could reduce ovarian inflammatory condition in addition to enhancing laying efficiency in the aged laying hens.