scholarly journals Targeting of MCL-1 in breast cancer associated fibroblasts reverses their myofibroblastic phenotype and pro-invasive properties

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas L Bonneaud ◽  
Lisa Nocquet ◽  
Agnès Basseville ◽  
Hugo Weber ◽  
Mario Campone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Mitochondrial Fission ◽  
Transcriptional Regulator ◽  
Cellular Component ◽  
Cancer Associated Fibroblasts ◽  
Breast Cancers ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Bh3 Mimetic

Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAF) are a major cellular component of epithelial tumors. In breast cancers in particular these stromal cells have numerous tumorigenic effects in part due to their acquisition of a myofibroblastic phenotype. Breast CAFs (bCAFS) typically express MCL-1. We show here that targeting this regulator of mitochondrial integrity using a specific BH-3 mimetic promotes fragmentation of these organelles without inducing cell death. MCL-1 antagonism in primary bCAFs directly derived from human samples mitigates myofibroblastic features and decreases expression of genes involved in actomyosin organization and contractility, associated with a cytoplasmic retention of the transcriptional regulator, Yes-Associated Protein (YAP). Such treatment decreases bCAFs ability to promote cancer cells invasion in 3D co-culture assays. These effects are counteracted by an inhibitor of the mitochondrial fission protein DRP-1, which interacts with MCL-1 upon BH3 mimetic treatment. Our findings underscore the usefulness of targeting MCL-1 in breast cancer ecosystems, not only to favor death of cancer cells but also to counteract the tumorigenic activation of fibroblasts with which they co-evolve.

scholarly journals miR-338-3p Is Regulated by Estrogens through GPER in Breast Cancer Cells and Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs)

Cells ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adele Vivacqua ◽  
Anna Sebastiani ◽  
Anna Miglietta ◽  
Damiano Rigiracciolo ◽  
Francesca Cirillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Breast Cancer Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cancer Associated Fibroblasts ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Taqman Array

Estrogens acting through the classic estrogen receptors (ERs) and the G protein estrogen receptor (GPER) regulate the expression of diverse miRNAs, small sequences of non-coding RNA involved in several pathophysiological conditions, including breast cancer. In order to provide novel insights on miRNAs regulation by estrogens in breast tumor, we evaluated the expression of 754 miRNAs by TaqMan Array in ER-negative and GPER-positive SkBr3 breast cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) upon 17β-estradiol (E2) treatment. Various miRNAs were regulated by E2 in a peculiar manner in SkBr3 cancer cells and CAFs, while miR-338-3p displayed a similar regulation in both cell types. By METABRIC database analysis we ascertained that miR-338-3p positively correlates with overall survival in breast cancer patients, according to previous studies showing that miR-338-3p may suppress the growth and invasion of different cancer cells. Well-fitting with these data, a miR-338-3p mimic sequence decreased and a miR-338-3p inhibitor sequence rescued the expression of genes and the proliferative effects induced by E2 through GPER in SkBr3 cancer cells and CAFs. Altogether, our results provide novel evidence on the molecular mechanisms by which E2 may regulate miR-338-3p toward breast cancer progression.

scholarly journals CD63 + Cancer‐Associated Fibroblasts Confer Tamoxifen Resistance to Breast Cancer Cells through Exosomal miR‐22

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (21) ◽  
pp. 2002518
Author(s):  
Yuan Gao ◽  
Xiaoju Li ◽  
Cheng Zeng ◽  
Chenlin Liu ◽  
Qiang Hao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Breast Cancer Cells ◽  
Tamoxifen Resistance ◽  
Cancer Associated Fibroblasts

scholarly journals Matrix Stiffness Modulates Metabolic Interaction between Human Stromal and Breast Cancer Cells to Stimulate Epithelial Motility

Metabolites ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 432
Author(s):  
Iván Ponce ◽  
Nelson Garrido ◽  
Nicolás Tobar ◽  
Francisco Melo ◽  
Patricio C. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Glucose Transporter ◽  
Lactate Production ◽  
Resonance Energy ◽  
Metabolic Reprogramming ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Functional Link

Breast tumors belong to the type of desmoplastic lesion in which a stiffer tissue structure is a determinant of breast cancer progression and constitutes a risk factor for breast cancer development. It has been proposed that cancer-associated stromal cells (responsible for this fibrotic phenomenon) are able to metabolize glucose via lactate production, which supports the catabolic metabolism of cancer cells. The aim of this work was to investigate the possible functional link between these two processes. To measure the effect of matrix rigidity on metabolic determinations, we used compliant elastic polyacrylamide gels as a substrate material, to which matrix molecules were covalently linked. We evaluated metabolite transport in stromal cells using two different FRET (Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer) nanosensors specific for glucose and lactate. Cell migration/invasion was evaluated using Transwell devices. We show that increased stiffness stimulates lactate production and glucose uptake by mammary fibroblasts. This response was correlated with the expression of stromal glucose transporter Glut1 and monocarboxylate transporters MCT4. Moreover, mammary stromal cells cultured on stiff matrices generated soluble factors that stimulated epithelial breast migration in a stiffness-dependent manner. Using a normal breast stromal cell line, we found that a stiffer extracellular matrix favors the acquisition mechanistical properties that promote metabolic reprograming and also constitute a stimulus for epithelial motility. This new knowledge will help us to better understand the complex relationship between fibrosis, metabolic reprogramming, and cancer malignancy.

scholarly journals Transcriptional coregualtor NUPR1 maintains tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingling Wang ◽  
Jiashen Sun ◽  
Yueyuan Yin ◽  
Yanan Sun ◽  
Jinyi Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Breast Cancer Cells ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Endocrine Resistance ◽  
Autophagic Flux ◽  
Physical Interaction ◽  
Premature Senescence ◽  
Breast Cancers ◽  
Transcriptional Coregulator

AbstractTo support cellular homeostasis and mitigate chemotherapeutic stress, cancer cells must gain a series of adaptive intracellular processes. Here we identify that NUPR1, a tamoxifen (Tam)-induced transcriptional coregulator, is necessary for the maintenance of Tam resistance through physical interaction with ESR1 in breast cancers. Mechanistically, NUPR1 binds to the promoter regions of several genes involved in autophagy process and drug resistance such as BECN1, GREB1, RAB31, PGR, CYP1B1, and regulates their transcription. In Tam-resistant ESR1 breast cancer cells, NUPR1 depletion results in premature senescence in vitro and tumor suppression in vivo. Moreover, enforced-autophagic flux augments cytoplasmic vacuolization in NUPR1-depleted Tam resistant cells, which facilitates the transition from autophagic survival to premature senescence. Collectively, these findings suggest a critical role for NUPR1 as a transcriptional coregulator in enabling endocrine persistence of breast cancers, thus providing a vulnerable diagnostic and/or therapeutic target for endocrine resistance.

scholarly journals Transcriptome profiles of stem-like cells from primary breast cancers allow identification of ITGA7 as a predictive marker of chemotherapy response

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noha Gwili ◽  
Stacey J. Jones ◽  
Waleed Al Amri ◽  
Ian M. Carr ◽  
Sarah Harris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Breast Cancer Cells ◽  
Predictive Marker ◽  
Therapy Resistance ◽  
Differentially Expressed ◽  
Molecular Profile ◽  
Chemotherapy Response ◽  
Breast Cancers

Abstract Background Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are drivers of therapy-resistance, therefore are responsible for poor survival. Molecular signatures of BCSCs from primary cancers remain undefined. Here, we identify the consistent transcriptome of primary BCSCs shared across breast cancer subtypes, and we examine the clinical relevance of ITGA7, one of the genes differentially expressed in BCSCs. Methods Primary BCSCs were assessed using immunohistochemistry and fluorescently labelled using Aldefluor (n = 17). Transcriptomes of fluorescently sorted BCSCs and matched non-stem cancer cells were determined using RNA-seq (n = 6). ITGA7 expression was examined in breast cancers using immunohistochemistry (n = 305), and its functional role was tested using siRNA in breast cancer cells. Results Proportions of BCSCs varied from 0 to 9.4%. 38 genes were significantly differentially expressed in BCSCs; genes were enriched for functions in vessel morphogenesis, motility, and metabolism. ITGA7 was found to be significantly downregulated in BCSCs, and low expression significantly correlated with reduced survival in patients treated with chemotherapy, and with chemoresistance in breast cancer cells in vitro. Conclusions This study is the first to define the molecular profile of BCSCs from a range of primary breast cancers. ITGA7 acts as a predictive marker for chemotherapy response, in accordance with its downregulation in BCSCs.

A novel 3-D bio-microfluidic system mimicking in vivo heterogeneous tumour microstructures reveals complex tumour–stroma interactions

Lab on a Chip ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (16) ◽  
pp. 2852-2860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qihui Fan ◽  
Ruchuan Liu ◽  
Yang Jiao ◽  
Chunxiu Tian ◽  
James D. Farrell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Invasive Breast Cancer ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Breast Cancer Cells ◽  
Microfluidic System ◽  
Tumour Stroma ◽  
Collagen Hydrogel

A 3-D microfluidic system consisting of microchamber arrays embedded in a collagen hydrogel with tunable biochemical gradients was constructed for investigating interactions between invasive breast cancer cells and stromal cells.

scholarly journals Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors as Adjunct Treatment for Triple-Negative Breast Cancers. An Introductory Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne Goh ◽  
Inna Sleptsova-Freidrich ◽  
Nenad Petrovic
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Proton Pump ◽  
Triple Negative Breast Cancer ◽  
Triple Negative ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Breast Cancers ◽  
Gastric Type ◽  
Dose Dependent

PURPOSE: Triple negative breast cancers (estrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) receptor-negative) are among the most aggressive forms of cancers with limited treatment options. Doxorubicin is one of the agents found in many of the current cancer treatment protocols, although its use is limited by dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. This work investigates one of the ways to suppress cancer growth by inhibiting tumor cell ability to remove acid accumulated during its metabolism by proton pump inhibitor esomeprazole (a drug with extensive clinical use) which could serve as an addition to doxorubicin therapy. METHODS: In this work, we have investigated growth suppression of triple-negative breast cancer cells MDA-MB-468 by esomeprazole and doxorubicin by trypan blue exclusion assay. Measurement of acidification of treated cancer cells was performed using intracellular pH-sensitive probe, BCECF-AM. Finally, expression of gastric type proton pump (H+/K+ ATPase, a target for esomeprazole) on MDA-MB-468 cells was detected by immunofluorescence and Western blotting. RESULTS: We have found that esomeprazole suppresses growth of triple-negative breast cancer cell in vitro in a dose-dependent manner through increase in their intracellular acidification. In contrast, esomeprazole did not have significant effect on non-cancerous breast epithelial MCF-10A cells. Esomeprazole increases doxorubicin effects suggesting that dual treatments might be possible. In addition, response of MDA-MB-468 cells to esomeprazole could be mediated by gastric type proton pump (H+/K+ ATPase) in cancer cells contrary to previous beliefs that this proton pump expression is restricted to parietal cells of the stomach epithelia. CONCLUSION: This study provides first evidence that adjunct use of esomeprazole in breast cancer treatment might be a possible to combat adverse effects of doxorubicin and increase its effectiveness. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.

scholarly journals Spot 14: A Marker of Aggressive Breast Cancer and a Potential Therapeutic Target

Endocrinology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 147 (9) ◽  
pp. 4048-4055 ◽  
Author(s):  
William B. Kinlaw ◽  
Jennifer L. Quinn ◽  
Wendy A. Wells ◽  
Christopher Roser-Jones ◽  
Joel T. Moncur
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Therapeutic Target ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Breast Cancer Cells ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Lipid Synthesis ◽  
Breast Cancers ◽  
Spot 14 ◽  
Aggressive Breast Cancer

Spot 14 (S14) is a nuclear protein that communicates the status of dietary fuels and fuel-related hormones to genes required for long-chain fatty acid synthesis. In mammary gland, S14 is important for both epithelial proliferation and milk fat production. The S14 gene is amplified in some breast cancers and is strongly expressed in most. High expression of S14 in primary invasive breast cancer is conspicuously predictive of recurrence. S14 mediates the induction of lipogenesis by progestin in breast cancer cells and accelerates their growth. Conversely, S14 knockdown impairs de novo lipid synthesis and causes apoptosis. We found that breast cancer cells do not express lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hypothesize that they do not have access to circulating lipids unless the local environment supplies it. This may explain why primary breast cancers with low S14 do not survive transit from the LPL-rich mammary fat pad to areas devoid of LPL, such as lymph nodes, and thus do not appear as distant metastases. Thus, S14 is a marker for aggressive breast cancer and a potential target as well. Future effort will center on validation of S14 as a therapeutic target and producing antagonists of its action.

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