scholarly journals HOXD3 Plays a Critical Role in Breast Cancer Stemness and Drug Resistance

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 1737-1747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Zhang ◽  
Qingyuan Zhang ◽  
Zhongru Cao ◽  
Yuanxi Huang ◽  
Shaoqiang Cheng ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Homeobox D3 (HOXD3) is a member of the homeobox family of genes that is known primarily for its transcriptional regulation of morphogenesis in all multicellular organisms. In this study, we sought to explore the role that HOXD3 plays in the stem-like capacity, or stemness, and drug resistance of breast cancer cells. Methods: Expression of HOXD3 in clinical breast samples were examined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. HOXD3 expression in breast cancer cell lines were analyzed by RT-PCR and western blot. Ability of drug resistance in breast cancer cells were elevated by MTT cell viability and colony formation assays. We examined stemness using cell fluorescent staining, RT-PCR and western blot for stem cell marker expression. Finally, activity of wnt signaling was analyzed by FOPflash luciferase assays. RT-PCR and western blot were performed for downstream genes of wnt signaling. Results: We demonstrated that HOXD3 is overexpressed in breast cancer tissue as compared to normal breast tissue. HOXD3 overexpression enhances breast cancer cell drug resistance. Furthermore, HOXD3 upregulation in the same cell lines increased sphere formation as well as the expression levels of stem cell biomarkers, suggesting that HOXD3 does indeed increase breast cancer cell stemness. Because we had previously shown that HOXD3 expression is closely associated with integrin β3 expression in breast cancer patients, we hypothesized that HOXD3 may regulate breast cancer cell stemness and drug resistance through integrin β 3. Cell viability assays showed that integrin β 3 knockdown increased cell viability and that HOXD3 could not restore cancer cell stemness or drug resistance. Given integrin β 3’s relationship with Wnt/β-catenin signaling, we determine whether HOXD3 regulates integrin β 3 activity through Wnt/β-catenin signaling. We found that, even though HOXD3 increased the expression of Wnt/β-catenin downstream genes, it did not restore Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity, which was inhibited in integrin β3 knockdown breast cancer cells. Conclusion: We demonstrate that HOXD3 plays a critical role in breast cancer stemness and drug resistance via integrin β3-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Our findings open the possibility for improving the current standard of care for breast cancer patients by designing targeted molecular therapies that overcome the barriers of cancer cell stemness and drug resistance.

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 335
Author(s):  
Sandy Vitria Kurniawan ◽  
Lies Sugiarti ◽  
Septelia Inawati Wanandi ◽  
Melva Louisa

Objective: This study was designed to analyze the role of piperine in modulating P-glycoprotein mRNA expression when added in combination withtamoxifen to breast cancer cells in culture.Methods: MCF-7 breast cancer cells were treated with 1 μM tamoxifen with or without piperine (12.5, 25, or 50 μM) or verapamil 50 μM (P-glycoproteininhibitor positive control) for up to 12 days. We assessed the cell viability and isolated total RNA from them. We quantified P-glycoprotein expressionsusing quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.Results: Administration of various doses of piperine decreased MCF-7 breast cancer cell viability. Piperine, when given in combination with tamoxifen,decreased the expression of P-glycoprotein mRNA in cells compared with the expression in cells treated with tamoxifen only. The effects were shownto be dose dependent.Conclusion: Piperine prevents the development of breast cancer cell tamoxifen resistance, probably through its inhibition of P-glycoprotein expression.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 2032-2041 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nil Kılıç ◽  
Sümer Aras ◽  
Demet Cansaran-Duman

Objective: Breast cancer is one of the most common diseases among women worldwide and it is characterized by a high ratio of malignancy and metastasis and low rate of survival of patients. Due to limited treatment options, the discovery of alternative therapeutic agents and clarifying the molecular mechanism of breast cancer development may offer new hope for its treatment. Lichen secondary metabolites may be one of these therapeutic agents. Methods: In this study, the effects of Vulpinic Acid (VA) lichen secondary metabolite on the cell viability and apoptosis of breast cancer cells and non-cancerous cell line were investigated. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was also performed to determine changes in the expression of apoptosis-related genes at a molecular level. Results: The results demonstrated that VA significantly inhibited the cell viability and induced apoptosis of human breast cancer cells. The highest rates of decreased growth were determined using the IC50 value of VA for 48h on MCF-7 breast cancer cell. Interestingly, VA treatment significantly reduced cell viability in all examined breast cancer cell lines compared to their non-cancerous human breast epithelial cell line. This is the first study on the investigation of the effects of VA on the molecular mechanisms associated with the expression of apoptosis-related genes in breast cancer cell lines. Results demonstrated that the gene expression of P53 genes was altered up to fourteen-fold levels in SK-BR-3 cell lines whereas it reached 2.5-fold in the MCF-12A cell line after treatment with VA. These observations support that VA induces apoptosis on the breast cancer cells compared with the non-cancerous human breast epithelial cell line. Conclusion: It is implicated that VA may be a promising novel molecule for the induction of apoptosis on breast cancer cells.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (10) ◽  
pp. 3015-3033
Author(s):  
Wee Yee Tan ◽  
Boon Yin Khoo ◽  
Ai Lan Chew

Atypical chemokine receptor proteins are termed ‘decoy proteins’ as their binding to the respective ligands does not lead to a typical signaling pathway but intercepts the action of chemokines. This method of chemokine activity regulation may also function in tumor suppression. D6 and DARC (Duffy Antigen Receptor for Chemokines) have been reported as decoy chemokine receptors in cancer studies. Purified Pichia-expressed D6 and DARC, produced in-house, were used in cell-based studies to test their biological activities. Cell viability tests showed that recombinant D6 and DARC did not affect cell viability significantly, suggesting that they were not involved in breast cancer cell death. Wound healing assays showed that the presence of recombinant D6 or DARC at 10 µg/mL optimally inhibited the migration of breast cancer cells. ELISA showed an inverse relationship between the recombinant proteins and CCL2 levels in the treated cells. Migration assay using Boyden chamber demonstrated the function of the recombinant proteins in inhibiting chemotaxis activity of treated cells. Invasion assay showed the ability of the recombinant proteins in inhibiting the invasion property of treated cells. Comparison of single and combinatorial effects of the recombinant proteins showed that the combination of D6 and DARC at a 1:1 ratio (10 µg/mL) is most effective in reducing CCL2 levels and inhibiting the migration and invasion of treated cells. It was shown that the purified Pichia-expressed recombinant D6 and DARC are the negative regulators of breast cancer cell migration and invasion, and the inhibition effects were greater when they were used in combination.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Bolandghamtpour ◽  
Mitra Nourbakhsh ◽  
Kazem Mousavizadeh ◽  
Zahra Madjd ◽  
Seyedeh Sara Ghorbanhosseini ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) acts as an important enzyme in the salvage pathway of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) biosynthesis. Deregulation of NAD could be associated with progression of many cancers including breast cancer. Here, we evaluated the effect of NAMPT inhibition via miR-154 on survival of breast cancer cells. Methods Breast cancer cell lines including MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 were transfected with miR-154-5p mimic, inhibitor and their negative controls. Using real-time PCR and western blotting techniques the expression levels of NAMPT and miR-154 were determined and compared with the untreated cells. NAD levels were measured by an enzymatic method. Subsequently, colorimetric methods and flow cytometry were performed to evaluate cell viability and apoptosis. Bioinformatics analyses were performed to investigate whether NAMPT 3′-UTR is a direct target of miR-154 and the findings were confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. Results According to the obtained results, NAMPT 3′-UTR was identified as a direct target of miR-154 and the levels of this miRNA was inversely associated with NAMPT expression both at mRNA and protein levels in breast cancer cell lines. Functionally, miR-154 inhibited the NAD salvage pathway leading to a remarkable decrease in cell survival and induction of apoptosis. Co-treatment of breast cancer cells with doxorubicin and miR-154 mimic significantly reduced cell viability compared to treatment with doxorubicin alone in both cell lines. Conclusions Hence, it was concluded that the inhibition of NAD production by miR-154 might be introduced as a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of breast cancer either alone or in combination with other conventional chemotherapeutic agents.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Bolandghamtpour ◽  
Mitra Nourbakhsh ◽  
Kazem Mousavizadeh ◽  
Zahra Madjd ◽  
Seyedeh Sara Ghorbanhosseini ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) acts as an important enzyme in the salvage pathway of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) biosynthesis. Deregulation of NAD could be associated with progression of many cancers including breast cancer. Here, we evaluated the effect of NAMPT inhibition via miR-154 on survival of breast cancer cells. Methods Breast cancer cell lines including MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 were transfected with miR-154-5p mimic, inhibitor and their negative controls. Using real-time PCR and western blotting techniques the expression levels of NAMPT and miR-154 were determined and compared with the untreated cells. NAD levels were measured by an enzymatic method. Subsequently, colorimetric methods and flow cytometry were performed to evaluate cell viability and apoptosis. Bioinformatics analyses were performed to investigate whether NAMPT 3′-UTR is a direct target of miR-154 and the findings were confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. Results According to the obtained results, NAMPT 3′-UTR was identified as a direct target of miR-154 and the levels of this miRNA was inversely associated with NAMPT expression both at mRNA and protein levels in breast cancer cell lines. Functionally, miR-154 inhibited the NAD salvage pathway leading to a remarkable decrease in cell survival and induction of apoptosis. Co-treatment of breast cancer cells with doxorubicin and miR-154 mimic significantly reduced cell viability compared to treatment with doxorubicin alone in both cell lines. Conclusions Hence, it was concluded that the inhibition of NAD production by miR-154 might be introduced as a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of breast cancer either alone or in combination with other conventional chemotherapeutic agents.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Bolandghamtpour ◽  
Mitra Nourbakhsh ◽  
Kazem Mousavizadeh ◽  
Zahra Madjd ◽  
Seyedeh Sara Ghorbanhosseini ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) acts as an important enzyme in the salvage pathway of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) biosynthesis. Deregulation of NAD could be associated with progression of many cancers including breast cancer. Here, we evaluated the effect of NAMPT inhibition via miR-154 on survival of breast cancer cells. Methods Breast cancer cell lines including MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 were transfected with miR-154 mimic, inhibitor and their negative controls. Using real-time PCR and western blotting techniques the expression levels of NAMPT and miR-154 were determined and compared with the untreated cells. NAD levels were measured by an enzymatic method. Subsequently, colorimetric methods and flow cytometry were performed to evaluate cell viability and apoptosis. Bioinformatics analyses were performed to investigate whether NAMPT 3′-UTR is a direct target of miR-154 and the findings were confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. Results According to the obtained results, NAMPT 3′-UTR was identified as a direct target of miR-154 and the levels of this miRNA was inversely associated with NAMPT expression both at mRNA and protein levels in breast cancer cell lines. Functionally, miR-154 inhibited the NAD salvage pathway leading to a remarkable decrease in cell survival and induction of apoptosis. Co-treatment of breast cancer cells with doxorubicin and miR-154 mimic significantly reduced cell viability compared to treatment with doxorubicin alone in both cell lines. Conclusions Hence, it was concluded that the inhibition of NAD production by miR-154 might be introduced as a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of breast cancer either alone or in combination with other conventional chemotherapeutic agents.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 4153
Author(s):  
Kutlwano R. Xulu ◽  
Tanya N. Augustine

Thromboembolic complications are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. Cancer patients often present with an increased risk for thrombosis including hypercoagulation, so the application of antiplatelet strategies to oncology warrants further investigation. This study investigated the effects of anastrozole and antiplatelet therapy (aspirin/clopidogrel cocktail or atopaxar) treatment on the tumour responses of luminal phenotype breast cancer cells and induced hypercoagulation. Ethical clearance was obtained (M150263). Blood was co-cultured with breast cancer cell lines (MCF7 and T47D) pre-treated with anastrozole and/or antiplatelet drugs for 24 h. Hypercoagulation was indicated by thrombin production and platelet activation (morphological and molecular). Gene expression associated with the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was assessed in breast cancer cells, and secreted cytokines associated with tumour progression were evaluated. Data were analysed with the PAST3 software. Our findings showed that antiplatelet therapies (aspirin/clopidogrel cocktail and atopaxar) combined with anastrozole failed to prevent hypercoagulation and induced evidence of a partial EMT. Differences in tumour responses that modulate tumour aggression were noted between breast cancer cell lines, and this may be an important consideration in the clinical management of subphenotypes of luminal phenotype breast cancer. Further investigation is needed before this treatment modality (combined hormone and antiplatelet therapy) can be considered for managing tumour associated-thromboembolic disorder.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiantian Tang ◽  
Guiying Wang ◽  
Sihua Liu ◽  
Zhaoxue Zhang ◽  
Chen Liu ◽  
...  

AbstractThe role of organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B3 (SLCO1B3) in breast cancer is still controversial. The clinical immunohistochemical results showed that a greater proportion of patients with negative lymph nodes, AJCC stage I, and histological grade 1 (P < 0.05) was positively correlated with stronger expression of SLCO1B3, and DFS and OS were also increased significantly in these patients (P = 0.041, P = 0.001). Further subgroup analysis showed that DFS and OS were significantly enhanced with the increased expression of SLCO1B3 in the ER positive subgroup. The cellular function assay showed that the ability of cell proliferation, migration and invasion was significantly enhanced after knockdown of SLCO1B3 expression in breast cancer cell lines. In contrast, the ability of cell proliferation, migration and invasion was significantly reduced after overexpress the SLCO1B3 in breast cancer cell lines (P < 0.05). Overexpression or knockdown of SLCO1B3 had no effect on the apoptotic ability of breast cancer cells. High level of SLCO1B3 expression can inhibit the proliferation, invasion and migration of breast cancer cells, leading to better prognosis of patients. The role of SLCO1B3 in breast cancer may be related to estrogen. SLCO1B3 will become a potential biomarker for breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis assessment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Svartdal Normann ◽  
Miriam Ragle Aure ◽  
Suvi-Katri Leivonen ◽  
Mads Haugland Haugen ◽  
Vesa Hongisto ◽  
...  

AbstractHER2-positive (HER2 +) breast cancer patients that do not respond to targeted treatment have a poor prognosis. The effects of targeted treatment on endogenous microRNA (miRNA) expression levels are unclear. We report that responsive HER2 + breast cancer cell lines had a higher number of miRNAs with altered expression after treatment with trastuzumab and lapatinib compared to poorly responsive cell lines. To evaluate whether miRNAs can sensitize HER2 + cells to treatment, we performed a high-throughput screen of 1626 miRNA mimics and inhibitors in combination with trastuzumab and lapatinib in HER2 + breast cancer cells. We identified eight miRNA mimics sensitizing cells to targeted treatment, miR-101-5p, mir-518a-5p, miR-19b-2-5p, miR-1237-3p, miR-29a-3p, miR-29c-3p, miR-106a-5p, and miR-744-3p. A higher expression of miR-101-5p predicted better prognosis in patients with HER2 + breast cancer (OS: p = 0.039; BCSS: p = 0.012), supporting the tumor-suppressing role of this miRNA. In conclusion, we have identified miRNAs that sensitize HER2 + breast cancer cells to targeted therapy. This indicates the potential of combining targeted drugs with miRNAs to improve current treatments for HER2 + breast cancers.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Meng Li ◽  
Wenmin Zhang ◽  
Xiaodan Yang ◽  
Guo An ◽  
Wei Zhao

BACKGROUND: The voltage-gated calcium channel subunit alpha 2 delta 1 (α2δ1) is a functional tumor initial cells (TICs) marker for some solid cancer cells. This study aimed to investigate whether α2δ1 can be used as a potential TIC marker for breast cancer cells. METHODS: α2δ1+ and α2δ1- cells were identified and sorted from the breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-435s and ZR-75-1 by Immunofluorescence (IF) and Fluorescent-activated cell sorting (FACS) analyses. Spheroid formation in vitro and tumorigenesis in NOD/SCID mice were assessed to determine the self-renewal and serial transplantation abilities of these cells. Using a lentivirus infection system for α2δ1 in breast cancer cell lines, we determined the mRNA levels of stemnessassociated genes by quality real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Boyden chamber and wounding assays were further performed to detect the migration of α2δ1 overexpression cells. Bioinformatics explored the relationship of molecular classification of breast cancer and drug resistance. RESULTS: α2δ1 presents on the cytomembrane of breast cancer cells, with a positive rate of 1.5–3%. The α2δ1+ cells in breast cancer cell lines have a stronger self-renewal ability and tumor initiating properties in vitro and in vivo. Overexpressing α2δ1 successfully enhanced the sphere-forming efficiency, and upregulated the expression of stemness-associated genes, and increased cell migration. However, seldom significant was available between estrogen receptor +/- (ER+/-), progesterone receptor (PR+/-), and Her2+/-. CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer cells positive for the α2δ1 charactered tumor initiation, and α2δ1 is a potential TIC marker for breast cancer that further promotes the migration.


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