Abstract
Objectives
The inflammatory microenvironment is currently received substantial attentions in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer (BC), the leading cause of cancer death, ∼15%, among women worldwide. The present study investigated the anti-inflammation and anti-cancer properties of 2 bioactive components from Antrodia Camphorata, a rare medicinal mushroom natively grown in Taiwan and commonly used in Chinese traditional medicine.
Methods
In the MCF BC cell lines with or without TNF-α stimulation, influences of Antroquinonol (AQ) and 4-Acetylantroguinonol B (4AAQB) on inflammatory mediators, aromatase, immune checkpoint and Wnt-signaling downstream genes were examined by quantitative real-time PCR.
Results
Among 9 inflammatory mediators (IL6, IL10, IL1β, IFNγ, PTGS2, TGFβ1, TNF-α, CCL2 andCSF1) examined, AQ inhibited 2 of them (IL-10 and PTGS2), while 4-AAQB inhibited 3 of them (IL-10, PTGS2 and TNF-α) (p < 0.05). TNF-α stimulated IL6, IL10, IFNγ, PTGS2, and CCL2 whereas AQ and 4-AAQB only inhibited the IL-6 elevation (p < 0.05). Both components inhibited aromatase expression with/without TNF-α stimulation, with 4-AAQB to be more effective (p < 0.05). For the immune checkpoint CD47, both components inhibited CD47expression (p < 0.05), but it did not respond to TNF-α stimulation. For Wnt-signaling target genes (CCND1, C-MYC and AXIN2), both components have significant or marginal inhibitory functions on C-MYC in the condition with or without TNF-α stimulation.
Conclusions
Overall, our results suggested that AQ and 4-AAQB possess the function to modulate the expression of factors related to inflammatory tumorigenesis in MCF-7 cells. Comparing these two compounds, 4-AAQB holds a more powerful modulatory effect on the expression of inflammatory mediators, aromatase as well as CD47, whereas AQ may be a more effective inhibitory compound for Wnt-signaling responses.
Funding Sources
This project was supported by USDA/Hatch (MAS00514) and industrial funds.
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