NUAK1增加乳腺癌细胞的趋化和粘附能力

本课题组先前已证明NUAK1/ARK5可通过影响F-actin的聚合从而促进乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移. 但是NUAK1是否还通过其它机制影响乳腺癌的侵袭和转移尚有待于探讨.本文证明NUAK1还可以影响乳腺癌细胞趋化、粘附能力从而在乳腺癌细胞侵袭转移中起重要作用. 应用化学合成的小RNA干扰质粒转染到乳腺癌细胞系MDA MB 231中,用免疫印迹技术检测NUAK1蛋白的表达情况. 结果显示,在敲除NUAK1的细胞（siNUAK1/MDA231）中, NUAK1蛋白表达水平明显降低;趋化运动实验结果显示, siNUAK1/MDA231细胞的趋化运动能力比未处理组（Scr/MDA231）细胞明显降低;细胞粘附实验结果显示, EGF刺激5 min、15 min后,siNUAK1/MDA231细胞比Scr/MDA231细胞粘附细胞数量均明显减少;免疫印迹技术检测integrin β1磷酸化验证NUAK1影响乳腺癌细胞粘附的机制. 结果显示,siNUAK1/MDA231细胞内integrin β1磷酸化比Scr/MDA231细胞不同程度降低. 上述结果表明, NUAK1通过磷酸化integrin β1促进乳腺癌细胞与纤维粘连蛋白的粘附,从而促进乳腺癌的侵袭和转移.     

EBP50通过Wnt3a/β-catenin信号通路抑制乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移

EBP50通过抑制LIMK/cofilin信号通路和PI3K/Akt/m TOR/MMP信号通路抑制乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移。然而,EBP50是否可以通过其他机制抑制乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移尚未可知。本研究发现,EBP50能通过Wnt3a/β-catenin信号通路影响乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移。Western印迹结果显示,EBP50在低转移细胞株MCF-7和正常乳腺细胞株MCF-10A中高表达,而在高转移细胞株MDA-MB-231低表达。采用RNAi技术将小RNA质粒瞬时转染乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7,同时将质粒pc DNA3.1-EBP50转入乳腺癌细胞株MDA-MB-231。Western印迹结果显示,Si EBP50/MCF-7细胞组的EBP50表达水平明显下调,MDA231/EBP50细胞组的EBP50表达水平明显上调。Transwell侵袭实验和划痕实验结果显示,用Wnt3a刺激后,Si EBP50/MCF-7细胞组体外迁移和侵袭能力明显增强,MDA231/EBP50细胞组体外迁移和侵袭能力明显减弱。Western印迹结果显示,与未用Wnt3a或同时用Wnt3a和抑制剂Dkk1刺激的相比,Si EBP50/MCF-7细胞组上皮-钙粘蛋白(Ecadherin)下调,波形蛋白(vimentin)上调,细胞核中β-联蛋白(β-catenin)的表达水平升高,而MDA231/EBP50细胞组上皮-钙粘蛋白上调,波形蛋白下调,细胞核中β-联蛋白表达下降。上述结果表明,EBP50通过Wnt3a/β-catenin信号通路影响β-联蛋白的转核,抑制EMT的发生,进而抑制乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和转移。     

miR-145通过靶向吞噬和细胞活力蛋白1抑制乳腺癌细胞侵袭

吞噬和细胞活力蛋白1（engulfment and cell motility protein 1,ELMO1）可以促进多种癌细胞的侵袭和转移,但ELMO1的表达是否受miRNA的调控鲜有研究。本研究旨在探讨miR-145与ELMO1表达的相关性,以及miR-145通过结合ELMO1的mRNA对乳腺癌侵袭的影响。通过TargetScan (http://www.targetscan.org/)靶基因预测软件预测与ELMO1的3′UTR结合的miR-145。荧光素酶结果证实两者互补结合。Transwell侵袭结果显示,miR-145组和siELMO1+miR-145组MDA-231乳腺癌细胞穿膜数较对照组分别降低40%（P＜0.05）和79%（P＜0.05）。siELMO1+miR-145组和siELMO1组细胞穿膜数则无显著差异（P>0.05）。结果提示,miR-145通过与ELMO1的mRNA结合抑制细胞侵袭。qRT-PCR显示,低侵袭的MCF-7乳腺癌细胞miR-145的表达量较高侵袭的MDA-435细胞高80%（P＜0.05）,较MDA-231乳腺癌细胞高75%（P＜0.05）,即miR-145与癌细胞侵袭能力呈负相关。Western印迹结果表明,miR-145组ELMO1表达量低于阴性对照组,miR-145 抑制组ELMO1表达量高于抑制剂NC组（P＜0.05）,证明miR-145抑制ELMO1的表达。qRT-PCR显示,过表达miR-145后ELMO1 mRNA含量与对照组无显著差异（P>0.05）。结果提示,miR-145对ELMO1的调控作用通过抑制其翻译实现。F-肌动蛋白聚合实验表明,miR-145组和阴性对照组于20 s和60 s时F-肌动蛋白聚合结果存在明显区别（P＜0.05）。Western 印迹结果表明,miR-145组活化的Rac1表达量较阴性对照组降低60%（P<0.05）,抑制剂NC组活化的Rac1较miR-145 抑制组降低55%（P<0.05）;miR-145组磷酸化的整合素β1较对照组于15 min时降低42%（P<0.05）,于30 min时降低31%（P<0.05）。由此得出的miR-145过表达显著促进乳腺癌细胞F-肌动蛋白聚合、Rac1活化和整合素β1磷酸化结论。综上所述,miR-145通过靶向ELMO1的 mRNA抑制ELMO1翻译,从而抑制乳腺癌的侵袭。     

miR-145通过靶向吞噬和细胞活力蛋白1抑制乳腺癌细胞侵袭

吞噬和细胞活力蛋白1（engulfment and cell motility protein 1,ELMO1）可以促进多种癌细胞的侵袭和转移,但ELMO1的表达是否受miRNA的调控鲜有研究。本研究旨在探讨miR-145与ELMO1表达的相关性,以及miR-145通过结合ELMO1的mRNA对乳腺癌侵袭的影响。通过TargetScan (http://www.targetscan.org/)靶基因预测软件预测与ELMO1的3′UTR结合的miR-145。荧光素酶结果证实两者互补结合。Transwell侵袭结果显示,miR-145组和siELMO1+miR-145组MDA-231乳腺癌细胞穿膜数较对照组分别降低40%（P＜0.05）和79%（P＜0.05）。siELMO1+miR-145组和siELMO1组细胞穿膜数则无显著差异（P>0.05）。结果提示,miR-145通过与ELMO1的mRNA结合抑制细胞侵袭。qRT-PCR显示,低侵袭的MCF-7乳腺癌细胞miR-145的表达量较高侵袭的MDA-435细胞高80%（P＜0.05）,较MDA-231乳腺癌细胞高75%（P＜0.05）,即miR-145与癌细胞侵袭能力呈负相关。Western印迹结果表明,miR-145组ELMO1表达量低于阴性对照组,miR-145 抑制组ELMO1表达量高于抑制剂NC组（P＜0.05）,证明miR-145抑制ELMO1的表达。qRT-PCR显示,过表达miR-145后ELMO1 mRNA含量与对照组无显著差异（P>0.05）。结果提示,miR-145对ELMO1的调控作用通过抑制其翻译实现。F-肌动蛋白聚合实验表明,miR-145组和阴性对照组于20 s和60 s时F-肌动蛋白聚合结果存在明显区别（P＜0.05）。Western 印迹结果表明,miR-145组活化的Rac1表达量较阴性对照组降低60%（P<0.05）,抑制剂NC组活化的Rac1较miR-145 抑制组降低55%（P<0.05）;miR-145组磷酸化的整合素β1较对照组于15 min时降低42%（P<0.05）,于30 min时降低31%（P<0.05）。由此得出的miR-145过表达显著促进乳腺癌细胞F-肌动蛋白聚合、Rac1活化和整合素β1磷酸化结论。综上所述,miR-145通过靶向ELMO1的 mRNA抑制ELMO1翻译,从而抑制乳腺癌的侵袭。     

BMP9/PI3K/Akt信号通路抑制乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞生长

探讨骨形态发生蛋白9是否可通过其它非经典BMPs/SMAD信号通路来抑制人乳腺癌癌细胞MDA-MB-231的生长。本研究采用免疫组化方法检测临床乳腺癌患者癌组织和癌旁组织中BMP9、Akt总蛋白和Akt磷酸化蛋白表达,采用Western blot检测过表达BMP9或靶向干扰BMP9后,对乳腺癌细胞中PI3K/Akt信号通路中Akt总蛋白和Akt磷酸化蛋白表达的影响,通过裸鼠异位移植瘤动物模型证实BMP9可抑制乳腺癌生长,及其对细胞增殖核抗原PCNA表达改变。结果显示,临床乳腺癌患者癌组织中BMP9表达明显低于癌旁组织,癌组织中存在BMP9表达,Akt磷酸化蛋白表达明显降低;BMP9腺病毒感染MDA-MB-231后,MDA-MB-231/BMP9组的Akt磷酸化蛋白表达明显低于MDA-MB-231/GFP,干扰掉MCF7中内源性BMP9后,MCF7/si BMP9组Akt磷酸化蛋白表达明显高于MVF7/si NC组;裸鼠移植瘤动物模型在成瘤后的第21天,MDA-MB-231/BMP9瘤体大小为(0.329±0.047)明显小于MDA-MB-231/GFP(3.102±0.027),PCNA染色显示MDA-MB-231/BMP9的PCNA阳性率为(26.3±3.1)%,明显低于MDA-MB-231/GFP(57.8±5.3)%。由此得出结论,BMP9抑制乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞生长还可以通过抑制PI3K/Akt信号通路激活来发挥作用。     

辣椒碱对乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞迁移和侵袭的抑制作用及其机制

本研究旨在观察辣椒碱对人乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞迁移和侵袭的影响,并探讨其分子机制。乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞经不同浓度辣椒碱作用24 h后进行实验,采用CCK-8法检测细胞活性,采用细胞划痕实验测量细胞迁移率,采用Transwell侵袭实验检测细胞侵袭率,采用Western blot检测乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞中c-Src、p-c-Src(Tyr416)、黏着斑激酶(focal adhesion kinase,FAK)、p-FAK(Tyr576/577)、桩蛋白(Paxillin)、p-Paxillin(Tyr118)、基质金属蛋白酶2(matrix metalloproteinase 2,MMP2)和MMP9蛋白表达水平,采用RT-PCR法检测乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞中MMP2和MMP9的mRNA水平。结果显示,10~50μmol/L辣椒碱对MDA-MB-231细胞存活率无显著影响,100~500μmol/L辣椒碱显著降低MDA-MB-231细胞存活率(P0.05);与正常对照组比较,25和50μmol/L辣椒碱组MDA-MB-231细胞体外迁移率和侵袭率均显著降低(P0.05),c-Src、FAK和Paxillin蛋白的磷酸化水平均显著下降(P0.05),MMP2和MMP9的mRNA和蛋白表达水平均下降(P0.05);并且辣椒碱对MDA-MB-231细胞的上述作用具有剂量依赖性。以上结果提示,低浓度辣椒碱可剂量依赖性地抑制人乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞迁移和侵袭,其机制可能涉及辣椒碱对c-Src/FAK/Paxillin信号通路以及MMP2和MMP9表达的抑制。     

TPST1表达在CXCR4诱导的乳腺癌细胞侵袭中的作用研究

C-X-C趋化因子受体4(CXCR4)是乳腺癌细胞运动的关键调节因子。CXCR4的功能性表达与乳腺癌的恶性进展密切相关。酪氨酸硫酸化转移酶1(tyrosylprotein sulfotransferase 1,TPST1)是CXCR4蛋白翻译后酪氨酸硫酸化修饰的一个关键酶。本研究将探索TPST1在CXCR4调节乳腺癌细胞侵袭过程中的作用机制。利用定量PCR,免疫组织化学和蛋白质免疫印迹等试验技术检测乳腺癌组织和细胞系中CXCR4和TPST1的mRNA和蛋白表达水平。RNA干扰,趋化试验和侵袭试验用于检测TPST1对于CXCR4诱导的乳腺癌细胞侵袭的影响。研究发现CXCR4蛋白在乳腺癌转移淋巴结组织中呈高表达(P=0. 0016)。CXCR4在乳腺癌转移淋巴结组织中的高表达与肿瘤浸润深度密切相关(P=0. 026)。TPST1与CXCR4蛋白表达在乳腺癌原发组织和配对转移淋巴结组织中均呈显著正相关(P=0. 009; P=0. 006)。TPST1在高度恶性乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞中呈高表达,在低度恶性乳腺癌MCF-7细胞中弱表达,而两者CXCR4表达基本相同。小RNA干扰降低TPST1的表达后,下调了乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞对于CXCR4配体即基质细胞衍生因子1α(stromal cell-derived factor 1 alpha,SDF-1α)的运动反应性,进而降低CXCR4诱导的MDA-MB-231细胞迁移和侵袭能力。综上,在CXCR4诱导的乳腺癌细胞侵袭过程中,TPST1表达对于CXCR4功能性活化至关重要,TPST1可能作为潜在的抗CXCR4药物治疗乳腺癌恶性进展的联合靶点。     

二氢杨梅素抑制人乳腺癌细胞侵袭和下调MMP-2/-9蛋白表达研究

藤茶活性成分二氢杨梅素(3, 5, 7, 3′, 4′, 5′-六羟基-2, 3-二氢黄酮醇,DMY)体外对几种癌细胞具有抗增殖作用,但机制尚未完全清楚．本文研究DMY对人高转移型乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞侵袭的影响,并探讨可能的机制．用MTT法检测DMY对MDA-MB-231细胞的增殖抑制率;明胶酶谱分析明胶酶活力;基质金属蛋白酶(MMP-2/-9)的基因表达水平和蛋白质表达水平分别利用实时定量PCR和Western blot分析进行检测．Transwell模型检测DMY对肿瘤细胞侵袭的影响．结果显示,DMY以剂量依赖方式抑制MDA-MB-231细胞的增殖,作用48 h的IC50为73.6 mg/L．DMY显著抑制明胶酶活性和MMP-2/-9蛋白表达,并抑制MMP-2/-9 的mRNA表达水平．此外,DMY不依赖细胞毒作用和以剂量依赖方式抑制MDA- MB-231细胞的侵袭．这些结果提示：DMY能显著抑制人乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞的侵袭和增殖, 其侵袭抑制的机制可能与其下调MMP-2/-9蛋白表达水平相关．     

BMP9结合ALK2受体激活BMPs/SMAD抑制乳腺癌MDA-MB-231增殖侵袭和迁移

为探讨骨形态发生蛋白9是通过结合受体ALK1还是ALK2来抑制人乳腺癌癌细胞MDA-MB-231的增殖、侵袭和迁移,本研究采用RT-PCR检测ALK1、ALK2在MDA-MB-231中内源性表达,同时用RT-PCR检测显性负性突变ALK2腺病毒和BMP9腺病毒共感染MDA-MB-231后,DNALK2表达。采用MTT、细胞划痕实验、Transwell侵袭实验检测DNALK2对BMP9作用下MDA-MB-231增殖、侵袭、迁移的影响。RT-PCR检测DNALK2和BMP9腺病毒共感染MDA-MB-231后CTGF m RNA表达,Western blot检测BMPs/SMAD信号通路中SMAD1/5/8总的蛋白和磷酸化蛋白以及CTGF表达。结果显示,MDA-MB-231只存在ALK2表达,DNALK2和BMP9腺病毒共感染MDA-MB-231后,DNALK2 m RNA表达明显升高;MDA-MB-231/GFP/DNALK2组吸光度值(0.392±0.044)较MDA-MB-231/BMP9/DNALK2组(0.433±0.045)吸光度值无明显改变(p0.05);MDA-MB-231/GFP/DNALK2组划痕愈合率(67.3±8.6)%与MDA-MB-231/BMP9/DNALK2组划痕愈合率(59.9±6.4)%无明显改变(p0.05),MDA-MB-231/GFP/DNALK2组穿膜细胞数为(21.7±3.4)个与MDA-MB-231/BMP9/DNALK2组穿膜细胞数为(17.4±5.4)个无明显改变(p0.05)。Western blot显示:DNALK2能阻断BMP9上调磷酸化SMAD1/5/8和下调人结缔组织生长因子CTGF表达。由此得出结论,BMP9可通过结合ALK2受体激活BMPs/SMAD信号通路来抑制MDA-MB-231增殖、侵袭和迁移。     

二十二碳六烯酸增强MDA-MB-231细胞对5-FU敏感性的研究

目的:探讨二十二碳六烯酸(DHA)对5-FU诱导乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231增殖与凋亡的作用及对Wnt/1β-Catenin信号传导通路的影响.方法:采用四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MTT),测定DHA对5-FU诱导乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231增殖活性的作用;应用流式细胞仪检测细胞周期和凋亡率;RT-PCR检测MDA-MB-231细胞β-catenin、GSK-3β基因的表达情况;Western blot检测MDA-MB-231细胞3-catenin、GSK-3β、磷酸化GSK-3β(Ser9)蛋白的表达情况;细胞免疫组化染色观察DHA及DHA联合Licl对3-Catenin蛋白细胞内表达及定位的影响.结果:20 μg/ml、40μg/ml的DHA分别与5-FU联合应用,可增强5-FU对MDA-MB-231细胞增殖抑制作用.DHA(20 μg/ml)能促进5-FU增强MDA-MB-231细胞G0/G1期阻滞作用、降低细胞增殖指数及诱导细胞的凋亡.DHA作用于MDA-MB-231细胞后,β-catenin基因及蛋白表达水平下降(P＜0.05)、GSK-3β的基因及蛋白表达水平无明显变化(P＞0.05),磷酸化GSK-3β(Ser9)蛋白表达水平下降(P＜o.05).结论:DHA能增强5-FU对MDA-MB-231细胞增殖抑制和诱导凋亡,起化疗增敏作用,可能与其通过抑制GSK-3β磷酸化来阻断Wnt/β-Catenin信号通路有关.     

Reduction of Akt2 expression inhibits chemotaxis signal transduction in human breast cancer cells

Protein kinase Cζ PKCζ mediates cancer cell chemotaxis by regulating cytoskeleton rearrangement and cell adhesion. In the research for its upstream regulator, we investigated the role of Akt2 in chemotaxis and metastasis of human breast cancer cells. Reduction of Akt2 expression by siRNA inhibited chemotaxis of MDA-MB-231, T47D, and MCF7 cells, three representative human breast cancer cells. Expression of a wild type Akt2 in siRNA transfected cells rescued the phenotype. EGF-induced integrin β1 phosphorylation was dampened, consistent with defects in adhesion. Phosphorylation of LIMK and cofilin, a critical step of cofilin recycle and actin polymerization, was also impaired. Thus, Akt2 regulates both cell adhesion and cytoskeleton rearrangement during chemotaxis. Depletion of Akt2 by siRNA impaired the activation of PKCζ while inhibition of PKCζ did not interfere with EGF induced phosphorylation of Akt. Furthermore, EGF induced co-immunoprecipitation between PKCζ and Akt2, but not Akt1, suggesting that a direct interaction between PKCζ and Akt2 in chemotaxis. Protein levels of integrin β1, LIMK, cofilin, and PKCζ didn't alter, suggesting that Akt2 does not regulate the expression of these signaling molecules. In a Severe Combine Immunodeficiency mouse model, Akt2 depleted MDA-MB-231 cells showed a marked reduction in metastasis to mouse lungs, demonstrating the biological relevancy of Akt2 in cancer metastasis in vivo. Taken together, our results suggest that Akt2 directly mediates EGF-induced chemotactic signaling pathways through PKCζ and its expression is critical during the extravasation of circulating cancer cells.     

NHE1 mediates MDA-MB-231 cells invasion through the regulation of MT1-MMP

Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger 1 (NHE1), an important regulator of intracellular pH (pH_i) and extracellular pH (pH_e), has been shown to play a key role in breast cancer metastasis. However, the exact mechanism by which NHE1 mediates breast cancer metastasis is not yet well known. We showed here that inhibition of NHE1 activity, with specific inhibitor Cariporide, could suppress MDA-MB-231 cells invasion as well as the activity and expression of MT1-MMP. Overexpression of MT1-MMP resulted in a distinguished increase in MDA-MB-231 cells invasiveness, but treatment with Cariporide reversed the MT1-MMP-mediated enhanced invasiveness. To explore the role of MAPK signaling pathways in NHE1-mediated breast cancer metastasis, we compared the difference of constitutively phosphorylated ERK1/2, p38 MAPK and JNK in non-invasive MCF-7 cells and invasive MDA-MB-231cells. Interestingly, we found that the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in MDA-MB-231 cells were higher than in MCF-7 cells, but both MCF-7 cells and MDA-MB-231 cells expressed similar constitutively phosphorylated JNK. Treating MDA-MB-231 cells with Cariporide led to decreased phosphorylation level of both p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 in a time-dependent manner, but JNK activity was not influenced. Supplementation with MAPK inhibitor (MEK inhibitor PD98059, p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 and JNK inhibitor SP600125) or Cariporide all exhibited significant depression of MDA-MB-231 cells invasion and MT1-MMP expression. Furthermore, we co-treated MDA-MB-231 cells with MAPK inhibitor and Cariporide. The result showed that Cariporide synergistically suppressed invasion and MT1-MMP expression with MEK inhibitor and p38 MAPK inhibitor, but not be synergistic with the JNK inhibitor. These findings suggest that NHE1 mediates MDA-MB-231 cells invasion partly through regulating MT1-MMP in ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways dependent manner.     

BMP9对人乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231骨转移的影响及可能机制

探讨BMP9对人乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞骨转移能力的影响及其可能的机制。扩增高滴度的BMP9表达腺病毒,感染MDA-MB-231细胞,制备表达BMP9的重组MDA-MB-231/ BMP9细胞,以此作为实验组;同时以含GFP的空载腺病毒感染该细胞为MDA-MB-231/GFP,联合MDA-MB-231共同作为对照组;RT-PCR及Western blot检测重组MDA-MB-231/ BMP9细胞中BMP9以及磷酸化Smad1(PSmad1)的表达;定量PCR及Western blot检测三组细胞中CTGFmRNA和蛋白水平的表达情况,最后结合X片运用免疫组织化学染色的方法检测三组标本中CTGF的表达。结果发现重组MDA-MB-231/ BMP9细胞中存在BMP9的表达;与对照组细胞相比,MDA-MB-231/ BMP9细胞中存在PSmad1的活化增强及CTGF的表达下调;X片发现实验组裸鼠胫骨溶骨性缺损减少;瘤体组织免疫组化发现实验组CTGF表达下调。所以BMP9可以在体内抑制乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞的骨转移并且这种抑制作用有可能是通过下调CTGF来实现的。     

Comparative proteomic analysis implicates eEF2 as a novel target of PI3Kγ in the MDA-MB-231 metastatic breast cancer cell line

Background

Cancer cell migration is fundamentally required for breast tumour invasion and metastasis. The insulin-like growth factor 1 tyrosine kinase receptor (IGF-1R) and the chemokine G-protein coupled receptor, CXCR4 have been shown to play an important role in breast cancer metastasis. Our previous study has shown that IGF-1R can transactivate CXCR4 via a physical association in the human MDA-MB-231 metastatic breast cancer cell line and that this plays a key role in IGF-I-induced migration of these cells. In the present study we used pharmacological inhibition and RNAi to identify PI3Kγ as an important migration signalling molecule downstream of receptor transactivation in MDA-MB-231 cells. To identify PI3Kγ-regulated proteins upon transactivation of CXCR4 by IGF-I, we undertook a comparative proteomics approach using 2-D- Fluorescence Difference Gel Electrophoresis (DIGE) and identified the proteins by mass spectrometry.

Results

These experiments identified eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) as a novel downstream target of PI3Kγ after activation of the IGF-1R-CXCR4 heterodimer by IGF-I. Further analysis demonstrated that eEF2 is phosphorylated in MDA-MB-231 cells in response to IGF-I and that this is dependent on PI3Kγ activity.

Conclusions

Our data imply a novel role for PI3Kγ in facilitating cell migration by regulating phosphorylation of eEF2.     

Autocrine/paracrine regulation of breast cancer cell proliferation by growth hormone releasing hormone via Ras, Raf, and mitogen-activated protein kinase

Although GHRH has previously been shown to regulate proliferation of breast cancer cells and prevent apoptosis, the intracellular pathways mediating this effect have not been clarified. Exogenous GHRH stimulated a dose-dependent proliferative response within 24 h in MDA-231, as well as in T47D cells and in MCF-7 cells transfected with the GHRH receptor. The proliferation of MDA-MB-231 (MDA-231) cells was associated with an increase in tritiated thymidine uptake. In addition, phosphorylation of MAPK was rapidly stimulated by GHRH. The phosphorylation of MAPK by GHRH was prevented by transfection of the cells with dominant-negative Ras or Raf or by pretreatment of cells with Raf kinase 1 inhibitor. The inhibition of Ras and Raf, as well as the inhibition of MAPK phosphorylation by PD98059, also prevented GHRH-induced cell proliferation. Finally, pretreatment of cells with the somatostatin analog, BIM23014, also prevented GHRH-induced MAPK phosphorylation and cell proliferation. These results indicate that GHRH stimulates dose-dependent cell proliferation of MDA-231 breast cancer cells through a pathway that requires Ras, Raf, and MAPK phosphorylation. The results also provide support for a possible autocrine/paracrine antagonism between GHRH and somatostatin in the regulation of MDA-231 cell population maintenance. Taken together, the studies provide further insight into the possible role of GHRH as a growth factor in breast cancer.     

cAMP-response-element-binding protein positively regulates breast cancer metastasis and subsequent bone destruction

cAMP-response-element-binding protein (CREB) signaling has been reported to be associated with cancer development and poor clinical outcome in various types of cancer. However, it remains to be elucidated whether CREB is involved in breast cancer development and osteotropism. Here, we found that metastatic MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells exhibited higher CREB expression than did non-metastatic MCF-7 cells and that CREB expression was further increased by several soluble factors linked to cancer progression, such as IL-1, IGF-1, and TGF-β. Using wild-type CREB and a dominant-negative form (K-CREB), we found that CREB signaling positively regulated the proliferation, migration, and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, K-CREB prevented MDA-MB-231 cell-induced osteolytic lesions in a mouse model of cancer metastasis. Furthermore, CREB signaling in cancer cells regulated the gene expression of PTHrP, MMPs, and OPG, which are closely involved in cancer metastasis and bone destruction. These results indicate that breast cancer cells acquire CREB overexpression during their development and that this CREB upregulation plays an important role in multiple steps of breast cancer bone metastasis.     

MiR-150-5p通过靶向调控Rab1A抑制乳腺癌细胞MDA-231的上皮-间质转化

先前的研究表明,miR-150-5p发挥抑癌基因的作用,调控肿瘤细胞的侵袭与转移。然而,关于其在乳腺癌细胞侵袭与转移中的机制尚不明确。本实验旨在研究miR-150-5p负向调控Rab1A在乳腺癌细胞上皮-间质转化（epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT）中的作用。双荧光素酶的结果显示,miR-150-5p可负向调控Rab1A。荧光定量PCR (qRT-PCR) 结果显示,miR-150-5p在乳腺癌细胞MCF-7及MDA-MB-231（MDA-231）中的表达水平明显低于正常乳腺上皮细胞MCF-10A; 在MDA-231中过表达miR-150-5p后,qRT-PCR结果显示,Rab1A mRNA的表达水平明显降低。Western印迹结果显示,过表达miR-150-5p后,miR-150-5p组细胞中的Rab1A、波形蛋白(vimentin)及N-钙黏着蛋白(N-cadherin)的表达水平相对于对照组（NC）细胞明显降低,而E-钙黏着蛋白(E-cadherin)的表达水平明显增加。Transwell侵袭和划痕实验显示,与miR-150-5p+Con组细胞相比,miR-150-5p+Rab1A组细胞的侵袭和迁移能力明显增加。qRT-PCR结果显示,miR-150-5p+Rab1A组细胞的Rab1A mRNA表达水平明显增加。Western印迹结果显示,miR-150-5p+Rab1A组细胞中的波形蛋白、N-钙黏着蛋白表达水平明显增加, 而E-钙黏着蛋白表达明显降低,过表达Rab1A后显著逆转了miR-150-5p对EMT的影响。综上所述,miR-150-5p可以通过负向调控Rab1A抑制EMT,进而抑制乳腺癌细胞的侵袭和迁移。     

Decreased autocrine EGFR signaling in metastatic breast cancer cells inhibits tumor growth in bone and mammary fat pad

Breast cancer metastasis to bone triggers a vicious cycle of tumor growth linked to osteolysis. Breast cancer cells and osteoblasts express the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and produce ErbB family ligands, suggesting participation of these growth factors in autocrine and paracrine signaling within the bone microenvironment. EGFR ligand expression was profiled in the bone metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells (MDA-231), and agonist-induced signaling was examined in both breast cancer and osteoblast-like cells. Both paracrine and autocrine EGFR signaling were inhibited with a neutralizing amphiregulin antibody, PAR34, whereas shRNA to the EGFR was used to specifically block autocrine signaling in MDA-231 cells. The impact of these was evaluated with proliferation, migration and gene expression assays. Breast cancer metastasis to bone was modeled in female athymic nude mice with intratibial inoculation of MDA-231 cells, and cancer cell-bone marrow co-cultures. EGFR knockdown, but not PAR34 treatment, decreased osteoclasts formed in vitro (p<0.01), reduced osteolytic lesion tumor volume (p<0.01), increased survivorship in vivo (p<0.001), and resulted in decreased MDA-231 growth in the fat pad (p<0.01). Fat pad shEGFR-MDA-231 tumors produced in nude mice had increased necrotic areas and decreased CD31-positive vasculature. shEGFR-MDA-231 cells also produced decreased levels of the proangiogenic molecules macrophage colony stimulating factor-1 (MCSF-1) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), both of which were decreased by EGFR inhibitors in a panel of EGFR-positive breast cancer cells. Thus, inhibiting autocrine EGFR signaling in breast cancer cells may provide a means for reducing paracrine factor production that facilitates microenvironment support in the bone and mammary gland.