Organoid models for mammary gland dynamics and breast cancer

The mammary gland is a highly dynamic tissue that undergoes repeated cycles of growth and involution during pregnancy and menstruation. It is also the site from which breast cancers emerge. Organoids provide an in vitro model that preserves several of the cellular, structural, and microenvironmental features that dictate mammary gland function in vivo and have greatly advanced our understanding of glandular biology. Their tractability for genetic manipulation, live imaging, and high throughput screening have facilitated investigation into the mechanisms of glandular morphogenesis, structural maintenance, tumor progression, and invasion. Opportunities remain to enhance cellular and structural complexity of mammary organoid models, including incorporating additional cell types and hormone signaling.     

MUC1 gene polymorphism and gastric cancer–an epidemiological study

Gastric carcinoma is a major cause of cancer death worldwide and, like most human cancers, probably develops after environmental insults acting on normal individuals and/or individuals with increased genetic susceptibility. Mucins are attractive molecules to study the relationship between genetics and environment because they play an important role in the protection of gastric mucosa against environmental insults and exhibit a highly polymorphic genetic variation. We performed a case-control study using Southern blot analysis to evaluate the MUC1 gene polymorphism in a series of blood donors (n=324) and in patients with gastric carcinoma (n=159). We found that the distribution of MUC1 alleles is significantly different in the two populations and that small MUC1 alleles and small MUC1 genotypes are significantly more frequent in patients with gastric carcinoma than in controls. Individuals with small MUC1 genotypes are at increased risk for gastric carcinoma development.     

Structural basis for the recognition of Asef by adenomatous polyposis coli

Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) regulates cell-cell adhesion and cell migration through activating the APC-stimulated guanine nucleotide-exchange factor (GEF; Asef), which is usually autoinhibited through the binding between its Src homology 3 (SH3) and Dbl homology (DH) domains. The APC-activated Asef stimulates the small GTPase Cdc42, which leads to decreased cell-cell adherence and enhanced cell migration. In colorectal cancers, truncated APC constitutively activates Asef and promotes cancer cell migration and angiogenesis. Here, we report crystal structures of the human APC/Asef complex. We find that the armadillo repeat domain of APC uses a highly conserved surface groove to recognize the APC-binding region (ABR) of Asef, conformation of which changes dramatically upon binding to APC. Key residues on APC and Asef for the complex formation were mutated and their importance was demonstrated by binding and activity assays. Structural superimposition of the APC/Asef complex with autoinhibited Asef suggests that the binding between APC and Asef might create a steric clash between Asef-DH domain and APC, which possibly leads to a conformational change in Asef that stimulates its GEF activity. Our structures thus elucidate the molecular mechanism of Asef recognition by APC, as well as provide a potential target for pharmaceutical intervention against cancers.     

Zinc stabilizes adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein levels and induces cell cycle arrest in colon cancer cells

In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms by which zinc causes growth arrest in colon cancer cells. The results suggest that zinc treatment stabilizes the levels of the wild-type adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein at the post-translational level since the APC mRNA levels and the promoter activity of the APC gene were decreased in HCT-116 cells (which express the wild-type APC gene) after treatment with ZnCl2. Increased levels of wild-type but not truncated APC proteins were required for the ZnCl2-mediated G2/M phase arrest in different colon cancer cell lines. We further tested whether serum-stimulation, which induces cell cycle arrest in the S phase, can relieve ZnCl2-induced G2/M phase arrest of HCT-116 cells. Results showed that in the HCT-116 cells pretreated with ZnCl2, the serum-stimulation neither changed the distribution of G2/M phase arrested cells nor the increased levels of APC protein. The G2/M phase arrest correlated with retarded growth of HCT-116 cells. To further establish that wild-type APC protein plays a role in ZnCl2-induced G2/M arrest, we treated SW480 colon cancer cells that express truncated APC protein. We found that ZnCl2 treatment did not induce G2/M phase arrest in SW480 cells; however, the cell growth was retarded due to the loss of E-cadherin and alpha-tubulin levels. These results suggest that ZnCl2 inhibits the proliferation of colon cancer cells (which carry the wild-type APC gene) through stabilization of the APC protein and cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. On the other hand, ZnCl2 inhibits the proliferation of colon cancer cells (which carry the mutant APC gene) by disrupting cellular attachment and microtubule stability.     

MUC1 与肿瘤转移的研究进展

黏蛋白1（MUC1）是一种高分子量跨膜糖蛋白,广泛分布于机体正常黏膜表面,具有多种功能。MUC1在肿瘤组织中异常表达,与肿瘤的侵袭、转移和预后密切相关,具有重要的临床应用价值。本文对MUC1的结构、功能及其在多种肿瘤转移中的研究进展进行了综述,并对其在肿瘤的临床诊断及治疗中的作用进行了展望。     

ABT-888 and quinacrine induced apoptosis in metastatic breast cancer stem cells by inhibiting base excision repair via adenomatous polyposis coli

PARP inhibitors in combination with other agents are in clinical trial against cancer, but its effect on cancer stem cells (CSCs) is limited. CSCs are responsible for drug resistance, metastasis and cancer relapse due to high DNA repair capacity. Here, we present preclinical effects of Quinacrine (QC) with ABT-888, a PARP inhibitor, on highly metastatic breast cancer stem cells (mBCSCs). An increased level of Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) was noted after treatment with ABT-888 in QC pre-treated mBCSCs cells. Increased APC physically interacts with PARP-1 and inhibits PARylation causing the non assembly of base excision repair (BER) multiprotein complex, resulting in an irreparable DNA damage and subsequent apoptosis. Knockdown of APC in mBCSCs inhibited DNA damage, increased BER and PARylation, reduces apoptosis while the over-expression of APC in BT20 (APC low expressing) cells reversed the effect. Thus, combination of QC and ABT-888 decreased mBCSCs growth by activating APC and inhibiting BER within the cells.     

Impact of the Vitamin D3 receptor on growth-regulatory pathways in mammary gland and breast cancer

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25(OH)₂D₃) interacts with the Vitamin D₃ receptor (VDR) to modulate proliferation and apoptosis in a variety of cell types, including breast cancer cells. In this review, we discuss three issues related to the role of the VDR in growth control: first, whether mammary glands lacking VDR exhibit abnormal growth; second, whether the VDR is essential for induction of apoptosis by 1,25(OH)₂D₃; and third, whether VDR up-regulation can sensitize cells to 1,25(OH)₂D₃. Studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that mammary glands from VDR knockout (VDR KO) mice exhibit accelerated growth and branching during puberty, pregnancy and lactation as compared to wild-type (WT) mice. In addition, involution after weaning, a process driven by epithelial cell apoptosis, proceeds at a slower rate in VDR KO mice compared to WT mice. Using cells isolated from VDR KO and WT mice, we report that both normal and transformed mammary cells derived from WT mice are growth inhibited by 1,25(OH)₂D₃, however, cells derived from VDR KO mice are completely unresponsive to 1,25(OH)₂D₃. In human breast cancer cells, we have identified a variety of agents, including steroid hormones, phytoestrogens and growth factors, that up-regulate VDR expression and enhance sensitivity to 1,25(OH)₂D₃-mediated growth inhibition. Collectively, these studies support a role for 1,25(OH)₂D₃ and the VDR in negative growth regulation of both normal mammary gland and breast cancer cells.     

胃癌组织中的MUC1和VEGF表达及其意义

目的:检测胃癌组织中VEGF和MUC1的表达情况,研究二者与胃癌生物学行为之间的关系。方法:应用免疫组织化学SP法检测VEGF和MUC1在胃癌组织和癌旁组织中的表达情况。结果:胃癌组织中VEGF的阳性表达明显高于癌旁组织,两者之间差异存在统计学意义(P0.05),VEGF在胃癌组织中的表达与胃癌浸润深度、有无远处转移、有无淋巴结转移、TNM分期有关,之间差异存在统计学意义(P0.05);胃癌组织中MUC1的阳性表达明显高于癌旁组织,两者之间差异存在统计学意义(P0.05),MUC1在胃癌组织中的表达与分化程度、TNM分期、淋巴结转移、远处转移有关,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);胃癌患者组织VEGF与MUC1的表达水平呈正相关(r=0.210,P0.05)。结论:VEGF和MUC1在胃癌发生、发展和转移过程中起重要作用,可能成为检测胃癌的重要肿瘤标志物。     

MUC1蛋白的结构、功能及应用

MUC1粘蛋白是一种大分子量的糖蛋白,主要存在于乳腺、胰腺、卵巢等上皮性组织和器官中。它在癌变上皮细胞表面高度异常表达,结构发生相应改变,从而成为免疫应答的靶点,并在乳腺癌的发展、转移、预后及免疫治疗中起到重要作用。     

The expression of human FUT1 in HT-29/M3 colon cancer cells instructs the glycosylation of MUC1 and MUC5AC apomucins

Recently, we have reported that in normal gastric epithelium, the expression of gastric apomucins MUC5AC and MUC6 is associated with the specific expression of type 1 and type 2 Lewis antigens, and FUT2 and FUT1 fucosyltransferases, respectively. Until now, there are no data demonstrating the direct implication of specific glycosyltransferases in the specific patterns of apomucin glycosylation.HT29/M3 colon cancer cell line express MUC1, MUC5AC, type 1 Lewis antigens and FUT2 but not type 2 structures and FUT1, as it occurs in the epithelial cells of the gastric superficial epithelium. These cells were transfected with the cDNA of human FUT1, the -1,2-fucosyltransferase responsible for the synthesis of type 2 Lewis antigens, to assess the implication of FUT1 in the glycosylation of MUC1 and MUC5AC.The M3-FUT1 clones obtained express high levels of type 2 Lewis antigens: H type 2 and Ley antigens. Immunoprecipitation of MUC1 and MUC5AC apomucins gives the direct evidence that FUT1 catalyses the addition of -1,2-fucose to these apomucins, supporting the hypothesis that the pattern of apomucin glycosylation is not only instructed by the mucin primary sequence but also by the set of glycosyltransferases expressed in each specific cell type.     

MUC1-specific immune responses in human MUC1 transgenic mice immunized with various human MUC1 vaccines

Analyses of MUC1-specific cytotoxic T cell precursor (CTLp) frequencies were performed in mice immunized with three different MUC1 vaccine immunotherapeutic agents. Mice were immunized with either a fusion protein comprising MUC1 and glutathione S-transferase (MUC1-GST), MUC1-GST fusion protein coupled to mannan (MFP) or with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing both MUC1 and interleukin-2. Mouse strain variations in immune responsiveness have been observed with these vaccines. We have constructed mice transgenic for the human MUC1 gene to study MUC1-specific immune responses and the risk of auto-immunity following MUC1 immunization. Transgenic mice immunized with MUC1 were observed to be partially tolerant in that the MUC1-specific antibody response is lower than that observed in syngeneic but non-transgenic mice. However, a significant MUC1-specific CTLp response to all three vaccines was observed, indicating the ability to overcome T cell, but to a lesser extent B cell, tolerance to MUC1 in these mice. Histological analysis indicates no evidence of auto-immunity to the cells expressing the human MUC1 molecule. These results suggest that it is possible to generate an immune response to a cancer-related antigen without damage to normal tissues expressing the antigen. Received: 7 July 1999 / Accepted: 26 August 1999     

MUC1粘蛋白在乳腺肿瘤中的表达及其生物学意义

目的　探讨MIC1粘蛋白在乳腺肿瘤组织中的表达特征及其生物学和临床意义。方法　应用免疫组织化学ABC法对 15例乳腺非典型增生 ,15例乳腺良性肿瘤 ,44例乳腺癌 (2 1例含癌旁组织 )染色 ,观察MUC1在不同类型乳腺组织中的表达特征及其与雌激素受体和孕激素受体表达的关系。结果　MUC1在所检测的乳腺组织中均表达 ,但在不同病变乳腺组织中其表达的方式和强度不同。在癌旁和非典型增生组织中只表达在近管腔或腺腔侧的胞膜上 ,胞浆未见表达。在乳腺癌组织中整个胞膜和胞浆均表达 ,且表达强度与细胞的恶性化程度成正相关 (P <0 0 1)。浸润性癌中MUC1表达明显强于原位癌 (P <0 0 0 5 ) ;乳腺癌组织中MUC1的表达强度与雌激素受体的表达成正相关 (P <0 0 5 ) ,与孕激素受体表达无关 (P >0 0 5 )。乳腺癌组织中MUC1有旁分泌现象。结论　MUC1表达水平可反映乳腺肿瘤恶性化程度 ,并可能作为乳腺癌治疗效果判断和预后评价的参考指标。     

UCH-L1在乳腺癌中的表达及其与转移关系的研究

目的研究泛素羧基末端水解酶L1(UCH-L1)与磷酸化p38(p-p38)在乳腺癌组织、细胞系中的表达情况、两种蛋白的表达与临床病理特征的关系以及UCH-L1与乳腺癌侵袭转移的关系。方法用免疫组织化学方法检测乳腺癌组织中UCH-L1与p-p38蛋白的表达情况,用Western Blot方法检测乳腺癌组织以及细胞系中UCH-L1与p-p38蛋白的表达情况。应用UCH-L1特异性抑制剂作用于乳腺癌高侵袭高转移细胞系MDA-MB-435s后,用Western Blot观察UCH-L1与p-p38蛋白表达改变的情况,用Transwell实验检测MDA-MB-435s细胞侵袭潜能的改变。结果 UCH-L1和p-p38蛋白在乳腺浸润性导管癌中的表达高于其在癌旁正常乳腺组织中的表达(P=0.012,P=0.001),二者呈正相关(r=0.397,P=0.000),并与乳腺癌的TNM分期(P=0.017,P=0.010)、淋巴结转移情况(P=0.033,P=0.021)相关。乳腺上皮细胞系MCF-10A、乳腺癌低侵袭低转移细胞系MCF-7和乳腺癌高侵袭高转移细胞系MDA-MB-435s中两种蛋白表达水平呈递增趋势(P均<0.05)。UCH-L1特异性抑制剂可以浓度依赖性地下调MDA-MB-435s细胞系中p-p38蛋白的表达水平(P均<0.05),并能抑制乳腺癌细胞的侵袭转移潜能。结论 UCH-L1、p-p38过表达与乳腺癌的TMN分期、淋巴结转移有关。UCH-L1可能通过上调p-p38介导乳腺癌转移。     

MUC1 in carcinoma-host interactions

Many carcinoma-associated markers are glycoconjugates whose expression undergoes temporal or spatial regulation. Mucin-1 (MUC1), discovered through monoclonal antibody technology, is a well-documented example of such a molecule and influences numerous pathophysiological behaviors, such as the invasion and metastasis of carcinoma cells. Levels of MUC1 expression in carcinomas correlate with the clinical stage of the cancer and inversely correlate with the survival prospects of patients. The MUC1 immune response is known to provide a protective host defense mechanism against cancer. The multiple functions of MUC1 in carcinoma-host interactions are believed to be dependent on the polymorphic nature of MUC1, particularly its glycosylation status.