ABL Tyrosine Kinase Inhibition Variable Effects on the Invasive Properties of Different Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cell Lines

The non-receptor tyrosine kinase ABL drives myeloid progenitor expansion in human chronic myeloid leukemia. ABL inhibition by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor nilotinib is a first-line treatment for this disease. Recently, ABL has also been implicated in the transforming properties of solid tumors, including triple negative (TN) breast cancer. TN breast cancers are highly metastatic and several cell lines derived from these tumors display high invasive activity in vitro. This feature is associated with the activation of actin-rich membrane structures called invadopodia that promote extracellular matrix degradation. Here, we investigated nilotinib effect on the invasive and migratory properties of different TN breast cancer cell lines. Nilotinib decreased both matrix degradation and invasion in the TN breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB 231 and MDA-MB 468. However, and unexpectedly, nilotinib increased by two-fold the invasive properties of the TN breast cancer cell line BT-549 and of Src-transformed fibroblasts. Both display much higher levels of ABL kinase activity compared to MDA-MB 231. Similar effects were obtained by siRNA-mediated down-regulation of ABL expression, confirming ABL central role in this process. ABL anti-tumor effect in BT-549 cells and Src-transformed fibroblasts was not dependent on EGF secretion, as recently reported in neck and squamous carcinoma cells. Rather, we identified the TRIO-RAC1 axis as an important downstream element of ABL activity in these cancer cells. In conclusion, the observation that TN breast cancer cell lines respond differently to ABL inhibitors could have implications for future therapies.     

A Mathematical Model for the Effects of HER2 Overexpression on Cell Proliferation in Breast Cancer

We present a mathematical model to study the effects of HER2 over-expression on cell proliferation in breast cancer. The model illustrates the proliferative behavior of cells as a function of HER2 and EGFR receptors numbers, and the growth factor EGF. This mathematical model comprises kinetic equations describing the cell surface binding of EGF growth factor to EGFR and HER2 receptors, coupled to a model for the dependence of cell proliferation rate on growth factor receptors binding. The simulation results from this model predict: (1) a growth advantage associated with excess HER2 receptors; (2) that HER2-over-expression is an insufficient parameter to predict the proliferation response of cancer cells to epidermal growth factors; and (3) the EGFR receptor expression level in HER2-over-expressing cells plays a key role in mediating the proliferation response to receptor-ligand signaling. This mathematical model also elucidates the interaction and roles of other model parameters in determining cell proliferation rate of HER2-over-expressing cells.     

A Mathematical Model of Cell Cycle Progression Applied to the MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Line

In this paper, we present a model of cell cycle progression and apply it to cells of the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. We consider cells existing in the three typical cell cycle phases determined using flow cytometry: the G1, S, and G2/M phases. We further break each phase up into model phases in order to capture certain features such as cells remaining in phases for a minimum amount of time. The model is also able to capture the environmentally responsive part of the G1 phase, allowing for quantification of the number of environmentally responsive cells at each point in time. The model parameters are carefully chosen using data from various sources in the biological literature. The model is then validated against a variety of experiments, and the excellent fit with experimental results allows for insight into the mechanisms that influence observed biological phenomena. In particular, the model is used to question the common assumption that a ‘slow cycling population’ is necessary to explain some results. Finally, an extension is proposed, where cell death is included in order to accurately model the effects of tamoxifen, a common first line anticancer drug in breast cancer patients. We conclude that the model has strong potential to be used as an aid in future experiments to gain further insight into cell cycle progression and cell death.     

乳酸脱氢酶与酯酶同工酶同板染色法

介绍一种在同一块凝胶板上染乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)与酯酶(EST)的染色方法. 该同板染色法利用两种同工酶显色反应互不干扰和颜色不同的特点, 先染LDH, 后染EST, 可以在同一块胶板上得到两种同工酶清晰的酶带, 每一种酶的酶带与单板染色的酶带完全一样. 这种染色法, 能节省同工酶分析所需的试剂、时间和经费, 也便于样品的鉴定与比较, 是一种经济有效的方法. 此方法, 同样适用于苹果酸脱氢酶(MDH)与酯酶等同工酶的同板染色.     

Stanniocalicin 2 Suppresses Breast Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion via the PKC/Claudin-1-Mediated Signaling

Stanniocalcin (STC), a glycoprotein hormone, is expressed in a wide variety of tissues to regulate Ca²⁺ and PO4^- homeostasis. STC2, a member of STC family, has been reported to be associated with tumor development. In this study, we investigated whether the expression of STC2 is associated with migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. We found that breast cancer cell line 231 HM transfected with STC2 shRNA displayed high motility, fibroblast morphology, and enhanced cell migration and invasion. Introduction of STC2 in 231 cells reduced cell migration and invasion. In response to irradiation, silencing of STC2 in 231 HM cells reduced apoptosis, whereas overexpression of STC2 in 231 cells promoted apoptosis, compared with in control cells. Mechanistic study showed that STC2 negatively regulated PKC to control the expression of Claudin-1, which subsequently induced the expressions of EMT-related factors including ZEB1, ZO-1, Slug, Twist, and MMP9. Suppression of PKC activity by using a PKC inhibitor (Go 6983) restored the normal motility of STC2-silenced cells. Furthermore, in vivo animal assay showed that STC2 inhibited tumorigenesis and metastasis of breast cancer cells. Collectively, these results indicate that STC2 may inhibit EMT at least partially through the PKC/Claudin-1-mediated signaling in human breast cancer cells. Thus, STC2 may be exploited as a biomarker for metastasis and targeted therapy in human breast cancer.     

Combined EGFR and ROCK Inhibition in Triple-negative Breast Cancer Leads to Cell Death Via Impaired Autophagic Flux

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Highlights

• •We used phosphoproteomics to reveal the underlying mechanisms of drug synergy on EGFR and ROCK co-inhibition in TNBC cells.
• •EGFR inhibition alone induces autophagy activation in TNBC cells as a cytoprotective mechanism.
• •Combinatorial treatment leads to impaired autophagic flux resulting in a strong accumulation of autophagic vacuoles.
• •We hypothesize that ROCKi-induced cytoskeletal changes impair autophagosome clearance ultimately leading to cell death.

     

Identification of a Novel Cell Death Receptor Mediating IGFBP-3-induced Anti-tumor Effects in Breast and Prostate Cancer

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), a major regulator of endocrine actions of IGFs, is a p53-regulated potent apoptotic factor and is significantly suppressed in a variety of cancers. Recent epidemiologic studies suggest that IGFBP-3 contributes to cancer risk protection in a variety of cancers, and a polymorphic variation of IGFBP-3 influences cancer risk, although other studies vary in their conclusions. Some antiproliferative actions of IGFBP-3 have been reported to be independent of IGFs, but the precise biochemical/molecular mechanisms of IGF-independent, antiproliferative actions of IGFBP-3 are largely unknown. Here we report a new cell death receptor, IGFBP-3R, that is a single-span membrane protein and binds specifically to IGFBP-3 but not other IGFBP species. Expression analysis of IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-3R indicates that the IGFBP-3/IGFBP-3R axis is impaired in breast and prostate cancer. We also provide evidence for anti-tumor effect of IGFBP-3R in vivo using prostate and breast cancer xenografts in athymic nude mice. Further in vitro studies demonstrate that IGFBP-3R mediates IGFBP-3-induced caspase-8-dependent apoptosis in various cancer cells. Knockdown of IGFBP-3R attenuated IGFBP-3-induced caspase activities and apoptosis, whereas overexpression of IGFBP-3R enhanced IGFBP-3 biological effects. IGFBP-3R physically interacts and activates caspase-8, and knockdown of caspase-8 expression or activity inhibited IGFBP-3/IGFBP-3R-induced apoptosis. Here, we propose that IGFBP-3R represents a novel cell death receptor and is essential for the IGFBP-3-induced apoptosis and tumor suppression. Thus, the IGFBP-3/IGFBP-3R axis may provide therapeutic and prognostic value for the treatment of cancer.     

A Mathematical Model for the Effects of HER2 Over-Expression on Cell Cycle Progression in Breast Cancer

In this paper, we present a mathematical model predicting the fraction of proliferating cells in G1, S, and G2/M phases of the cell cycle as a function of EGFR and HER2. We show that it is possible to find parameters for the mathematical model so that its predictions agree with the experimental observations that HER2 over-expression results in: (1) a shorter G1-phase and early S-phase entry; (2) and that with a 1-to-1 ration between EGFR and HER2, the growth advantage in HER2 over-expressing cells is indeed associated with the increase of the HER2 expression level.     

Arsenic Trioxide Overcomes Rapamycin-Induced Feedback Activation of AKT and ERK Signaling to Enhance the Anti-Tumor Effects in Breast Cancer

Inhibitors of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTORi) have clinical activity; however, the benefits of mTOR inhibition by rapamycin and rapamycin-derivatives (rapalogs) may be limited by a feedback mechanism that results in AKT activation. Increased AKT activity resulting from mTOR inhibition can be a result of increased signaling via the mTOR complex, TORC2. Previously, we published that arsenic trioxide (ATO) inhibits AKT activity and in some cases, decreases AKT protein expression. Therefore, we propose that combining ATO and rapamycin may circumvent the AKT feedback loop and increase the anti-tumor effects. Using a panel of breast cancer cell lines, we find that ATO, at clinically-achievable doses, can enhance the inhibitory activity of the mTORi temsirolimus. In all cell lines, temsirolimus treatment resulted in AKT activation, which was decreased by concomitant ATO treatment only in those cell lines where ATO enhanced growth inhibition. Treatment with rapalog also results in activated ERK signaling, which is decreased with ATO co-treatment in all cell lines tested. We next tested the toxicity and efficacy of rapamycin plus ATO combination therapy in a MDA-MB-468 breast cancer xenograft model. The drug combination was well-tolerated, and rapamycin did not increase ATO-induced liver enzyme levels. In addition, combination of these drugs was significantly more effective at inhibiting tumor growth compared to individual drug treatments, which corresponded with diminished phospho-Akt and phospho-ERK levels when compared with rapamycin-treated tumors. Therefore, we propose that combining ATO and mTORi may overcome the feedback loop by decreasing activation of the MAPK and AKT signaling pathways.     

靶向下调FOXM1基因表达对乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞增殖的影响

目的：探讨靶向抑制FOXM1对乳腺癌细胞增殖能力的影响,为乳腺癌的个性化靶向治疗提供理论依据。方法：利用重组真核转录载体pSilencer1．0-U6-FOXMI—shRNA,脂质体法转染乳腺癌细胞株MDA-MB-231,下调其FOXM1基因表达。采用四甲基偶氮唑盐（MTT）比色法、平板克隆形成实验观察细胞增值曲线以及克隆形成能力;采用实时定量·聚合酶链反应（Real—timeqPCR）、蛋白免疫印迹法（Westemblot）分别检测FOXMl基因在mRNA、蛋白水平的表达变化。结果：重组载体pSileneerl．0-U6-FOXMl-shRNA转染MDA-MB-231细胞后,与对照组相比,增殖速率明显下降（P〈0．05）,平板克隆形成显著减少（P〈0．05）,重组载体转染后显著抑制MDA—MB-231细胞中FOXM1基因在mRNA、蛋白水平的表达。结论：沉默FOXMI基因对乳腺癌细胞株MDA—MB-231生长具有抑制作用,为阐明乳腺癌发病机制提供了新的切入点,也为临床抑制肿瘤生长提供了新的作用靶点。     

色胺酮对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞凋亡的诱导作用

目的:探讨色胺酮(Tryptanthrin,Try)对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞增殖和凋亡的影响。方法:利用MTT方法检测Try(1.56-100μmol/L)对细胞增殖的影响;透射电镜观察细胞的形态学改变;流式细胞术检测细胞周期、凋亡情况及线粒体跨膜电位等指标。结果:MTT结果显示,Try在12.5-100μmol/L浓度范围内能明显抑制MCF-7细胞的增殖,并具有时间和浓度依赖性;透射电镜下可见Try作用48h后,MCF-7细胞有典型的凋亡样改变。Annexin V-FITC与PI双染,流式细胞仪检测结果显示:50、100μmol/LTry作用后,细胞的凋亡情况明显,与对照组相比差异显著;且影响了MCF-7的细胞周期分布,将细胞阻滞于G1期,抑制其DNA的合成;并导致细胞线粒体跨膜电位下降。结论:色胺酮能明显抑制MCF-7细胞增殖并具有诱导细胞发生凋亡的作用。     

The Effects of Nano-anatase TiO2 on the Activation of Lactate Dehydrogenase from Rat Heart

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, EC1.1.1.27), widely expressed in the heart, liver, and other tissues, plays an important role in glycolysis and glyconeogenesis. The activity of LDH is often altered upon inflammatory responses in animals. Nano-TiO₂ was shown to provoke various inflammatory responses both in rats and mice; however, the molecular mechanism by which TiO₂ exerts its toxicity has not been completely understood. In this report, we investigated the mechanisms of nano-anatase TiO₂ (5 nm) on LDH activity in vitro. Our results showed that LDH activity was greatly increased by low concentration of nano-anatase TiO₂, while it was decreased by high concentration of nano-anatase TiO₂. The spectroscopic assays revealed that the nano-anatase TiO₂ particles were directly bound to LDH with mole ratio of [nano-anatase TiO₂] to [LDH] was 0.12, indicating that each Ti atom was coordinated with five oxygen/nitrogen atoms and a sulfur atoms of amino acid residues with the Ti–O(N) and Ti–S bond lengths of 1.79 and 2.41 Å. We postulated that the bound nano-anatase TiO₂ altered the secondary structure of LDH, created a new metal ion-active site for LDH, and thereby enhanced LDH activity.     

BSP基因RNA干扰对乳腺癌MDA-MB-231BO细胞生物学特性的影响

旨在研究RNA干扰(RNA interference,RNAi)抑制骨唾液酸蛋白(bone sialoprotein,BSP)基因表达后对人乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231BO生物学特性的影响。应用pSilencer5.1-U6Retro构建针对BSP基因的siRNA逆转录病毒重组表达质粒,将重组质粒转染293细胞制备病毒悬液感染MDA-MB-231BO细胞,利用嘌呤霉素筛选抑制BSP表达的乳腺癌细胞。Western blotting检测细胞内BSP蛋白表达,采用MTT法和集落形成试验检测细胞的增殖,流式细胞仪检测细胞周期变化。结果显示,成功构建BSP基因RNAi稳定转染的231BO-BSP27细胞。231BO-BSP27细胞内BSP蛋白表达抑制率为69.3%,与对照组细胞相比,231BO-BSP27细胞的生长速率和克隆形成率明显降低;S期细胞数量明显减少,G0/G1期细胞增多。由此证实,逆转录病毒介导的RNAi能实现BSP基因稳定沉默,从而抑制MDA-MB-231BO细胞的生长和增殖。     

Targeting CD44-STAT3 Signaling by Gemini Vitamin D Analog Leads to Inhibition of Invasion in Basal-Like Breast Cancer

Background

CD44, a transmembrane glycoprotein, is a major receptor for extracellular proteins involved in invasion and metastasis of human cancers. We have previously demonstrated that the novel Gemini vitamin D analog BXL0124 [1α,25-dihydroxy-20R-21(3-hydroxy-3-deuteromethyl-4,4,4-trideuterobutyl)-23-yne-26,27-hexafluro-cholecalciferol] repressed CD44 expression in MCF10DCIS.com basal-like human breast cancer cells and inhibited MCF10DCIS xenograft tumor growth. In the present study, we investigated potential factors downstream of CD44 and the biological role of CD44 repression by BXL0124 in MCF10DCIS cells.

Methods and Findings

The treatment with Gemini vitamin D BXL0124 decreased CD44 protein level, suppressed STAT3 signaling, and inhibited invasion and proliferation of MCF10DCIS cells. The interaction between CD44 and STAT3 was determined by co-immunoprecipitation. CD44 forms a complex with STAT3 and Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) to activate STAT3 signaling, which was inhibited by BXL0124 in MCF10DCIS cells. The role of CD44 in STAT3 signaling and invasion of MCF10DCIS cells was further determined by the knockdown of CD44 using small hairpin RNA in vitro and in vivo. MCF10DCIS cell invasion was markedly decreased by the knockdown of CD44 in vitro. The knockdown of CD44 also significantly decreased mRNA expression levels of invasion markers, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), in MCF10DCIS cells. In MCF10DCIS xenograft tumors, CD44 knockdown decreased tumor size and weight as well as invasion markers.

Conclusions

The present study identifies STAT3 as an important signaling molecule interacting with CD44 and demonstrates the essential role of CD44-STAT3 signaling in breast cancer invasion. It also suggests that repression of CD44-STAT3 signaling is a key molecular mechanism in the inhibition of breast cancer invasion by the Gemini vitamin D analog BXL0124.     

siRNA对乳腺癌细胞Cyclin E表达和生长抑制作用

研究siRNA对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株cyclin E表达的抑制及对细胞生长的影响。化学合成针对cyclin E基因的小干扰RNA（siRNA）,转染MCF-7细胞株;分别应用荧光定量PCR和免疫印迹测定cyclin E mRNA和蛋白质的表达,CCK-8测定细胞的增殖活性,流式细胞仪检测细胞周期,软琼脂培养检测细胞克隆形成能力。10、50、100nmol／L siRNA-cyclin E分别使MCF-7细胞cyclin E基因表达降低了24．7％、62．5％和71．0％,蛋白质表达降低了40．8％、66．5％和71．3％。转染siRNA-cyclin E后,G1期细胞增多,S期减少,增殖受到抑制,软琼脂克隆形成率降低。结果提示,在MCF-7细胞株中,导入针对cyclin E的siRNA,可有效抑制cyclin E的表达,进而使细胞增殖减缓,逆转其恶性表型。     

Impact of Pre-Treatment Lactate Dehydrogenase Levels on Prognosis and Bevacizumab Efficacy in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Background

To investigate the impact of pre-treatment lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels on the outcome of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with first-line chemotherapy with or without the anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody, bevacizumab, in a phase III prospective multicentre randomized ITACa (Italian Trial in Advanced Colorectal Cancer) trial.

Methods

Three hundred and seventy patients enrolled onto the ITACa first-line trial were considered for this study, 176 receiving chemotherapy (either FOLFIRI or FOLFOX) plus bevacizumab and 194 receiving chemotherapy only. Pre-treatment LDH levels were evaluated to identify a potential correlation with progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and objective response rate.

Results

Information on pre-treatment LDH levels was available for 344 patients. High LDH levels were predictive of a lower median PFS (8.1 months vs. 9.2 months, p< 0.0001) and median OS (16.1 months vs. 25.2 months, p< 0.0001) in the overall population. In the chemotherapy plus bevacizumab group, median PFS was 9.1 and 9.8 months in patients with high LDH and low LDH, respectively (p= 0.073), whereas in the chemotherapy-only arm it was 6.9 and 9.1 months, respectively (p < 0.0001). In patients with high LDH, the addition of bevacizumab to chemotherapy led to a reduction in the rate of progressive disease (16.4 vs. 30.5%, p= 0.081) and to a prolonged PFS (p= 0.028).

Conclusion

A high LDH value was confirmed as a marker of poor prognosis. Bevacizumab reduced the progressive disease rate and improved PFS in the high-LDH subgroup, making serum LDH a potentially effective an easily available and marker to select patients who benefit from bevacizumab.

Trial Registration

NCT01878422 ClinicalTrials.gov