scholarly journals Knockdown of Leptin Receptor Affects Macrophage Phenotype in the Tumor Microenvironment Inhibiting Breast Cancer Growth and Progression

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 2078
Author(s):  
Luca Gelsomino ◽  
Giuseppina Daniela Naimo ◽  
Rocco Malivindi ◽  
Giuseppina Augimeri ◽  
Salvatore Panza ◽  
...  

Aberrant leptin (Ob) signaling, a hallmark of obesity, has been recognized to influence breast cancer (BC) biology within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we evaluated the impact of leptin receptor (ObR) knockdown in affecting BC phenotype and in mediating the interaction between tumor cells and macrophages, the most abundant immune cells within the TME. The stable knockdown of ObR (ObR sh) in ERα-positive and ERα-negative BC cells turned the tumor phenotype into a less aggressive one, as evidenced by in vitro and in vivo models. In xenograft tumors and in co-culture experiments between circulating monocytes and BC cells, the absence of ObR reduced the recruitment of macrophages, and also affected their cytokine mRNA expression profile. This was associated with a decreased expression and secretion of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in ObR sh clones. The loss of Ob/ObR signaling modulated the immunosuppressive TME, as shown by a reduced expression of programmed death ligand 1/programmed cell death protein 1/arginase 1. In addition, we observed increased phagocytic activity of macrophages compared to control Sh clones in the presence of ObR sh-derived conditioned medium. Our findings, addressing an innovative role of ObR in modulating immune TME, may open new avenues to improve BC patient health care.

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (25) ◽  
pp. 12442-12451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily A. Irey ◽  
Chelsea M. Lassiter ◽  
Nicholas J. Brady ◽  
Pavlina Chuntova ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
...  

Tumor-associated macrophages contribute to tumor progression and therapeutic resistance in breast cancer. Within the tumor microenvironment, tumor-derived factors activate pathways that modulate macrophage function. Using in vitro and in vivo models, we find that tumor-derived factors induce activation of the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway in macrophages. We also demonstrate that loss of STAT3 in myeloid cells leads to enhanced mammary tumorigenesis. Further studies show that macrophages contribute to resistance of mammary tumors to the JAK/STAT inhibitor ruxolitinib in vivo and that ruxolitinib-treated macrophages produce soluble factors that promote resistance of tumor cells to JAK inhibition in vitro. Finally, we demonstrate that STAT3 deletion and JAK/STAT inhibition in macrophages increases expression of the protumorigenic factor cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and that COX-2 inhibition enhances responsiveness of tumors to ruxolitinib. These findings define a mechanism through which macrophages promote therapeutic resistance and highlight the importance of understanding the impact of targeted therapies on the tumor microenvironment.


2015 ◽  
Vol 9s2 ◽  
pp. BCBCR.S29424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khadidiatou Guiro ◽  
Treena L. Arinzeh

Despite substantial advances in early diagnosis, breast cancer (BC) still remains a clinical challenge. Most BC models use complex in vivo models and two-dimensional monolayer cultures that do not fully mimic the tumor microenvironment. The integration of cancer biology and engineering can lead to the development of novel in vitro approaches to study BC behavior and quantitatively assess different features of the tumor microenvironment that may influence cell behavior. In this review, we present tissue engineering approaches to model BC in vitro. Recent advances in the use of three-dimensional cell culture models to study various aspects of BC disease in vitro are described. The emerging area of studying BC dormancy using these models is also reviewed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 83-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
André De Lima Mota ◽  
Bruna Vitorasso Jardim-Perassi ◽  
Tialfi Bergamin De Castro ◽  
Jucimara Colombo ◽  
Nathália Martins Sonehara ◽  
...  

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and has a high mortality rate. Adverse conditions in the tumor microenvironment, such as hypoxia and acidosis, may exert selective pressure on the tumor, selecting subpopulations of tumor cells with advantages for survival in this environment. In this context, therapeutic agents that can modify these conditions, and consequently the intratumoral heterogeneity need to be explored. Melatonin, in addition to its physiological effects, exhibits important anti-tumor actions which may associate with modification of hypoxia and Warburg effect. In this study, we have evaluated the action of melatonin on tumor growth and tumor metabolism by different markers of hypoxia and glucose metabolism (HIF-1α, glucose transporters GLUT1 and GLUT3 and carbonic anhydrases CA-IX and CA-XII) in triple negative breast cancer model. In an in vitro study, gene and protein expressions of these markers were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR and immunocytochemistry, respectively. The effects of melatonin were also tested in a MDA-MB-231 xenograft animal model. Results showed that melatonin treatment reduced the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells and tumor growth in Balb/c nude mice (p <0.05). The treatment significantly decreased HIF-1α gene and protein expression concomitantly with the expression of GLUT1, GLUT3, CA-IX and CA-XII (p <0.05). These results strongly suggest that melatonin down-regulates HIF-1α expression and regulates glucose metabolism in breast tumor cells, therefore, controlling hypoxia and tumor progression. 


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xu Han ◽  
Xiujuan Qu ◽  
Beixing Liu ◽  
Yizhe Wang ◽  
Yang Cheng ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a tumor characterized by high recurrence and mortality, but without effective targeted therapy. It is urgent to explore new treatment strategy to improve the efficacy of TNBC therapy. Methods: Transcriptomic profiling datasets of TNBC were used for screening TNBC specific gene sets. Drug prediction was performed in Connectivity map (CMap) database. Molecular docking method was used for analyzing drug targets. In vitro and in vivo models of TNBC were constructed to examine the drug efficacy. Results: We screened out Mibefradil, a T-type Ca2+ channel blocker, might be a potential therapeutic drug for TNBC by transcriptomics and bioinformatics analysis, and verified that Mibefradil could inhibit the proliferation of TNBC cells by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, by network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis, AURKA was predicted as the most possible drug target of Mibefradil. Finally, it was proved that Mibefradil treatment could induce apoptosis by decreasing protein expression and phosphorylation level of AURKA in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions: Mibefradil played anti-cancer role in TNBC cells by targeting to AURKA to induce cell cycle and apoptosis. Our results repurposed Mibefradil as a potential targeted drug of TNBC and provided a fundamental research for a novel strategy TNBC treatment.


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 868
Author(s):  
Florian Drescher ◽  
Patricia Juárez ◽  
Danna L. Arellano ◽  
Nicolás Serafín-Higuera ◽  
Felipe Olvera-Rodriguez ◽  
...  

Breast cancer (BCa) cells disseminating to the bone can remain dormant and resistant to treatments for many years until relapsing as bone metastases. The tyrosine kinase receptor TIE2 induces the dormancy of hematopoietic stem cells, and could also induce the dormancy of BCa cells. However, TIE2 is also a target for anti-angiogenic treatments in ongoing clinical trials, and its inhibition could then restart the proliferation of dormant BCa cells in bone. In this study, we used a combination of patient data, in vitro, and in vivo models to investigate the effect of TIE2 in the dormancy of bone metastases. In BCa patients, we found that a higher TIE2 expression is associated with an increased time to metastases and survival. In vitro, TIE2 decreased cell proliferation as it increased the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors CDKN1A and CDKN1B and arrested cells in the G0/G1 phase. Expression of TIE2 also increased the resistance to the chemotherapeutic 5-Fluorouracil. In mice, TIE2 expression reduced tumor growth and the formation of osteolytic bone metastasis. Together, these results show that TIE2 is sufficient to induce dormancy in vitro and in vivo, and could be a useful prognostic marker for patients. Our data also suggest being cautious when using TIE2 inhibitors in the clinic, as they could awaken dormant disseminated tumor cells.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (24) ◽  
pp. 9721
Author(s):  
Giuseppina Augimeri ◽  
Luca Gelsomino ◽  
Pierluigi Plastina ◽  
Cinzia Giordano ◽  
Ines Barone ◽  
...  

Multiple lines of evidence indicate that activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) by natural or synthetic ligands exerts tumor suppressive effects in different types of cancer, including breast carcinoma. Over the past decades a new picture of breast cancer as a complex disease consisting of neoplastic epithelial cells and surrounding stroma named the tumor microenvironment (TME) has emerged. Indeed, TME is now recognized as a pivotal element for breast cancer development and progression. Novel strategies targeting both epithelial and stromal components are under development or undergoing clinical trials. In this context, the aim of the present review is to summarize PPARγ activity in breast TME focusing on the role of this receptor on both epithelial/stromal cells and extracellular matrix components of the breast cancer microenvironment. The information provided from the in vitro and in vivo research indicates PPARγ ligands as potential agents with regards to the battle against breast cancer.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1559
Author(s):  
Dominika Kuran ◽  
Anna Pogorzelska ◽  
Katarzyna Wiktorska

Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer among women worldwide. There are several recommended methods of breast cancer prevention, including chemoprevention. There are several approved drugs used to prevent breast cancer occurrence or recurrence and metastasizing. There are also a number of new substances undergoing clinical trials and at the stage of initial study. Studies suggest that dietary factors play a crucial role in breast cancer etiology. Epidemiological studies indicate that in particular vegetables from the Brassicaceae family are a rich source of chemopreventive substances, with sulforaphane (SFN) being one of the most widely studied and characterized. This review discusses potential applicability of SFN in breast cancer chemoprevention. A comprehensive review of the literature on the impact of SFN on molecular signalling pathways in breast cancer and breast untransformed cells is presented. The presented results of in vitro and in vivo studies show that this molecule has a potential to act as a preventive molecule either to prevent disease development or recurrence and metastasizing, and as a compound protecting normal cells against the toxic effects of cytostatics. Finally, the still scanty attempts to develop an improved analog are also presented and discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 153473541984804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Lasso ◽  
Mónica Llano Murcia ◽  
Tito Alejandro Sandoval ◽  
Claudia Urueña ◽  
Alfonso Barreto ◽  
...  

Background: The tumor cells responsible for metastasis are highly resistant to chemotherapy and have characteristics of stem cells, with a high capacity for self-regeneration and the use of detoxifying mechanisms that participate in drug resistance. In vivo models of highly resistant cells allow us to evaluate the real impact of the immune response in the control of cancer. Materials and Methods: A tumor population derived from the 4T1 breast cancer cell line that was stable in vitro and highly aggressive in vivo was obtained, characterized, and determined to exhibit cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotypes (CD44+, CD24+, ALDH+, Oct4+, Nanog+, Sox2+, and high self-renewal capacity). Orthotopic transplantation of these cells allowed us to evaluate their in vivo susceptibility to chemo and immune responses induced after vaccination. Results: The immune response induced after vaccination with tumor cells treated with doxorubicin decreased the formation of tumors and macrometastasis in this model, which allowed us to confirm the immune response relevance in the control of highly chemotherapy-resistant ALDH+ CSCs in an aggressive tumor model in immunocompetent animals. Conclusions: The antitumor immune response was the main element capable of controlling tumor progression as well as metastasis in a highly chemotherapy-resistant aggressive breast cancer model.


2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (13) ◽  
pp. E2766-E2775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaw Asare ◽  
Miriam Ommer ◽  
Florence. A. Azombo ◽  
Setareh Alampour-Rajabi ◽  
Marieke Sternkopf ◽  
...  

Constitutive photomorphogenesis 9 (COP9) signalosome 5 (CSN5), an isopeptidase that removes neural precursor cell-expressed, developmentally down-regulated 8 (NEDD8) moieties from cullins (thus termed “deNEDDylase”) and a subunit of the cullin-RING E3 ligase-regulating COP9 signalosome complex, attenuates proinflammatory NF-κB signaling. We previously showed that CSN5 is up-regulated in human atherosclerotic arteries. Here, we investigated the role of CSN5 in atherogenesis in vivo by using mice with myeloid-specific Csn5 deletion. Genetic deletion of Csn5 in Apoe−/− mice markedly exacerbated atherosclerotic lesion formation. This was broadly observed in aortic root, arch, and total aorta of male mice, whereas the effect was less pronounced and site-specific in females. Mechanistically, Csn5 KO potentiated NF-κB signaling and proinflammatory cytokine expression in macrophages, whereas HIF-1α levels were reduced. Inversely, inhibition of NEDDylation by MLN4924 blocked proinflammatory gene expression and NF-κB activation while enhancing HIF-1α levels and the expression of M2 marker Arginase 1 in inflammatory-elicited macrophages. MLN4924 further attenuated the expression of chemokines and adhesion molecules in endothelial cells and reduced NF-κB activation and monocyte arrest on activated endothelium in vitro. In vivo, MLN4924 reduced LPS-induced inflammation, favored an antiinflammatory macrophage phenotype, and decreased the progression of early atherosclerotic lesions in mice. On the contrary, MLN4924 treatment increased neutrophil and monocyte counts in blood and had no net effect on the progression of more advanced lesions. Our data show that CSN5 is atheroprotective. We conclude that MLN4924 may be useful in preventing early atherogenesis, whereas selectively promoting CSN5-mediated deNEDDylation may be beneficial in all stages of atherosclerosis.


2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 298-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Miceli ◽  
A Tejada ◽  
A Castaneda ◽  
S J Mistry

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