'Normalizing' the malignant phenotype of luminal breast cancer cells via alpha(v)beta(3)-integrin

Cell Death Dis. 2016 Dec 1;7(12):e2491. doi: 10.1038/cddis.2016.387.

Abstract

Reestablishing tissue organization of breast cancer cells into acini was previously shown to override their malignant phenotype. In our study, we demonstrate that alpha(v)beta(3) integrin (Int-αvβ3), previously shown to play a role in cancer progression, promoted differentiation and growth arrest of organoids derived from luminal A breast cancer cells grown in their relevant three-dimensional microenvironment. These organoids differentiated into normal-like acini resembling a benign stage of breast tissue. Likewise, we demonstrate that Int-αvβ3 is selectively expressed in the epithelium of the benign stage of breast tissues, and is lost during the early stages of luminal A breast cancer progression. Notably, the organoids' reversion into normal-like acini was mediated by cancer luminal progenitor-like cells expressing both EpCAMhighCD49flowCD24+ and Int-αvβ3. Furthermore, downregulation of Notch4 expression and downstream signaling was shown to mediate Int-αvβ3-induced reversion. Intriguingly, when luminal A breast cancer cells expressing Int-αvβ3 were injected into a humanized mouse model, differentiated tumors developed when compared with that generated by control cells. Hence, our data suggest that promoting differentiation of luminal A breast cancer cells by signaling emanating from Int-αvβ3 can potentially promote 'normalization' of their malignant phenotype and may prevent the malignant cells from progressing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acinar Cells / metabolism
  • Acinar Cells / pathology
  • Basement Membrane / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Down-Regulation
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Humans
  • Hyperplasia
  • Integrin alphaVbeta3 / metabolism*
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology
  • Organoids / metabolism
  • Organoids / pathology
  • Phenotype
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
  • Receptor, Notch4
  • Receptors, Notch / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Spheroids, Cellular / metabolism
  • Spheroids, Cellular / pathology
  • Teratoma / pathology

Substances

  • Integrin alphaVbeta3
  • NOTCH4 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Receptor, Notch4
  • Receptors, Notch