Pro-inflammatory megakaryocyte gene expression in murine models of breast cancer

Sci Adv. 2022 Oct 14;8(41):eabo5224. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abo5224. Epub 2022 Oct 12.

Abstract

Despite abundant research demonstrating that platelets can promote tumor cell metastasis, whether primary tumors affect platelet-producing megakaryocytes remains understudied. In this study, we used a spontaneous murine model of breast cancer to show that tumor burden reduced megakaryocyte number and size and disrupted polyploidization. Single-cell RNA sequencing demonstrated that megakaryocytes from tumor-bearing mice exhibit a pro-inflammatory phenotype, epitomized by increased Ctsg, Lcn2, S100a8, and S100a9 transcripts. Protein S100A8/A9 and lipocalin-2 levels were also increased in platelets, suggesting that tumor-induced alterations to megakaryocytes are passed on to their platelet progeny, which promoted in vitro tumor cell invasion and tumor cell lung colonization to a greater extent than platelets from wild-type animals. Our study is the first to demonstrate breast cancer-induced alterations in megakaryocytes, leading to qualitative changes in platelet content that may feedback to promote tumor metastasis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism
  • Cathepsin G / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Expression
  • Lipocalin-2 / metabolism
  • Megakaryocytes*
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms* / metabolism

Substances

  • Lipocalin-2
  • Cathepsin G
  • Ctsg protein, mouse