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Effects of EpCAM overexpression on human breast cancer cell lines.

ABSTRACT: Recently, EpCAM has attracted major interest as a target for antibody- and vaccine-based cancer immunotherapies. In breast cancer, the EpCAM antigen is overexpressed in 30-40% of all cases and this increased expression correlates with poor prognosis. The use of EpCAM-specific monoclonal antibodies is a promising treatment approach in these patients.In order to explore molecular changes following EpCAM overexpression, we investigated changes of the transcriptome upon EpCAM gene expression in commercially available human breast cancer cells lines Hs578T and MDA-MB-231. To assess cell proliferation, a tetrazolium salt based assay was performed. A TCF/LEF Reporter Kit was used to measure the transcriptional activity of the Wnt/?-catenin pathway. To evaluate the accumulation of ?-catenin in the nucleus, a subcellular fractionation assay was performed.For the first time we could show that expression profiling data of EpCAM transfected cell lines Hs578TEpCAM and MDA-MB-231EpCAM indicate an association of EpCAM overexpression with the downregulation of the Wnt signaling inhibitors SFRP1 and TCF7L2. Confirmation of increased Wnt signaling was provided by a TCF/LEF reporter kit and by the finding of the nuclear accumulation of ß-catenin for MDA-MB-231 EpCAM but not Hs578T EpCAM cells. In Hs578T cells, an increase of proliferation and chemosensitivity to Docetaxel was associated with EpCAM overexpression.These data show a cell type dependent modification of Wnt signaling components after EpCAM overexpression in breast cancer cell lines, which results in marginal functional changes. Further investigations on the interaction of EpCAM with SFRP1 and TCF7L2 and on additional factors, which may be causal for changes upon EpCAM overexpression, will help to characterize unique molecular properties of EpCAM-positive breast cancer cells.

SUBMITTER: Gostner JM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3042418 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Effects of EpCAM overexpression on human breast cancer cell lines.

Gostner Johanna M JM Fong Dominic D Wrulich Oliver A OA Lehne Florian F Zitt Marion M Hermann Martin M Krobitsch Sylvia S Martowicz Agnieszka A Gastl Guenther G Spizzo Gilbert G

BMC cancer 20110131

<h4>Background</h4>Recently, EpCAM has attracted major interest as a target for antibody- and vaccine-based cancer immunotherapies. In breast cancer, the EpCAM antigen is overexpressed in 30-40% of all cases and this increased expression correlates with poor prognosis. The use of EpCAM-specific monoclonal antibodies is a promising treatment approach in these patients.<h4>Methods</h4>In order to explore molecular changes following EpCAM overexpression, we investigated changes of the transcriptome ...[more]

PMID: 21281469

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Project description:Decitabine (DAC), a DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor, is tested in combination with conventional anticancer drugs as a treatment option for various solid tumors. Although epigenome modulation provides a promising avenue in treating resistant cancer types, more studies are required to evaluate its safety and ability to normalize the aberrant transcriptional profiles. As deoxycytidine kinase (DCK)-mediated phosphorylation is a rate-limiting step in DAC metabolic activation, we hypothesized that its intracellular overexpression could potentiate DAC's effect on cell methylome and thus increase its therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, two breast cancer cell lines, JIMT-1 and T-47D, differing in their molecular characteristics, were transfected with a DCK expression vector and exposed to low-dose DAC (approximately IC20). Although transfection resulted in a significant DCK expression increase, further enhanced by DAC exposure, no transfection-induced changes were found at the global DNA methylation level or in cell viability. In parallel, an integrative approach was applied to decipher DAC-induced, methylation-mediated, transcriptomic reprogramming. Besides large-scale hypomethylation, accompanied by up-regulation of gene expression across the entire genome, DAC also induced hypermethylation and down-regulation of numerous genes in both cell lines. Interestingly, TET1 and TET2 expression halved in JIMT-1 cells after DAC exposure, while DNMTs' changes were not significant. The protein digestion and absorption pathway, containing numerous collagen and solute carrier genes, ranking second among membrane transport proteins, was the top enriched pathway in both cell lines when hypomethylated and up-regulated genes were considered. Moreover, the calcium signaling pathway, playing a significant role in drug resistance, was among the top enriched in JIMT-1 cells. Although low-dose DAC demonstrated its ability to normalize the expression of tumor suppressors, several oncogenes were also up-regulated, a finding, that supports previously raised concerns regarding its broad reprogramming potential. Importantly, our research provides evidence about the involvement of active demethylation in DAC-mediated transcriptional reprogramming.

Project description:A functional genetic screen to identify genes causing tamoxifen resistance in an estrogen-dependent human breast cancer cell model was performed. By insertion of defective retrovirus into the genome, individual genetic changes were introduced at random in ZR-75-1 cells. Subsequently, infected cells were selected for their ability to proliferate while being exposed to tamoxifen, and from these cultures stable cell lines were established. The retrovirus insertion sites were mapped enabling the identification of several candidate breast cancer anti-estrogen resistance (BCAR) genes. By cDNA transfection of estrogen-dependent cells resulting in their transformation into a tamoxifen-resistant phenotype, proof was provided for the causative role of BCAR genes.A functional genetic screen to identify genes causing tamoxifen resistance in an estrogen-dependent human breast cancer cell model was performed. By insertion of defective retrovirus into the genome, individual genetic changes were introduced at random in ZR-75-1 cells. Subsequently, infected cells were selected for their ability to proliferate while being exposed to tamoxifen, and from these cultures stable cell lines were established. The retrovirus insertion sites were mapped enabling the identification of several candidate breast cancer anti-estrogen resistance (BCAR) genes identified. By cDNA transfection of estrogen-dependent cells resulting in their transformation into a tamoxifen-resistant phenotype, proof was provided for the causative role of BCAR genes (Van Agthoven et al, Breast Cancer Res Treat DOI:10.1007/s10549-008-9969-5, 2008). To elucidate the mechanisms how these individual BCAR genes induce cell proliferation in growth-arrested ZR-75-1 cells, we assessed the gene expression patterns between the different groups of cell lines. Keywords: Expression profiling, reference design RNA was isolated from two independent cultures of 69 tamoxifen-resistant cell lines. Detailed information regarding these cell lines with respect to the viral integration sites, was described previously (Van Agthoven et al, Breast Cancer Res Treat DOI:10.1007/s10549-008-9969-5, 2008). Each sample was hybridized in duplicate/triplicate and once in a dye-swap. The mixture of cell lines used as a reference was detailed previously (Jansen et al, J Clin Oncol 23, 732, 2005).

Project description:BACKGROUND/PURPOSE:TrkA overexpression occurs in over 20% of breast cancers, including triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC), and has recently been recognized as a potential driver of carcinogenesis. Recent clinical trials of pan-Trk inhibitors have demonstrated targeted activity against tumors harboring NTRK fusions, a relatively rare alteration across human cancers. Despite this success, current clinical trials have not investigated TrkA overexpression as an additional therapeutic target for pan-Trk inhibitors. Here, we evaluate the cancerous phenotypes of TrkA overexpression relative to NTRK1 fusions in human cells and assess response to pharmacologic Trk inhibition. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN/METHODS:To evaluate the clinical utility of TrkA overexpression, a panel of TrkA overexpressing cells were developed via stable transfection of an NTRK1 vector into the non-tumorigenic breast cell lines, MCF10A and hTERT-IMEC. A panel of positive controls was generated via stable transfection with a CD74-NTRK1 fusion vector into MCF10A cells. Cells were assessed via various in vitro and in vivo analyses to determine the transformative potential and targetability of TrkA overexpression. RESULTS:TrkA overexpressing cells demonstrated transformative phenotypes similar to Trk fusions, indicating increased oncogenic potential. TrkA overexpressing cells demonstrated growth factor-independent proliferation, increased PI3Kinase and MAPKinase pathway activation, anchorage-independent growth, and increased migratory capacity. These phenotypes were abrogated by the addition of the pan-Trk inhibitor, larotrectinib. In vivo analysis demonstrated increased tumorgenicity and metastatic potential of TrkA overexpressing breast cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS:Herein, we demonstrate TrkA overexpressing cells show increased tumorgenicity and are sensitive to pan-Trk inhibitors. These data suggest that TrkA overexpression may be an additional target for pan-Trk inhibitors and provide a targeted therapy for breast cancer patients.

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Effects of EpCAM overexpression on human breast cancer cell lines.

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Effects of EpCAM overexpression on human breast cancer cell lines.

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