Expression of EMT Markers SLUG and TWIST in Breast Cancer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been observed in progression of in situ breast cancer to the invasive form and might be initiated by snail family zinc finger 2 (SLUG) and twist family bHLH transcription factor 1 (TWIST) protein overexpression. During this phenomenon, cells lose their epithelial phenotype and acquire mesenchymal features. The aim of the study was to examine the association of EMT markers SLUG and TWIST with clinicopathological data and the possibility of using these proteins as prognostic markers of breast cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Immunohistochemical analysis (IHC) of SLUG and TWIST expression was performed on archival paraffin samples of 19 cases with fibrocystic breast changes (control group), 148 cases of invasive ductal breast cancer (IDC) and 26 of invasive lobular breast cancer (ILC). Laser capture microdissection for isolation of cells from 17 frozen samples of IDC was employed and subsequently SLUG and TWIST mRNA expression in cancer and stromal cells was detected separately by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS:

SLUG and TWIST expression in IDC was significant higher in stromal cells regardless of the method of quantification used (p<0.001 for SLUG mRNA, and p<0.0001 for SLUG IHC, TWIST IHC and TWIST mRNA expression). Positive correlation of SLUG and TWIST protein and mRNA expression was observed in stromal cells of IDC (r=0.347; p<0.0001 and r=0.704; p<0.01, respectively). Expression of TWIST protein in IDC was higher in cancer cells of cases with shorter event-free survival period, as well as in stromal cells of cases with shorter overall survival period (p<0.05 for both).

CONCLUSION:

Stromal cells could play a role in the regulation of EMT in breast cancer.

• Authors: Jedrzej Grzegrzolka, Martyna Biala, Patrycja Wojtyra, Christopher Kobierzycki, Mateusz Olbromski, Agnieszka Gomulkiewicz, Aleksandra Piotrowska, Janusz Rys, Marzena Podhorska-Okolow, Piotr Dziegiel
• Journal: Anticancer research (Anticancer Res) Vol. 35 Issue 7 Pg. 3961-8 (Jul 2015) ISSN: 1791-7530 [Electronic] Greece
• PMID: 26124343 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright© 2015 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Nuclear Proteins
• RNA, Messenger
• SNAI1 protein, human
• Snail Family Transcription Factors
• TWIST1 protein, human
• Transcription Factors
• Twist-Related Protein 1

Topics

• Biomarkers, Tumor (genetics)
• Breast Neoplasms (genetics)
• Disease-Free Survival
• Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (genetics)
• Female
• Gene Expression (genetics)
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Nuclear Proteins (genetics)
• RNA, Messenger (genetics)
• Snail Family Transcription Factors
• Stromal Cells (metabolism)
• Transcription Factors (genetics)
• Twist-Related Protein 1 (genetics)