Genes that mediate breast cancer metastasis to the brain.

Abstract

The molecular basis for breast cancer metastasis to the brain is largely unknown. Brain relapse typically occurs years after the removal of a breast tumour, suggesting that disseminated cancer cells must acquire specialized functions to take over this organ. Here we show that breast cancer metastasis to the brain involves mediators of extravasation through non-fenestrated capillaries, complemented by specific enhancers of blood-brain barrier crossing and brain colonization. We isolated cells that preferentially infiltrate the brain from patients with advanced disease. Gene expression analysis of these cells and of clinical samples, coupled with functional analysis, identified the cyclooxygenase COX2 (also known as PTGS2), the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligand HBEGF, and the alpha2,6-sialyltransferase ST6GALNAC5 as mediators of cancer cell passage through the blood-brain barrier. EGFR ligands and COX2 were previously linked to breast cancer infiltration of the lungs, but not the bones or liver, suggesting a sharing of these mediators in cerebral and pulmonary metastases. In contrast, ST6GALNAC5 specifically mediates brain metastasis. Normally restricted to the brain, the expression of ST6GALNAC5 in breast cancer cells enhances their adhesion to brain endothelial cells and their passage through the blood-brain barrier. This co-option of a brain sialyltransferase highlights the role of cell-surface glycosylation in organ-specific metastatic interactions.

• Authors: Paula D Bos, Xiang H-F Zhang, Cristina Nadal, Weiping Shu, Roger R Gomis, Don X Nguyen, Andy J Minn, Marc J van de Vijver, William L Gerald, John A Foekens, Joan Massagué
• Journal: Nature (Nature) Vol. 459 Issue 7249 Pg. 1005-9 (Jun 18 2009) ISSN: 1476-4687 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19421193 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• HBEGF protein, human
• Hbegf protein, mouse
• Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor
• Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
• Cyclooxygenase 2
• Sialyltransferases
• EGFR protein, human
• ErbB Receptors

Topics

• Animals
• Blood-Brain Barrier (metabolism)
• Brain (enzymology)
• Brain Neoplasms (enzymology, genetics, pathology, secondary)
• Breast Neoplasms (enzymology, genetics, pathology)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cyclooxygenase 2 (metabolism)
• ErbB Receptors
• Gene Expression Profiling
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
• Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor
• Humans
• Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins (metabolism)
• Mice
• Neoplasm Metastasis (genetics, pathology)
• Organ Specificity
• Sialyltransferases (metabolism)