Distinct nuclear receptor expression in stroma adjacent to breast tumors.

Abstract

The interaction between breast tumor epithelial and stromal cells is vital for initial and recurrent tumor growth. While breast cancer-associated stromal cells provide a favorable environment for proliferation and metastasis, the molecular mechanisms contributing to this process are not fully understood. Nuclear receptors (NRs) are intracellular transcription factors that directly regulate gene expression. Little is known about the status of NRs in cancer-associated stroma. Nuclear Receptor Low-Density Taqman Arrays were used to compare the gene expression profiles of all 48 NR family members in a collection of primary cultured cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) obtained from estrogen receptor (ER)α positive breast cancers (n = 9) and normal breast adipose fibroblasts (NAFs) (n = 7). Thirty-three of 48 NRs were expressed in both the groups, while 11 NRs were not detected in either. Three NRs (dosage-sensitive sex reversal, adrenal hypoplasia critical region, on chromosome X, gene 1 (DAX-1); estrogen-related receptor beta (ERR-β); and RAR-related orphan receptor beta (ROR-β)) were only detected in NAFs, while one NR (liver receptor homolog-1 (LRH-1)) was unique to CAFs. Of the NRs co-expressed, four were significantly down-regulated in CAFs compared with NAFs (RAR-related orphan receptor-α (ROR-α); Thyroid hormone receptor-β (TR-β); vitamin D receptor (VDR); and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ)). Quantitative immunohistochemistry for LRH-1, TR-β, and PPAR-γ proteins in stromal fibroblasts from an independent panel of breast cancers (ER-positive (n = 15), ER-negative (n = 15), normal (n = 14)) positively correlated with mRNA expression profiles. The differentially expressed NRs identified in tumor stroma are key mediators in aromatase regulation and subsequent estrogen production. Our findings reveal a distinct pattern of NR expression that therefore fits with a sustained and increased local estrogen microenvironment in ER-positive tumors. NRs in CAFs may provide a new avenue for the development of intratumoral-targeted therapies in breast cancer.

• Authors: Kevin C Knower, Ashwini L Chand, Natalie Eriksson, Kiyoshi Takagi, Yasuhiro Miki, Hironobu Sasano, Jane E Visvader, Geoffrey J Lindeman, John W Funder, Peter J Fuller, Evan R Simpson, Wayne D Tilley, Peter J Leedman, J Dinny Graham, George E O Muscat, Christine L Clarke, Colin D Clyne
• Journal: Breast cancer research and treatment (Breast Cancer Res Treat) Vol. 142 Issue 1 Pg. 211-23 (Nov 2013) ISSN: 1573-7217 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 24122391 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
• Receptors, Estrogen
• Receptors, Progesterone
• Receptor, ErbB-2

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Breast Neoplasms (genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Female
• Gene Expression
• Gene Expression Profiling
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Grading
• Receptor, ErbB-2 (metabolism)
• Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear (genetics, metabolism)
• Receptors, Estrogen (metabolism)
• Receptors, Progesterone (metabolism)
• Risk Factors
• Stromal Cells (metabolism)