Breast tumor cell-specific knockout of Twist1 inhibits cancer cell plasticity, dissemination, and lung metastasis in mice.

ABSTRACT: Twist1 is an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-inducing transcription factor (TF) that promotes cell migration and invasion. To determine the intrinsic role of Twist1 in EMT and breast cancer initiation, growth, and metastasis, we developed mouse models with an oncogene-induced mammary tumor containing wild-type (WT) Twist1 or tumor cell-specific Twist1 knockout (Twist1^TKO). Twist1 knockout showed no effects on tumor initiation and growth. In both models with early-stage tumor cells, Twist1, and mesenchymal markers were not expressed, and lung metastasis was absent. Twist1 expression was detected in ∼6% of the advanced WT tumor cells. Most of these Twist1⁺ cells coexpressed several other EMT-inducing TFs (Snail, Slug, Zeb2), lost ERα and lum

SUBMITTER: Xu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5664488 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature