Estrogen promotes progression of hormone-dependent breast cancer through CCL2-CCR2 axis by upregulation of Twist via PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling.

ABSTRACT: The chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) with its cognate receptor chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 2 (CCR2) plays important roles in tumor invasion and metastasis. However, the mechanisms and mediators for autocrine CCL2 and CCL2-CCR2 axis remain elusive in breast cancer. Here we examined the levels of CCL2 in 4 breast cancer cell lines along with 57 human breast cancer specimens and found them significantly increased with presence of 17β-estradiol (E2) in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cells, while anti-estrogen treatment weakened this enhancement. CCL2 expression positively correlated with Twist staining and aggressiveness of breast cancer. Estrogen exposure facilitated the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of hormone-dependent breast cancer and promoted angiogenesis

SUBMITTER: Han R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6015029 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature