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Genomic pathways modulated by Twist in breast cancer

ABSTRACT: Background: The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor TWIST1 (Twist) is involved in embryonic cell lineage determination and mesodermal differentiation. There is evidence to indicate that Twist expression plays a role in breast tumor formation and metastasis, but the role of Twist in dysregulating pathways that drive the metastatic cascade is unclear. Importantly, the genes and pathways dysregulated by Twist in cell lines and mouse models have not been validated against data obtained from patient samples. Methods: We over-expressed the human Twist gene in non-metastatic MCF-7 breast cancer cells to generate the estrogen-independent metastatic breast cancer cell line MCF-7/Twist. These cells were then inoculated in the mammary fat pad of female severe compromised immunodeficient mice, which subsequently formed xenograft tumors that metastasized to the lungs. Microarray data was collected from both in vitro (MCF-7 and MCF-7/Twist cell lines) and in vivo (primary tumors and lung metastases) models of Twist expression. Our data was compared to publically available gene signatures of different subtypes, classes, and grades of human breast cancers. Results: Our data establishes a Twist over-expressing mouse model of breast cancer, which metastasizes to the lung and replicates some of the ontogeny of human breast cancer progression. Gene profiling data, following Twist expression, exhibited novel metastasis driver genes as well as cellular maintenance genes that were synonymous with the metastatic process. We demonstrated that the genes and pathways altered in the transgenic cell line and metastatic animal models generated, parallel many of dysregulated gene pathways observed in human breast cancers. Conclusions: Analogous gene expression patterns observed in both in vitro and in vivo Twist preclinical models of breast cancer metastasis and public patient data sets supports the functional role of Twist in promoting breast tumor metastasis. Our data indicates that genetic dysregulation of Twist at the cellular level drives alterations in related gene pathways in the Twist metastatic mouse model which are comparable to changes seen in breast cancer patient samples. Lastly, we have identified novel genes and pathways that could be further investigated as targets for drugs to ultimately treat metastatic breast cancer.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE87705 | GEO | 2017/01/13

SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA345609

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Introduction: The prognosis for patients with breast tumor metastases to brain is extremely poor. Identification of prognostic molecular markers of the metastatic process is critical for designing therapeutic modalities for reducing the occurrence of metastasis. Although ubiquitously present in most human organs, calcium-activated potassium (BK) channel is significantly upregulated in breast cancer cells. In this study we investigated the role of KCNMA1 gene, which encodes α subunit of KCa channels (BK channels) in breast cancer metastasis and invasion. Methods: We performed Global exon array to study the expression of KCNMA1 in metastatic breast cancer in brain, compared its expression in primary breast cancer and breast cancers metastatic to other organs, and validated the findings by RT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry was performed to study the expression and localization of α subunit of KCa channel protein in primary and metastatic breast cancer tissues and breast cancer cell lines. We performed matrigel invasion, transendothelial migration and membrane potential assays in established lines of normal breast cells (MCF-10A), non-metastatic breast cancer (MCF-7), non-brain metastatic breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231), and brain-specific metastatic breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-361) to study whether KCa channel inhibition attenuates breast tumor invasion and metastasis using KCNMA1 knockdown with siRNA and biochemical inhibition with IBTX (Iberiotoxin). Results: The Global exon array and RT-PCR showed higher KCNMA1 expression in metastatic breast cancer in brain compared to metastatic breast cancers in other organs. Our results clearly show that metastatic breast cancer cells exhibit increased BK channel activity, leading to greater invasiveness and transendothelial migration, both of which could be attenuated by blocking KCNMA1. Conclusion: Determining the relative abundance of BK channel over expression in breast cancer metastatic to brain and the mechanism of its action in brain metastasis will provide a unique opportunity to identify and differentiate between low grade breast tumors that are at high risk for metastasis from those at low risk for metastasis. This distinction would in turn allow for the appropriate and efficient application of effective treatments while sparing patients with low risk for metastasis from the toxic side effects of chemotherapy.

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Genomic pathways modulated by Twist in breast cancer

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