Role of thrombin receptor in breast cancer invasiveness
1999
Thrombin's Role in Breast Cancer Invasiveness
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Henrikson K P, Salazar S L, Fenton II J W, Pentecost B T
Primary Institution: Wadsworth Center, New York State Health Department, Albany, NY, USA
Hypothesis
Thrombin promotes the invasion of aggressive breast cancer cells through a receptor-mediated mechanism.
Conclusion
Thrombin increases invasion by the aggressive breast cancer cell line MDA-MB231 through a thrombin receptor-dependent mechanism.
Supporting Evidence
- Thrombin promotes the invasion of MDA-MB231 breast tumour cells in an in vitro assay.
- Invasion by less aggressive cell lines MDA-MB436 and MCF-7 is not promoted by thrombin.
- Thrombin's effect on invasion is receptor-mediated and can be mimicked by a thrombin receptor-activating peptide.
- Thrombin has no effect on chemotaxis in vitro.
- Thrombin receptor is detectable on the surface of MDA-MB231 cells but not on MDA-MB436 or MCF-7 cells.
Takeaway
Thrombin helps some breast cancer cells move and invade other tissues, but not all types of breast cancer cells respond to it.
Methodology
In vitro assays were used to study the effects of thrombin on breast cancer cell invasion.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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