Role of Sox-9, ER81 and VE-Cadherin in Retinoic Acid-Mediated Trans-Differentiation of Breast Cancer Cells
Author Information
Author(s): Endo Yoshimi, Deonauth Kamla, Prahalad Priya, Hoxter Becky, Zhu Yuelin, Byers Stephen W.
Primary Institution: Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University
Hypothesis
Does retinoic acid induce endothelial-like differentiation in breast cancer cells through the regulation of Sox-9 and ER81?
Conclusion
Retinoic acid induces endothelial-like trans-differentiation in SKBR-3 breast cancer cells, significantly increasing the expression of VE-cadherin and other endothelial genes.
Supporting Evidence
- Retinoic acid treatment led to the formation of endothelial-like structures in breast cancer cells.
- VE-cadherin expression was significantly increased following retinoic acid treatment.
- Sox-9 and ER81 were found to be necessary for the transcriptional regulation of VE-cadherin by retinoic acid.
- Microarray analysis revealed that many endothelial genes were up-regulated by retinoic acid.
- Retinoic acid induced morphological changes in SKBR-3 cells that resembled endothelial cells.
Takeaway
This study shows that a vitamin A compound can make breast cancer cells behave like blood vessel cells, which might help tumors grow.
Methodology
The study used microarray analysis, real-time PCR, and various assays to evaluate the effects of retinoic acid on breast cancer cells.
Limitations
The study does not directly test the effects of retinoic acid on tumor growth in vivo.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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