CXCL12-CXCR4 axis promotes the natural selection of breast cancer cell metastasis

• DOI: 10.1007/s13277-014-1816-1
• Publication Date: 2014-05-08T17:41:32Z
• Authors: Yanan Sun; Xiaoyun Mao; Chuifeng Fan; Chong Liu; Ayao Guo; Shu Guan; Quanxiu Jin; Bo Li; Fan Yao; Feng Jin
• Keywords: Propidium iodide

CXCR4 and its ligand CXCL12 can promote the proliferation, survival, invasion of cancer cells. They have been shown to play an important role in regulating metastasis breast specific organs. High expression was also correlated poor clinical outcome. Previous study showed that tumor cells express a high level target tissues (lung, liver, bone) levels CXCL12, allowing directionally migrate organs via CXCL12-CXCR4 chemotactic gradient. However, exact mechanisms how enhance and/or growth their full implications on progression are unknown. Yet it is likely chemokine receptor signaling may provide more than just migrational advantage by helping metastasized establish survive secondary environments. In this study, we investigated analyzed association with clinicopathological factors immunohistochemistry first. Then, detected mRNA protein cell lines Western blot RT-PCR. The MDA-MB-231 has very weak expression. So, constructed functional using gene transfection technique. Further experiments were conducted evaluate effect biological behaviors MDA-MB-231. proliferation MDA-MB-231-CXCL12 accessed MTT assay; apoptosis AnnexinV-FITC/propidium iodide double staining flow cytometry method; invasive ability examined Matrigel assay. Immunohistochemical analysis co-expression lymph node TNM stage (p < 0.01). It suggested sole malignance cancer. To gain deeper insight into it, picked CXCR4-expressing be transfected stably. decreased cellular increased apoptosis, found successful 0.05). Our findings underlined axis tightly metastasis. increase simultaneously. These data strongly support hypothesis promotes natural selection could significant terms aggressiveness effectiveness targeting receptors downstream pathways for treatment