27-hydroxycholesterol induces the transition of MCF7 cells into a mesenchymal phenotype

Oncol Rep. 2011 Aug;26(2):389-97. doi: 10.3892/or.2011.1284. Epub 2011 Apr 28.

Abstract

A decrease in the expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin, paralleling the loss of adherens junction complex, was observed in MCF7 cells exposed for longer than 48 h to 2 µM 27-hydroxycholesterol (27OHC), indicating an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Upon removal of 27OHC from the culture medium, the cells released by the exposure of 72 h to the oxysterol grew as loosely packed cell groups. In these cells, accumulation of E-cadherin and β-catenin in the cytoplasm and the prolonged expression of epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (EGFR2/neu) in the plasma membrane were observed, suggesting that the acquired phenotype was related to the expression of this tyrosine kinase-growth factor receptor. The results presented here are discussed on the basis of the claimed relationship between 27OHC, hypercholesterolemia, macrophage infiltration and therapy-resistant ERα+ breast cancer incidence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adherens Junctions / drug effects
  • Adherens Junctions / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cadherins / biosynthesis
  • Cell Growth Processes / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / drug effects*
  • Estradiol / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydroxycholesterols / pharmacology*
  • Phenotype
  • beta Catenin / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • Hydroxycholesterols
  • beta Catenin
  • Estradiol
  • 27-hydroxycholesterol