17β-estradiol-containing liposomes as a novel delivery system for the antisense therapy of ER-positive breast cancer: An in vitro study on the MCF-7 cell line

Oncol Rep. 2015 Feb;33(2):921-9. doi: 10.3892/or.2014.3627. Epub 2014 Nov 26.

Abstract

The present study suggests and describes the application of a delivery system for antisense oligonucleotides against mRNA encoding estrogen receptor proteins α and β. The delivery system is composed of a cationic liposome envelope containing 17β-estradiol (E2) in its structure. Cationic liposomes protect cargo against the extracellular matrix, and E2 can increase its shuttling efficiency into cells. Using MCF-7 cells derived from estrogen receptor-positive ductal carcinoma, treatment with liposomes against ERα was found to decrease MCF-7 proliferation, and importantly the application of both the antisense against ERα and β exhibited an antiproliferative effect expressed as cell viability. Using qRT-PCR, it was shown that MT1A, NF-κB1 and K-ras genes, but not TFF1, were downregulated using E2-based liposomes (evaluated at P=0.05). Further indicators of oxidative stress were employed to assess the effect on treatment efficiency. Glutathione (GSH/GSSG redox ratio), metallothionein (MT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) confirmed a positive effect of antisense therapy resulting in their decreased levels in the MCF-7 cells. Based on these data, we suggest that E2-based liposomes offer sufficient transfer efficiency and moreover, due to the effect on NF-κB1, MT and GSH, tumor cells can be chemosensitized to increase treatment effectiveness.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Survival
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Estradiol / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genetic Therapy / methods*
  • Glutathione / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Liposomes / chemistry*
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Malondialdehyde / chemistry
  • Metallothionein / chemistry
  • Microscopy, Phase-Contrast
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Oxygen / chemistry
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Liposomes
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Estradiol
  • Malondialdehyde
  • Metallothionein
  • Glutathione
  • Oxygen