Connexins act as tumor suppressors in three-dimensional mammary cell organoids by regulating differentiation and angiogenesis

Cancer Res. 2006 Oct 15;66(20):9886-94. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-05-4302.

Abstract

Connexins are tumor suppressors, and human breast connexin 26 (Cx26) and connexin 43 (Cx43) gap junctions are often down-regulated in breast cancer. We previously showed that Cx26 and Cx43 overexpressed in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells inhibited tumor growth in vivo but not in two-dimensional cultures. In the current study, we show that overexpression of Cx26 or Cx43 has tumor-suppressive properties in a three-dimensional environment such that they reduced anchorage-independent cell growth and induced partial redifferentiation of three-dimensional organoids of MDA-MB-231 cells. Importantly, the majority of exogenous connexins did not localize to the cell-cell interface or rescue gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) as assessed by dye transfer, providing evidence of a GJIC-independent mechanism of mammary tumor suppression. To further elucidate the mechanisms involved in connexin-induced three-dimensional redifferentiation of tumor cells, we examined whether connexin expression has a role in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Cx26 and Cx43 reduced cell migration, increased cytokeratin 18 expression, and decreased vimentin levels, indicating a shift from a mesenchymal towards an epithelial phenotype. In addition, we examined the role of connexins in angiogenesis by probing an angiogenesis antibody array with conditioned media from three-dimensional MDA-MB-231 cultures. This revealed that connexin overexpression regulated various angiogenesis-linked proteins. Furthermore, secreted factors from connexin overexpressing cells inhibited endothelial cell tubulogenesis and migration, and xenografts of Cx43 overexpressing MDA-MB-231 cells showed reduced tumor angiogenesis. In summary, Cx26 and Cx43 inhibit the malignant properties of MDA-MB-231 cells via GJIC-independent mechanisms, including regulation of EMT and angiogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Breast Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Connexin 26
  • Connexin 43 / biosynthesis
  • Connexin 43 / deficiency
  • Connexin 43 / metabolism
  • Connexin 43 / physiology*
  • Connexins / biosynthesis
  • Connexins / deficiency
  • Connexins / metabolism
  • Connexins / physiology*
  • Epithelial Cells / pathology
  • Gap Junctions / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mesoderm / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Transplantation, Heterologous

Substances

  • Connexin 43
  • Connexins
  • GJA1 protein, human
  • GJB2 protein, human
  • Gjb2 protein, mouse
  • Connexin 26