Pentagalloyl glucose inhibits TNF-α-activated CXCL1/GRO-α expression and induces apoptosis-related genes in triple-negative breast cancer cells

Sci Rep. 2021 Mar 11;11(1):5649. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-85090-z.

Abstract

In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the tumor microenvironment is associated with increased proliferation, suppressing apoptotic mechanisms, an altered immune response, and drug resistance. The current investigation was designed to examine the natural compound pentagalloyl glucose (PGG) effects on TNF-α activated TNBC cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468. The results obtained showed that PGG reduced the expression of the cytokine GRO-α/CXCL1. PGG also inhibited IƙBKE and MAPK1 genes and the protein expression of IƙBKE and MAPK, indicating that GRO-α downregulation is possibly through NFƙB and MAPK signaling pathway. PGG also inhibited cell proliferation in both cell lines. Moreover, PGG induced apoptosis, modulating caspases, and TNF superfamily receptor genes. It also augmented mRNA of receptors DR4 and DR5 expression, which binds to TNF-related apoptosis-induced ligand, a potent and specific stimulator of apoptosis in tumors. Remarkably, PGG induced a 154-fold increase in TNF expression in MDA-MB-468 compared to a 14.6-fold increase in MDA-MB-231 cells. These findings indicate PGG anti-cancer ability in inhibiting tumor cell proliferation and GRO-α release and inducing apoptosis by increasing TNF and TNF family receptors' expression. Thus, PGG use may be recommended as an adjunct therapy for TNBC to increase chemotherapy effectiveness and prevent cancer progression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis / genetics*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / genetics
  • Chemokine CXCL1 / genetics
  • Chemokine CXCL1 / metabolism*
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Hydrolyzable Tannins / pharmacology*
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Models, Biological
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Chemokine CXCL1
  • Cytokines
  • Hydrolyzable Tannins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • pentagalloylglucose