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Haugen MH, von der Lippe Gythfeldt H, Egeland EV, Svartdal Normann L, Pandya AD, Vedin L, Juell S, Tenstad E, Øy GF, Kristian A, Marangoni E, Sørlie T, Steffensen K, Mælandsmo GM, Engebraaten O. Liver X receptors induce antiproliferative effects in basal-like breast cancer. Mol Oncol 2023; 17:2041-2055. [PMID: 37341140 PMCID: PMC10552888 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver X receptors (LXRs) are nuclear transcription factors important in the regulation of cholesterol transport, and glucose and fatty acid metabolism. The antiproliferative role of LXRs has been studied in a variety of malignancies and may represent a therapeutic opportunity in cancers lacking targeted therapies, such as triple-negative breast cancer. In this study, we investigated the impact of LXR agonists alone and in combination with carboplatin in preclinical models of breast cancer. In vitro experiments revealed a dose-dependent decrease in tumor cell proliferation in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells, whereas LXR activation in vivo resulted in an increased growth inhibitory effect in a basal-like breast cancer model (in combination with carboplatin). Functional proteomic analysis identified differences in protein expression between responding and nonresponding models related to Akt activity, cell-cycle progression, and DNA repair. Furthermore, pathway analysis suggested that the LXR agonist in combination with carboplatin inhibits the activity of targets of E2F transcription factors and affects cholesterol homeostasis in basal-like breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hedda von der Lippe Gythfeldt
- Department of Tumor BiologyOslo University Hospital OsloNorway
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer ResearchOslo University HospitalNorway
- Department of OncologyOslo University HospitalNorway
- Insitute for Clinical MedicineUniversity of OsloNorway
| | | | - Lisa Svartdal Normann
- Department of Tumor BiologyOslo University Hospital OsloNorway
- Department of Research and InnovationVestre Viken Hospital TrustDrammenNorway
| | | | - Lise‐Lotte Vedin
- Division of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Laboratory MedicineKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Siri Juell
- Department of Tumor BiologyOslo University Hospital OsloNorway
| | - Ellen Tenstad
- Department of Tumor BiologyOslo University Hospital OsloNorway
| | - Geir Frode Øy
- Department of Tumor BiologyOslo University Hospital OsloNorway
| | | | - Elisabetta Marangoni
- Translational Research Department, Institut CuriePSL Research UniversityParisFrance
| | - Therese Sørlie
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer ResearchOslo University HospitalNorway
- Insitute for Clinical MedicineUniversity of OsloNorway
| | - Knut Steffensen
- Division of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Laboratory MedicineKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Gunhild Mari Mælandsmo
- Department of Tumor BiologyOslo University Hospital OsloNorway
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health SciencesThe Arctic University of Norway‐University of TromsøNorway
| | - Olav Engebraaten
- Department of Tumor BiologyOslo University Hospital OsloNorway
- Department of OncologyOslo University HospitalNorway
- Insitute for Clinical MedicineUniversity of OsloNorway
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2
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Zhang H, Lianto P, Li W, Xu M, Moore JB, Thorne JL. Associations between liver X receptor polymorphisms and blood lipids: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Steroids 2022; 185:109057. [PMID: 35679909 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2022.109057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Genetic susceptibility to dyslipidaemia remains incompletely understood. The liver X receptors (LXRs), members of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand dependent transcription factors, are homeostatic regulators of lipid metabolism. Multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)have been identified previously in the coding and regulatory regions of the LXRs. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarise associations between SNPs of LXRs (α and β isoforms) with blood lipid and lipoprotein traits. Five databases (PubMed, Ovid Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library) were systematically searched for population-based studies that assessed associations between one or more blood lipid/lipoprotein traits and LXR SNPs. Of seventeen articles included in the qualitative synthesis, ten were eligible for meta-analysis. Nine LXRα SNPs and five LXRβ SNPs were identified, and the three most studied LXRα SNPs were quantitatively summarised. Carriers of the minor allele A of LXRα rs12221497 (-115G>A) had higher triglyceride levels than GG homozygotes (0.13 mmol/L; 95%CI: [0.03, 0.23], P = 0.01). Heterozygote carriers of LXRα rs2279238 (297C/T) had higher total cholesterol levels (0.12 mmol/L; (95%CI: [0.01, 0.23], P = 0.04) than either CC or TT homozygotes. For LXRα rs11039155 (-6G>A), no significant differences in blood levels of either triglyceride (P = 0.39) or HDL-C (P = 0.98) were detected between genotypes in meta-analyses. In addition, there were no strong associations for other SNPs of LXRα and LXRβ. This study provides the evidence of an association between LXRα, but not LXRβ, SNPs and blood-lipid traits. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO No. CRD42021246158.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huifeng Zhang
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; Clinical Nutrition Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Priscilia Lianto
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Weiming Li
- Clinical Nutrition Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 Yanta West Road, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Mengfan Xu
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - J Bernadette Moore
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - James L Thorne
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
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3
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Avena P, Casaburi I, Zavaglia L, Nocito MC, La Padula D, Rago V, Dong J, Thomas P, Mineo C, Sirianni R, Shaul PW. 27-Hydroxycholesterol Binds GPER and Induces Progression of Estrogen Receptor-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14061521. [PMID: 35326671 PMCID: PMC8946696 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and there is a known link between high cholesterol levels and breast cancer. However, how cholesterol impacts breast cancer is poorly understood, particularly in the case of an aggressive form of cancer known as estrogen receptor negative breast cancer. Using cells in culture and models of breast tumors in mice, we have determined that an abundant metabolite of cholesterol known as 27-hydroxycholesterol stimulates estrogen receptor negative breast cancer growth. We have also determined how 27-hydroxycholesterol stimulates the growth, identifying a new mechanism of action of 27-hydroxycholesterol. These new findings may explain the link between high cholesterol and estrogen receptor negative breast cancer, and they may lead to the development of new therapies for a type of breast cancer that presently lacks specific treatments. Abstract Cholesterol affects the proliferation of breast cancer (BC) and in particular of estrogen receptor-negative (ER−) BC. Cholesterol is converted to 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC), which promotes the growth of ER+ BC. Potentially, 27HC can be involved in cholesterol-dependent ER− BC proliferation. Stable MDA-MB-231 silenced clones for CYP7B1 (27HC metabolizing enzyme) show an increased basal proliferation rate, which is not observed in the presence of lipoprotein-deprived serum. Furthermore, the treatment of SKBR3, MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 with 27HC increased cell proliferation that was prevented by G15, a selective G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor (GPER) inhibitor, suggested this receptor to be a potential 27HC target. Binding experiments demonstrate that 27HC is a new ligand for GPER. We show that ERK1/2 and NFκB are part of the 27HC/GPER pathway. The stable silencing of GPER prevents NFκB activation and reduces basal and 27HC-dependent tumor growth. Additionally, conditioned medium from ER− BC cells treated with 27HC promotes tube formation, which does not occur with CM from GPER silenced cells. Collectively, these data demonstrate that cholesterol conversion into 27HC promotes ER− BC growth and progression, and the expression of GPER is required for its effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Avena
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (P.A.); (I.C.); (L.Z.); (M.C.N.); (D.L.P.); (V.R.)
| | - Ivan Casaburi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (P.A.); (I.C.); (L.Z.); (M.C.N.); (D.L.P.); (V.R.)
| | - Lucia Zavaglia
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (P.A.); (I.C.); (L.Z.); (M.C.N.); (D.L.P.); (V.R.)
| | - Marta C. Nocito
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (P.A.); (I.C.); (L.Z.); (M.C.N.); (D.L.P.); (V.R.)
| | - Davide La Padula
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (P.A.); (I.C.); (L.Z.); (M.C.N.); (D.L.P.); (V.R.)
| | - Vittoria Rago
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (P.A.); (I.C.); (L.Z.); (M.C.N.); (D.L.P.); (V.R.)
| | - Jing Dong
- Marine Science Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA; (J.D.); (P.T.)
| | - Peter Thomas
- Marine Science Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA; (J.D.); (P.T.)
| | - Chieko Mineo
- Center for Pulmonary and Vascular Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA;
| | - Rosa Sirianni
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (P.A.); (I.C.); (L.Z.); (M.C.N.); (D.L.P.); (V.R.)
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (P.W.S.); Tel.: +39-0984-493182 (R.S.); +1-214-648-2015 (P.W.S.)
| | - Philip W. Shaul
- Center for Pulmonary and Vascular Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA;
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (P.W.S.); Tel.: +39-0984-493182 (R.S.); +1-214-648-2015 (P.W.S.)
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4
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Thorne JL, Cioccoloni G. Nuclear Receptors and Lipid Sensing. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1390:83-105. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-11836-4_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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5
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Baxter DE, Allinson LM, Al Amri WS, Poulter JA, Pramanik A, Thorne JL, Verghese ET, Hughes TA. MiR-195 and Its Target SEMA6D Regulate Chemoresponse in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13235979. [PMID: 34885090 PMCID: PMC8656586 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13235979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND poor prognosis primary breast cancers are typically treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, recurrences remain relatively common even after this aggressive therapy. Comparison of matched tumours pre- and post-chemotherapy can allow identification of molecular characteristics of therapy resistance and thereby potentially aid discovery of novel predictive markers or targets for chemosensitisation. Through this comparison, we aimed to identify microRNAs associated with chemoresistance, define microRNA target genes, and assess targets as predictors of chemotherapy response. METHODS cancer cells were laser microdissected from matched breast cancer tissues pre- and post-chemotherapy from estrogen receptor positive/HER2 negative breast cancers showing partial responses to epirubicin/cyclophosphamide chemotherapy (n = 5). MicroRNA expression was profiled using qPCR arrays. MicroRNA/mRNA expression was manipulated in estrogen receptor positive/HER2 negative breast cancer cell lines (MCF7 and MDA-MB-175 cells) with mimics, inhibitors or siRNAs, and chemoresponse was assessed using MTT and colony forming survival assays. MicroRNA targets were identified by RNA-sequencing of microRNA mimic pull-downs, and comparison of these with mRNAs containing predicted microRNA binding sites. Survival correlations were tested using the METABRIC expression dataset (n = 1979). RESULTS miR-195 and miR-26b were consistently up-regulated after therapy, and changes in their expression in cell lines caused significant differences in chemotherapy sensitivity, in accordance with up-regulation driving resistance. SEMA6D was defined and confirmed as a target of the microRNAs. Reduced SEMA6D expression was significantly associated with chemoresistance, in accordance with SEMA6D being a down-stream effector of the microRNAs. Finally, low SEMA6D expression in breast cancers was significantly associated with poor survival after chemotherapy, but not after other therapies. CONCLUSIONS microRNAs and their targets influence chemoresponse, allowing the identification of SEMA6D as a predictive marker for chemotherapy response that could be used to direct therapy or as a target in chemosensitisation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana E. Baxter
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (D.E.B.); (J.A.P.); (A.P.)
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Lisa M. Allinson
- Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AD, UK;
| | - Waleed S. Al Amri
- Department of Histopathology and Cytopathology, The Royal Hospital, Muscat, Oman;
| | - James A. Poulter
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (D.E.B.); (J.A.P.); (A.P.)
| | - Arindam Pramanik
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (D.E.B.); (J.A.P.); (A.P.)
| | - James L. Thorne
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK;
| | - Eldo T. Verghese
- Department of Histopathology, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7JX, UK;
| | - Thomas A. Hughes
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (D.E.B.); (J.A.P.); (A.P.)
- Correspondence:
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6
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Lianto P, Hutchinson SA, Moore JB, Hughes TA, Thorne JL. Characterization and prognostic value of LXR splice variants in triple-negative breast cancer. iScience 2021; 24:103212. [PMID: 34755086 PMCID: PMC8560626 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Activity of liver x receptor (LXR), the homeostatic regulator of cholesterol metabolism, is elevated in triple-negative breast cancer (BCa) relative to other BCa subtypes, driving drug resistance and metastatic gene signatures. The loci encoding LXRα and LXRβ produce multiple alternatively spliced proteins, but the true range of variants and their relevance to cancer remain poorly defined. Here, we report seven LXR splice variants, three of which have not previously been reported and five that were prognostic for disease-free survival. Expression of full-length LXRα splice variants was associated with poor prognosis, consistent with a role as an oncogenic driver of triple-negative tumor pathophysiology. Contrary to this was the observation that high expression of truncated LXRα splice variants or any LXRβ splice variant was associated with longer survival. These findings indicate that LXR isoform abundance is an important aspect of understanding the link between dysregulated cholesterol metabolism and cancer pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscilia Lianto
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | | | - J. Bernadette Moore
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | | | - James L. Thorne
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
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7
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Gwili N, Jones SJ, Amri WA, Carr IM, Harris S, Hogan BV, Hughes WE, Kim B, Langlands FE, Millican-Slater RA, Pramanik A, Thorne JL, Verghese ET, Wells G, Hamza M, Younis L, El Deeb NMF, Hughes TA. Transcriptome profiles of stem-like cells from primary breast cancers allow identification of ITGA7 as a predictive marker of chemotherapy response. Br J Cancer 2021; 125:983-993. [PMID: 34253873 PMCID: PMC8476506 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01484-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are drivers of therapy-resistance, therefore are responsible for poor survival. Molecular signatures of BCSCs from primary cancers remain undefined. Here, we identify the consistent transcriptome of primary BCSCs shared across breast cancer subtypes, and we examine the clinical relevance of ITGA7, one of the genes differentially expressed in BCSCs. METHODS Primary BCSCs were assessed using immunohistochemistry and fluorescently labelled using Aldefluor (n = 17). Transcriptomes of fluorescently sorted BCSCs and matched non-stem cancer cells were determined using RNA-seq (n = 6). ITGA7 expression was examined in breast cancers using immunohistochemistry (n = 305), and its functional role was tested using siRNA in breast cancer cells. RESULTS Proportions of BCSCs varied from 0 to 9.4%. 38 genes were significantly differentially expressed in BCSCs; genes were enriched for functions in vessel morphogenesis, motility, and metabolism. ITGA7 was found to be significantly downregulated in BCSCs, and low expression significantly correlated with reduced survival in patients treated with chemotherapy, and with chemoresistance in breast cancer cells in vitro. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to define the molecular profile of BCSCs from a range of primary breast cancers. ITGA7 acts as a predictive marker for chemotherapy response, in accordance with its downregulation in BCSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noha Gwili
- grid.9909.90000 0004 1936 8403School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK ,grid.7155.60000 0001 2260 6941Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Stacey J. Jones
- grid.9909.90000 0004 1936 8403School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK ,grid.415967.80000 0000 9965 1030Department of Breast Surgery, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Waleed Al Amri
- grid.416132.30000 0004 1772 5665Department of Histopathology and Cytopathology, The Royal Hospital, Muscat, Oman
| | - Ian M. Carr
- grid.9909.90000 0004 1936 8403School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Sarah Harris
- grid.9909.90000 0004 1936 8403School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Brian V. Hogan
- grid.415967.80000 0000 9965 1030Department of Breast Surgery, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - William E. Hughes
- grid.414235.50000 0004 0619 2154Children’s Medical Research Institute, Westmead, NSW Australia ,grid.1005.40000 0004 4902 0432St. Vincent’s Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Baek Kim
- grid.415967.80000 0000 9965 1030Department of Breast Surgery, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Fiona E. Langlands
- Department of Breast Surgery, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Bradford, UK
| | | | - Arindam Pramanik
- grid.9909.90000 0004 1936 8403School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - James L. Thorne
- grid.9909.90000 0004 1936 8403School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Eldo T. Verghese
- grid.443984.6Department of Histopathology, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Geoff Wells
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mervat Hamza
- grid.7155.60000 0001 2260 6941Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Layla Younis
- grid.7155.60000 0001 2260 6941Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Nevine M. F. El Deeb
- grid.7155.60000 0001 2260 6941Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Thomas A. Hughes
- grid.9909.90000 0004 1936 8403School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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8
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Cytoplasmic LXR expression is an independent marker of poor prognosis for patients with early stage primary breast cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2021; 147:2535-2544. [PMID: 34085098 PMCID: PMC8310839 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-021-03670-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of liver X receptors α/β (LXR) in primary breast cancer (BC) tissues and to analyze its correlations with clinicopathological parameters including patient survival. Methods In a well-characterized cohort of 305 primary BC, subcellular distribution of LXR was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Correlations with clinicopathological characteristics as well as with patient outcome were analyzed. Results LXR was frequently localized in both nuclei and cytoplasms of BC cells, with stronger staining in nuclei. Total and nuclear LXR expression was positively correlated with ER and PR status. Overall survival analysis demonstrated that cytoplasmic LXR was significantly correlated with poor survival and appeared as an independent marker of poor prognosis, in stage I but not in stage II–III tumors Conclusion Altogether, these data suggest that cytoplasmic LXR could be defined as a prognostic marker in early stage primary BC. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00432-021-03670-y.
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9
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Hutchinson SA, Websdale A, Cioccoloni G, Røberg-Larsen H, Lianto P, Kim B, Rose A, Soteriou C, Pramanik A, Wastall LM, Williams BJ, Henn MA, Chen JJ, Ma L, Moore JB, Nelson E, Hughes TA, Thorne JL. Liver x receptor alpha drives chemoresistance in response to side-chain hydroxycholesterols in triple negative breast cancer. Oncogene 2021; 40:2872-2883. [PMID: 33742124 PMCID: PMC8062267 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01720-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is challenging to treat successfully because targeted therapies do not exist. Instead, systemic therapy is typically restricted to cytotoxic chemotherapy, which fails more often in patients with elevated circulating cholesterol. Liver x receptors are ligand-dependent transcription factors that are homeostatic regulators of cholesterol, and are linked to regulation of broad-affinity xenobiotic transporter activity in non-tumor tissues. We show that LXR ligands confer chemotherapy resistance in TNBC cell lines and xenografts, and that LXRalpha is necessary and sufficient to mediate this resistance. Furthermore, in TNBC patients who had cancer recurrences, LXRalpha and ligands were independent markers of poor prognosis and correlated with P-glycoprotein expression. However, in patients who survived their disease, LXRalpha signaling and P-glycoprotein were decoupled. These data reveal a novel chemotherapy resistance mechanism in this poor prognosis subtype of breast cancer. We conclude that systemic chemotherapy failure in some TNBC patients is caused by co-opting the LXRalpha:P-glycoprotein axis, a pathway highly targetable by therapies that are already used for prevention and treatment of other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha A Hutchinson
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,Institute for Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Alex Websdale
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | | | - Priscilia Lianto
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Baek Kim
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Ailsa Rose
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Chrysa Soteriou
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | | | | | - Madeline A Henn
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Joy J Chen
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Liqian Ma
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Erik Nelson
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA.,Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA.,Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA.,University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Anticancer Discovery from Pets to People Theme, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Thomas A Hughes
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. .,Leeds Breast Cancer Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
| | - James L Thorne
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. .,Leeds Breast Cancer Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
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10
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Pontini L, Marinozzi M. Shedding light on the roles of liver X receptors in cancer by using chemical probes. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 178:3261-3276. [PMID: 32673401 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptors, liver X receptor-α (LXRα; NR1H3) and liver X receptor-β (LXRβ; NR1H2), are considered master regulators of lipid homeostasis. During the last couple of decades, their pivotal roles in several physiological and pathological processes ranging from energy supply, immunity, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative disorders and cancer have been highlighted. In this review, the main results achieved during more recent years about our understanding of the LXR involvement in cancer has been mainly obtained using small-molecule chemical probes. Remarkably, all these probes, albeit having different structure and biological properties, have a well demonstrated anti-tumoral activity arising from LXR modulation, indicating a high potential of LXR targeting for the treatment of cancer. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Oxysterols, Lifelong Health and Therapeutics. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.16/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Pontini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Maura Marinozzi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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Cholesterol, Oxysterols and LXRs in Breast Cancer Pathophysiology. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21041356. [PMID: 32079340 PMCID: PMC7072989 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women. In 2018, it is estimated that 627,000 women died from breast cancer. This is approximately 15% of all cancer deaths among women (WHO 2018). Breast cancer is a multifactorial chronic disease. While important progress has been made to treat patients, many questions regarding aspects of this disease relating to carcinogenesis are still open. During carcinogenesis, cells exhibit cholesterol homeostasis deregulation. This results in an accumulation of intracellular cholesterol, which is required to sustain their high growth rate. Cholesterol efflux and influx are two metabolic pathways that are necessary to prevent cholesterol accumulation in the cells. Liver X receptors (LXRs) are nuclear receptors that, upon activation, induce the expression of ABC transporters, responsible for promoting cholesterol efflux, and the expression of IDOL (inducible degrader of low-density lipoprotein receptor), in charge of reducing cholesterol influx. Oxysterols, oxygenated derivatives of cholesterol formed through different pathways, have been discovered as LXR-specific ligands. Some oxysterols are involved in tumor formation while others are considered anti-tumor agents. In the present review, we discuss the involvement of cholesterol, oxysterols and LXRs in breast cancer pathophysiology, with an emphasis on the biological effects of LXR ligands.
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Splicing of the cholesterol homeostasis protein LXR is a prognostic indicator for triple negative breast cancer patients. Proc Nutr Soc 2020. [DOI: 10.1017/s0029665120007430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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