ISSN: 1837-9664Journal of Cancer
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J Cancer 2012; 3:310-321. doi:10.7150/jca.4584 This volume Cite
Research Paper
Effect of Tumour Necrosis Factor-Alpha on Estrogen Metabolic Pathways in Breast Cancer Cells
1. Unit of Pharmacology, Department of Cancer Biology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt
2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
3. Laboratory of Proteomics and Analytical Technologies, Advanced Technology Program, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., NCI-Frederick, 1050 Boyles Street/P.O. Box B, Frederick, MD 21702, United States of America
4. Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986805 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States of America
5. Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Egypt
6. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza MS: BCM 610, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a proinflammatory cytokine that has been linked to breast cancer development. Estrogen metabolic pathway is also involved in breast carcinogenesis and DNA adducts formation. In this study we investigated the effect of TNF-α on the estrogen metabolic pathway in MCF-7, a breast cancer cell line. Capillary liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used for analysis of estrogen metabolites and estrogen-DNA adducts levels respectively. Reporter gene assay, Real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (real time RT-PCR) and Western blot were used to assess the expression of estrogen metabolizing genes and enzymes. TNF-α significantly increased the total EM and decreased the estrone (E1) / 17-β estradiol (E2) ratio. Moreover, it altered the expression of genes and enzymes involved in E2 activation and deactivation pathways e.g. Cytochrome P-450 1A1 (CYP1A1), Cytochrome P-450 1B1 (CYP1B1), Catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) and Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). In addition, there were increased levels of some catechol estrogens e.g. 4-hydroxy-estrone (4-OHE1) and 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OHE2) with decreased levels of methylated catechols e.g. 2-methoxy estradiol (2-MeOE2). DNA adducts especially 4-OHE1-[2]-1-N3 Adenine was significantly increased. TNF-α directs the estrogen metabolism into more hormonally active and carcinogenic products in MCF-7. This may implicate a new possible explanation for inflammation associated breast cancer.
Keywords: Breast cancer, Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, Estrogen metabolites, Estrogen metabolizing genes and enzymes, DNA adducts.
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