Influence of stromal-epithelial interactions on breast cancer in vitro and in vivo.

Stromal cell-secreted chemokines including CCL2 have been implicated in the primary tumor microenvironment, as mediators of tumor cell migration, proliferation, and angiogenesis. Expression of CCL2 and its principal receptor CCR2 was analyzed by RQ-PCR in primary tumor cells and breast cancer cell lines. Breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, T47D) were co-cultured directly on a monolayer of primary breast tumor and normal stromal cells, retrieved using EpCAM+ magnetic beads, and changes in expression of CCL2, CCR2, MMP11, ELK1, VIL2, and Ki67 detected by RQ-PCR.

The sodium iodide symporter (NIS) and potential regulators in normal, benign and malignant human breast tissue.

Introduction: The presence, relevance and regulation of the Sodium Iodide Symporter (NIS) in human mammary tissue remains poorly understood. This study aimed to quantify relative expression of NIS and putative regulators in human breast tissue, with relationships observed further investigated in vitro.

Methods: Human breast tissue specimens (malignant n = 75, normal n = 15, fibroadenoma n = 10) were analysed by RQ-PCR targeting NIS, receptors for retinoic acid (RARα, RARβ), oestrogen (ERα), thyroid hormones (THRα, THRβ), and also phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K).

Systemic chemokine levels in breast cancer patients and their relationship with circulating menstrual hormones.

Introduction: The chemokines Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha/CXCL12) and Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2) have been implicated in breast cancer progression. We recently reported elevated systemic MCP-1 in breast cancer patients. This study investigated circulating levels of SDF-1alpha in breast cancer patients, and addressed potential hormonal regulation of these two potent chemokines.