Research Status of Tumor-associated Fibroblasts Regulating Immune Cells / 中国肺癌杂志

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-infiltrating immune cells are the most essential components of the tumor microenvironment (TME). They communicate with each other in tumor microenvironment and play a critical role in tumorigenesis and development. CAFs are very heterogeneous and different subtypes of CAFs display different functions. At the same time, it can contribute to the regulation of the function of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and eventually result in the carcinogenesis, tumor progression, invasion, metastasis and other biological behaviors of tumors by producting various growth factors and cytokines etc. Based on the current research results at home and abroad, this paper reviews the recent research progress on the regulation of CAFs on infiltrating immune cells in tumor microenvironment.
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Alterations in the expression and activity of extracellular matrix components in HPV-associated infections and diseases

Infection with human papillomaviruses is associated with a series of benign and malignant hyperproliferative diseases that impose a heavy burden on human populations. A subgroup of mucosal human papillomavirus types are associated with the majority of cervical cancers and a relevant fraction of vulvar, vaginal, anal, penile and head and neck carcinomas. Human papillomaviruses mediate cell transformation by the expression of two pleiotropic oncoproteins that alter major cellular regulatory pathways. However, these viruses are not complete carcinogens, and further alterations within the infected cells and in their microenvironment are necessary for tumor establishment and progression. Alterations in components of the extracellular matrix for instance, matrix metalloproteinases and some of their regulators such as tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases, have been consistently reported in human papillomaviruses-associated diseases. Matrix metalloproteinases function by remodeling the extracellular matrix and alterations in their expression levels and/or activity are associated with pathological processes and clinical variables including local tumor invasion, metastasis, tumor relapse and overall patient prognosis and survival. In this review we present a summarized discussion on the current data concerning the impact of human papillomavirus infection on the activity and expression of extracellular matrix components. We further comment on the possibility of targeting extracellular matrix molecules in experimental treatment protocols.

Prevalencia de vulvovaginits y su relación con hallazgos físicos en niñas evaluadas por sospecha de abuso sexual infantil / Prevalence of vulvovaginitis and relation to physical findings in girls assessed for suspected child sexual abuse

Introducción. La presencia de infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS) en pacientes con sospecha de abuso sexual es poco frecuente en pediatría. Objetivos. Determinar la prevalencia de hallazgos anogenitales y su relación con la presencia de ITS en niñas referidas por sospecha de abuso sexual infantil. Material y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo realizado entre el 1 de enero de 2003 y el 31 de diciembre de 2013. Se analizaron los hallazgos físicos y la detección de ITS en niñas con sospecha de abuso sexual infantil. Resultados. Se incluyeron 1034 pacientes. La mediana de edad fue 7,9 años. Los hallazgos anogenitales correspondieron a clase I (normal):38,4%; clase II (inespecífico):38,1%; clase III (específico):19,9%; y clase IV (certeza):3,6%. Se registraron ITS en 42 pacientes (4,1%). Se relacionaron las ITS con las clases de hallazgos físicos: 10 (clase II: 9; clase III: 1) Neisseria gonorrhoeae, 17 (clase I: 2; clase II: 8; clase III: 7) Chlamydia trachomatis, 15 (clase I: 2; clase II: 10; clase III: 3) Trichomonas vaginalis. Se hallaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas para Trichomonas vaginalis (p= 0,01) y Neisseria gonorrhoeae (p < 0,0001), y predominaron signos clínicos inespecíficos. Chlamydia trachomatis (p= 0,03) presentó similares registros en hallazgos inespecíficos como específicos. Conclusiones. En la mayoría de los casos de niñas con sospecha de abuso sexual infantil, los hallazgos anogenitales son normales o inespecíficos. La prevalencia de ITS en estas niñas es baja. Trichomonas vaginalis y Neisseria gonorrhoeae se relacionaron con hallazgos inespecíficos, y Chlamydia trachomatis, tanto con hallazgos específicos como inespecíficos.

Introduction. The presence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in patients with suspected sexual abuse is uncommon in the field of pediatrics. Objectives. To establish the prevalence of anogenital findings and their relation to the presence of STIs in girls referred for suspected child sexual abuse. Material and Methods. Retrospective study conducted between January 1st, 2003 and December 31st, 2013. Physical findings and detection of STIs in girls with suspected child sexual abuse were analyzed. Results. One thousand thirty-four patients were included. Their median age was 7.9 years old. Anogenital findings were classified as class I (normal):38.4%, class II (nonspecific):38.1%, class III (specific):19.9% and class IV (definitive):3.6%. STIs were observed in 42 patients (4.1%). A relation was established between STIs and the classification of physical findings: 10 (class II: 9; class III: 1) Neisseria gonorrhoeae, 17 (class I: 2; class II: 8; class III: 7) Chlamydia trachomatis, 15 (class I: 2; class II: 10; class III: 3) Trichomonas vaginalis. Statistically significant differences for Trichomonas vaginalis (p= 0.01) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (p < 0.0001) were observed, with predominance of nonspecific clinical signs. Both nonspecific and specific findings were similarly observed for Chlamydia trachomatis (p= 0.03). Conclusions. Most cases of girls with suspected child sexual abuse had normal or nonspecific anogenital findings. The prevalence of STIs in these girls is low. Trichomonas vaginalis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae were related to nonspecific findings, while both nonspecific and specific findings were observed for Chlamydia trachomatis.

Early changes in carcinogenesis of colorectal adenomas / Cambios tempranos en la carcinogénesis de los adenomas colorectales

OBJECTIVES: Adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum is the third most common cause of cancer deaths and the sixth most common cancer in the world. Adenomas are benign neoplastic lesions which can be transformed into carcinomas, but this is usually not the case. There should be some risk factors which lead to the development of carcinomas into adenomas. The aim of this study is to find out the early changes and high risk factors related to carcinogenesis in colonic polyps. METHODS: IIn this study, we reviewed nearly 1000 colonoscopic biopsies and chose 72 biopsies. We developed three groups (tubular adenomas group 1, villous adenomas group 2, normal mucosa group 3); each group had 24 different biopsies. P53, Ki-67, bcl-2, cyclin D1, E-cadherin, c-erb B2 immunohistochemistry and human papillomavirus (HPV) in-situ hybridization were used for analysis. RESULTS: Five of the seventy-two cases were positive in HPV in-situ analysis. Four of them were villous adenomas and one was a tubular adenoma. Ki-67 expression was limited only to crypts in group 3 but in groups 1 and 2, Ki-67 expression was seen both in crypt epithelium and surface epithelium. Cyclin D1, c-erb B2, bcl-2 expression was significantly increased in neoplastic polyps. CONCLUSION: Ki-67 expression, both in the crypt and surface epithelium, and cyclin D1, c-erb B2, bcl-2 over-expression may be a clue of dysplastic epithelium and if the role of HPV is elucidated and shown to be important in colonic carcinogenesis, then vaccination might prevent carcinogenesis caused by HPV.

OBJETIVOS: El adenocarcinoma del colon y recto es la tercera causa más común de muertes por cáncer y el sexto tipo de cáncer más común en el mundo. Los adenomas son lesiones neoplásicas benignas que pueden transformarse en carcinomas, pero éste normalmente no es el caso. Debe haber algunos factores de riesgo que conducen al desarrollo de carcinomas en adenomas. El objetivo de este estudio es averiguar los cambios tempranos y los factores de alto riesgo relacionados con la carcinogénesis en los pólipos colónicos. MÉTODOS: En este estudio, revisamos casi 1000 biopsias colonoscópicas y escogimos 72 biopsias. Desarrollamos tres grupos (grupo 1: adenomas tubulares, grupo 2: adenomas vilosos, grupo 3: mucosa normal); cada grupo tuvo 24 biopsias diferentes. Para el anílisis se utilizaron la inmunohistoquímica de P53, Ki-67, bcl-2, ciclina D1, E-cadherina, y c-erb B2, así como la hibridación in situ para la detección del virus del papiloma humano (VPH) RESULTADOS: Cinco de setenta y dos casos resultaron positivos en el análisis del VPH in-situ. Cuatro de ellos fueron adenomas vilosos, de los cuales uno era un adenoma tubular. La expresión Ki-67 está limitada sólo a las criptas en el grupo 3, pero en los grupos 1 y 2, la expresión Ki-67 se observó tanto en el epitelio de la cripta como en el epitelio de la superficie. La expresión de la ciclina D1, c-erb B2, y bcl- 2 se halla significativamente aumentada en los pólipos neoplásicos. CONCLUSIÓN: La expresión de Ki-67 tanto en el epitelio de la cripta como de la superficie, y la sobre-expesión de la ciclina D1, c-erb B2, bcl-2 puede ser una clave para el epitelio displásico, y si se aclara y demuestra que el papel del VPH es importante en la carcinogénesis colónica, entonces la vacunación podría prevenir los carcinogénesis inducidos por el VPH.

Regulation of protein synthesis and the role of eIF3 in cancer

Maintenance of cell homeostasis and regulation of cell proliferation depend importantly on regulating the process of protein synthesis. Many disease states arise when disregulation of protein synthesis occurs. This review focuses on mechanisms of translational control and how disregulation results in cell malignancy. Most translational controls occur during the initiation phase of protein synthesis, with the initiation factors being the major target of regulation through their phosphorylation. In particular, the recruitment of mRNAs through the m7G-cap structure and the binding of the initiator methionyl-tRNAi are frequent targets. However, translation, especially of specific mRNAs, may also be regulated by sequestration into processing bodies or stress granules, by trans-acting proteins or by microRNAs. When the process of protein synthesis is hyper-activated, weak mRNAs are translated relatively more efficiently, leading to an imbalance of cellular proteins that promotes cell proliferation and malignant transformation. This occurs, for example, when the cap-binding protein, eIF4E, is overexpressed, or when the methionyl-tRNAi-binding factor, eIF2, is too active. In addition, enhanced activity of eIF3 contributes to oncogenesis. The importance of the translation initiation factors as regulators of protein synthesis and cell proliferation makes them potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of cancer.

Mioepitelioma de glândula salivar menor: uma análise imunohistoquímica de quatro casos / Myoepithelioma of minor salivary gland: an immunohistochemical analysis of four cases

Introdução e Metodologia: Realizou-se um estudo imunohistoquímico em 4 casos de mioepiteliomas, visando traçar seu perfil quanto ao grau de diferenciação das células através dos anticorpos alfa-SMA, CK 14 e vimentina, bem como investigar o índice de proliferação celular pelo anti-PCNA, além de comparamos a imunorreatividade com o tecido glandular normal adjacente ao tumor. RESULTADOS: No tecido glandular normal as células mioepiteliais exibiram marcação para alfa-SMA e CK 14, enquanto que nas células ductais somente a presença da CK 14 foi verificada. Em todos os casos foi verificada positividade para CK 14 e vimentina, porém a CK 14 esteve presente somente em células epitelióides e fusiformes, enquanto que a vimentina mostrou-se positiva também nas células plasmocitóides. A alfa-SMA não foi detectada nas células neoplásicas. Imunopositividade para o PCNA foi observada em mais de 75 por cento do componente celular dos tumores analisados, independente do tipo. CONCLUSÕES: Concluiu-se que não houve diferença na atividade proliferativa entre os tipos celulares presentes nos mioepiteliomas e, ainda, que os resultados deste estudo sugerem que as células constituintes desta neoplasia realmente representam células da linhagem mioepitelial, mas em diferentes estágios de diferenciação.

Introduction and Methods: We performed an immunohistochemical study in four cases of myopitheliomas with objective to realize a profile in respect of differentiation grade by the monoclonal antibodies CK14, vimentin and alph-SMA, besides to investigate the cell proliferation by anti-PCNA, besides, we compare the immunoreactive with glandular normal tissue. RESULTS: In the glandular normal tissue the myoepithelials cells had shown expression for alpha-SMA and CK 14, while that in the ductals cells, only the presence of CK 14 was verified. All the cases was verified positivy for CK 14 and vimentin, however, CK 14 had been present only in epithelioid and fusiform cells, while that the vimentin revealed positive also in the cytoplasm of the plasmocytoid cells. alpha-SMA was not detected in the neoplasic cells. Immunopositivity for the PCNA was observed in more than 75 percent of the cellular component of the analyzed tumors, independent of the cellular type. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that it did not have difference in the proliferative activity among the cellular types presents in the myoepitheliomas and, still, the results of this study suggest that the constituent cells of this neoplasia one really represent cells of the mioepitelial ancestry, but in different stages of differentiation.

Regulation of pituitary hormones and cell proliferation by components of the extracellular matrix

The extracellular matrix is a three-dimensional network of proteins, glycosaminoglycans and other macromolecules. It has a structural support function as well as a role in cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, differentiation, and survival. The extracellular matrix conveys signals through membrane receptors called integrins and plays an important role in pituitary physiology and tumorigenesis. There is a differential expression of extracellular matrix components and integrins during the pituitary development in the embryo and during tumorigenesis in the adult. Different extracellular matrix components regulate adrenocorticotropin at the level of the proopiomelanocortin gene transcription. The extracellular matrix also controls the proliferation of adrenocorticotropin-secreting tumor cells. On the other hand, laminin regulates the production of prolactin. Laminin has a dynamic pattern of expression during prolactinoma development with lower levels in the early pituitary hyperplasia and a strong reduction in fully grown prolactinomas. Therefore, the expression of extracellular matrix components plays a role in pituitary tumorigenesis. On the other hand, the remodeling of the extracellular matrix affects pituitary cell proliferation. Matrix metalloproteinase activity is very high in all types of human pituitary adenomas. Matrix metalloproteinase secreted by pituitary cells can release growth factors from the extracellular matrix that, in turn, control pituitary cell proliferation and hormone secretion. In summary, the differential expression of extracellular matrix components, integrins and matrix metalloproteinase contributes to the control of pituitary hormone production and cell proliferation during tumorigenesis.

Biologia molecular das neoplasias de próstata / Molecular biology in the prostate neoplasia

O câncer de próstata (CP) é uma das principais causas de doença e morte, representando no Brasil a segunda causa de óbitos por câncer em homens. A hiperplasia prostática benigna (HPB) é uma doença progressiva de alta prevalência, com evidências histológicas em 50 por cento dos homens aos 50 anos e 90 por cento aos 80 anos de idade. A patogênese das neoplasias prostáticas tem sido associada à ação dos androgênios e a seu receptor nuclear específico, embora os mecanismos moleculares que envolvem os processos de proliferação, diferenciação e apoptose não estejam bem estabelecidos, assim como os mecanismos de transformação neoplásica e carcinogênese. Co-ativadores e co-repressores podem também contribuir para a carcinogênese prostática, ligando-se diretamente aos receptores nucleares, recrutando proteínas adicionais e interagindo com a maquinaria transcricional para aumentar a transcrição de genes-alvo. Polimorfismos do receptor de androgênios e da 5alfa redutase tipo 2 foram identificados e poderiam estar associados com risco para CP. Genes reguladores do ciclo celular e da apoptose, bem como fatores de crescimento, também participam de processos relacionados com a tumorigênese prostática. Assim, alterações no padrão da expressão gênica do tecido normal podem levar ao desenvolvimento do fenótipo maligno e potencialmente estes genes podem servir como marcadores de prognóstico. Com o advento de novas tecnologias moleculares, o número de genes marcadores potenciais para o CP cresce dia a dia, mas os dados atuais requerem ainda validação com maior número de amostras e correlação com o processo da doença. Trazê-los do ambiente de laboratório para o uso clínico requer uma análise rigorosa e há, portanto, um longo caminho ainda a percorrer.

Origin of adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus: P53 and Ki67 expression and histopathologic background

O esôfago de Barrett é definido como a substituição do epitélio escamoso do esôfago distal por epitélio colunar. A metaplasia intestinal no esôfago de Barrett é considerada por muitos como o principal fator de risco para o desenvolvimento do adenocarcinoma. Embora já descrito, o adenocarcinoma do tipo difuso e o esôfago de Barrett sem metaplasia intestinal, são raros e pouco estudados. OBJETIVO E MÉTODO: O presente estudo objetivou o cálculo da prevalência do adenocarcinoma no esôfago de Barrett, assim como a análise macroscópica e microscópica detalhada de treze pacientes operados no período de 1990 a 2002, com realização de estudo imunohistoquímico do p53 e Ki67, correlacionando o tipo de tumor com o epitélio adjacente a este. RESULTADOS: Obtivemos uma prevalência de 5,7% de adenocarcinoma em pacientes internados para tratamento cirúrgico de esôfago de Barrett . Encontraram-se tumores relativamente grandes, com média de 4,67 ± 2,28 cm, e sempre em esôfago de Barrett longo, com média de 7,71 ± 1,5 cm. Observou-se tendência de os tumores se localizarem próximos à transição escamo-colunar. O estudo histológico mostrou dois pacientes (15,4%) que apresentavam esôfago de Barrett adjacente ao tumor do tipo juncional sem presença de metaplasia intestinal. Classificaram-se os tumores segundo a classificação japonesa de Nakamura (23% de padrão diferenciado ou intestinal e 77% de padrão indiferenciado ou gástico) e pela classificação de Laurén (61% intestinais e 39% difusos). A diferença decorre da migração dos tumores microtubulares e foveolares do padrão gástrico para o tipo intestinal de Laurén. O estudo do Ki67 foi fortemente positivo em todos os pacientes, mostrando o alto índice de proliferação celular no epitélio colunar e no tumor. O p53 mostrou-se negativo em 66,7% dos pacientes no epitélio colunar e 41,7% no tumor, não mostrando correlação entre os dois materiais. CONCLUSAO: O adenocarcinoma se desenvolve sobre o esôfago de Barrett a partir do epitélio colunar misto, intestinal, bem como do juncional, apresentando padrão tanto gástrico como intestinal; portanto tumores podem se desenvolver em epitélio colunar sem metaplasia intestinal o qual também deve ser seguido, principalmente quando for extenso.

NFAT transcription factors: from cell cycle to tumor development

The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) family of transcription factors has been primarily identified in immune cells; however, these proteins have been recently found to be functionally active in several other non-immune cell types. NFAT proteins are activated upon different stimuli that lead to increased intracellular calcium levels. Regardless of their widely known cytokine gene expression properties, NFATs have been shown to regulate other genes related to cell cycle progression, cell differentiation and apoptosis, revealing a broader role for these proteins in normal cell physiology. Several reports have addressed the participation of NFATs in many aspects of malignant cell transformation and tumorigenic processes. In this review, we will discuss the involvement of the different NFAT family members in the regulation of cell cycling, differentiation and tumor formation, and also its implications on oncogenesis. Better understanding the mechanisms by which NFATs regulate cell cycle and tumor-related events should be relevant for the development of rational anti-cancer therapies.

Impaired phosphorylation and mis-localization of Bub1 and BubR1 are responsible for the defective mitotic checkpoint function in Brca2-mutant thymic lymphomas

Breast cancer susceptibility gene, BRCA2, is a tumor suppressor and individuals who inherit one defected copy of BRCA2 allele experience early onset breast cancer or ovarian cancer accompanied by the loss of the wild type allele. Mouse model for Brca2 mutation shows growth retardation and paradoxical occurrence of thymic lymphomas. Thymic lymphomas from Brca2-mutant mice harbor mutations in p53, Bub1, and BubR1, which function as mitotic checkpoint proteins. Therefore, interplay between Brca2 and mitotic checkpoint has been suggested in the maintenance of genetic fidelity, although it has not been assessed whether the unique mutations in Bub1 and BubR1 found in Brca2-mutant mice are responsible for the abolishment of mitotic checkpoint function. This report demonstrates that Bub1 and BubR1 mutant proteins from Brca2(-/-)thymic lymphomas have defects in the phosphorylation and kinetochore localization after spindle damage. Thus, the mutations of Bub1 and BubR1 found in Brca2- mutant mice indeed are responsible for the chromosome instability in Brca2-mutated tumors.

Oxidative stress and experimental carcinogenesis.

The focus of this review is to provide state-of-the-art knowledge on the involvement of oxygen free radicals (OFR) in carcinogenesis with a particular reference to skin model system as the process of cancer development is best understood in this organ. However, a brief description of the role of OFR in other organs is also provided. The term OFR refers to forms of oxygen exhibiting high reactivity and having at least one unpaired electron. The role of OFR in different stages of carcinogenesis such as initiation, promotion and progression is described. Out of many mechanisms described for the chemical initiation of tumorigenesis, a number of them may involve free radicals in the cascade of reactions. Evidences that support the involvement of free radicals in tumor promotion include (i) a number of free radical-generating compounds are found to be tumor promoters in various animal model systems, (ii) ROS generating systems can mimic the biochemical action of tumor promoters, (iii) some tumor promoters stimulate the production of ROS, (iv) tumor promoters modulate the cellular antioxidant defense systems, and (v) free radical scavengers, detoxifiers and antioxidants inhibit the process of tumor promotion. The role of ROS in the progression stage of carcinogenesis is evident from the fact that a number of different free radical generating compounds enhance the malignant conversion of benign papillomas into carcinoma and their effectiveness may be related to the type of radicals produced into the biological system.

Telomeros y actividad de Telomerasa: su paraticipación en el envejecimiento y el desarrollo neoplasico / Telomeres and telomerase activity: their role in aging and in neoplastic development

Los telómeros son regiones de ADN no codificante ubicadas en los extremos de los cromosomas eucarióticos. Están constituídos por secuencias de ADN altamente conservadas, repetidas en tandem (TTAGGG)n y proteínas asociadas, y presentan una estructura especial que previene la fusión y degradación telomérica. Cuando los telómeros alcanzan un tamaño crítico tienen dificultades para separarse durante la mitosis, generando asociaciones teloméricas (tas) e inestabilidad cromosómica. Dicha instabilidad cromosómica estaría relacionada a un aumento en la probabilidad de producir errores capaces de generar cambios genéticos de importancia para el proceso de desarrollo neoplásico, tales como amplificación génica y pérdida de heterocigosidad. Los mecanismos que producen las tas son aún desconocidos pero podrían estar asociados a fallas de la actividad de la enzima telomerasa, ribonucleoproteína que sintetiza las secuencias repetitivas de los telómeros, estabilizando así la longitud de los mismos. Se ha observado una reducción progresiva del número de repeticiones teloméricas in vitro, asi como en función del envejecimiento celular, in vivo. Recientes estudios mostraron una asociación entre la presencia de tas y el acortamiento telomérico, asi como una correlación entre la reducción telómerica y el aumento de los niveles de telomerasa en diferentes tumores sólidos y neoplasias hematológicas. El hecho de que la mayoría de las neoplasias humanas presenten actividad de telomerasa podría indicar a dicha enzima como un marcador tumoral específico y prevalente, constituyendo un muy buen blanco para realizar terapia anti-cáncer utilizando inhibidores de la misma.

Functions of the extracellular matrix and matrix degrading proteases during tumor progression

Cell interactions with extracellular matrices are important to pathological changes that occur during cell transformation and tumorigenesis. Several extracellular matrix proteins including fibronectin, thrombospondin-1, laminin, SPARC, and osteopontin have been suggested to modulate tumor phenotype by affecting cell migration, survival, or angiogenesis. Likewise, proteases including the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are understood to not only facilitate migration of cells by degradation of matrices, but also to affect tumor formation and growth. We have recently demonstrated an in vivo role for the RGD-containing protein, osteopontin, during tumor progression, and found evidence for distinct functions in the host versus the tumor cells. Because of the compartmentalization and temporal regulation of MMP expression, it is likely that MMPs may also function dually in host stroma and the tumor cell. In addition, an important function of proteases appears to be not only degradation, but also cleavage of matrix proteins to generate functionally distinct fragments based on receptor binding, biological activity, or regulation of growth factors

Mechanisms of cell transformation induced by polyomavirus

Polyomavirus is a DNA tumor virus that induces a variety of tumors in mice. Its genome encodes three proteins, namely large T (LT), middle T (MT), and small T (ST) antigens, that have been implicated in cell transformation and tumorigenesis. LT is associated with cell immortalization, whereas MT plays an essential role in cell transformation by binding to and activating several cytoplasmic proteins that participate in growth factor-induced mitogenic signal transduction to the nucleus. The use of different MT mutants has led to the identification of MT-binding proteins as well as analysis of their importance during cell transformation. Studying the molecular mechanisms of cell transformation by MT has contributed to a better understanding of cell cycle regulation and growth control

Factores de crecimiento y oncogenes en adenocarcinomas mamarios inducidos por acetato de medroxyprogesterona en ratones BALB/c / Growth hormones and oncogenes in mammary adenocarcinomas induced by medroxyprogesterone acetate in BALB/c mice

We have studied the involvement of growth factors (GF), their receptors (GF-R) and oncogenes in modulating tumor growth in the medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)-induced mammary tumor model in BALB/c mice. We demonstrated the presence of both ligands of the insulin-like growth factor family (IGF-I, IGF-II) and the two types of receptors (IGF-RI, IGF-RII). MPA upregulated IGF-II mRNA and protein levels in hormone-dependent lines (MPA-D). The progression to a hormone-independent phenotype was accompanied by a high constitutive expression of IGF-II and by a significant decrease in IGF-IIR number. An antisense strategy used to evaluate the role of IGF in the MPA-induced growth of epithelial MPA-D cells showed that IGF mediate progestin-induced mammary tumor growth by autocrine/intracrine pathways. We also studied the role of heregulins (HRG), the recently identified ligands for the c-erbB3 and c-erbB4 oncogenes. HRG mRNA expression was restricted to tumors of ductal origin. MPA induced an in vivo up-regulation of HRG expression. Finally, we also found that MPA may be exerting its proliferative effect on MPA-D lines by inhibiting the expression of transforming growth factor beta 1, (TGF-beta 1) and the lack of expression of TGF-beta 1 in hormone-independent tumors may be related to the acquisition of autonomous growth.