Effect of EGCG on invasion of breast cancer cells and its possible mechanism / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

AIM: To study the effects of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a tea extract, on the invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 and the possible mechanisms in vitro. METHODS: The expression of MUC1 in breast cancer cells treated with or without EGCG was detected by immunohistochemistry. The effect of EGCG on invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells was evaluated using Transwell chambers attached with polycarbonate filters and reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel). Gelatin zymography was performed to detect the secretion of collagenase-Ⅳ. RESULTS: EGCG reduced the expression of MUC1, significantly suppressed the invasion of tumor cells to basement membrane and reduced the secretion of collagenase-Ⅳ. CONCLUSION: In vitro, EGCG may suppress invasion, metastasis, and collagenase-Ⅳ secretion in MDA-MB-231 cells by inhibiting the production of MUC1.