Essential role for TrpC5-containing extracellular vesicles in breast cancer with chemotherapeutic resistance

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Apr 29;111(17):6389-94. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1400272111. Epub 2014 Apr 14.

Abstract

A critical challenge for chemotherapy is the development of chemoresistance in breast cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms and validated predictors remain unclear. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have gained attention as potential means for cancer cells to share intracellular contents. In adriamycin-resistant human breast cancer cells (MCF-7/ADM), we analyzed the role of transient receptor potential channel 5 (TrpC5) in EV formation and transfer as well as the diagnostic implications. Up-regulated TrpC5, accumulated in EVs, is responsible for EV formation and trapping of adriamycin (ADM) in EVs. EV-mediated intercellular transfer of TrpC5 allowed recipient cells to acquire TrpC5, consequently stimulating multidrug efflux transporter P-glycoprotein production through a Ca(2+)- and activated T-cells isoform c3-mediated mechanism and thus, conferring chemoresistance on nonresistant cells. TrpC5-containing circulating EVs were detected in nude mice bearing MCF-7/ADM tumor xenografts, and the level was lower after TrpC5-siRNA treatment. In breast cancer patients who underwent chemotherapy, TrpC5 expression in the tumor was significantly higher in patients with progressive or stable disease than in patients with a partial or complete response. TrpC5-containing circulating EVs were found in peripheral blood from patients who underwent chemotherapy but not patients without chemotherapy. Taken together, we found that TrpC5-containing circulating EVs may transfer chemoresistance property to nonchemoresistant recipient cells. It may be worthwhile to further explore the potential of using TrpC5-containing EVs as a diagnostic biomarker for chemoresistant breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / ultrastructure
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cytoplasmic Vesicles / drug effects
  • Cytoplasmic Vesicles / metabolism*
  • Cytoplasmic Vesicles / ultrastructure
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm* / drug effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • TRPC Cation Channels / blood
  • TRPC Cation Channels / metabolism*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • TRPC Cation Channels
  • TRPC5 protein, human
  • Doxorubicin