PGRN-/- TAMs-derived exosomes inhibit breast cancer cell invasion and migration and its mechanism exploration

Life Sci. 2021 Jan 1:264:118687. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118687. Epub 2020 Nov 9.

Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the most malignant diseases world-wide and ranks the first among female cancers. Progranulin (PGRN) plays a carcinogenic role in breast cancer, but its mechanisms are not clear. In addition, there are few reports on the relationship between PGRN and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs).

Aims: To investigate the effects of exosomes derived from PGRN-/- TAMs on invasion and migration of breast cancer cells.

Main methods: Mouse breast cancer xenograft model was constructed to explore the effect of PGRN-/- tumor environment (TME) on breast cancer. Flow cytometry was used to compare TAMs of wild type (WT) and PGRN-/- tumor tissue. Transwell assay, wound healing assay and western blot were used to explore the effect of WT and PGRN-/- TAMs and their exosomes on invasion, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of breast cancer cells. MicroRNA (miRNA) assay was used to find out the differentially expressed miRNA of negative control (NC) and siPGRN-TAMs exosomes. Quantitative PCR and luciferase report assay were used to explore the target gene.

Key findings: The lung metastasis of breast cancer of PGRN-/- mice was inhibited. PGRN-/- TAMs inhibited invasion, migration and EMT of breast cancer cells through their exosomes. MiR-5100 of PGRN-/- TAMs-derived exosomes was up-regulated, which might regulate expression of CXCL12, thereby inhibiting the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis, and ultimately inhibiting the invasion, migration and EMT of breast cancer cells.

Significance: Our study elucidates a new molecular mechanism of lung metastasis of breast cancer, so it may contribute to efficient prevention and therapeutic strategies.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Exosomes; PGRN; TAMs.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Cell Movement / physiology*
  • Exosomes / genetics
  • Exosomes / metabolism*
  • Exosomes / pathology
  • Female
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / prevention & control
  • Progranulins / deficiency*
  • Progranulins / genetics
  • Tumor-Associated Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Tumor-Associated Macrophages / pathology
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays / methods

Substances

  • Grn protein, mouse
  • Progranulins