title: Vitamin E succinate induces Fas-mediated apoptosis in estrogen receptor-negative human breast cancer cells.
abstract: Vitamin E succinate (VES), a derivative of the fat-soluble vitamin D-alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), inhibited growth and induced apoptotic cell death of estrogen receptor-negative human breast cancer cells. VES-induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 and SKBR-3 cells occurred through a Fas pathway. Total protein levels of the Fas receptor (Fas; APO-1/CD-95) and the Fas ligand (Fas-L) were increased following VES treatment. In addition, VES increased cell surface Fas expression. Fas-neutralizing antibodies and Fas-L antisense oligonucleotides blocked VES-induced apoptosis. The presence of Fas-L antisense oligonucleotides also completely blocked the VES-mediated increase in Fas-L protein expression. These data indicate a role for Fas signaling in VES-mediated apoptotic cell death of human breast cancer cells. These findings also suggest that VES may be of clinical use in the treatment of aggressive human breast cancers, particularly those that are refractory to antiestrogen therapy.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Leukocyte Biology, Division of Basic Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Turley
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: F W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Ruscetti
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Mikovits
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Bertolette
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Birchenall-Roberts
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D015398:Signal Transduction; D024505:Tocopherols; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D014810:Vitamin E; D024505:Tocopherols