Integrin beta1 upregulation in MCF-7 breast cancer cells by angiotensin II.
OBJECTIVE
Integrins are a major family of cell adhesion molecules whose function is perturbed in tumour invasion and metastasis. Angiotensin II (A II) is well-known in the systemic control of water and electrolyte homeostasis and haemodynamics, but recent evidence points to an additional local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) with possible long-term trophic effects including carcinogenesis.


METHODS
The effect of angiotensin II on MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line integrin expression was evaluated with immunocytochemistry (ICC) and immunoprecipitation (IP).


RESULTS
The experiments demonstrated a 1.40 +/- 0.14-fold increase in beta, integrin expression on MCF-7 cells following treatment with A II.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings report the first evidence of an association between integrins and the RAS in human breast cancer cells and suggest a novel research avenue for future anti-metastatic strategies, through the manipulation of cell adhesion mechanics, in the management of invasive human breast cancer.
Berry
M G
MG
Department of Surgery, St Bartholomew's and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, St Bartholomew's Hospital, UK.
Goode
A W
AW
Puddefoot
J R
JR
Vinson
G P
GP
Carpenter
R
R
D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001345:Autoradiography; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D019012:Integrin beta1 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D015854:Up-Regulation
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D019012:Integrin beta1; D000804:Angiotensin II