title: Neoplastic transformation of breast epithelial cells by genotoxic stress.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Exposure to genotoxic stresses such as radiation and tobacco smoke can cause increased cancer incidence rate as reflected in an in depth meta-analysis of data for women and breast cancer incidence. Published reports have indicated that exposures to low dose radiation and tobacco smoke are factors that contribute to the development of breast cancer. However, there is a scarcity of information on the combinatorial effects of low dose radiation and tobacco smoke on formation and progression of breast cancer. The combination of these two genotoxic insults can induce significant damage to the genetic material of the cells resulting in neoplastic transformation.
  
  
  METHODS
  To study the effects of low dose ionizing radiation and tobacco smoke on breast cells, MCF 10A cells were treated either with radiation (Rad - 0.1 Gray) or cigarette smoke condensate (Csc - 10 microgram/ml of medium) or a combination of Rad + Csc. Following treatments, cells were analyzed for cell cycle distribution patterns and the ability to extrude the Hoechst 33342 dye. In addition, in vitro invasion and migration as well as mammosphere formation assays were performed. Finally, differential gene expression profiles were generated from the individual and combination treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Exposure of MCF 10A cells to the combination of radiation plus cigarette smoke condensate generated a neoplastic phenotype. The transformed phenotype promoted increased mammosphere numbers, altered cell cycle phases with a doubling of the population in S phase, and increased invasion and motility. Also, exclusion of Hoechst 33342 dye, a surrogate marker for increased ABC transporters, was observed, which indicates a possible increase in drug resistance. In addition, changes in gene expression include the up regulation of genes encoding proteins involved in metabolic pathways and inflammation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that when normal breast cells are exposed to low dose radiation in combination with cigarette smoke condensate a phenotype is generated that exhibits traits indicative of neoplastic transformation. More importantly, this is the first study to provide a new insight into a possible etiology for breast cancer formation in individuals exposed to low dose radiation and tobacco smoke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Mahendran
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Botlagunta
authors.forename: Paul T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Winnard
authors.forename: Venu
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Raman
mesh_terms: D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000378:metabolism; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002460:Cell Line; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D004249:DNA Damage; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D005720:Gamma Rays; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010641:Phenotype; D012906:Smoke; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D012906:Smoke