PDGFRβ and FGFR2 mediate endothelial cell differentiation capability of triple negative breast carcinoma cells. Issue 5 (27th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Plantamura, Ilaria; Casalini, Patrizia; Dugnani, Erica; Sasso, Marianna; D'Ippolito, Elvira; Tortoreto, Monica; Cacciatore, Matilde; Guarnotta, Carla; Ghirelli, Cristina; Barajon, Isabella; Bianchi, Francesca; Triulzi, Tiziana; Agresti, Roberto; Balsari, Andrea; Campiglio, Manuela; Tripodo, Claudio; Iorio, Marilena V.; Tagliabue, Elda
• Is Part Of: Molecular oncology. Volume 8:Issue 5(2014:Jul.)
• Page Start: 968
• Page End: 981
• Publication Date: 2014-03-27
• Subjects: TNBC -- Vasculogenic mimicry -- PDGFR -- FGFR; Cancer -- Molecular aspects -- Periodicals; 616.994005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molonc.2014.03.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1574-7891

Abstract

Abstract : Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a very aggressive subgroup of breast carcinoma, still lacking specific markers for an effective targeted therapy and with a poorer prognosis compared to other breast cancer subtypes. In this study we investigated the possibility that TNBC cells contribute to the establishment of tumor vascular network by the process known as vasculogenic mimicry, through endothelial cell differentiation. Vascular‐like functional properties of breast cancer cell lines were investigated in vitro by tube formation assay and in vivo by confocal microscopy, immunofluorescence or immunohistochemistry on frozen tumor sections. TNBCs express endothelial markers and acquire the ability to form vascular‐like channels in vitro and in vivo, both in xenograft models and in human specimens, generating blood lacunae surrounded by tumor cells. Notably this feature is significantly associated with reduced disease free survival. The impairment of the main pathways involved in vessel formation, by treatment with inhibitors (i.e. Sunitinib and Bevacizumab) or by siRNA‐mediating silencing, allowed the identification of PDGFRβ and FGFR2 as relevant players in this phenomenon. Inhibition of these tyrosine kinase receptors negatively affects vascular lacunae formation and significantly inhibits TNBC growth in vivo. In summary, we demonstrated that TNBCs have the ability to form vascular‐like channels in vitro and to generate blood lacunae lined by tumor cells in vivo. Moreover, this feature is associated with poor outcome, probably contributing to the aggressiveness of this breast cancer subgroup. Finally, PDGFRβ and FGFR2‐mediated pathways, identified as relevant in mediating this characteristic, potentially represent valid targets for a specific therapy of this breast cancer subgroup. Highlights: TNBCs show capability to perform in vitro and in vivo Vasculogenic Mimicry (VM). In TNBC the n of vascular lacunae is significantly higher and associated with DFS. Tumor cells performing in vivo VM express endothelial and mesenchymal markers. Sunitinib strongly inhibits VM and induces tumor regression in TNBC models. SiRNA‐mediated silencing revealed a crucial role for PDGFRβ and FGFR2 in VM.