Doxorubicin resistance in breast cancer cells is mediated by extracellular matrix proteins

作者：Lovitt, Carrie J.; Shelper, Todd B.; Avery, Vicky M.^*

来源：BMC Cancer, 2018, 18(1): 41.

DOI：10.1186/s12885-017-3953-6

• Doxorubicin
• Extracellular matrix
• Three-dimensional cell culture
• Drug resistance

Background: Cancer cell resistance to therapeutics can result from acquired or de novo-mediated factors. Here, we have utilised advanced breast cancer cell culture models to elucidate de novo doxorubicin resistance mechanisms. @@@ Methods: The response of breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) to doxorubicin was examined in an in vitro three-dimensional (3D) cell culture model. Cells were cultured with Matrigel (TM) enabling cellular arrangements into a 3D architecture in conjunction with cell-to-extracellular matrix (ECM) contact. @@@ Results: Breast cancer cells cultured in a 3D ECM-based model demonstrated altered sensitivity to doxorubicin, when compared to those grown in corresponding two-dimensional (2D) monolayer culture conditions. Investigations into the factors triggering the observed doxorubicin resistance revealed that cell-to-ECM interactions played a pivotal role. This finding correlated with the up-regulation of pro-survival proteins in 3D ECM-containing cell culture conditions following exposure to doxorubicin. Inhibition of integrin signalling in combination with doxorubicin significantly reduced breast cancer cell viability. Furthermore, breast cancer cells grown in a 3D ECM-based model demonstrated a significantly reduced proliferation rate in comparison to cells cultured in 2D conditions. @@@ Conclusion: Collectively, these novel findings reveal resistance mechanisms which may contribute to reduced doxorubicin sensitivity.

• 出版日期2018-1-6