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.