Autocrine control of MIP-2 secretion from metastatic breast cancer cells is mediated by CXCR2: a mechanism for possible resistance to CXCR2 antagonists

Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2015 Feb;150(1):57-69. doi: 10.1007/s10549-015-3297-3. Epub 2015 Feb 15.

Abstract

CXCR2 interacts with a wide range of chemokines and CXCR2 antagonists may have therapeutic value for treatment-resistant metastatic carcinomas. We aimed to explore regulation of activity of CXCR2 and its ligand, MIP-2, in metastatic breast carcinoma. We used mouse breast carcinoma cells metastasize to brain (4TBM), liver (4TLM), and heart (4THM) and explored the extra- and intracellular mechanisms effecting MIP-2 secretion using CXCR2 antagonist and inhibitors of downstream signaling molecules. 4TBM, 4TLM, and 4THM cells include cancer stem cell features and metastasize extensively. We also determined kinetics of MIP-2 secretion in 4T1 and non-metastatic 67NR mouse breast carcinoma cells. We found that there is an autocrine-inhibition of MIP-2 secretion. Specifically, metastatic cells selectively express CXCR2 only, and not CXCR1 and attenuating CXCR2 activity with SB225002 increased MIP-2 secretion. This may be due to the inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) activity since RO318220; a specific inhibitor of PKC also increased MIP-2 secretion. Attenuating CXCR2 activity with SB225002, otherwise suppressed proliferation of 4THM and 4TBM cells. Tumor explants and cancer-associated fibroblasts obtained from 4TLM, 4THM, and 4TBM primary tumors secreted high levels of MIP-2. Surprisingly, CXCR2 expression was low in 4TLM cells demonstrating that liver metastatic cells might be resistant to the anti-tumoral effects of CXCR2 antagonists. Our results demonstrated that resistance to anti-proliferative effects of CXCR2 may also arise from feedback increases in MIP-2 secretion. Activation of PI3 K pathway augments MIP-2 secretion, hence possible resistance to the antitumor effects of CXCR2 antagonists might be prevented with inhibitors of PI3 K.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autocrine Communication*
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Chemokine CXCL2 / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Protein Kinase C / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Receptors, Interleukin-8A / metabolism
  • Receptors, Interleukin-8B / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Interleukin-8B / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Chemokine CXCL2
  • NF-kappa B
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Receptors, Interleukin-8A
  • Receptors, Interleukin-8B
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Protein Kinase C
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases