Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Reverse Yeast Two-hybrid System to Identify Mammalian Nuclear Receptor Residues that Interact with Ligands and/or Antagonists
Published on: November 15, 2013
[Steroid receptors and NK cell activity in patients with breast cancer]
Abstract:
Taking into account the important role of oestrogen and NK cells in the process of cancerogenesis, the content of receptors for steroid hormones and NK cell activity was investigated in 31 patients with breast cancer. The analysis of steroid receptors showed the usual distribution with regard to clinical stage. The values of NK cell ativity in peripheral blood of these patients were decreased x = 38.27 +/- 2.84%) compared to controls (X = 57.76 +/- 2.21%), especially in advanced stages, as was previously shown fot this malignancy. General analysis of values for these two parameters did not show a correlation of NK activity and content of steroid receptors. However, the presence of positive progesterone receptors, which reflects the active effect of oestrogen, was associated with very low NK activity (n = 12 PR+, NK x = 29.47 +/- 3.18%), indicating possible negative regulation of immunological parameters by estrogen.
Insights
Estrogen
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
Context:
- Breast cancer pathogenesis involves estrogen and Natural Killer (NK) cells.
- Steroid hormone receptor levels and NK cell activity are crucial in cancer.
- Investigated these factors in 31 breast cancer patients.
Purpose:
- To examine the relationship between steroid hormone receptors and NK cell activity in breast cancer patients.
- To understand the potential regulatory role of estrogen on immune function in breast cancer.
Summary:
- Breast cancer patients exhibited decreased NK cell activity compared to controls, particularly in advanced stages.
- No overall correlation was found between NK cell activity and steroid receptor content.
- Positive progesterone receptors, indicating estrogen's effect, were linked to significantly lower NK cell activity.
Impact:
- Suggests estrogen may negatively regulate immune parameters in breast cancer.
- Highlights a potential link between hormonal status and immune response in breast cancer patients.
- Provides insights into the complex interplay of hormones and immunity in cancer development.
Related Concept Videos
Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors
About 48 different soluble family members of nuclear receptors are identified that can be divided into two main classes:
Receptor Downregulation in MVBs
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive EGFR activation may...
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Cells of the Innate Immune Response
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
Signal Transduction: Overview
Typically, signal transduction involves three...

