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Published on: February 21, 2014
Metastatic phenotype is regulated by estrogen in thyroid cells
Shilpi Rajoria1, Robert Suriano, Arulkumaran Shanmugam
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York 10595, USA.
Thyroid : Official Journal of the American Thyroid Association
|January 14, 2010
Summary
Estrogen influences thyroid cancer growth and spread. Functional estrogen receptors (ER) in thyroid cells enhance proliferation, migration, and invasion, potentially explaining higher cancer rates in women and suggesting antiestrogen therapies.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Thyroid proliferative diseases affect over 200 million globally.
- Thyroid cancer incidence is 3-4x higher in women, suggesting estrogen involvement.
- Estrogen's role in thyroid cancer growth and metastasis is hypothesized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate estrogen receptor (ER) presence and function in thyroid cells.
- To determine estrogen's effect on thyroid cancer cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, and invasion.
Main Methods:
- Western blot analysis for ER expression in Nthy-ori 3-1 and BCPAP cell lines.
- Cell proliferation assays to assess estrogen responsiveness.
- In vitro adhesion, migration, and invasion assays to evaluate metastatic phenotype modulation by estradiol (E2).
Main Results:
- Thyroid cells express functional ER-alpha and ER-beta.
- Estradiol (E2) significantly enhanced cell proliferation (50-150%).
- E2 also promoted thyroid cell adhesion, migration, and invasion, modulated by beta-catenin.
Conclusions:
- Functional estrogen receptors contribute to increased thyroid cancer incidence in women.
- Estrogen enhances mitogenic, migratory, and invasive properties of thyroid cells.
- Findings support developing antiestrogenic therapies to target thyroid cancer metastasis.
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