Angiotensin-(1-7) reduces fibrosis in orthotopic breast tumors

Angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] is an endogenous 7-amino acid peptide hormone of the renin-angiotensin system that has antiproliferative properties. In this study, Ang-(1-7) inhibited the growth of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) and reduced fibrosis in the tumor microenvironment. A marked decrease in tumor volume and weight was observed in orthotopic human breast tumors positive for the estrogen receptor (BT-474 or ZR-75-1) and HER2 (BT-474) following Ang-(1-7) administration to athymic mice. Ang-(1-7) concomitantly reduced interstitial fibrosis in association with a significant decrease in collagen I deposition, along with a similar reduction in perivascular fibrosis. In CAFs isolated from orthotopic breast tumors, the heptapeptide markedly attenuated in vitro growth as well as reduced fibronectin, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 kinase activity. An associated increase in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase DUSP1 following treatment with Ang-(1-7) suggested a potential mechanism by which the heptapeptide reduced MAPK signaling. Consistent with these in vitro observations, immunohistochemical analysis of Ang-(1-7)-treated orthotopic breast tumors revealed reduced TGF-β and increased DUSP1. Together, our findings indicate that Ang-(1-7) targets the tumor microenvironment to inhibit CAF growth and tumor fibrosis.