Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026
Phospholipid Mediator Induced Transformation in Three-Dimensional Cultures
Published on: July 27, 2022
Effects of vitamin D-binding protein-derived macrophage-activating factor on human breast cancer cells
Stefania Pacini1, Tiziana Punzi, Gabriele Morucci
1Department of Anatomy, Histology and Forensic Medicine, Viale Morgagni 85, University of Firenze, Italy.
Background:
Searching for additional therapeutic tools to fight breast cancer, we investigated the effects of vitamin D-binding protein-derived macrophage activating factor (DBP-MAF, also known as GcMAF) on a human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7).
Materials And Methods:
The effects of DBP-MAF on proliferation, morphology, vimentin expression and angiogenesis were studied by cell proliferation assay, phase-contrast microscopy, immunohistochemistry and western blotting, and chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay.
Results:
DBP-MAF inhibited human breast cancer cell proliferation and cancer cell-stimulated angiogenesis. MCF-7 cells treated with DBP-MAF predominantly grew in monolayer and appeared to be well adherent to each other and to the well surface. Exposure to DBP-MAF significantly reduced vimentin expression, indicating a reversal of the epithelial/mesenchymal transition, a hallmark of human breast cancer progression.
Conclusion:
These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the known anticancer efficacy of DBP-MAF can be ascribed to different biological properties of the molecule that include inhibition of tumour-induced angiogenesis and direct inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, migration and metastatic potential.
Insights
Vitamin D-binding protein-derived macrophage activating factor (DBP-MAF) shows promise in fighting breast cancer. It inhibits cancer cell proliferation and angiogenesis, potentially offering new therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Investigating novel therapeutic agents for breast cancer.
- Focus on vitamin D-binding protein-derived macrophage activating factor (DBP-MAF, also known as GcMAF).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of DBP-MAF on the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7.
- To assess DBP-MAF's impact on cancer cell proliferation, morphology, vimentin expression, and angiogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Cell proliferation assays.
- Phase-contrast microscopy.
- Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting for vimentin expression.
- Chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay for angiogenesis.
Main Results:
- DBP-MAF inhibited MCF-7 breast cancer cell proliferation.
- DBP-MAF suppressed cancer cell-stimulated angiogenesis.
- Reduced vimentin expression indicated a reversal of epithelial/mesenchymal transition.
Conclusions:
- DBP-MAF exhibits anticancer properties by inhibiting angiogenesis and directly impacting cancer cell proliferation.
- Results support DBP-MAF's potential in reducing cancer cell migration and metastatic potential.
- DBP-MAF demonstrates multifaceted biological properties beneficial for breast cancer therapy.
