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Updated: Feb 3, 2026
Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model
Published on: March 20, 2020
Gene Expression Changes in Pomegranate Peel Extract-Treated Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Naghmeh Ahmadiankia1,2, Mehdi Bagheri3, Mozhgan Fazli2
1Cancer Prevention Research Center, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran.
Background:
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is treated with highly aggressive non-targeted chemotherapies. Safer and more effective therapeutic approaches than those currently in use are needed. Natural pomegranate peel extract (PPE) has recently been found to inhibit breast cancer progression; however, its mechanisms of action remain unclear. We hypothesized that transcriptional changes in the genes encoding the adherence proteins of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), may explain, at least in part, the anti-metastatic properties of PPE. Recently, the tumor microenvironment has been recognized as a key contributor to cancer progression. We speculated that PPE acts by modulating matrix glycoproteins including MMP9 and fibronectin. Moreover, we hypothesized that VEGF, which is required for tumor development, may contribute to the antimetastatic effects of PPE.
Methods:
To address these possibilities, MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with different doses of PPE at different time points. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry using annexin V and propidium iodide. Cell migration was detected with a transwell assay. Gene expression changes were analyzed by real-time PCR.
Results:
Exposure to PPE resulted in TNBC cell death and markedly inhibited PPE-resistant cell migration. Moreover, PPE up-regulated the expression of ICAM-1, a protein essential for cell adhesion, and down-regulated the expression of MMP9, fibronectin, and VEGF, the products of which contribute to cancer cell migration.
Conclusion:
Transcriptional changes in ICAM-1, MMP9, fibronectin, and VEGF may contribute to PPE-mediated antimetastatic effects in TNBC.
Insights
Pomegranate peel extract (PPE) shows promise in treating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) by inducing cell death and inhibiting migration. PPE modulates key genes involved in cancer progression, offering a potential new therapeutic avenue.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks targeted therapies, necessitating novel treatments.
- Pomegranate peel extract (PPE) exhibits anti-cancer properties, but its mechanisms are not fully understood.
- Tumor microenvironment modulation is crucial for cancer progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-metastatic mechanisms of PPE in TNBC.
- To determine if PPE affects genes encoding intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
- To explore PPE's impact on matrix glycoproteins like MMP9 and fibronectin.
Main Methods:
- MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells were treated with varying doses of PPE.
- Apoptosis was assessed via flow cytometry (annexin V/propidium iodide staining).
- Cell migration was evaluated using transwell assays, and gene expression was analyzed by real-time PCR.
Main Results:
- PPE induced cell death in TNBC cells.
- PPE significantly inhibited cell migration.
- PPE upregulated ICAM-1 expression and downregulated MMP9, fibronectin, and VEGF expression.
Conclusions:
- Transcriptional modulation of ICAM-1, MMP9, fibronectin, and VEGF contributes to PPE's anti-metastatic effects in TNBC.
- PPE represents a potential therapeutic agent for TNBC by targeting key genes involved in metastasis.
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