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Published on: June 16, 2019
Response of breast cancer cells to IFNα-2b in 2D and 3D cell cultures
Tetiana Herheliuk1,2, Olena Perepelytsina1, Andrij Ugnivenko1
1Department of Biotechnical Problems of Diagnostics, Institute for Problems of Cryobiology and Cryomedicine, National Academy of Science of Ukraine , Kyiv , Ukraine.
Abstract:
The effect of IFNα-2b on the migration, proliferation, and expression of epithelial and mesenchymal markers of MCF-7 tumor adenocarcinoma cells in 2D and 3D cell cultures was examined. A significant cytostatic effect of IFNα-2b on the tumor population was detected. It was found that changes in the expression of epithelial (CKs and EpCAM) and mesenchymal markers were caused by changing the growth type of the tumor population. IFNα-2b inhibited migration of tumor cells to the suspension fraction and promoted an increase in expression of CK and EpCAM in 2D and 3D cell cultures, but only in the 3D culture was expression of vimentin increased. IFNα-2b caused an increase in CK and EpCAM expression by 50.5% and 47.8%, respectively, compared with the control in the 2D cell culture. In the 3D cell culture this increase was 33% and 34%, respectively, compared with the control. IFNα-2b stimulated the differentiation and inhibited the migrational ability of tumor cells in the early stages of breast cancer development.
Insights
Interferon alfa-2b (IFNα-2b) demonstrated a cytostatic effect on breast cancer cells, inhibiting their migration and promoting epithelial marker expression. This suggests IFNα-2b may be a promising therapeutic agent for early-stage breast cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Interferon alfa-2b (IFNα-2b) is a cytokine with known immunomodulatory and antiproliferative effects.
- Understanding its impact on breast cancer cell behavior, specifically migration and marker expression, is crucial for therapeutic development.
- MCF-7 cells, a common model for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, were used to investigate these effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of IFNα-2b on the migration, proliferation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers of MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
- To compare these effects in both 2D and 3D cell culture models.
- To assess the potential of IFNα-2b as a therapeutic agent in early-stage breast cancer.
Main Methods:
- MCF-7 cells were cultured in 2D and 3D formats.
- Treatment with IFNα-2b was administered.
- Cell migration was assessed by analyzing the suspension fraction.
- Expression of epithelial markers (Cytokeratins - CKs, Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule - EpCAM) and mesenchymal markers (Vimentin) was quantified.
- Cell proliferation was evaluated through cytostatic effect assessment.
Main Results:
- IFNα-2b exhibited a significant cytostatic effect on MCF-7 tumor cells.
- IFNα-2b inhibited tumor cell migration into the suspension fraction.
- A notable increase in epithelial markers (CK and EpCAM) was observed in both 2D and 3D cultures upon IFNα-2b treatment.
- Vimentin expression, a mesenchymal marker, was increased only in 3D cultures.
- Specific increases in CK and EpCAM expression were quantified: 50.5% and 47.8% in 2D, and 33% and 34% in 3D, respectively, compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- IFNα-2b stimulates differentiation and inhibits the migrational capacity of breast cancer cells.
- The observed changes in epithelial and mesenchymal markers suggest a reversal or inhibition of EMT.
- These findings support the potential of IFNα-2b in managing early-stage breast cancer by modulating tumor cell behavior.
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