Estradiol/GPER affects the integrity of mammary duct-like structures in vitro

High estrogen concentration leads to an inflammatory reaction in the mammary gland tissue in vivo; however, the detailed mechanism underlying its specific effects on the breast duct has not been fully clarified. We used 3D-cultured MCF-10A acini as a breast duct model and demonstrated various deleterious effects of 17-β estradiol (E2), including the destruction of the basement membrane surrounding the acini, abnormal adhesion between cells, and cell death via apoptosis and pyroptosis. Moreover, we clarified the mechanism underlying these phenomena: E2 binds to GPER in MCF-10A cells and stimulates matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) secretion via JNK and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. IL-1β activates the IL-1R1 signaling pathway and induces continuous MMP-3 and IL-1β secretion. Collectively, our novel findings reveal an important molecular mechanism underlying the effects of E2 on the integrity of duct-like structures in vitro. Thus, E2 may act as a trigger for ductal carcinoma transition in situ.