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Amygdalin Decreases Adhesion and Migration of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Lines
Bashir Mosayyebi1, Leila Mohammadi2, Ashkan Kalantary-Charvadeh3
1Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Background:
Cell adhesion, as dynamic interactions between cell-cell and cell-matrix, has an essential role in cancer cell migration. Integrins as cell membrane receptors are involved in cell adhesion and signal transduction. Aberrant expression of integrins is associated with the cancer cell adhesion.
Objective:
Targeting the process of cell adhesion and migration could be helpful to prevent cancer cell metastasis. Amygdalin is a cyanoglycoside compound with anti-cancer properties, while its effect on cancer cell adhesion is not completely clear.
Methods:
The cytotoxic effect of amygdalin on breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB- 231) and human skin fibroblast cell line as a normal cell, was evaluated through MTT assay. The cell adhesion assay and wound healing assay were performed to determine amygdalin effects on adhesion and migration of cancer cells. Further analysis was carried out to evaluate integrin α and β levels through real-time PCR.
Results:
We demonstrated that amygdalin diminished the cell viability of both cell lines in a time and dose-dependent manner, while amygdalin did not have any toxicity on the human skin fibroblast cell line in the same dosages. Following amygdalin treatment, the adhesion of both studied cell lines to fibronectin and collagen I decrease, and this reduction is significantly greater in the case of binding to fibronectin compared to binding to collagen. The MDA-MB-231 cell migration was decreased greater than MCF-7 cells. The levels of α and β integrin were differentially regulated by amygdalin in both cancer cell lines.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that depending on cancer cell lines, amygdalin affects cancer cell adhesion and migration.
Insights
Amygdalin, an anti-cancer compound, reduces cancer cell adhesion and migration by affecting integrin levels. It shows no toxicity to normal cells, suggesting potential for cancer metastasis prevention.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cell adhesion and migration are critical processes in cancer metastasis.
- Integrins play a key role in cell adhesion and signal transduction, with aberrant expression linked to cancer.
- Targeting cell adhesion and migration pathways offers a strategy to inhibit cancer spread.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of amygdalin on cancer cell adhesion and migration.
- To evaluate the impact of amygdalin on integrin expression in breast cancer cell lines.
- To assess the safety of amygdalin on normal human skin fibroblast cells.
Main Methods:
- Cytotoxicity was assessed using MTT assay on MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and human skin fibroblast cell lines.
- Cell adhesion and migration were evaluated using cell adhesion and wound healing assays.
- Integrin alpha and beta expression levels were quantified using real-time PCR.
Main Results:
- Amygdalin demonstrated time- and dose-dependent cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells but not normal fibroblasts.
- Amygdalin treatment reduced cancer cell adhesion to fibronectin and collagen I, with a more significant decrease in fibronectin binding.
- Amygdalin differentially regulated integrin alpha and beta levels and decreased cell migration in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines.
Conclusions:
- Amygdalin exhibits anti-cancer properties by inhibiting cell adhesion and migration in a cell-dependent manner.
- The compound affects integrin expression, contributing to its anti-metastatic potential.
- Amygdalin represents a potential therapeutic agent for preventing cancer cell metastasis without harming normal cells.

