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Interferon-tau (IFN-τ) Has Antiproliferative Effects, Induces Apoptosis, and Inhibits Tumor Growth in a
Alina Mariana Espin-Rivera1, Francisco Uriel Meza-Aparicio1, Fernando Reyna-Flores1
1Division of Chronic Infection and Cancer, Research Center of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, México.
Background/Aim:
Resistant triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of this disease that is resistant to conventional chemotherapy agents. IFN-τ is a cytokine that has recently been shown to have immunoregulatory and antitumor effects. The present study aimed to examine the antiproliferative and apoptosis effects of IFN-τ in breast cancer cells and the antitumor effect in a murine tumor model of TNBC.
Materials And Methods:
Murine breast cancer 4T1 cells were cultured and treated with ovine IFN-τ and through MTT and Caspase-Glo 3/7 assays, viability and cell death were determined. In addition, the antitumor effect of IFN-τ was determined in a murine tumor model of TNBC.
Results:
Ovine IFN-τ showed a concentration-dependent antiproliferative effect on 4T1 murine breast cancer cells. Also, treatment of 4T1 cells with IFN-τ induced the activation of caspase 3 and 7, which is indicative of apoptotic cell death. Moreover, we detected an increase in the expression of type I interferon receptor (IFNAR1/2) in cells treated with IFN-. The intratumoral application of IFN-τ in mice inhibited tumor growth compared to the control non-treated group, and the effect was associated with the increased expression of GM-CSF.
Conclusion:
Ovine IFN-τ may be an effective immunotherapeutic cytokine for the treatment of TNBC.
Insights
Ovine interferon-tau (IFN-τ) effectively reduced triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. This cytokine also inhibited tumor growth in a TNBC mouse model, suggesting its potential as an immunotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a challenging subtype resistant to standard chemotherapy.
- Interferon-tau (IFN-τ), a cytokine, exhibits known immunoregulatory and antitumor properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects of IFN-τ on breast cancer cells.
- To evaluate the antitumor efficacy of IFN-τ in a murine model of TNBC.
Main Methods:
- Cultured murine 4T1 breast cancer cells were treated with ovine IFN-τ.
- Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed using MTT and Caspase-Glo 3/7 assays.
- Tumor growth inhibition was studied in a TNBC mouse model following intratumoral IFN-τ administration.
Main Results:
- Ovine IFN-τ demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in 4T1 cell proliferation.
- IFN-τ treatment induced apoptotic cell death, evidenced by caspase 3/7 activation.
- Tumor growth was significantly inhibited in mice treated with IFN-τ, correlating with increased GM-CSF expression and IFNAR1/2 receptor upregulation.
Conclusions:
- Ovine IFN-τ exhibits significant antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on TNBC cells.
- Intratumoral administration of ovine IFN-τ demonstrated antitumor activity in a TNBC mouse model.
- Ovine IFN-τ shows promise as a potential immunotherapeutic agent for treating TNBC.
