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Updated: Jan 10, 2026
Systems Biology of Metabolic Regulation by Estrogen Receptor Signaling in Breast Cancer
Published on: March 17, 2016
Estrogen Signaling During Abrupt Involution Leads to Long-Term Metabolic Dysfunction Similar to Estrogen Receptor
Abstract:
Epidemiological data links lack of breastfeeding with increased risk of breast cancer. Breast tissue undergoes remodeling to pre-pregnancy state after birth through involution. Long-term breastfeeding leads to gradual involution (GI). Lack of breastfeeding leads to abrupt involution (AI). While estrogen impacts repopulation of adipocytes, AI causes several precancerous changes in the mouse mammary gland. The impact of AI on adipocyte repopulation and metabolism is yet to be elucidated.
Objectives:
To investigate effects of AI on mammary gland metabolism and its potential link to breast cancer.
Methods:
At partum (day 0), FVB/n dams were randomized to AI or GI and standardized to 6 pups. AI mice had pups removed on day 7 postpartum to mimic short-term breastfeeding. GI mice had 3 pups each were removed on day 28 and 31 postpartum to mimic gradual weaning. Mammary glands were harvested on day 28, 56, and 120 postpartum. Subset of AI mice had long-term sustained release tamoxifen placed subscapular on day 8 postpartum. Metabolic changes were assessed using: 1) transcriptional; 2) functional; 3) oxidative stress; and 4) metabolites analysis.
Results:
Day 28 GI glands sustains/continues milk synthesis pathways impacting metabolic comparison with day28 AI glands. Day 28 AI when compared to day 56 GI showed upregulation of estrogen signaling, neutrophil degranulation, glucose metabolism, RNA synthesis, and down regulation of adipogenesis and glycolysis. At day 120, AI glands had downregulation of oxidative phosphorylation and upregulation of mitochondria dysfunction similar to pregnancy associated estrogen receptor negative breast cancer. Tamoxifen treatment of AI dams showed metabolic pathways and estrogen signaling similar to that of GI glands on day 28.
Conclusion:
Early metabolic phenotypes in AI and GI glands may be caused by differences in adipocyte repopulation related to estrogen signaling. Long-term metabolic effects of AI lead to similar metabolic effects found in breast cancer.
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