Punicalin Modulates Angiogenesis and Tumor Microenvironment-Related Processes in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer and...

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• The tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial for cancer progression.
• Key TME processes include oxidative stress, autophagy, angiogenesis, and cell migration.
• Natural compounds are promising TME modulators, but their cell-specific effects are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate punicalin's effects on triple-negative breast cancer cells and endothelial cells.
• Focus on redox homeostasis and autophagy as regulatory mechanisms.
• Determine punicalin's impact on cell migration and angiogenesis.

Main Methods:

• Assessed oxidative stress (ROS) in MDA-MB-231 and HMEC-1 cells.
• Evaluated autophagy modulation under basal and nutrient-deprived conditions.
• Measured tumor and endothelial cell migration and tube formation capacity.

Main Results:

• Punicalin reduced oxidative stress in cancer cells and attenuated H2O2-induced stress.
• HMEC-1 cells showed concentration-dependent ROS modulation.
• Autophagy was not significantly modulated in tumor cells but decreased in endothelial cells.
• Punicalin inhibited tumor cell and HMEC-1 migration but not HUVEC migration.
• Angiogenic capacity was significantly inhibited.

Conclusions:

• Punicalin selectively modulates oxidative stress and autophagy.
• Functional outcomes include altered migration and angiogenesis.
• Punicalin impacts microvascular endothelial cells while sparing normal endothelium, supporting preclinical evaluation.