Background: This study aims to investigate: (a) the putative association between the presence of microcalcifications and the expression of both epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and bone biomarkers, (b) the role of microcalcifications in the breast osteoblast-like cells (BOLCs) formation, and (c) the association between microcalcification composition and breast cancer progression. Methods: We collected 174 biopsies on which we performed immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analysis. In vitro experiments were performed to demonstrate the relationship among microcalcification, BOLCs development, and breast cancer occurrence. Ex vivo investigations demonstrated the significant increase of breast osteoblast-like cells in breast lesions with microcalcifications with respect to those without microcalcifications. Results: In vitro data displayed that in the presence of calcium oxalate and activated monocytes, breast cancer cells undergo epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Also, in this condition, cells acquired an osteoblast phenotype, thus producing hydroxyapatite. To further confirm in vitro data, we studied 15 benign lesions with microcalcification from patients that developed a malignant condition in the same breast quadrant. Immunohistochemical analysis showed macrophages' polarization in benign lesions with calcium oxalate. Conclusions: Altogether, our data shed new light about the role of microcalcifications in breast cancer occurrence and progression.

Scimeca, M., Bonfiglio, R., Menichini, E., Albonici, L., Urbano, N., De Caro, M., et al. (2019). Microcalcifications Drive Breast Cancer Occurrence and Development by Macrophage-Mediated Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES, 20(22), 5633 [10.3390/ijms20225633].

Microcalcifications Drive Breast Cancer Occurrence and Development by Macrophage-Mediated Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition

Scimeca, M;Bonfiglio, R;Mauriello, A;Schillaci, O;Gambacurta, A;Bonanno, E
2019-01-01

Abstract

Background: This study aims to investigate: (a) the putative association between the presence of microcalcifications and the expression of both epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and bone biomarkers, (b) the role of microcalcifications in the breast osteoblast-like cells (BOLCs) formation, and (c) the association between microcalcification composition and breast cancer progression. Methods: We collected 174 biopsies on which we performed immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analysis. In vitro experiments were performed to demonstrate the relationship among microcalcification, BOLCs development, and breast cancer occurrence. Ex vivo investigations demonstrated the significant increase of breast osteoblast-like cells in breast lesions with microcalcifications with respect to those without microcalcifications. Results: In vitro data displayed that in the presence of calcium oxalate and activated monocytes, breast cancer cells undergo epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Also, in this condition, cells acquired an osteoblast phenotype, thus producing hydroxyapatite. To further confirm in vitro data, we studied 15 benign lesions with microcalcification from patients that developed a malignant condition in the same breast quadrant. Immunohistochemical analysis showed macrophages' polarization in benign lesions with calcium oxalate. Conclusions: Altogether, our data shed new light about the role of microcalcifications in breast cancer occurrence and progression.
2019
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Esperti anonimi
Settore BIO/11 - BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE
Settore MED/08 - ANATOMIA PATOLOGICA
English
Con Impact Factor ISI
microcalcifications
breast cancer
osteoblast
BOLCs
EMT
Breast Neoplasms
Cell Line, Tumor
Female
Humans
Macrophages
Calcinosis
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
Scimeca, M., Bonfiglio, R., Menichini, E., Albonici, L., Urbano, N., De Caro, M., et al. (2019). Microcalcifications Drive Breast Cancer Occurrence and Development by Macrophage-Mediated Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES, 20(22), 5633 [10.3390/ijms20225633].
Scimeca, M; Bonfiglio, R; Menichini, E; Albonici, L; Urbano, N; De Caro, M; Mauriello, A; Schillaci, O; Gambacurta, A; Bonanno, E
Articolo su rivista
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Microcalcifications drive breast cancer occurrence and development by macrophage-mediated epithelial to mesenchymal transition.pdf

accesso aperto

Descrizione: articolo
Tipologia: Versione Editoriale (PDF)
Licenza: Copyright dell'editore
Dimensione 7.79 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
7.79 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/258730
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 15
  • Scopus 29
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 28
social impact