Intracellular FGF-2 Promotes Differentiation in T-47D Breast Cancer Cells

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications Vol. 277; no. 1; pp. 255 - 260
• Main Authors: Korah, Reju M., Sysounthone, Vilayvanh, Scheff, Elizabeth, Wieder, Robert
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 14.10.2000
• Subjects: 3T3 Cells; Animals; branching morphogenesis; breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - metabolism; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Cell Adhesion - drug effects; Cell Count; Cell Differentiation - drug effects; Cell Division - drug effects; Cell Movement - drug effects; Cell Size - drug effects; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic - drug effects; Collagen - metabolism; differentiation; Drug Combinations; FGF-2; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 - genetics; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 - metabolism; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 - pharmacology; Gene Expression; Humans; Laminin - metabolism; Mice; migration; Phenotype; proliferation; Protein Isoforms - genetics; Protein Isoforms - metabolism; Proteoglycans - metabolism; Recombinant Proteins - pharmacology; T-47D cells; Transfection; Tumor Cells, Cultured; FGF-2; differentiation; proliferation; migration; breast cancer; T-47D cells; branching morphogenesis
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.2000.3655

To test the implicated role of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF; FGF-2) in promoting differentiation in breast cancer, we enforced the expression of FGF-2 in T-47D breast cancer cells. Expression of FGF-2 conferred an overall less malignant phenotype to T-47D cells as revealed by their reduced proliferative response, impaired capacity for anchorage-independent growth, and invasion through Matrigel. To understand one candidate mechanism for the intracellular FGF-2-mediated anti-invasive effect, we examined the effect of FGF-2 on T-47D cell motility. Addition of recombinant FGF-2 to the growth medium markedly enhanced cell motility while constitutive expression of intracellular FGF-2 significantly inhibited the migratory potential of T-47D cells in a dominant manner. FGF-2-expressing T-47D cells also formed relatively defined branching structures in Matrigel matrices, a characteristic phenotype of differentiation in breast cancer cells. These data suggest a potential role for FGF-2 in promoting functional differentiation of breast epithelial cells.