27-Hydroxycholesterol promotes cell-autonomous, ER-positive breast cancer growth

Qian Wu, Tomonori Ishikawa, Rosa Sirianni, Hao Tang, Jeffrey G. McDonald, Ivan S. Yuhanna, Bonne Thompson, Luc Girard, Chieko Mineo, Rolf A. Brekken, Michihisa Umetani, David M. Euhus, Yang Xie, Philip W. Shaul

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

287 Scopus citations

Abstract

To date, estrogen is the only known endogenous estrogen receptor (ER) ligand that promotes ER+ breast tumor growth. We report that the cholesterol metabolite 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC) stimulates MCF-7 cell xenograft growth in mice. More importantly, in ER+ breast cancer patients, 27HC content in normal breast tissue is increased compared to that in cancer-free controls, and tumor 27HC content is further elevated. Increased tumor 27HC is correlated with diminished expression of CYP7B1, the 27HC metabolizing enzyme, and reduced expression of CYP7B1 in tumors is associated with poorer patient survival. Moreover, 27HC is produced by MCF-7 cells, and it stimulates cell-autonomous, ER-dependent, and GDNF-RET-dependent cell proliferation. Thus, 27HC is a locally modulated, nonaromatized ER ligand that promotes ER+ breast tumor growth

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)637-645
Number of pages9
JournalCell Reports
Volume5
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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