Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the most common type of non-invasive breast cancer diagnosed in women and an immediate precursor to invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). Current cyto- and histopathological approaches do not accurately predict disease progression, resulting in patients being under-treated or over-treated for DCIS. Our long-term goals are to identify key factors that lead to IDC that will enable the development of a molecular based approach to predict the risk of IDC, and a more tailored approach to treat DCIS. CCL2/CCR2 chemokine receptor signaling in DCIS is a potentially important mechanism for DCIS progression to IDC. CCR2 and its binding ligand CCL2, are overexpressed in breast ductal carcinomas, and correlate with tumor grade and poor patient prognosis. CCL2/CCR2 chemokine signaling is best known for regulating macrophage recruitment. However, knockdown of CCL2 significantly inhibits mammary tumor progression without significantly affecting macrophage recruitment. Overexpression of CCR2 in ductal carcinoma cells enhances cell survival and invasiveness, associated with increased expression of pro-survival and pro-invasive proteins (ALDH1A1) and decreased expression of pro-apoptotic proteins (Htra2). These studies indicate an important role for CCR2 signaling in breast ductal carcinoma progression. To clarify the in vivo role of CCL2/CCR2 signaling, we have developed novel xenograft models through mouse Mammary intraductal injection (MIND) of human breast carcinoma cell lines, Sum225 and DCIS.com. The Sum225 MIND model form stable non-invasive lesions, while DCIS lesions progress to IDC in the DCIS.com MIND model. Compared to conventional transplant models, these MIND models more closely mimic the biology of DCIS found in patients. Compared to Sum225 lesions, DCIS.com lesions show higher expression of CCL2, CCR2 and ALDH1A1 proteins and lower expression of Htra2, correlating with progression to invasive carcinoma. Based on preliminary studies, we hypothesize that CCL2/CCR2 signaling in ductal carcinoma cells enhances progression of DCIS to IDC.
Aim 1 : To characterize the role of autocrine CCL2/CCR2 signaling in ductal carcinoma cells during DCIS by analyzing effects of CCR2 overexpression and knockdown in MIND models, 3D cell culture models and biochemical approaches, using primary and established breast cancer cell lines.
Aim 2 : To determine the functional contribution of stromal derived CCL2 on CCR2 mediated progression of DCIS, by analyzing the effects of CCL2 derived from fibroblasts on DCIS progression, using subrenal graft transplant models, MIND models, 3D cell culture models and biochemical approaches, using primary and established breast cancer cell lines. Through a multiple PI plan, the objective is to determine how CCL2/CCR2 signaling regulates expression of pro-invasive and pro-survival factors (ALDH1A1) and pro-apoptotic factors (Htra2) to promote ductal carcinoma progression. These studies will reveal mechanistic insight into the role of chemokine receptor signaling in DCIS, with important therapeutic implications. .

Public Health Relevance

It is poorly understood why in some patients develop invasive breast cancer while in other patients, the breast cancer remains non-invasive and can be successfully treated. Using novel mouse models and cell culture systems, this project seeks to understand how activity of CCR2 proteins regulates the progression of non-invasive breast cancers to invasive breast cancers. Through this project, we may identify new strategies to predict the development of invasive breast cancer and contribute to more effective strategies to treat breast cancer.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA172764-02
Application #
8704434
Study Section
Tumor Microenvironment Study Section (TME)
Program Officer
Snyderwine, Elizabeth G
Project Start
2013-09-01
Project End
2018-06-30
Budget Start
2014-07-01
Budget End
2015-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Kansas
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Kansas City
State
KS
Country
United States
Zip Code
66160
Brummer, Gage; Acevedo, Diana S; Hu, Qingting et al. (2018) Chemokine Signaling Facilitates Early-Stage Breast Cancer Survival and Invasion through Fibroblast-Dependent Mechanisms. Mol Cancer Res 16:296-308
Yao, Min; Fang, Wei; Smart, Curtis et al. (2018) CCR2 chemokine receptors enhance growth and cell cycle progression of breast cancer cells through SRC and PKC activation. Mol Cancer Res :
Yao, Min; Smart, Curtis; Hu, Qingting et al. (2017) Continuous Delivery of Neutralizing Antibodies Elevate CCL2 Levels in Mice Bearing MCF10CA1d Breast Tumor Xenografts. Transl Oncol 10:734-743
Kittrell, Frances; Valdez, Kelli; Elsarraj, Hanan et al. (2016) Mouse Mammary Intraductal (MIND) Method for Transplantation of Patient Derived Primary DCIS Cells and Cell Lines. Bio Protoc 6:
Dobrolecki, Lacey E; Airhart, Susie D; Alferez, Denis G et al. (2016) Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models in basic and translational breast cancer research. Cancer Metastasis Rev 35:547-573
Fang, Wei Bin; Yao, Min; Jokar, Iman et al. (2015) The CCL2 chemokine is a negative regulator of autophagy and necrosis in luminal B breast cancer cells. Breast Cancer Res Treat 150:309-20
Fang, Wei Bin; Yao, Min; Cheng, Nikki (2014) Priming cancer cells for drug resistance: role of the fibroblast niche. Front Biol (Beijing) 9:114-126