Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an important growth factor for estrogen receptor-alpha (ER) positive breast cancer, and elevated serum IL-6 is associated with poor prognosis. We firstly demonstrated that pSTAT3 is the primary downstream IL-6 signaling pathway in ER-positive breast cancer, using ten different breast cancer cell lines. Three-dimensional cultures of these cell lines were also used to develop a 17-gene IL-6 specific gene signature that could be used to identify IL-6 driven disease. This signature included a variety of genes involved in immune cell function and migration, cell growth and apoptosis, and the tumor microenvironment. To further validate this IL-6 signature, we obtained 36 human ER-positive breast cancer tumor samples with matched serum for gene expression profiling and determination of an IL-6 pathway activation score (PAS). Patients with high IL-6 PAS were also enriched for elevated serum IL-6 (>=10 pg/ml). We then utilized a murine MCF-7 xenograft model to determine the role of IL-6 in ER-positive breast cancer and potential anti-IL-6 therapy in vivo. When IL-6 was administered in vivo, MCF-7 cells engrafted without the need for estrogen supplementation. Subsequently, we prophylactically treated mice at MCF-7 engraftment with an anti-IL-6 antibody (siltuximab), fulvestrant or combination therapy. Siltuximab alone was able to blunt MCF-7 engraftment. Similarly, when tumors were allowed to grow to 125 mm3 before treatment, siltuximab alone demonstrated tumor regressions in 90% (9/10) of tumors. Given the established role for IL-6 in ER+ breast cancer, this data demonstrates the potential for anti-IL-6 therapeutics.
Interleukin-6 is a potential therapeutic target in interleukin-6 dependent, estrogen receptor-α-positive breast cancer.
Specimen part
View SamplesProstate cancer (PCa) development and progression are associated with chronic inflammation. The cytokine interleukin (IL)-6 can influence progression, differentiation, survival, and angiogenesis of PCa. To identify novel pathways that are triggered by IL-6, we performed a gene expression profiling of two PCa cell lines, LNCaP and MDA PCa 2b, under treatment with 5 ng/ml IL-6. Interferon regulatory factor (IRF)9 was identified as one of the most prevalent IL-6 regulated genes in both cell lines. IRF9 is a mediator of type I interferon signaling and acts together with signal transduction and activator of transcription (STAT)1 and 2 to activate transcription of interferon responsive genes. The IL-6 regulation of IRF9 was confirmed at mRNA and protein levels by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively, in both cell lines and could be blocked by the anti-IL-6 antibody Siltuximab. Three PCa cell lines with an autocrine IL-6 loop, PC3, DU145, and LNCaP-IL-6+, showed a high expression of IRF9. A tissue microarray with 36 malignant and adjacent 36 benign areas from prostate cancer specimens showed that IRF9 protein expression is moderately elevated in malignant areas and positively correlates with the tissue expression of IL-6. Downregulation and overexpression of IRF9 provided evidence for an interferon-independent role of IRF9 on cellular proliferation of different PCa cell lines. Furthermore, expression of IRF9 was essential to mediate the antiproliferative effects of IFN-2. We concluded that IL-6 is an inducer of IRF9 expression in prostate cancer and a sensitizer for the antiproliferative effects of IFN2.
IL6 sensitizes prostate cancer to the antiproliferative effect of IFNα2 through IRF9.
Cell line, Treatment
View SamplesHeat stress is one of the most prominent and deleterious environmental threads affecting plant growth and development. Upon high temperatures, plants launch specialized gene expression programs that promote stress protection and survival. These programs involve global and specific changes at the transcriptional and translational levels. However the coordination of these processes and their specific role in the establishment of the heat stress response is not fully elucidated.
Analysis of genome-wide changes in the translatome of Arabidopsis seedlings subjected to heat stress.
Specimen part
View SamplesMicroarray was used to identify differential gene expression pattern in Barrett's esophagus (BE), compared to the normal adjacent epithelia gastric cardia (GC) and normal squamous esophagus (NE)
Evidence for a functional role of epigenetically regulated midcluster HOXB genes in the development of Barrett esophagus.
Specimen part
View SamplesUV-B radiation affects leaf growth in a wide range of species. In this work, we demonstrate that UV-B levels present in solar radiation inhibits maize leaf growth without causing any other visible stress symptoms, including accumulation of DNA damage. We conducted kinematic analyses of cell division and expansion to understand the impact of UV-B radiation on these cellular processes. Our results demonstrate that the decrease in leaf growth is a consequence of a reduction in cell production, and a shortened growth zone (GZ) in UV-B irradiated leaves. To determine the molecular pathways involved in UV-B inhibition of leaf growth, we performed RNA sequencing on isolated GZ tissues of control and UV-B exposed plants. Our results show a link between the observed leaf growth inhibition and the expression of specific cell cycle and developmental genes, including Growth Regulating Factors (GRFs) and transcripts for proteins participating in different hormone pathways. Overall design: Factorial design with two factors: Treatment (control vs UV-B) x Zone I (0-1cm from base of the leaf), 2 (1-2cm from base of the leaf) and 3 (2-3cm from base of the leaf), 3 replicates
UV-B Inhibits Leaf Growth through Changes in Growth Regulating Factors and Gibberellin Levels.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesIKKbeta is a subunit of the IkB kinase (IKK) complex required for NF-kB activation in response to pro-inflammatory signals. NF-kB regulates the expression of many genes involved in inflammation, immunity and apoptosis, and also controls cell proliferation and differentiation in different tissues; however, its function in skin physiopathology remains controversial. We here report the alterations caused by increased IKKbeta activity in basal cells of the skin of transgenic mice.
IKKbeta leads to an inflammatory skin disease resembling interface dermatitis.
Sex, Age, Specimen part
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Cinacalcet inhibits neuroblastoma tumor growth and upregulates cancer-testis antigens.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesCaSR modulation inhibits neuroblastoma growth
Cinacalcet inhibits neuroblastoma tumor growth and upregulates cancer-testis antigens.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesCaSR modulation inhibits neuroblastoma growth
Cinacalcet inhibits neuroblastoma tumor growth and upregulates cancer-testis antigens.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Inhibition of the autocrine IL-6-JAK2-STAT3-calprotectin axis as targeted therapy for HR-/HER2+ breast cancers.
Cell line
View Samples