Cellular and Molecular Changes in MNU-Induced Breast Tumours Injected with PF4 or bFGF

BACKGROUND: Angiogenic activity has been considered to reflect important molecular events during breast tumour development. The present study concerned cellular and molecular changes of MNU-induced breast tumours subjected to promotion and suppression of angiogenesis. METHODS: Female Sprague Dawley rats at the age of 21 days received MNU at the dose 70 mg/kg of body weight by intraperitoneal injection. Three months post-carcinogen initiation, mammary tumours were palpated and their growth was monitored. When the tumour diameter reached 1.0 ± 0.05 cm, rats were given bFGF or PF4 intratumourally at a dose of 10 µg/tumour. Entire palpable tumour were subsequently excised and subjected to histology examination, IHC staining, and RT-PCR. RESULTS: No critical morphological changes were observed between pro-angiogenic factor, bFGF, and control groups. However, increase of tumour size with more necrotic and diffuse areas was notable in tumours after anti-angiogenic PF4 intervention. ER and PR mRNA expression was significantly up- and down-regulated in bFGF and PF4 groups, respectively. The trends were significantly associated with peri- and intratumoural MVD counts. However, irrespective of whether we promoted or inhibited angiogenesis, the expression of EGFR and ERBB2 continued to be significantly increased but this was not significantly associated with the MVD score. No significant differences in E-cadherin and LR gene expression were noted between intervention and control groups. CONCLUSION: ER and PR receptor expression shows consistent responses when tumour angiogenesis is manipulated either positively or negatively. Our study adds to current understanding that not only do we need to target hormonal receptors, as presently practiced, but we also need to target endothelial receptors to successfully treat breast cancer.