IL-17A and its homologs IL-25/IL-17E recruit the c-RAF/S6 kinase pathway and the generation of pro-oncogenic LMW-E in breast cancer cells

Sci Rep. 2015 Jul 8:5:11874. doi: 10.1038/srep11874.

Abstract

Pro-inflammatory IL-17 cytokines were initially described for their pathogenic role in chronic inflammatory diseases and subsequent accumulating evidence indicated their involvement in carcinogenesis. In the present study we report that IL-17A and IL-17E receptors subunits mRNA expressions are upregulated in breast cancers versus normal samples. IL-17E, which is undetectable in most normal breast tissues tested, seems more expressed in some tumors. Investigation of the molecular signaling following stimulation of human breast cancer cell lines with IL-17A and IL-17E showed that both cytokines induced the phosphorylation of c-RAF, ERK1/2 and p70 S6 Kinase were involved in the proliferation and survival of tumor cells. Accordingly, IL-17A and IL-17E promoted resistance to Docetaxel and failed to induce apoptosis as previously reported for IL-17E. Interestingly, we also revealed that both cytokines induced the generation of tumorogenic low molecular weight forms of cyclin E (LMW-E), which high levels correlated strongly with a poor survival in breast cancer patients. These results show for the first time some of the molecular pathways activated by IL-17A and IL-17E that may participate to their pro-oncogenic activity in breast cancers.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Biopsy
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cyclin E / metabolism*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-17 / genetics
  • Interleukin-17 / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-17 / pharmacology
  • Phosphorylation
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-17 / genetics
  • Receptors, Interleukin-17 / metabolism
  • Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cyclin E
  • Interleukin-17
  • Receptors, Interleukin-17
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf
  • Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases