Increased transglutaminase 2 and GLUT-1 expression in breast tumors not susceptible to chemoprevention with antioxidants

• Published in: Tumori 2009-03, Vol.95 (2), p.227-232
• Main Authors: Martins, Filipe C, Teixeira, Filipa, Reis, Ines, Geraldes, Nuno, Cabrita, A M Silvério, Dias, Margarida F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene; alpha-Tocopherol - pharmacology; Animals; Anticarcinogenic Agents - administration & dosage; Anticarcinogenic Agents - pharmacology; Antioxidants - administration & dosage; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Ascorbic Acid - pharmacology; Biomarkers, Tumor - metabolism; Breast Neoplasms - chemically induced; Breast Neoplasms - enzymology; Breast Neoplasms - prevention & control; Carcinogens; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic - drug effects; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic - drug effects; Glucose Transporter Type 1 - drug effects; GTP-Binding Proteins - drug effects; Immunohistochemistry; Random Allocation; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Selenium Compounds - pharmacology; Transglutaminases - drug effects; Treatment Failure
• ISSN: 0300-8916; 2038-2529
• DOI: 10.1177/030089160909500215

Expression of GLUT-1 and transglutaminase 2 is increased in aggressive breast cancer, whereas claudin-1, which is expressed in normal tissues, is absent in such tumors. This experimental study was undertaken to establish the aggressiveness and prognosis of DMBA-induced mammary tumors in female Wistar rats based on the assessment of these markers. The rats were divided into two groups, a control group (n = 70) and a chemoprevention group (n = 70). Breast tumors were induced in both groups by administration of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a] anthracene (DMBA). The chemoprevention group also received alpha-tocopherol and a solution of micronutrients containing ascorbic acid and selenium. Neoplastic lesions of both groups were randomly selected for immunohistochemical assessment of the expression of GLUT-1, transglutaminase 2 and claudin-1. A higher proportion of mammary tumors expressed GLUT-1 and transglutaminase 2 in the chemoprevention group. Claudin-1 expression was absent in all tumors of both groups. These results are suggestive of increased aggressiveness of tumors not susceptible to chemoprevention by the agents used in this study.