Study on the difference between epithelial-mesenchymal transformation and autophagy in triple negative breast cancer

ObjectiveTo explore the difference between epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) and autophagy properties in triple negative breast cancer.

MethodsThe epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) and autophagy characteristics were compared between three negative breast cancer(TNBC) cell line BT-549 and non-triple negative breast cancer(non-TNBC) cell line MCF-7.The EMT were investigated using the cell morphology, plate cloning, transwell invasion assay and western blot analysis.The autophagy characteristics were observed by electron microscopy, immunofluorescence assay and western blot analysis.

ResultsThe proliferation and invasion in TNBC were stronger than that in non-TNBC.The N-cadherin, Vimentin and β-catenin of interstitial cell markers were relatively high expression in TNBC group, and the E-cadherin of epithelial cell markers was relatively high expression in non-TNBC group.Under electron microscope, the mitochondrial autophagy was detected in non-TNBC cells, and the autophagy microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 was relatively high expression in TNBC group.

ConclusionsThe proliferation and invasion in TNBC are stronger than that in non-TNBC, and the EMT and degree of autophagy are high in TNBC.