Wenshen Zhuanggu formula mitigates breast cancer bone metastasis through the signaling crosstalk among the Jagged1/Notch, TGF-β and IL-6 signaling pathways

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Advanced breast cancer frequently metastasizes to the bone, resulting in patient morbidity and mortality. The interaction of tumor cells with osteoclasts and osteoblasts seriously affects the occurrence and development of bone metastasis in breast cancer. The signaling crosstalk among the Jagged1/Notch, TGF-β and IL-6 signaling pathways plays a significant role in the context of bone metastasis.

Aim of the study: Although Wenshen Zhuanggu (WSZG) formula efficiently decreased the risk of bone metastases in tumor-bearing mice, it remains unclear how WSZG formula regulates the interaction of cancer cells with osteoclasts and osteoblasts in bone metastasis of breast cancer.

Materials and methods: In this study, we investigated the role of WSZG formula in the progress of bone metastasis in breast cancer and focused on the cell-cell interactions of tumor cells with osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR were utilized to evaluate the inhibitory activities of WSZG formula on Jagged1 expression both in vivo and in vitro. Osteoblast co-culture and osteoclastogenesis co-culture were applied to analyze the effects of WSZG formula on the interaction of tumor cells with osteoclasts and osteoblasts. A breast cancer xenograft model was also used to test the inhibitory effects of WSZG formula on bone metastasis in breast cancer.

Results: WSZG formula decreased Jagged1 expression in osteolytic lesions in the breast cancer xenograft model. Additionally, WSZG formula decreased Jagged1 expression in tumor cell culture alone or co-culture with pre-osteoclasts and osteoblasts. In addition, WSZG formula decreased Jagged1 expression in Jagged1-overexpressing tumor cells.

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that WSZG formula mitigates breast cancer bone metastasis through the Jagged1/Notch signaling pathway mediated by TGF-β and IL-6.

Keywords: Bone metastasis; Breast cancer; IL-6; Jagged1/Notch signaling; TGF-β; Wenshen Zhuanggu formula.