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Review
. 2024 May 14:15:1333563.
doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1333563. eCollection 2024.

Exploring the intricate relationship between miRNA dysregulation and breast cancer development: insights into the impact of environmental chemicals

Narges Abolhasanzadeh #  1 , Sajed Sarabandi  2 , Bahar Dehghan #  1 , Vahidreza Karamad  3 , Cigir Biray Avci  3 , Behrouz Shademan  4 , Alireza Nourazarian  5
Affiliations
Review

Exploring the intricate relationship between miRNA dysregulation and breast cancer development: insights into the impact of environmental chemicals

Narges Abolhasanzadeh et al. Front Immunol. .

Abstract

Breast cancer stands as the most prevalent form of cancer among women globally, influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Recent studies have investigated changes in microRNAs (miRNAs) during breast cancer progression and the potential impact of environmental chemicals on miRNA expression. This review aims to provide an updated overview of miRNA alterations in breast cancer and to explore their potential association with environmental chemicals. We will discuss the current knowledge on dysregulated miRNAs in breast cancer, including both upregulated and downregulated miRNAs. Additionally, we will review the influence of environmental chemicals, such as endocrine-disrupting compounds, heavy metals, and air pollutants, on miRNA expression and their potential contribution to breast cancer development. This review aims to advance our understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms underlying miRNA dysregulation in breast cancer by comprehensively examining miRNA alterations and their association with environmental chemicals. This knowledge is crucial for the development of targeted therapies and preventive measures. Furthermore, identifying specific miRNAs affected by environmental chemicals may allow the prediction of individual susceptibility to breast cancer and the design of personalized intervention strategies.

Keywords: air pollutants; breast cancer; environmental chemicals; heavy metals; microRNAs.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationship that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Regulation of apoptosis by miRNAs in breast cancer. The figure shows that the aberrant expression of various miRNAs could contribute to adversely modulating the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis, which is involved in triggering human breast cancer. Several pathways are involved in the regulation of apoptosis. Defects can happen at any portion of these pathways, resulting in the malignant transformation of cells, facilitation of tumor metastasis, and induction of resistance to anticancer agents (43).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Exposure to certain environmental chemicals, such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), toxic metals, and phthalates, increases the risk of breast cancer. These substances cause hormonal changes and changes in the DNA of cells that lead to cancer. Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane, DDE; dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, DDT; organochlorine pesticides, OCPs; butyl benzyl phthalate, BBP; di(n-butyl) phthalate, DBP; di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, DEHP.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The figure illustrates different mechanisms by which environmental chemicals alter miRNA expression levels. Altered miRNA expression profiles could lead to aberrant gene expression patterns, disruption of cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, and ultimately contribute to the development of breast cancer.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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