Resveratrol promotes MICA/B expression and natural killer cell lysis of breast cancer cells by suppressing c-Myc/miR-17 pathway.

Major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related proteins A and B (MICA and MICB) are important ligands for recognition of tumor cells by immune effector cells. Here, we report that resveratrol upregulated the protein and mRNA expression of MICA and MICB in breast cancer cells, which in turn promoted breast cancer cell lysis by natural killer (NK) cells and . Antibodies against NK group 2 member D blocked this effect. The 3'-untranslated regions of and were found to be direct binding targets of miR-17. MICA and MICB expression increased or decreased in breast cancer cells transfected with a miR-17 inhibitor or mimic, respectively. overexpression/knockdown increased/decreased transcription of the cluster host gene. Resveratrol suppressed c-Myc expression, which inhibited the transcription of cluster, thereby downregulating miR-17. MiR-17 expression correlated inversely with and expression and overall survival in two sets of breast cancer specimens. Resveratrol thus upregulates MICA and MICB by suppressing the c-Myc/miR-17 pathway in breast cancer cells, and increases the cytolysis of breast cancer cells by NK cells. This suggests resveratrol has the potential to promote antitumor immune responses in breast cancer patients.