Rodríguez-Candela Mateos Marina, Carpintero-Fernández Paula, Freijanes Paz Santiago, Mosquera Joaquin, Nebril Benigno Acea, Mayán María D
Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Xubias de Arriba, 84, 15006 A Coruña, Spain.
Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Xubias de Arriba, 84, 15006 A Coruña, Spain; CellCOM Research Group, Center for Research in Nanomaterials and Biomedicine (CINBIO), Universidade de Vigo, Edificio Olimpia Valencia, Campus Universitario Lagoas Marcosende, 36310 Vigo, Spain; Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS, Spain.
Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer. 2024 Sep;1879(5):189173. doi: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189173. Epub 2024 Aug 16.
Gap junctions, membrane-based channels comprised of connexin proteins (Cxs), facilitate direct communication among neighbouring cells and between cells and the extracellular space through their hemichannels. The normal human breast expresses various Cxs family proteins, such as Cx43, Cx30, Cx32, Cx46, and Cx26, crucial for proper tissue development and function. These proteins play a significant role in breast cancer development, progression, and therapy response. In primary tumours, there is often a reduction and cytoplasmic mislocalization of Cx43 and Cx26, while metastatic lesions show an upregulation of these and other Cxs. Although existing research predominantly supports the tumour-suppressing role of Cxs in primary carcinomas through channel-dependent and independent functions, controversies persist regarding their involvement in the metastatic process. This review aims to provide an updated perspective on Cxs in human breast cancer, with a specific focus on intrinsic subtypes due to the heterogeneous nature of this disease. Additionally, the manuscript will explore the role of Cxs in immune interactions and novel forms of intercellular communication, such as tunneling nanotubes and extracellular vesicles, within the breast tumour context and tumour microenvironment. Recent findings suggest that Cxs hold potential as therapeutic targets for mitigating metastasis and drug resistance. Furthermore, they may serve as novel biomarkers for cancer prognosis, offering promising avenues for future research and clinical applications.
缝隙连接是由连接蛋白(Cxs)组成的基于膜的通道,通过其半通道促进相邻细胞之间以及细胞与细胞外空间之间的直接通讯。正常人类乳腺表达多种Cxs家族蛋白,如Cx43、Cx30、Cx32、Cx46和Cx26,这些蛋白对组织的正常发育和功能至关重要。这些蛋白在乳腺癌的发生、发展和治疗反应中发挥着重要作用。在原发性肿瘤中,Cx43和Cx26常常减少并出现细胞质定位错误,而转移病灶则显示这些蛋白以及其他Cxs上调。尽管现有研究主要支持Cxs通过通道依赖和非依赖性功能在原发性癌中发挥肿瘤抑制作用,但关于它们在转移过程中的作用仍存在争议。本综述旨在提供关于人类乳腺癌中Cxs的最新观点,鉴于该疾病的异质性,特别关注内在亚型。此外,本文将探讨Cxs在乳腺肿瘤背景和肿瘤微环境中的免疫相互作用以及新型细胞间通讯形式(如隧道纳米管和细胞外囊泡)中的作用。最近的研究结果表明,Cxs作为减轻转移和耐药性的治疗靶点具有潜力。此外,它们可能作为癌症预后的新型生物标志物,为未来的研究和临床应用提供了有希望的途径。