Increased Expression of miR-223-3p and miR-375-3p and Anti-Inflammatory Activity in HDL of Newly Diagnosed Women in Advanced Stages of Breast Cancer.

The expression of inflammation-related miRs bound to high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), the anti-inflammatory activity of HDLs isolated from individuals with breast cancer, and controls were determined. Forty newly diagnosed women with breast cancer naïve of treatment and 10 control participants were included. Cholesterol-loaded bone-marrow-derived macrophages were incubated with HDL from both groups and challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Interleukin 6 (IL6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the medium were quantified. The miRs in HDLs were determined by RT-qPCR. Age, body mass index, menopausal status, plasma lipids, and HDL composition were similar between groups. The ability of HDL to inhibit IL6 and TNF production was higher in breast cancer compared to controls, especially in advanced stages of the disease. The miR-223-3p and 375-3p were higher in the HDLs of breast cancer independent of the histological type of the tumor and had a high discriminatory power between breast cancer and controls. The miR-375-3p was greater in the advanced stages of the disease and was inversely correlated with the secretion of inflammatory cytokines. Inflammation-related miRs and the anti-inflammatory role of HDLs may have a significant impact on breast cancer pathophysiology.

Increased plasma lipids in triple-negative breast cancer and impairment in HDL functionality in advanced stages of tumors.

The association between plasma lipids and breast cancer (BC) has been extensively explored although results are still conflicting especially regarding the relationship with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) levels. HDL mediates cholesterol and oxysterol removal from cells limiting sterols necessary for tumor growth, inflammation, and metastasis and this may not be reflected by measuring HDLc. We addressed recently diagnosed, treatment-naïve BC women (n = 163), classified according to molecular types of tumors and clinical stages of the disease, in comparison to control women (CTR; n = 150) regarding plasma lipids and lipoproteins, HDL functionality and composition in lipids, oxysterols, and apo A-I. HDL was isolated by plasma discontinuous density gradient ultracentrifugation. Lipids (total cholesterol, TC; triglycerides, TG; and phospholipids, PL) were determined by enzymatic assays, apo A-I by immunoturbidimetry, and oxysterols (27, 25, and 24-hydroxycholesterol), by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. HDL-mediated cell cholesterol removal was determined in macrophages previously overloaded with cholesterol and 14C-cholesterol. Lipid profile was similar between CTR and BC groups after adjustment per age. In the BC group, lower concentrations of TC (84%), TG (93%), PL (89%), and 27-hydroxicholesterol (61%) were observed in HDL, although the lipoprotein ability in removing cell cholesterol was similar to HDL from CRT. Triple-negative (TN) BC cases presented higher levels of TC, TG, apoB, and non-HDLc when compared to other molecular types. Impaired HDL functionality was observed in more advanced BC cases (stages III and IV), as cholesterol efflux was around 28% lower as compared to stages I and II. The altered lipid profile in TN cases may contribute to channeling lipids to tumor development in a hystotype with a more aggressive clinical history. Moreover, findings reinforce the dissociation between plasma levels of HDLc and HDL functionality in determining BC outcomes.

The increased antioxidant action of HDL is independent of HDL cholesterol plasma levels in triple-negative breast cancer.

Introduction: The association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) with the incidence and progression of breast cancer (BC) is controversial. HDL removes excess cholesterol from cells and acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. BC is a heterogeneous disease, and its molecular classification is important in the prediction of clinical and therapeutic evolution. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents higher malignancy, lower therapeutic response, and survival rate. In the present investigation, the composition and antioxidant activity of isolated HDL was assessed in women with TNBC compared to controls. Methods: Twenty-seven women with a recent diagnosis of TNBC, without prior treatment, and 27 healthy women (control group) paired by age and body mass index (BMI) were included in the study. HDL and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were isolated from plasma by discontinuous density gradient ultracentrifugation. Plasma lipid profile and HDL composition (total cholesterol, TC; triglycerides, TG; HDLc; phospholipids, PL) were determined by enzymatic colorimetric methods. ApoB and apo A-I were quantified by immunoturbidimetry. The antioxidant activity of HDL was determined by measuring the lag time phase for LDL oxidation and the maximal rate of conjugated dienes formation in LDL incubated with copper sulfate solution. The absorbance (234 nm) was monitored at 37°C, for 4 h, at 3 min intervals. Results: The control group was similar to the TNBC concerning menopausal status, concentrations, and ratios of plasma lipids. The composition of the HDL particle in TC, TG, PL, and apo A-I was also similar between the groups. The ability of HDL to retard LDL oxidation was 22% greater in the TNBC group as compared to the control and positively correlated with apoA-I in HDL. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of HDL was greater in the advanced stages of TNBC (stages III and IV) compared to the control group. The maximum rate of formation of conjugated dienes was similar between groups and the clinical stages of the disease. Discussion: The results highlight the role of HDL as an antioxidant defense in TNBC independently of HDLc plasma levels. The improved antioxidant activity of HDL, reflected by retardation in LDL oxidation, could contribute to limiting oxidative and inflammatory stress in advanced stages of TNBC.