Expression of SR-B1 receptor in breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-468 and MCF-7: Effect on cell proliferation and apoptosis

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is necessary for proliferation of several cells. The growth of many kinds of cells, such as breast cancer cells (BCC) is motivated by HDL. Cellular uptake of cholesterol from HDL which increases cell growth is facilitated by scavenger receptors of the B class (SR-BI). The proliferative effect of HDL might be mediated by this receptor. It is also believed that HDL has an anti-apoptotic effect on various cell types and promotes cell growth. This study was designed to investigate SR-BI expression, proliferation and apoptotic effect of HDL on human BCC lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468.

Real-time-PCR method was used to evaluate expression of SR-BI, and cholesterol concentration was measured using a cholesterol assay kits (Pars AZ moon, Karaj, Iran). Cell viability was assessed using the MTT test. To identify cell apoptosis, the annexin V-FITC staining test and caspase-9 activity assay were applied.

Treatment of both cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-468) with HDL results in augmentation of SR-BI mRNA expression and also elevation of the intracellular cholesterol (p <0.01). HDL induced cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and prevented activation of caspase-9 (p <0.05). We also demonstrated that inhibition of SR-B1 by BLT-1 could reduce cell proliferation, and induction of SR-B1 receptor by quercetin increased HDL-induced proliferation in both cell lines (p <0.05).

It can be concluded that alteration in HDL levels by SR-B1 activator (Quercetin) or inhibitor (BLT-1) may affect BCC growth and apoptosis induction.