Regulatory Mechanism of C1q-Like Protein 4 in Characteristics of Breast Cancer Stem Cells
ObjectiveTo investigate the role and underlying mechanism of C1q-like protein 4 (C1ql4) in regulating the characteristics of breast cancer stem cells. MethodsqRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of C1ql4 in breast cancer and normal breast epithelial cell lines, as well as to verify the transfec...
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Magazine House of Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Zhongliu Fangzhi Yanjiu |
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| Online Access: | http://www.zlfzyj.com/cn/article/doi/10.3971/j.issn.1000-8578.2025.24.1035 |
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| author | Xiao LI Shenglin ZHANG Chanchan HU Lu BAI Fan XU |
| author_facet | Xiao LI Shenglin ZHANG Chanchan HU Lu BAI Fan XU |
| author_sort | Xiao LI |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectiveTo investigate the role and underlying mechanism of C1q-like protein 4 (C1ql4) in regulating the characteristics of breast cancer stem cells. MethodsqRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of C1ql4 in breast cancer and normal breast epithelial cell lines, as well as to verify the transfection efficiency of C1ql4. Western blot analysis was employed to examine the phosphorylation levels of AKT, IKK, and IκB in different groups. An AKT activator was added to MDA-MB-231 cells with C1ql4 knockdown, whereas inhibitors targeting AKT, IKK, IκB, and NF-κB nuclear translocation were separately introduced to C1ql4-overexpressing MCF-7 cells. The nuclear translocation of NF-κB, expression levels of the target genes TNF-α and IL-1β, formation ability of tumorspheres, and proportion of CD44+/CD24−/low stem-like subgroups were analyzed. ResultsC1ql4 expression in breast cancer cell lines was significantly upregulated compared with that in normal breast epithelial cells. Western blot analysis showed that p-AKT/AKT, p-IKK/IKK, and p-IκB/IκB ratios markedly reduced in C1ql4-knockdown MDA-MB-231 cells (all P<0.05) but significantly increased in C1ql4-overexpressing MCF-7 cells (all P<0.05). Rescue experiments demonstrated that the addition of an AKT activator to C1ql4-knockdown MDA-MB-231 cells resulted in the enhanced nuclear translocation of NF-κB, the increased nuclear/cytoplasmic NF-κB ratios, the elevated TNF-α and IL-1β expression levels, and significant recovery of tumorsphere formation ability and the proportion of CD44+/CD24−/low stem-like subpopulations (all P<0.05). Conversely, in C1ql4-overexpressing MCF-7 cells, treatment with AKT, IKK, IκB, or NF-κB nuclear translocation inhibitors led to a reduction in NF-κB nuclear translocation, decreased nuclear/cytoplasmic NF-κB ratios, and declines in TNF-α and IL-1β expression levels, tumorsphere formation ability, and the CD44+/CD24−/low subpopulation (all P<0.05). ConclusionC1ql4 promotes the translocation of NF-κB from the cytoplasm to the nucleus through the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway and enhances the expression of stemness in breast cancer cells. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-34f5d9585ff142219d4dad904be3dfd8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1000-8578 |
| language | zho |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Magazine House of Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Zhongliu Fangzhi Yanjiu |
| spelling | doaj-art-34f5d9585ff142219d4dad904be3dfd82025-08-20T03:55:49ZzhoMagazine House of Cancer Research on Prevention and TreatmentZhongliu Fangzhi Yanjiu1000-85782025-07-0152756257010.3971/j.issn.1000-8578.2025.24.103520241035Regulatory Mechanism of C1q-Like Protein 4 in Characteristics of Breast Cancer Stem CellsXiao LI0Shenglin ZHANG1Chanchan HU2Lu BAI3Fan XU4Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde 067000, ChinaDepartment of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde 067000, ChinaDepartment of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde 067000, ChinaDepartment of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde 067000, ChinaDepartment of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde 067000, ChinaObjectiveTo investigate the role and underlying mechanism of C1q-like protein 4 (C1ql4) in regulating the characteristics of breast cancer stem cells. MethodsqRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of C1ql4 in breast cancer and normal breast epithelial cell lines, as well as to verify the transfection efficiency of C1ql4. Western blot analysis was employed to examine the phosphorylation levels of AKT, IKK, and IκB in different groups. An AKT activator was added to MDA-MB-231 cells with C1ql4 knockdown, whereas inhibitors targeting AKT, IKK, IκB, and NF-κB nuclear translocation were separately introduced to C1ql4-overexpressing MCF-7 cells. The nuclear translocation of NF-κB, expression levels of the target genes TNF-α and IL-1β, formation ability of tumorspheres, and proportion of CD44+/CD24−/low stem-like subgroups were analyzed. ResultsC1ql4 expression in breast cancer cell lines was significantly upregulated compared with that in normal breast epithelial cells. Western blot analysis showed that p-AKT/AKT, p-IKK/IKK, and p-IκB/IκB ratios markedly reduced in C1ql4-knockdown MDA-MB-231 cells (all P<0.05) but significantly increased in C1ql4-overexpressing MCF-7 cells (all P<0.05). Rescue experiments demonstrated that the addition of an AKT activator to C1ql4-knockdown MDA-MB-231 cells resulted in the enhanced nuclear translocation of NF-κB, the increased nuclear/cytoplasmic NF-κB ratios, the elevated TNF-α and IL-1β expression levels, and significant recovery of tumorsphere formation ability and the proportion of CD44+/CD24−/low stem-like subpopulations (all P<0.05). Conversely, in C1ql4-overexpressing MCF-7 cells, treatment with AKT, IKK, IκB, or NF-κB nuclear translocation inhibitors led to a reduction in NF-κB nuclear translocation, decreased nuclear/cytoplasmic NF-κB ratios, and declines in TNF-α and IL-1β expression levels, tumorsphere formation ability, and the CD44+/CD24−/low subpopulation (all P<0.05). ConclusionC1ql4 promotes the translocation of NF-κB from the cytoplasm to the nucleus through the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway and enhances the expression of stemness in breast cancer cells.http://www.zlfzyj.com/cn/article/doi/10.3971/j.issn.1000-8578.2025.24.1035c1q-like protein 4breast cancerstemnessnuclear transcription factor κb |
| spellingShingle | Xiao LI Shenglin ZHANG Chanchan HU Lu BAI Fan XU Regulatory Mechanism of C1q-Like Protein 4 in Characteristics of Breast Cancer Stem Cells Zhongliu Fangzhi Yanjiu c1q-like protein 4 breast cancer stemness nuclear transcription factor κb |
| title | Regulatory Mechanism of C1q-Like Protein 4 in Characteristics of Breast Cancer Stem Cells |
| title_full | Regulatory Mechanism of C1q-Like Protein 4 in Characteristics of Breast Cancer Stem Cells |
| title_fullStr | Regulatory Mechanism of C1q-Like Protein 4 in Characteristics of Breast Cancer Stem Cells |
| title_full_unstemmed | Regulatory Mechanism of C1q-Like Protein 4 in Characteristics of Breast Cancer Stem Cells |
| title_short | Regulatory Mechanism of C1q-Like Protein 4 in Characteristics of Breast Cancer Stem Cells |
| title_sort | regulatory mechanism of c1q like protein 4 in characteristics of breast cancer stem cells |
| topic | c1q-like protein 4 breast cancer stemness nuclear transcription factor κb |
| url | http://www.zlfzyj.com/cn/article/doi/10.3971/j.issn.1000-8578.2025.24.1035 |
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