Poster #018, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
E-cigarette Aerosol Induces Aggressive Gene Signatures and Behavior In Vitro in Breast Cancer Cells
Mentor: Shehla Pervin, PhD
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease that is challenging to treat. While genetics and reproductive history remain major determinants of breast cancer risk, environmental factors like electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are increasingly recognized as important contributors. E-cigarette aerosols contain nicotine and ultrafine particles that can induce reactive oxygen species (ROS), cause DNA damage, and dysregulate oncogenic signaling pathways, thereby promoting breast cancer development and progression. Our laboratory has generated in vivo data demonstrating that exposure to e-cigarette aerosol promotes the growth of larger breast tumors. The purpose of this study is to determine whether in vitro exposure to e-cigarette aerosol induces aggressive gene expression signatures and enhances the migratory capacity of breast cancer cells. MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells were cultured in RPMI media with 10% FBS and treated with various concentrations (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 60%, and 80%) of Juul-bubbled RPMI media for 24 and 48h. Western blotting examined the induction of aggressive tumor markers YAP and CD44, Using GAPDH as a housekeeping control. A Scratch assay evaluated cell migration following exposure. YAP was induced both at 24 and 48h in breast cancer cells when exposed to 10-60% e-cigarette aerosol, with more prominent induction at 48h across all concentrations of e-cigarettes. We observed up-regulation of CD44, which is a stem cell marker induced with 20-40% e-cigarette aerosol. We found increased migration of cells with 30% e-cigarette aerosol exposure. This research concludes e-cigarette aerosol is potent enough to induce aggressive gene signatures and behavior in breast cancer cells.