Mesenchymal phenotype of CTC-enriched blood fraction and lymph node metastasis formation potential.

INTRODUCTION: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) that present mesenchymal phenotypes can escape standard methods of isolation, thus limiting possibilities for their characterization. Whereas mesenchymal CTCs are considered to be more malignant than epithelial CTCs, factors responsible for this aggressiveness have not been thoroughly defined. This study analyzed the molecular profile related to metastasis formation potential of CTC-enriched blood fractions obtained by marker unbiased isolation from breast cancer patients without (N-) and with lymph nodes metastases (N+).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples drawn from 117 patients with early-stage breast cancer were enriched for CTCs using density gradient centrifugation and negative selection with anti-CD45 covered magnetic particles. In the resulting CTC-enriched blood fractions, expression of CK19, MGB1, VIM, TWIST1, SNAIL, SLUG, HER2, CXCR4 and uPAR was analyzed with qPCR. Results were correlated with patients' clinicopathological data.
RESULTS: CTCs (defined as expression of either CK19, MGB1 or HER2) were detected in 41% (20/49) of N- and 69% (34/49) of N+ patients (P = 0.004). CTC-enriched blood fractions of N+ patients were more frequently VIM (P = 0.02), SNAIL (P = 0.059) and uPAR-positive (P = 0.03). Positive VIM, CXCR4 and uPAR status correlated with >3 lymph nodes involved (P = 0.003, P = 0.01 and P = 0.045, respectively). In the multivariate logistic regression MGB1 and VIM-positivity were independently related to lymph node involvement with corresponding overall risk of 3.2 and 4.2. Moreover, mesenchymal CTC-enriched blood fractions (CK19-/VIM+ and MGB1+ or HER2+) had 4.88 and 7.85-times elevated expression of CXCR4 and uPAR, respectively, compared with epithelial CTC-enriched blood fractions (CK19+/VIM- and MGB1+ or HER2+).
CONCLUSIONS: Tumors of N+ patients have superior CTC-seeding and metastatic potential compared with N- patients. These differences can be attributed to VIM, uPAR and CXCR4 expression, which endow tumor cells with particularly malignant phenotypes.

Introduction

Presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood of patients with epithelial cancer was first demonstrated by Ashworth in 1869 [1]. As techniques were developed to capture, enumerate and characterize circulating and disseminated tumor cells, significant progress was made in understanding metastatic processes [2], [3], [4], [5]. The number of CTCs detected in blood samples carry prognostic information in early [6], [7] and metastatic breast cancer [8], [9]. Also, CTCs detected via PCR-based methods (without the possibility of cell enumeration) have been associated with poor prognosis in a number of studies [10], [11], described in a recent meta-analysis [12].

As CTCs originate from the epithelium, use of epithelial markers (eg, cytokeratins, EpCAM) for their detection seems reasonable. Cytokeratin 19 (CK19) is a cytoskeletal protein of epithelial cells (both normal and cancerous) and is widely used for detection of CTCs [13], [14], [15] and DTCs [15], [16], [17], [18]. However, discovery of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer educes a reconsideration of CTCs as having exclusively epithelial phenotype [2], [19], [20], [21]. Moreover, the role of EMT in cancer implies that detection methods that rely solely on epithelial markers (or other markers downregulated during EMT) are likely to miss the most aggressive fraction of CTCs [2], [19], [22]. Thus, to increase sensitivity it is suggested to include additional mammary transcripts, like mammaglobin 1 (MGB1), which was shown to be a useful marker for detecting disseminated breast cancer cells in blood [23], [24], [25], bone marrow [26], [27] and lymph nodes [28], [29], [30]. Additionally to CK19 and MGB1, detection of HER2 transcripts, which is frequently overexpressed in breast cancers, strengthened prognostic value of the RT-qPCR based CTCs detecting assay [23].

Activation of EMT is linked to motility, stem cell characteristics, enhanced chemo- and radiotherapy resistance [19], [31], [32], [33]. The fraction of CTCs with a mesenchymal phenotype reportedly reaches almost 100% in the blood of some breast cancer patients [3]. Moreover, in some patients, disease progression during treatment was related to increased number of mesenchymal CTCs compared with their pre-treatment state [2]. The ability of tumor cells to metastasize can be modified by expression of various invasion and metastasis-related factors. Plasminogen activator, urokinase receptor (uPAR) constituting a part of uPA-PAI extracellular matrix degradation system might facilitating tumor cells invasion, migration and growth [34], [35]. uPAR was also shown to be amplified together with HER2 in breast cancer CTCs [36] and decreased expression of uPAR related to tumor cell dormancy [35]. Yet another protein, CXCR4 chemokine receptor, apart from being involved in metastases formation and migration of cancer cells to specific organs [37], [38] is functionally linked with HER2 signalling and malignant progression. CXCR4 expression is enhanced by HER2, which can together act in multiple steps of metastatic cascade [39].

Inherent increased malignancy of mesenchymal CTCs could also contribute to higher metastatic potential, which in early-stage breast cancer could be measured by lymph-node involvement. We have hypothesized that CTCs isolated from lymph node-negative (N−) and -positive (N+) patients could differ in expression of malignancy-associated genes. We therefore used a marker-unbiased CTC-enrichment method that enriches both epithelial and mesenchymal CTCs, in which we measured expression of mammary epithelial transcripts (CK19, MGB1), EMT-related factors (VIM, TWIST1, SNAIL, SLUG) and invasion- and metastasis- related genes (HER2, CXCR4, uPAR).

Methods

Patients

The study included 117 breast cancer patients, stages I–III, treated in the Medical University Hospital in Gdansk between April 2011 and May 2013. Tumor stage and node positivity were defined according to AJCC cancer staging manual version 7. Micrometastases were considered and there was one case in examined group identified, which we classified as N+ patient. There were no patients with isolated tumor cells in the N- group. Cancers were graded according to modified Bloom and Richardson system based on semi-quantitative method for assessing histological grade in breast tumours [40]. Median age of the patients was 61 years (28–89 years) ( ). Inclusion criteria were primary operable breast cancer confirmed by histological examination, and signed consent form. Peripheral blood samples (5–10 mL) were drawn to EDTA-coated tubes before tumor excision and therapy initiation. The first few milliliters of blood were discarded to minimize possibility of keratinocyte contamination. Samples were stored at 4 °C until analysis, but no longer than 24 h. Blood samples from 17 healthy women (median age 36 years; range 20–73 years) and three women with benign breast disease (ductal carcinoma in situ – DCIS, median age 65 years; range 46–71) were similarly drawn and processed.

Table 1

Patients' characteristics (N = 117).

Variable	Number of cases (%)
Age – median (range)	61	(28–89)
T stage
T1	50	(43)
T2	58	(50)
T3	5	(4)
T4	3	(3)
Missing data	1	(1)
N stage
N-	60	(51)
N+	57	(49)
Grade
G1	15	(13)
G2	63	(54)
G3	39	(33)
HER2 status
Negative	88	(75)
Positive	26	(22)
Missing data	3	(3)
ER status
Negative	23	(20)
Positive	94	(80)
PR status
Negative	29	(25)
Positive	88	(75)
Histological type
Ductal	88	(75)
Lobular	16	(14)
Other	12	(10)
Missing data	1	(1)

Median follow-up time was 1.5 years (0.2 to 2.2 years). Including the last follow-up data six deaths were observed, which is insufficient for performing survival analysis; however, follow-up data continue to be collected.

Hormone receptors status (ER and PgR) was evaluated using classical Allred scoring method with 3 being a cut-off point for positive result. Standard criteria for evaluating HER2 positivity were applied, being 3+ score in immunohistochemistry or positive result in fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), as previously described [41].

Ethics statement

The study was approved by the local Ethical Committee of the Medical University of Gdansk and the manuscript was prepared according to the REMARK criteria [42].

CTCs isolation/enrichment

For the immunofluorescence experiment, blood samples were first centrifuged at 200 g for 20 min at 20 °C to remove excessive platelets that hampered cell adhesion to polylysine slides after CTC-enrichment. The top serum layer, which contained platelets, was collected and discarded; the remaining fraction was then processed with the full blood sample intended for RNA isolation. Blood samples, or platelet-removed fractions (5 mL), were subjected to CTC-enrichment as described before [43] ( ). Briefly, phosphate buffered saline (PBS) diluted blood sample was transferred into a 15 ml tube containing two-layer density gradient (upper and lower gradient) and centrifuged to separate tumor cells containing fraction from erythrocytes and blood cells. The tumor cell containing fraction was collected and subjected to further depletion of CD45-positive cells with anti-CD45-covered magnetic particles (CD45 Dynabeads, Invitrogen). After depletion, the obtained cells pellets were used in the RNA isolation procedure, or if cells were to be visualized by immunofluorescence, pellets were suspended in 1 mL PBS buffer and spun down on 2–4 polylysine-coated glass slides in Rotofix 32A (Hettich).

Figure 1

Schematic representation of blood samples analysis process.

Collected blood sample was layered on density gradient. After centrifugation fraction containing tumor cells (marked by green box) was collected and subjected to negative selection. After CD45-depletetion, CTC-enriched blood sample was subjected to RNA isolation, reverse transcription and gene expression analysis with qPCR.

To evaluate cell recovery rates in the developed CTC-enrichment method, a spike-in experiment was carried out twice. On average, 6 and 11 MDA-MB-361 cells (5 and 11 in the first experiment; 6 and 10 cells in the second experiment) were spiked to peripheral blood samples from healthy women, which were then processed as the patients' samples. Four cytospins were prepared from each sample, slides were stained for CK19 and CD45 as in the immunofluorescence experiment and analyzed under Axiovert 200 (Zeiss) microscope.

RNA isolation and qRT-PCR

RNA was isolated with Trizol reagent (Invitrogen) according to manufacturer's instructions. Up to 10 μl of RNA was used in a reverse transcription reaction (Transcriptor FirstStrand Synthesis Kit, Roche) with random hexamers according to manufacturer's instructions. Presence of inhibitors in the isolated RNA was tested using exogenous RNA molecules (Solaris RNA Spike Control Kit, Thermo Scientific) according to manufacturer's instructions, adding 1 μl of 100× Solaris Spike solution per 1 μg of RNA. cDNA was diluted and 10 ng of cDNA (4 μL) was used in a single 20-μL qPCR reaction. Universal PCR Mastermix (with UNG AmpErase) and TaqMan Gene Expression Assays were used to measure expression of nine genes of interest: TWIST1 (Hs00361186_m1; UniGene Hs.644998), SNAIL (also known as SNAI1, Hs00195591_m1; UniGene Hs.48029), SLUG (also known as SNAI2, Hs00950344_m1; UniGene Hs.360174), CK19 (Hs01051611_gH; UniGene Hs.654568), MGB1 (Hs00935948_m1; UniGene Hs.46452), HER2 (Hs99999005_mH; UniGene Hs.446352), CXCR4 (Hs00237052_m1; UniGene Hs.593413), uPAR (Hs00182181_m1; UniGene Hs.466871), VIM (Hs00185584_m1; UniGene Hs.455493) and two reference genes GAPDH (Hs99999905_m1; UniGene Hs.544577) and YWHAZ (Hs03044281_g1; UniGene Hs.492407). Reference genes were chosen for their expression stability as assessed by geNorm according to the provided manual [43]. qPCR reactions were performed in duplicate on 96-well plates in a CFX96 thermal cycler (Bio-Rad). Cycling parameters were as follows: 10 min 95 °C, 45 cycles of 1 min at 60 °C followed by 30 s at 95 °C. For the TaqMan assays detecting genomic DNA (CK19 and YWHAZ), sample-specific controls (10 ng of untranscribed RNA) were included on every plate. Samples were assumed to be genomic DNA-free if differences between control and test samples were ≥5 CT. Gene expression was calculated using a modified ΔΔCt method that corrects for a run-to-run variation [44]. Therefore, every plate included an inter-run calibrator that allowed calculation of calibrator-normalized relative quantities using qBasePLUS software version 2.1 [44]. Gene expression levels were scaled to the minimal expression level of each gene in the patients' samples.

Immunofluorescence

As PCR-based techniques do not allow for cells visualization, immunofluorescence experiments were carried out for some patient samples to visualize CTCs isolated using the developed method (described in “CTCs isolation/enrichment”). Double-staining experiments were performed for the following proteins combinations: CK19 and CD45, CK19 and MGB1, CXCR4 and CD45, HER2 and CD45, SNAIL and CD45. Primary mouse monoclonal (CK19, CXCR4, SNAIL, HER2) or rabbit polyclonal (CD45, MGB1) antibodies were used (Santa Cruz Biotechnology; Abnova for anti-SNAIL antibody). Cytospins, prepared on polylysine-coated slides as described above, were fixed with cold methanol for 5 minutes and incubated with appropriate pairs of primary antibodies for 1 hour at room temperature. Pairs of mouse monoclonal antibodies and rabbit polyclonal antibodies were used. Slides were then stained for 1 h with corresponding secondary antibodies: Sheep Anti-Mouse DyLight 549 and Goat Anti-Rabbit DyLight 488 (JIR). Cell nuclei in all slides were stained with 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (Sigma). Slides were evaluated using inverted fluorescent microscope Axiovert 200 (Zeiss) and analyzed with AxioVision software (Zeiss).

Statistical analysis

Statistical analyses were performed with STATISTICA software version 10. Categorical variables were analysed using contingency tables with χ2 statistics or Fisher's exact test where applicable. Spearman rank coefficient was used when continuous variables were correlated; Mann-Whitney test for analyzing continuous variables distribution in two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the gene predictors of lymph node involvement. Univariate predictors significant with a value of p≤0.10 were entered into a step-wise backwards multivariate model to identify those with independent prognostic information.

Unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis was performed using GenePattern version 6 software (http://genepattern.broadinstitute.org/) [45]. Spearman's rank correlation was applied for columns and rows distance measure. Pairwise complete-linkage was used as a clustering method. Samples with missing gene expression values were removed from the analysis.

Results

CTC-enriched blood samples characterization

For the average 6 and 11 MDA-MB-361 cells added to blood samples, the CTC-enrichment method showed average recovery rate of 54% and 72%, respectively. In every case, 2–4 cells were lost during sample processing. Double staining (staining of CD45 and another protein of interest) revealed CK19+/CD45−, HER2+/CD45−, CXCR4+/CD45− and SNAIL+/CD45− cells isolated from breast cancer patients (). In CK19/MGB1 double staining, following phenotypes occurred: CK19+/MGB1+, CK19+/MGB1− and CK19−/MGB1+ ().

Functional RNA was successively isolated from 84% (98/117) of patient samples and 65% (11/17) of controls. None of the control samples was positive for TWIST1, SNAIL, SLUG, HER2 or uPAR; 1 out of 11 showed CXCR4 expression (relative gene expression level 4.54); and 9 (82%; 9/11) showed VIM expression (median relative gene expression level 11.44, range 0–30.67). Expression of MGB1 and CK19 was analyzed in a qualitative manner. Patient samples were considered positive when measured relative gene expression level was higher than the highest measured relative expression level in the control samples. presents the number of samples expressing analyzed genes according to this positivity criterion. Fifty-five percent (54/98) of the patient samples with invasive tumors were positive for either CK19, MGB1 or HER2. In total, 26% of the samples expressed at least one EMT marker (VIM, TWIST1, SNAIL or SLUG). No healthy control expressed CTCs markers, whereas in all three cases of DCIS expression of at least one CTC marker was detected ( and ).

Table 2

Relative gene expression levels in CTC-enriched blood fractions from breast cancer patients.

	Gene	Number of samples*		% of positive samples	Average expression	SD	Median	Expression minimum	Expression maximum
Breast cancer patients		positive	negative
	TWIST1	2	94	2	0.05	0.39	0	0	3.71
	SNAIL	8	88	8	0.32	1.64	0	0	14.38
	SLUG	0	92	0	-	-	-	-	-
	VIM	19	75	20	19.40	17.70	14.27	0	105.10
	HER2	34	61	36	8.33	18.26	0	0	96.50
	CXCR4	40	57	41	5.34	7.79	3.34	0	48.42
	uPAR	57	40	59	14.65	22.73	4.50	0	118.80
	CK19	26	72	27	1056.88	1054	0	0	2585
	MGB1	23	71	24	1714.53	1871	0	0	4424
DCIS
	TWIST1	0	3	0	-	-	-	-	-
	SNAIL	1	2	33	3.01	5.21	0	0	9.02
	SLUG	0	3	0	-	-	-	-	-
	VIM	0	3	0	20.18	7.17	22.28	12.2	26.07
	HER2	2	1	67	7.66	8.76	5.78	0	17.21
	CXCR4	1	2	33	7.07	9.06	3.93	0	17.28
	uPAR	2	1	67	9.79	8.48	14.49	0	14.88
	CK19	1	2	33	17.81	30.85	0	0	53.43
	MGB1	3	0	100	973.24	1567.26	17.93	17.93	2782
Healthy controls **
	VIM	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable	13	9.40	11.44	0	30.70
	CXCR4	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable	0.40	1.40	4.54	0	4.54

*Number of positive and negative samples for a particular gene, percentages of samples classified as marker-positive with the chosen cut-off levels as well as average expression with standard deviation (SD), minimal and maximal measured relative expression level.

**In the healthy control group only genes which expression was found in the samples are shown.

CTC-enriched samples expressing at least one of CTCs markers – MGB1 or HER2 were divided by CK19 and VIM gene expression status into four groups with positive or negative expression status. Phenotype frequencies were as follow: CK19+/VIM− 17% (16/94), CK19+/VIM+ 1% (1/94), CK19−/VIM+ 13% (12/94) and CK19−/VIM− 69% (65/94). CK19+/VIM+ sample was excluded from statistical analysis to avoid biased classification to either CK19+/VIM− or CK19−/VIM+ group. Expression of CXCR4 and uPAR was higher in VIM-positive fraction (CK19−/VIM+) than in the CK19−/VIM− CTC-enriched blood fraction ( ). In CK19−/VIM+ CTC-enriched blood fractions, average expression of CXCR4 and uPAR was 4.88 and 7.85-fold higher than in CK19−/VIM− fraction, respectively (P < 0.00001 for both).

Figure 2

Relative expression level of CXCR4 and uPAR in CTC-enriched blood fractions.

CTC-enriched blood fractions positive for either MGB1 or HER2 were divided according to VIM and CK19 expression status into three groups (CK19−/VIM−; CK19+/VIM−; CK19−/VIM+). Error bars depict standard error. * - statistically significant difference in CXCR4 and uPAR relative expression level (P<0.00001 for both) between CK19−/VIM− and CK19−/VIM+; ** - statistically significant difference in CXCR4 (P = 0.00002) and uPAR (P = 0.00004) relative expression level between CK19+/VIM− and CK19−/VIM+.

Correlations between gene expression of examined markers

SNAIL expression was found in 8% (8/96) of the samples; its expression correlated with positive status of VIM (P = 0.03), HER2 (P = 0.0002), CXCR4 (P = 0.006) and uPAR (P = 0.02) ( ). CTC-enriched HER2-positive blood samples were more frequently VIM-positive (38% vs. 12%, P = 0.004), SNAIL-positive (24% vs. 0%, P = 0.0002), CXCR4-positive (53% vs. 33%, P = 0.05) and uPAR-positive (100% vs. 34%, P<0.00001) than HER2-negative samples ( ). Moreover, 82% (32/39) of CTC-enriched CXCR4-positive samples were also uPAR-positive (P = 0.0001; ). Spearman rank correlations between relative expression of the tested genes showing similar gene dependence are presented in .

Table 3

Correlations between genes expression status in CTC-enriched blood fractions.

		TWIST1			SNAIL			CK19			MGB1			VIM			HER2			CXCR4
		Neg.	Pos.	P	Neg.	Pos.	P	Neg.	Pos.	P	Neg.	Pos.	P	Neg.	Pos.	P	Neg.	Pos.	P	Neg.	Pos.	P
SNAIL	Neg.	87	1	0.16
	Pos.	7	1
	Total	94	2
CK19	Neg.	70	2	1	65	7	0.67
	Pos.	24	0		23	1
	Total	94	2		88	8
MGB1	Neg.	70	1	0.43	65	6	1	61	10	0.00004
	Pos.	22	1		22	1		10	13
	Total	92	2		87	7		71	23
VIM	Neg.	72	1	0.37	70	3	0.03	52	23	0.076	55	18	1
	Pos.	18	1		14	4		17	2		15	4
	Total	90	2		85	7		69	25		70	22
HER2	Neg.	61	0	0.13	61	0	0.0002	48	13	0.24	49	12	0.21	53	7	0.004
	Pos.	32	2		26	8		23	11		22	10		20	12
	Total	93	2		87	8		71	24		71	22		73	19
CXCR4	Neg.	56	1	1	56	1	0.006	40	17	0.42	42	15	0.45	53	3	0.00001	41	16	0.05
	Pos.	37	1		31	7		31	9		29	7		22	16		20	18
	Total	93	2		87	8		71	26		71	22		75	19		61	34
uPAR	Neg.	40	0	0.51	40	0	0.02	33	7	0.12	34	6	0.07	34	5	0.13	40	0	<0.00001	33	7	0.0001
	Pos.	53	2		47	8		39	18		37	17		41	14		21	33		24	32
	Total	93	2		87	8		72	25		71	23		75	19		61	33		57	39

Number of cases classified as positive (Pos.) or negative (Neg.) for a particular marker are shown. Statistically significant P values are given in bold.

Correlation with clinicopathological data

In CTC-enriched blood fractions of N+ patients, at least one of the markers – CK19, MGB1 or HER2 – was more frequently (69%, 34/49) detected than in N- patients (41%, 20/49; P = 0.004, ). Concerning phenotype of CTC-enriched blood fractions, there was no difference between lymph node involvement in patients with epithelial and mesenchymal CTC-enriched blood fraction phenotype (P = 0.69), however mesenchymal phenotype was more frequently found in patients with more than 3 lymph nodes involved −50% in comparison to patients with epithelial CTC-enriched blood fraction phenotype −7% (P = 0.008, ). Moreover, in N+ patients, CTC-enriched blood fractions were more often MGB1, SNAIL, VIM and uPAR-positive (P = 0.03, P = 0.059, P = 0.02 and P = 0.03, respectively) ( ). Positive status of CXCR4 was associated with higher T stage (P = 0.01). There was no correlation between HER2 status of primary tumors (PT) and HER2-status of CTC-enriched blood fractions (P = 0.87) ( ).

Table 4

Results of univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis in relation to lymph node involvement.

Gene expression status	Number of cases (%)		Univariate analysis		Multivariate analysis
	N-	N+	OR (95% CI)	P	OR (95% CI)	P
CK19
Negative	39 (80)	33 (67)	1.9 (0.75–4.8)	0.17
Positive	10 (20)	16 (33)
MGB1
Negative	40 (85)	31 (66)	2.9 (1.06–8.2)	0.03	3.2 (1.1–9.2)	0.029
Positive	7 (15)	16 (34)
HER2
Negative	32 (67)	29 (62)	1.24 (0.5–2.9)	0.6
Positive	16 (33)	18 (38)
VIM
Negative	43 (90)	32 (70)	3.76 (1.2–11.7)	0.02	4.2 (1.3–13.5)	0.01
Positive	5 (10)	14 (30)
TWIST1
Negative	47 (98)	47 (98)	1 (0.6–17)	1
Positive	1 (2)	1 (2)
SNAIL
Negative	47 (98)	41 (85)	8.02 (0.92–69.9)	0.06		NS
Positive	1 (2)	7 (15)
CXCR4
Negative	32 (65)	25 (52)	1.73 (0.76–3.9)	0.19
Positive	17 (35)	23 (48)
uPAR
Negative	25 (52)	15 (31)	2.46 (1.06–5.7)	0.03		NS
Positive	23 (48)	34 (69)
CK19/MGB1/HER2
Negative	29 (59)	15 (31)	3.29 (1.41–7.64)	0.005	Not applicable
Positive	20 (41)	34 (69)

N- lymph node involvement absent, N+ lymph node involvement present. OR-overall risk; CI – confidence interval, NS-not statistically significant.

Table 5

Correlation between CTC-enriched blood fractions gene expression status and clinicopathological parameters.

	TWIST1			SNAIL			CK19			MGB1			VIM			CXCR4			uPAR			HER2			CTC-EBF phenotype*
Clinical variable	Neg.	Pos.	P	Neg.	Pos.	P	Neg.	Pos.	P	Neg.	Pos.	P	Neg.	Pos.	P	Neg.	Pos.	P	Neg.	Pos.	P	Neg.	Pos.	P	CK19-/VIM+ **	CK19+/VIM- **	P
T
T1	41	1	1	39	3	1	29	14	0.25	35	5	0.02	38	3	0.009	31	12	0.01	21	21	0.10	29	13	0.34	1	7	0.04
T2-4	52	1		48	5		42	12		35	18		37	15		25	28		18	36		31	21		11	9
N
N-	47	1	1	47	1	0.059	39	10	0.17	40	7	0.03	43	5	0.02	32	17	0.19	25	23	0.03	32	16	0.61	3	6	0.69
N+	47	1		37	7		33	16		31	16		32	14		25	23		15	34		29	18		9	10
Number of lymph nodes involved
≤3	78	2	1	74	6	0.62	59	23	0.55	60	18	0.53	67	11	0.003	52	29	0.01	37	44	0.045	52	27	0.46	6	15	0.008
>3	16	0		14	2		13	3		11	5		8	8		5	11		3	13		9	7		6	1
Grade
G1-2	65	1	0.53	62	4	0.25	49	18	0.91	48	16	0.86	52	11	0.34	40	26	0.59	30	36	0.22	41	24	0.73	7	13	0.23
G3	29	1		26	4		23	8		23	7		23	8		17	14		10	21		20	10		5	3
HR status
Negative	14	0	1	13	1	1	10	5	0.53	11	3	1	13	2	0.73	8	7	0.64	8	7	0.30	12	2	0.07	1	1	1
Positive	80	2		75	7		62	21		60	20		62	17		49	33		32	50		49	32		11	15
HER2 status
Negative	70	2	1	66	6	1	52	21	0.58	53	17	0.96	56	14	1	43	30	0.72	30	42	0.66	46	26	0.87	9	14	0.62
Positive	21	0		19	2		17	5		16	5		18	4		12	10		8	14		13	8		3	2

Number of cases classified as positive (Pos.) or negative (Neg.) for a particular marker in each group are shown. Statistically significant P values are given in bold.

*CTC-enriched blood fraction phenotype – only MBG1+ and/or HER2+ fractions were considered

** CK19−/VIM+ - mesenchymal phenotype; CK19+/VIM− - epithelial phenotype.

Multivariate analysis revealed that independent predictors of lymph nodes involvement were positive status of MGB1 – OR 3.2 (95% CI 1.1–9.2, P = 0.029) and VIM – OR 4.2 (95% CI 1.3–13.5, P = 0.01) ( ).

In hierarchical clustering, the study population was divided into two main groups, which differed in expression of VIM, CXCR4, uPAR, HER2 ( ). Patients in the cluster with elevated expression of these genes showed more frequent lymph node involvement (58%) than patients from the cluster with lower expression (35%; P = 0.03).

Figure 3

Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of relative gene expression values in CTC-enriched blood fraction.

Samples containing missing values were excluded from the analysis. On the left-hand side cluster of CTC-enriched blood samples with elevated VIM (P = 0.068), HER2, CXCR4 and uPAR (P<0.00001, for all three) expression in which lymph node involvement was more frequently observed (P = 0.04).

Discussion

Dissemination of cancer cells is an early event and disseminated tumor cells can be found in bone marrow of patients with carcinoma in situ [46]. Nevertheless, in metastatic breast cancer more CTCs are seen than in early breast cancer patients [13], [16], [47]. No clear association is apparent between lymph node involvement and CTC detection rate. Some studies show similar CTCs detection rate in N− and N+ breast cancer patients [23], [48], which would indicate similar tumor seeding potential, but dissimilar colonization potential for disseminated cells. However, preliminary results from a large SUCCESS trial revealed a correlation between CTC presence and lymph node involvement [49], implying different seeding, and possibly colonization, potentials in N− and N+ patients. To explore differences in seeding and colonization potential we analyzed expression of mammary epithelial transcripts (CK19, MGB1), EMT-related factors (TWIST1, SNAIL, SLUG, VIM) and invasion and metastasis-related genes (HER2, CXCR4, uPAR) in CTC-enriched blood fractions from N- and N+ breast cancer patients. Considering the unresolved discussion concerning markers for CTC detection and characterization [50] and drawbacks of CTC-positive selection, we decided to apply a negative selection method for CTC-enrichment. Similar to prior research identifying CTCs with PCR-based methods, we used a “classical” definition of CTCs presence, meaning expression of either CK19, MGB1 or HER2 [23]. However, growing body of evidence shows that mesenchymal CTCs are not a rare event in cancers, what made us apply an extended definition of CTCs phenotypes – epithelial or mesenchymal – which includes VIM as an additional marker related to mesenchymal state. As a result we consider CTCs-enriched blood fractions being CK19+/VIM− and MGB1+ or HER2+ as containing CTCs in epithelial state, and CK19−/VIM+ and MGB1+ or HER2+ fractions as carrying mesenchymal CTCs. Even though the phrase describing MGB1 as “mammary epithelial transcript” implies it is present in mammary epithelium, it does not mean that it is expressed only by cells in the epithelial state. Although MGB1 function is not known, structurally related proteins are a group of secretory proteins binding steroid ligands that might present anti inflammatory activity [51], [52]; thus implying related function in human breast tissue, not restricted to epithelial state.

In our study, we found expression of either CK19, MGB1 or HER2 in 55% of the patients, which agrees with previous studies of early breast cancer patients [53], [54], [55]. Unlike in healthy controls, in DCIS cases expression of at least one CTC marker was detected, what supports results of the early cancer dissemination model [46]. We have observed significantly different CTCs detection rate (defined as expression of either CK19, MGB1 or HER2) in N− and N+ patients (41% vs. 69%, respectively, P = 0.005; ), which supports the notion that tumors from N+ patients have superior seeding potential compared with N− patients. We would not have drawn the same conclusion if CK19 was the only CTC marker in our study, as in that case there would be no significant difference in CTC marker detection rate between N− and N+ patients (20% vs. 33%, P = 0.17; ). Also, the study of Pecot indicates that cytokeratin is not an ultimate marker for CTC identification as cytokeratin-negative cancer cells can be found both in circulation and within PTs [56]. Multimarker approach for CTCs detection is therefore a necessity [14], [57]. Our immunofluorescence results also showed CK19−/MGB1+ cells in CTC-enriched blood fractions, which was also seen in prior research [58]. Analysis of expression of EMT markers, and of invasion- and metastasis-related genes revealed that CTC-enriched blood fractions of N+ patients are more frequently VIM-positive and uPAR-positive (and show a trend toward being SNAIL-positive); and patients with more than three involved lymph nodes are often VIM, CXCR4 and uPAR-positive. Increased metastatic abilities of tumor cells in N+ patients could be therefore attributed to expression of CXCR4, uPAR and VIM (and possibly SNAIL). CXCR4 is a receptor for CXCL12 chemokine, which is secreted by the common sites of breast cancer metastasis, including lymph nodes [3]. Thus, CXCR4 expression on CTCs could mediate homing of tumor cells to lymph nodes. Also, the role of uPAR in extracellular matrix degradation complex, migration and invasion could explain its metastasis-promoting function [34]. Amplification and increased expression of uPAR was observed before in CTCs [36], PTs, and disseminating tumor cells in bone marrow and in lymph nodes of breast cancer patients [59]. Co-expression of uPAR and HER2 shown by Meng et al. [36] also supports our observations in HER2-positive CTC-enriched blood fractions, which were all uPAR-positive.

Although induction and maintenance of EMT are thought to require TWIST1, SNAIL and SLUG, their expression was not found in CTCs expressing mesenchymal markers [2], [60], nor were they highly expressed in our CTC-enriched blood fractions; only 8% and 2% of samples were positive for either SNAIL or TWIST1, respectively and SLUG was not detected in any sample. Similar rates were detected by Mego et al., who analyzed CTC-enriched blood fractions depleted of EpCAM-positive CTCs [22]. Despite the small number of SNAIL-positive samples, SNAIL expression correlated with positive status of VIM, CXCR4, uPAR and HER2. We also saw positive VIM status in 20% of the CTC-enriched blood fractions, which correlated with SNAIL, CXCR4 and HER2 expression. This result supports data showing increased malignancy of CTCs with mesenchymal phenotype, possibly resulting from EMT [20], [33], [61]. No significant increase in expression of CXCR4 and uPAR in CK19+/VIM− CTC-enriched blood fraction would speak for the passive model of dissemination, in which tumor cells are physically translocated into the vasculature (or the neovasculature formed around tumor cells) [62]. In that case, cells would not need a migratory phenotype, typically associated with EMT, and could remain in their epithelial phenotype, which according to several theories would strengthen their metastatic ability because of increased adhesive properties. We presume that CTCs with mesenchymal phenotype (lacking epithelial adhesion molecules) acquire additional malignant properties (expression of CXCR4 and uPAR) that allow successful lymph node colonization. It would be interesting to check whether expression of CXCR4 and uPAR are related to any specific metastatic pattern other than the lymph node metastasis seen in our study.

Limitations of our study include relatively small sample size and short follow-up period, which hamper survival analysis. Moreover, the associations between variables are deduced from their inter-correlation, which does not necessarily inform about causal relationship. Therefore, our results should be seen as hypothesis-generating discoveries, and would obtain additional strength when supported by research aiming at deciphering molecular mechanisms behind them.

Conclusions

In summary, our results show increased CTCs detection rate as well as more frequent VIM, SNAIL, and uPAR–positive rates of CTC-enriched blood fraction in patients with lymph nodes metastases. This indicates differences in both seeding potential and increased ability of the tumor cells of N+ patients to reach and divide in lymph nodes. We have also shown that VIM-positive (CK19−/VIM+) CTC-enriched blood fractions, unlike CK19+/VIM− fractions, show elevated CXCR4 and uPAR levels, which might contribute to more aggressive tumor characteristics.

Exemplary photos of immunostained cells isolated from CTC-enriched blood fractions of breast cancer patients.

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Relative genes expression levels in breast cancer patients and controls. Expression of VIM, HER2, CXCR4, uPAR, TWIST1, SNAIL, CK19 and MGB1 in CTCs-enriched blood fractions of breast cancer patients with invasive carcinoma (BC), patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and healthy controls (HC). As no sample expressed SLUG, results for this gene are not presented.

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Spearman's rank correlations coefficients of relative gene expression levels in CTC-enriched blood fractions.

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