Down regulation of CD24 and HER-2/neu in breast carcinoma cells by activated human dendritic cell. Role of STAT3

Human dendritic cells (DCs) stimulated with cytokines and LPS down regulate the expression of proto-oncogene HER-2/neu and GPI linked protein CD24 in breast cancer cell lines. We demonstrated that naïve DC from human peripheral blood, when stimulated with IFN-γ, IL-15 or LPS reduces the expression of HER-2/neu and CD24, via activation of TNF-α. Pretreatment of tumor cells with STAT3 specific inhibitors or knocking down of STAT3 by SiRNA makes the tumor cell more susceptible to apoptosis and DC mediated inhibition of both CD24 and HER-2/neu. Thus DC could acts as an inhibitory regulator in suppressing oncogene and prevention of metastasis.

► Human DC derived TNF-α downregulate HER-2/neu and CD24 in breast cancer cells.
► Downregulation of HER-2/neu and CD24 by DC are associated with apoptosis.
► STAT3 silencing augments the DC mediated downregulation of HER-2/neu and CD24.