We studied the effect of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) on oestrad
iol regulation of growth and metabolism of MCF-7 breast cancer cells t
o determine whether TNF altered the oestradiol responsiveness of these
cells. We found that TNF antagonized oestradiol stimulation of cell g
rowth in a dose-dependent manner, with partial inhibition at l.0 U/ml
and complete inhibition at 1000 U/ml. TNF inhibited cell cycle progres
sion, increasing cells in the G(0)G(1) phase and blocking oestradiol-s
timulated progression into the S phase. We examined the effect of TNF
on three oestrogen-regulated proteins, the oestrogen receptor (ER), th
e progesterone receptor (PR) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I).
TNF down-regulated the ER and up-regulated the PR. Both of these proc
esses were enhanced by the addition of oestradiol. The effects of TNF
on the ER and PR were dose-dependent and occurred without a change in
the Kd of the receptor. TNF did not change the respective steady-state
mRNA levels. In addition, TNF did not alter secretion of IGF-I either
ill the absence or presence of oestradiol, indicating that the effect
s of TNF on oestrogen-regulated proteins is selective. These findings
indicate all important interaction between the immune and endocrine sy
stems. The cytokine TNF has a prominent effect on oestradiol stimulati
on of MCF-7 cells, blocking its proliferative response and enhancing c
ertain metabolic effects. These actions may be mediated in part throug
h modulation of the ER, although other pathways appear to be involved.