FOXP3在乳腺癌细胞中表达的研究进展

Progress on FOXP3 Expression in Breast Cancer Cells

FOXP3属于叉头/翼状螺旋转录因子家族成员,最先发现于免疫抑制性CD4^+CD25^+调节性T细胞,并作为最特异的分子标志调控其发育及功能的维持。FOXP3早期被认为特异性表达于Treg,而近年来研究发现FOXP3在包括乳腺癌在内的多种肿瘤细胞中均有表达。人们对FOXP3在肿瘤中的研究重点也逐渐从Treg转移到了肿瘤细胞本身。但各项研究结果表明FOXP3在乳腺癌细胞中的表达部位及表达率存在差异。临床前研究发现FOXP3作为抑癌基因抑制肿瘤细胞增殖,但多数临床研究显示乳腺癌组织表达FOXP3与预后不良相关。目前FOXP3在乳腺癌中的表达及意义仍存在争议。本文对相关研究新进展进行综述。

Forkhead Box Protein 3 （FOXP3） is a transcription factor critically involved in the development and functions of immunosuppressive CD4＋CD25＋ regulatory T cell （Treg）. FOXP3 expression was thought to be restricted to Treg, however, recent studies have provided clear evidence that various types of human tumor cells expressed FOXP3, including breast caner. But the subcellular localization and the extent to which FOXP3 is expressed in human breast cancer epithelial cells are conflicting. Many preclinical studies have demonstrated that FOXP3 acts as an X-linked tumor suppressor gene in the pathogenesis of breast cancer, while, more clinical studies reported unfavorable prognosis of tumors with FOXP3 expression. Despite increasing knowledge about the biology of FOXP3 in breast cancer cells, the biological functions and significance of FOXP3 expression in breast cancer remain still controversial and not clearly defined. Here, the present review discusses the role of FOXP3 in breast cancer aiming at new strategies for breast cancer prognosis.