Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)/cyclin expression during the cell cycle in normal and leukemic cells.

Bivariate flow cytometric analysis of the cell proliferation-associated nuclear protein, identified as the "proliferating cell nuclear antigen" (PCNA)/cyclin and of nuclear DNA content, was performed in quiescent and mitogen-stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes, in EUE (human embryonic epithelium) cells, before and after a long-term exposure to a hypertonic (HT) medium, in 4 human leukemic cell lines and in fresh bone marrow (BM) cells from 10 patients with untreated acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL). The PCNA/cyclin was detected using both an autoantibody extracted from sera of systemic lupus erythematosus patients and the recently produced mouse monoclonal antibody (MoAb) IgG, named 19F4. The distribution of cells in the different phases of the cycle and the percentage of S-phase cells were obtained in duplicate samples, by DNA flow cytometry (FCM) and by dual parameter FCM of DNA content and bromodeoxyuridine (BUDR) incorporation. In all cell types, the non-specific cytoplasmic background fluorescence was significantly lower with the MoAb compared to that obtained with the polyclonal Ab. The percentage of PCNA-positive cells (both with the autoantibody and the 19F4 MoAb) was always higher than that of S-phase cells by DNA FCM and of BUDR-labeled cells. The pattern of PCNA-expression in both normal proliferating cells and acute leukemia cells, showed that most G0/G1 cells did not express significant amounts of PCNA; an increase in PCNA immunofluorescence was found in late G1 cells, and further increases were observed in S- and G2-M phase cells. PCNA/cyclin, as revealed both with autoantibodies and with the 19F4 MoAb, is associated with all actively or potentially dividing (i.e. G1, S and G2-M) cells thus identifying the proliferative cellular compartment. Combined with the use of multiparameter FCM techniques, the PCNA immunolocalization offers a useful tool to study cell kinetics in normal and leukemic human cell populations.     

Role of PKC-ERK signaling in tamoxifen-induced apoptosis and tamoxifen resistance in human breast cancer cells

This study was designed to investigate the role of protein kinase C (PKC) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling in tamoxifen (TAM)-induced apoptosis and drug resistance in human breast cancer cells. Drug-sensitive, or estrogen receptor (ER)-positive human breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7) and the multi-drug-resistant variant (ER-negative) MCF-7/ADR cells were treated with doses of TAM for various periods of time. Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed using cell counting, DNA fragmentation and flow cytometric analysis. We found that TAM administration caused a significant increase in apoptosis of MCF-7 cells but not MCF-7/ADR cells. Western blot analysis revealed enhanced expression of PKCδ but decreased expression of PKCα in ER-positive MCF-7 cells; while ER-negative MCF-7/ADR cells had decreased levels of PKCδ and increased levels of PKCα. Interestingly, we observed that in MCF-7 cells, TAM stimulated apoptosis by promoting rapid activation of PKCδ, antagonizing downstream signaling of ERK phosphorylation; while in MCF-7/ADR cells, TAM upregulated PKCα, which promoted ERK phosphorylation. These results suggest that PKCδ enhances apoptosis in TAM-treated MCF-7 cells by antagonizing ERK phosphorylation; while the PKCα pathway plays an important role in TAM-induced drug resistance by activating ERK signaling in MCF-7/ADR cells. The combination of TAM with PKCα and ERK inhibitors could promote TAM-induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells.     

Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki-67 antigen in human malignant hematopoietic cells.

Human hematopoietic cell lines and fresh lymphoma cells were investigated for their expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki-67 antigen using flow cytometry. Ki-67 was detected with a monoclonal antibody and the PCNA content was determined using a human auto-antiserum and in some cases a monoclonal antibody (PC10). The autoantibody to PCNA was found to recognize S-phase cells and the number of positively stained cells was significantly correlated with the S-phase fraction determined from DNA-histograms. There was also a strong association between Ki-67 positivity and the fraction of S-phase cells. By dual parameter analysis of Ki-67 and PCNA detected by the autoantibody a detailed cell cycle analysis could be performed of the lymphoma samples. The recently described PC10 monoclonal antibody was found by FCM to be a good proliferation marker recognizing cycling cells after methanol and detergent treatment, however without any specific cell cycle phase preference.     

Tamoxifen enhances the anti-proliferative effect of roscovitine, a selective cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, on human ER-positive human breast cancer cells

We reported recently that roscovitine (ROSC), a selective cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor, can arrest human ER-positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells in the G2 phase of the cell cycle and concomitantly induce apoptosis. The observed effects of ROSC were diminished in MCF-7 cells maintained in the presence of estrogen-mimicking compounds. Therefore, we decided to test whether combining ROSC with anti-estrogen therapy would modulate the efficacy of ROSC action. Exposure of MCF-7 cells to tamoxifen (TAM) for 24 h decreased the number of living cells by approximately 10%. This was associated with a ca. 25% increase in the G1 cell population and reduction in the proportion of S-phase cells. Unlike TAM, estrogen had very weak effects on the cell cycle progression of MCF-7 cells within 24 h. The proliferation-promoting effect of estrogen did not become evident until cultivation of cells for 48 h. Addition of estrogen to MCF-7 cells 1 h prior to TAM administration abolished the anti-estrogen-induced G1 arrest. Simultaneous treatment of MCF-7 cells with ROSC and TAM strongly enhanced the anti-proliferative effect of ROSC. This was potentiated after co-treatment with estrogen. These results clearly indicate that the efficacy of treating ER-positive breast cancers by ROSC can be enhanced by combined application of antiestrogens.     

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-induced apoptosis is preceded by G1 arrest in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

In this study the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on cell cycle and apoptosis of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were investigated to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the antineoplastic potential of this retinoid in breast cancer. The antiproliferative effect of ATRA was evaluated by DNA content measurements and dual-parameter flow cytometry of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation and of the expression of cell cycle-related proteins (Ki-67 as proliferation marker and statin as quiescence marker) vs DNA content. Apoptosis was also studied by flow cytometry of either DNA content or Annexin V labelling. After 10(-6) M ATRA treatment, the fraction of S-phase cells decreased significantly, and cells accumulated in the G0/G1 range of DNA contents. Dual-parameter flow cytograms showed a decrease in the percentage of Ki-67-labelled cells (after 10 days, only 20% of the cells were still positive for Ki-67 compared with 95% in controls), while the fraction of statin-positive cells increased slightly. From 3 days of treatment onwards, apoptosis was found to occur. These results show that ATRA-induced inhibition of MCF-7 cell growth is related to two mechanisms, i.e. the block of cell proliferation, mostly in a pre-S phase, and the induction of apoptosis. These results should be taken into account when attempting to design treatment programmes that associate ATRA with antineoplastic compounds of different cell cycle specificity.     

洛伐他汀对 MCF-7细胞增殖分化功能及间隙连接细胞通讯的影响

背景与目的:洛伐他汀( lovastatin)是细胞内源性胆固醇合成的抑制剂,临床已普遍用于治疗高脂血症.现有研究报道,洛伐他汀具有抗肿瘤作用,但分子机制尚不清楚.本文探讨洛伐他汀对人乳腺癌细胞 MCF-7增殖功能以及间隙连接细胞通讯( gap junctional intercellular communication,GJIC)的影响.方法:分别以 4、 8、 16 μ mol/L洛伐他汀处理 MCF-7细胞 24～ 72 h后,流式细胞仪检测细胞周期的时相分布及细胞凋亡率,硝基蓝四氮唑( NBT)还原实验鉴定细胞分化,并采用划痕标记染料示踪技术观察洛伐他汀对 MCF-7细胞 GJIC功能的影响.结果:不同浓度洛伐他汀处理细胞不同时间后, MCF-7细胞的增殖明显受抑,抑制率最高可达 75.8%,且同一处理时相点各组间比较差异均有显著性 (P< 0.05);细胞周期分析显示,各处理组内 G0/G1期细胞明显增多,处理 72 h后可高达 80%左右;同时洛伐他汀能明显促进 MCF-7细胞分化、各处理组间比较差异均有显著性 (P< 0.01),但洛伐他汀诱导该细胞凋亡的作用不明显.另外,洛伐他汀有上调或恢复 MCF-7细胞 GJIC的作用; 16 μ mol/L洛伐他汀处理细胞 72 h后,荧光染料传输的范围可达 4～ 5层细胞.以上作用均有浓度-效应和时间依赖关系.结论:洛伐他汀可抑制 MCF-7细胞增殖,使细胞生长阻滞于 G0/G1期,并能促进细胞分化,该作用可能与洛伐他汀上调或恢复 MCF-7细胞的 GJIC功能有关.     

Carboxymethyl benzylamide dextran and tamoxifen combination inhibits tumor growth and angiogenesis.

We showed previously that a carboxymethyl dextran benzylamide (CMDB7) blocks angiogenesis of MDA-MB-435 carcinoma and its lung metastases in nude mice. In this study, we examined the combination effects of CMDB7 and tamoxifen (TAM) on cell proliferation, tumor growth, and angiogenesis on the MCF-7RAS cells. We showed that CMDB7 and TAM acted in a synergistic manner to inhibit the growth of MCF-7RAS cells, blocking them in G(0)/G(1) phase of the cell cycle. For 7 weeks, the CMDB7- (300 mg/kg/week) and TAM- (20 mg/kg/week) treated groups showed tumor growth inhibition of about 66% and 76%, respectively. Combined treatments with CMDB7 and TAM block the tumor development by 94% and induce a complete regression of 4 of 8 mice. Histological analysis showed markedly less neovascularization (88%) in the tumors treated with a combination of CMDB7 and TAM. This antiangiogenic activity was further demonstrated by direct inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation. Overall, this study points to the potential use of a combination of CMDB7 and TAM to inhibit tumor angiogenesis that can prevent tumor progression.     

洛伐他汀对MCF-7细胞核转录因子和细胞周期调控蛋白表达的影响

目的 探讨胆固醇合成抑制剂洛伐他汀(LOV)对MCF-7乳腺癌细胞核转录因子(IκBα)和细胞周期调控蛋白表达的影响。方法 MCF-7乳腺癌细胞经4μmoL／L、8μmol／L和16μmol／L终浓度的LOV处理后,流式细胞仪观察细胞周期分布状况,Western blot分析胞浆中IκBα、CDK4、p16、pRb的蛋白表达及核内IκBα的蛋白表达。结果 不同剂量的LOV处理48～72h能显著阻滞MCF-7细胞细胞周期于G0／Gl期,且具有一定的剂量-效应和时间依赖关系;同剂量的LOV能显著下调胞浆内IκBα、CDK4和pRb蛋白表达,上调核内IκBα蛋白表达,但对p16蛋白表达无明显影响。结论 洛伐他汀可能通过影响IκBα和细胞周期调控蛋白的表达,诱导MCF-7细胞周期受阻于G0／G1期。     

Comparison of PCNA/cyclin immunohistochemistry with flow cytometric S-phase fraction in breast cancer

Kinetic index determined by enumeration of neoplastic cells positive for proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in 70 breast carcinomas (avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase technique) was compared to synthesis-phase fraction (S-phase, or SPF) values obtained by flow cytometry (FCM) using a multiparametric, 2 color method (dual-label propidium iodide/cytokeratin-FITC). The percent PCNA positive tumor cells (12.5% mean, range 1–28%) was significantly greater in aneuploid tumors (14.2% mean, N=35) compared to diploid range tumors (10.7% mean, N=35) (p<0.05), and was correlated with SPF derived from ungated DNA histograms (12.5% mean ± 5.5%, r=0.45, p<0.001). Marginally stronger statistical correlations were observed between the PCNA index and SPF values calculated from cytokeratin-gated (15.8% mean, r=0.53, p<0.001) DNA histograms or from SPF values obtained following linear baseline debris subtraction (mean=8.1%, r=0.48, p<0.001). Significant associations were identified between PCNA index and prognostically important clinicopathologic parameters including nuclear grade (p=0.014), presence of necrosis (p=0.005), and angiolymphatic invasion (p=0.003). We conclude: 1) PCNA index is comparable to FCM SPF and correlates with factors of known prognostic importance in carcinoma of the breast; 2) baseline debris and contaminating events derived from non-epithelial cells both represent significant artifacts in proliferative fraction estimates derived from FCM DNA histograms; and 3) multiparametric analysis may represent one means of improving the specificity and clinical value of FCM SPF determinations.     

Effect on growth and cell cycle kinetics of estradiol and tamoxifen on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells grown in vitro and in nude mice

The effects of estradiol and tamoxifen (TAM) on the estrogen-dependent human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 grown in vitro and in nude mice were compared. The effect on growth was determined by cell number in vitro and by tumor growth curves in nude mice. The effects on the cell cycle kinetics were determined by repeated flow cytometric DNA analyses in vitro and in vivo and by the technique of labeled mitosis in nude mouse-grown tumors. Under in vitro conditions, estradiol induced a pronounced increase in S-phase fraction and cell number. TAM inhibited growth of MCF-7 cells with a concomitant increase in the G1 phase from 60% to 75%. In nude mice, MCF-7 only formed tumors in estradiol-supplemented mice. No differences were observed in growth and cell kinetics between 0.1 and 1.0 mg of estradiol. Daily i.p. injections of TAM resulted in tumor growth inhibition with shrinkage of tumors. The flow cytometric DNA analysis and percentage of labeled mitosis investigations revealed no significant differences in the proliferation kinetics of TAM-treated and control tumors. Calculating the cell loss factor demonstrated an increase from 69% in control tumors to 107% in TAM-treated tumors. These experiments have shown that the cell kinetic effect of TAM is different when MCF-7 cells are grown in vitro versus in vivo. In contrast to the in vitro data, the in vivo data indicate that the growth-inhibitory effect of TAM is not mediated through a perturbation of the cell cycle.     

The effects of prostaglandin A2 on cell growth,cell cycle status and apoptosis induction in HeLa and MCF-7 cells

The effects of 20 microg/ml exogenous prostaglandin A(2) (PGA(2)) were evaluated on cell numbers in HeLa (human epithelial cervix carcinoma) and MCF-7 (human breast carcinoma) cells. In HeLa cells, PGA(2) reduced cell numbers significantly to 75% after 24 h (P < 0.05) and exposure of 48 h decreased cell numbers to 61% (P < 0.05) of the control. In MCF-7 cells, PGA(2) significantly reduced cell numbers to 48% after 24 h and to 20% after 48 h, compared to vehicle-treated control cells (P < 0.05). The anti-mitogenic effects were confirmed by morphological studies conducted after 48 h of exposure to PGA(2), when optimal effects were observed. HeLa and MCF-7 cells exposed to PGA(2), showed chromatin aggregation, cell membrane blebbing and uneven distribution of chromosomes. Cell cycle progression analysis of HeLa and MCF-7 cells, showed an increase in DNA content preceding the G(0)/G(1) peak after 48 h of exposure, which is indicative of apoptotic body formation.     

Cell cycle expression of estrogen receptors determined by image analysis on human breast cancer cellsin vitro andin vivo

Summary We have investigated, by image analysis, the cell cycle expression of estrogen receptors (ER) on MCF-7 cell line and on MCF-7 xenografts. The results demonstrate,in vitro as well asin vivo, an increase of ER concentration during the G0/G1-phase, followed by a decrease during the S-phase until the late S-phase where a rapid increase was noted. These results confirm that estrogens are involved in the DNA synthesis since ER is expressedin vivo at a maximal level in the late G1. In presence of saturating concentrations of 17 -estradiol, the mean ER concentration in G0/G1 phase is significantly decreased compared with the control cells cultured in estrogen-deprived medium. This indicates that 17-estradiol down-regulates ER preferentially in the G0/G1 phase. These data suggest that ER in S and G2/M phases is unable to interact with its ligand. Consequently, estrogens may have no effects on the entry of cells in mitosis. Finally, after long-term tamoxifen treatment of MCF-7 xenografts, a tamoxifen-resistant tumor was developed which was characterized by a change in the profile of ER concentration during the G0/G1 phase. In conclusion, it is possible that the differences in cell cycle distribution of ER could be correlated with different phenotypes of breast cancer and also with different clinical phases of tumoral evolution. However, it remains to be known what is the clinical significance of the ER cell cycle expression in relation to tumor aggressiveness and survival.     

阿霉素对人乳腺癌细胞凋亡和增殖的影响

[目的]检测阿霉素(ADR)对体外人乳腺癌化疗敏感细胞(MCF-7/S)凋亡和增殖的影响,并探讨其可能的作用机理.[方法]应用MTT比色法检测ADR对体外培养的MCF-7/S细胞增殖抑制作用,应用流式细胞术检测ADR诱导乳腺癌细胞凋亡,采用免疫细胞化学法检测ADR作用前后去磷酸化Rb蛋白和增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)的表达.[结果]ADR抑制MCF-7/S细胞增殖,呈剂量依赖性;ADR组MCF-7/S细胞的凋亡率、磷酸化Rb蛋白的表达量与对照组相比明显增高(P＜0.01);PCNA阳性表达率与对照组的相比明显降低(P＜0.01).在ADR组,MCF-7/S细胞的凋亡率(AR)与去磷酸化Rb蛋白的表达量呈正相关,与增殖细胞核抗原的阳性表达率呈负相关.[结论]ADR诱导MCF-7/S细胞凋亡并抑制MCF-7/S细胞增殖可能与其上调去磷酸化Rb蛋白和下调细胞内增殖细胞核抗原表达水平有关.     

Cell proliferation in childhood acute leukemia. Comparison of Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunocytochemical and DNA flow cytometric analysis.

The proliferative activity of bone marrow leukemia cells was determined by DNA flow cytometric (FCM) analysis and labeling index (LI) of Ki-67 monoclonal antibodies and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) autoantibodies in 73 children with acute leukemia. LI of Ki-67 varied greatly from patient to patient (range, 0.4% to 42.2%; mean, 18.8%) and differed significantly between acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL). In ALL, the Ki-67 LI showed a positive correlation with the S-phase fraction (SPF) determined by DNA FCM analysis, whereas, in ANLL, there was a discrepancy between the Ki-67 LI and SPF. In contrast, LI of PCNA varied less among the patients (range, 57.2% to 100%; mean, 90.3%), and the value was always higher than that of the Ki-67 LI in individual patients. A significant relationship between PCNA LI and the percentage of blast cells was found in peripheral blood leukocytes from patients with leukemia. These results suggest that the Ki-67 LI reflects differences in the proliferative activity depending on the subtype of the disease and that the PCNA LI is useful as a marker of proliferating cells.     

Effect of tamoxifen on mitoxantrone cytotoxicity in drug-sensitive and multidrug-resistant MCF-7 cells

The influence of the antiestrogen tamoxifen (TAM) on the activity of mitoxantrone (MXN), was evaluated against wild-type MCF-7/WT and their multidrug-resistant variant MCF-7/ADR cells. Multidrug resistance (MDR) in this cell line which was selected for resistance to Adriamycin (ADR), is associated with increased expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp). In a clonogenic assay it was observed that TAM (1–10 M) significantly enhanced the activity of MXN in the MCF-7/ADR but not in the drug-sensitive cell line. Isobologram analysis indicated that the effect of the combination was additive in the parental MCF-7/WT cells and strongly synergistic in the MDR MCF-7/ADR cells. Also, TAM (10 M) caused a three-fold increase in the steady-state levels (C_ss) of MXN in MCF-7/ADR cells but did not modulate MXN levels in MCF-7/WT cells. The observed synergism in MCF-7/ADR cells was perhaps due to the increase in C_ss of MXN that may involve interaction of TAM with P-gp. The combination of MXN and TAM may be useful in the treatment of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant breast cancer.     

Nuclear patterns of cyclin (PCNA) antigen distribution subdivide S-phase in cultured cells--some applications of PCNA antibodies

Immunofluorescence studies using PCNA autoantibodies specific for the proliferation-sensitive protein cyclin have revealed dramatic changes in the nuclear distribution of this protein during the S-phase of normal and transformed cells. Patterns of cyclin antigen distribution subdivide S-phase and have provided new cell cycle landmarks. Some of these (nucleolar exclusion or staining), mimic topographical patterns of DNA synthesis thus arguing for a role of this protein in some specific aspect of DNA replication. Cells outside S-phase (G0 included) stain only weakly with PCNA antibodies, stressing the usefulness of this reagent for identifying proliferating cells (S-phase cells) of both normal and malignant origins.     

The regulatory effect of tamoxifen on fibronectin expression in estrogen-dependent MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells

We investigated the regulatory effect of tamoxifen (TAM) on fibronectin (FN) expression in estrogen-dependent MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells both in vitro and in vivo. in vitro, MCF-7 cells were cultured with 17beta-estradiol (E2) and/or TAM. In the animal experiment in vivo, MCF-7 tumors were grown in ovariectomized athymic mice by implanting a sustained release E2 pellet. The E2 pellets were removed after 3 weeks of E2 treatment. Animals were then divided into four groups: 1) an E2 (0.72 mg/pellet) pellet [E2(+)]; 2) an E2 and a TAM (5 mg/pellet) pellet [E2(+)TAM]; 3) no treatment [E2(-)] and 4) a TAM pellet [E2(-)TAM]. Following each treatment for 4 weeks, all animals were sacrificed and tumors were removed. Specimens, cells (in vitro) or tumors (in vivo), were homogenized and assayed for FN by Western blots. In the in vitro experiment, FN expression in MCF-7 cells decreased by incubating with 10(-9) M E2 and increased with 10(-6) M TAM. The effect of TAM increasing FN expression was inhibited by incubation accompanied with 10(-9) M E2 or 1 microg/ml transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) neutralizing antibody. In the in vivo animal experiment FN expression in the tumors of E2(+) mice was lower than that of E2(-) mice. However, TAM increased FN expression in the tumors regardless of E2 pellet. These results suggest that TAM increases FN expression of MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells and that these regulatory effects of TAM on FN expression are partly mediated by TAM-induced TGF-beta.     

Involvement of Ca2+ influx in the mechanism of tamoxifen-induced apoptosis in HepG2 human hepatoblastoma cells

The signaling mechanism of tamoxifen (TAM)-induced apoptosis was investigated in HepG2 human hepatoblastoma cells which do not express the estrogen receptor (ER). TAM induced cytotoxicity and DNA fragmentation, a hallmark of apoptosis, in a dose-dependent manner. TAM increased the intracellular concentration of Ca2+. This effect was completely inhibited by the extracellular Ca2+ chelation with EGTA. TAM also induced a Mn2+ influx, indicating that TAM activated Ca2+ influx pathways. This action of TAM was significantly inhibited by flufenamic acid (FA), a known non-selective cation channel blocker. Quantitative analysis of apoptosis by flow cytometry revealed that treatment with either FA or BAPTA, an intracellular Ca2+ chelator, significantly inhibited TAM-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that intracellular Ca2+ signals may play a central role in the mechanism of the TAM-induced apoptotic cell death in ER-negative HepG2 cells.     

雌激素受体β及其剪切变异体与乳腺癌他莫昔芬耐药的关系

目的探讨雌激素受体（ER）亚型（ERβ）及其剪切变异体（ERβcx）的表达与乳腺癌他莫昔芬耐药的关系。方法 （1）对乳腺癌他莫西芬敏感MCF-7细胞和他莫西芬耐药MCF-7细胞进行培养,利用去甲基化物5-氮杂胞苷（5-Aza-2-deoxycytidine,5-AZA-CdR）去甲基化的作用,对MCF-7细胞进行药物处理获得MCF-75-AZA-CdR细胞,采用Western blot方法检测3组细胞中ERβ和ERβcx蛋白的表达。（2）取对数生长期生长良好的乳腺癌MCF-7细胞株,按2.5×103细胞/孔接种于96孔细胞培养板板中,实验组分为他莫细芬处理的MCF-7细胞（MCF-7＋TAM组）和MCF-75-AZA-CdR细胞（MCF-75-AZA-CdR细胞＋TAM组）,对照组为MCF-7细胞,采用MTT比色法,观察3组细胞的增殖情况。统计学分析采用单因素方差分析和重复测量方差分析。结果 （1）ERβ蛋白在他莫西芬敏感MCF-7细胞中的表达高于他莫西芬耐药的MCF-7细胞,两组细胞间差异有显著的统计学意义（P=0.000）;ERβcx蛋白表达在两组之间差异无统计学意义（P=0.366）。MCF-75-AZA-CdR细胞ERβ和ERβcx蛋白表达均高于他莫西芬敏感MCF-7细胞和他莫西芬敏耐药MCF-7细胞（P均=0.000）。（2）与对照组MCF-7细胞相比,他莫西芬明显降低了MCF-7＋TAM组和MCF-75-AZA-CdR细胞＋TAM组的细胞增值速度并抑制细胞生长;且他莫西芬抑制细胞增殖作用MCF-75-AZA-CdR细胞＋TAM组强于MCF-7＋TAM组（P=0.000）。结论 ERβ蛋白在他莫西芬敏感MCF-7细胞中的表达高。MCF-75-AZA-CdR细胞中ERβ和ERβcx蛋白的表达均高。他莫西芬抑制细胞增殖作用在他莫西芬处理的MCF-75-AZA-CdR细胞中强