Treating MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells with Bisphenol A to Examine Effects on Inflammatory Pathways

Abstract

This project aims to examine the effects of the environmental estrogen, bisphenol A (BPA), on inflammatory pathways in human breast cancer cells. Environmental estrogens are found in a wide variety of plastics, food, and pesticides, so there are human health implications for clarifying the link between environmental estrogens and cancer cell inflammation and growth. Environmental estrogens mimic the effects of17 β-estradiol (E2) as they interact with the same receptor proteins. These interactions cause growth, differentiation, and proliferation in their target cells. One pathway that plays a regulatory role in inflammation-associated cancer development is the Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase pathway (MAPK). The MAPK pathway is activated by growth factors, inflammatory cytokines, and stress. These stimuli activate regulatory proteins that mediate cell growth, differentiation, and proliferation. We are curious if BPA acts as an activator of the MAPK pathway specifically in cancer cells. To study this, MCF-7human breast cancer cells were grown, treated with BPA, and lysed. Protein lysates were collected, quantified, and analyzed via chemiluminescent array to detect protein markers in the MAPK pathway.