BGN promotes epithelial migration in mammary gland development and breast cancer metastasis through activation of WNT signaling. BGN promotes epithelial migration in mammary gland development and breast cancer metastasis through activation of WNT signaling

This study investigates the role of Biglycan (BGN) in promoting epithelial migration during mammary gland development and breast cancer metastasis. Using in vitro and in vivo models, including a 3D organoid migration assay and single-cell RNA sequencing, we demonstrate that BGN enhances the interaction between WNT3A and FZD6, activating the WNT signaling pathway. This activation promotes epithelial cell migration and breast cancer metastasis. The findings provide new insights into breast cancer metastasis mechanisms and identify BGN as a potential therapeutic target. Overall design: The study utilized RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to analyze gene expression changes associated with BGN protein stimulation in breast cancer and mammary epithelial cells. Samples were collected from two conditions: control group and BGN protein stimulation group. Sequencing was performed on an Illumina platform. The analysis focused on identifying differentially expressed genes and pathway activations, particularly the WNT signaling pathway. Additional in vitro assays using 3D organoid models were conducted to validate the role of BGN in epithelial migration and tumor metastasis.

本研究探讨了双饰蛋白（Biglycan, BGN）在乳腺发育与乳腺癌转移过程中促进上皮细胞迁移的作用。本研究借助体外与体内模型，包括三维类器官迁移实验与单细胞RNA测序（single-cell RNA sequencing），证实BGN可增强WNT3A与FZD6之间的相互作用，进而激活WNT信号通路。该通路激活可促进上皮细胞迁移与乳腺癌转移。本研究结果为乳腺癌转移机制提供了全新视角，并将BGN鉴定为潜在治疗靶点。总体实验设计：本研究利用RNA测序（RNA-seq）分析乳腺癌细胞与乳腺上皮细胞经BGN蛋白刺激后的基因表达变化。实验样本分为两组：对照组与BGN蛋白刺激组。测序工作在Illumina平台上完成。分析重点为鉴定差异表达基因与通路激活情况，尤其是WNT信号通路。此外，本研究还借助三维类器官模型开展了额外的体外实验，以验证BGN在上皮细胞迁移与肿瘤转移中的作用。