Role of estrogen receptor β in invasion of human breast cancer cells

Estrogen receptor β (ERβ) is expressed in the majority of breast cancer cases, irrespective their molecular subtype. In this study, we examined the function of this receptor in invasion of breast cancer cells in vitro. Methods: Cellular invasion was assessed by means of a modified Boyden chamber with a membrane pore size of 8µm coated with a soluble basement membrane extract. Migration was measured using the same model system without ECM. Relative cell numbers were assessed by means of the fluorimetric Cell Titer Blue Assay (Promega). Gene expression in cell lines or 80 breast cancer tissue specimens was examine…