Nrf2-driven redox coupling of tumour and associated adipose tissue during early tumour growth in an orthotopic breast cancer model

The redox-based two-way communication between breast cancer cells and their tumour microenvironment (TME) contributes significantly to the establishment of the malignant phenotype. Due to its well-established role in redox-metabolic reprogramming, Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2–Related Factor 2 (Nrf2) has emerged as a potentially key player in the bilateral interaction between breast cancer cells and cancer-associated adipose tissue (CAAT), the main cellular component of the TME. In this study, we used an orthotopic model of Nrf2 +/+ luminal type B breast cancer in wild-type (WT) mice and mice lacking functional Nrf2 (Nrf2KO) to investigate the role of Nrf2-driven redox coupling between breast cancer and CAAT. To this end, we examined the expression profiles, localisation, and activity of the main antioxidant defence (AD) enzymes in breast tumour tissue in the Nrf2 +/+ or Nrf2 −/− host environment at different phases of early tumour growth. In addition, we analysed key enzymes involved in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) metabolism. We demonstrate the establishment of a distinct redox profile of breast cancer cells in the Nrf2 −/− TME when compared to WT TME. Furthermore, the activity and protein levels of AD enzymes in CAAT showed both Nrf2-dependent and/or tumour-dependent changes. Taken together, these results highlight the importance of Nrf2-driven modulations in the host TME for establishing the redox profile of breast cancer. Moreover, the initial phase of early tumour growth appears most susceptible to the absence of functional Nrf2 in the host TME, thus providing a new potential therapeutic target point for breast cancer therapy. • Breast tumour forms two-way redox communication with tumour microenvironment. • Nrf2 activation in cancer-associated adipose tissue is integral for this crosstalk. • Nrf2-depleted tumour microenvironment influences Nrf2 signalling in breast tumour. • Early tumorigenesis displays the most evident influence of Nrf2-depleted host.