Anti-metastatic activities of Antrodia camphorata against human breast cancer cells mediated through suppression of the MAPK signaling pathway

The fermented culture broth of Antrodia camphorata (A. camphorata) has been shown to promote cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of human estrogen-nonresponsive MDA-MB-231 cells. Herein, we demonstrate that non-cytotoxic concentrations (20–80 μg/mL) of A. camphorata markedly inhibited the invasion/migration of highly metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells as shown by an in vitro transwell and a wound-healing repair assay. The results of a gelatin zymography assay showed that A. camphorata suppressed the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA). Western blot results demonstrated that treatment with A. camphorata decreased the expression of MMP-9, MMP-2, uPA, uPA receptor (uPAR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); while the expression of the endogenous inhibitors of these proteins, i.e., tissue inhibitors of MMP (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2), and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1, increased. Further investigation revealed that A. camphorata suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38, and JNK1/2. A. camphorata treatment also led to a dose-dependent inhibition on NF-κB binding and activation. This is the first report confirming the anti-metastatic activity of this potentially beneficial mushroom against human breast cancer.