Light at night and melatonin have opposite effects on breast cancer tumors in mice assessed by growth rates and global DNA methylation

Hagit SchwimmerThe Israeli Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Chronobiology, University of Haifa Mount Carmel, HaifaIsraelCorrespondence[email protected]

Avishag MetzerThe Israeli Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Chronobiology, University of Haifa Mount Carmel, HaifaIsrael

Yonit PilosofDepartment of Human Biology, University of Haifa Mount Carmel, HaifaIsrael

Moshe SzyfDepartment of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University Montreal, QuebecCanada

Ziv M. MachnesDepartment of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University Montreal, QuebecCanada

Fuad FaresThe Israeli Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Chronobiology, University of Haifa Mount Carmel, HaifaIsrael;Department of Human Biology, University of Haifa Mount Carmel, HaifaIsrael

Orna HarelThe Israeli Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Chronobiology, University of Haifa Mount Carmel, HaifaIsrael

Abraham HaimThe Israeli Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Chronobiology, University of Haifa Mount Carmel, HaifaIsrael;Department of Human Biology, University of Haifa Mount Carmel, HaifaIsrael

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Abstract

Light-at-night (LAN) is a worldwide problem co-distributed with breast cancer prevalence. We hypothesized that exposure to LAN is coincided with a decreased melatonin (MLT) secretion level, followed by epigenetic modifications and resulted in higher breast cancer tumors growth-rate. Accordingly, we studied the effect of LAN exposure and exogenous MLT on breast cancer tumors growth-rate. 4T1 cells were inoculated into BALB/c short day-acclimated mice, resulting in tumors growth. Growth rates were followed under various light exposures and global DNA methylations were measured. Results demonstrated the positive effect of LAN on tumors growth-rate, reversed by MLT through global DNA methylation.

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Acknowledgments

Authors thank two anonymous reviewers for their constrictive remarks. This paper is dedicated to a dear colleague, Prof. Israel Ashkenazy who recently passed away.

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Light at night and melatonin have opposite effects on breast cancer tumors in mice assessed by growth rates and global DNA methylation

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Light at night and melatonin have opposite effects on breast cancer tumors in mice assessed by growth rates and global DNA methylation

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