The role of mesenchymal stem cells in promoting the transformation of androgen-dependent human prostate cancer cells into androgen-independent manner

A Zwitterionic Detergent and Catalyst-Based Single-Cell Proteomics Using a Loss-Free Microhole-Collection Disc

Recent advances in single-cell proteomics have solved many bottlenecks, such as throughput, sample recovery, and scalability via nanoscale sample handling. In this study, we aimed for a sensitive mass spectrometry (MS) analysis capable of handling single cells with a conventional mass spectrometry workflow without additional equipment. We achieved seamless cell lysis and TMT labeling in a micro-HOLe Disc (microHOLD) by developing a mass-compatible single solution based on a zwitterionic detergent and a catalyst for single-cell lysis and tandem mass tag labeling without a heat incubation step. This method was developed to avoid peptide loss by surface adsorption and buffer or tube changes by collecting tandem mass tag-labeled peptide through microholes placed in the liquid chromatography injection vials in a single solution. We successfully applied the microHOLD single-cell proteomics method for the analysis of proteome reprogramming in hormone-sensitive prostate cells to develop castration-resistant prostate cancer cells. This novel single-cell proteomics method is not limited by cutting-edge nanovolume handling equipment and achieves high throughput and ultrasensitive proteomics analysis of limited samples, such as single cells.

Conditioned medium of PC‑3 prostate cancer cells affects microRNA and mRNA profiles in mechanically strained osteoblasts

Bone is the main site of metastasis from prostate cancer; therefore, it is important to investigate the microRNAs (miRNAs) and mRNA associated with bone metastases from prostate cancer. Since an appropriate mechanical environment is important in the growth of bone, in the present study, the miRNA, mRNA, and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) profiles of mechanically strained osteoblasts treated with conditioned medium (CM) from PC-3 prostate cancer cells were studied. MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells were treated with the CM of PC-3 prostate cancer cells and were simultaneously stimulated with a mechanical tensile strain of 2,500 µε at 0.5 Hz; the osteoblastic differentiation of the MC3T3-E1 cells was then assessed. In addition, the differential expression levels of mRNA, miRNA and lncRNA in MC3T3-E1 cells treated with the CM of PC-3 cells were screened, and some of the miRNAs and mRNAs were verified by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The signal molecules and signaling pathways associated with osteogenic differentiation were predicted by bioinformatics analysis. The CM of PC-3 prostate cancer cells suppressed osteoblastic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. A total of seven upregulated miRNAs and 12 downregulated miRNAs were selected by sequencing and further verified using RT-qPCR, and related differentially expressed genes (11 upregulated and 12 downregulated genes) were also selected by sequencing and further verified using RT-qPCR; subsequently, according to the enrichment of differentially expressed genes in signaling pathways, nine signaling pathways involved in osteogenic differentiation were screened out. Furthermore, a functional mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA regulatory network was constructed. The differentially expressed miRNAs, mRNAs and lncRNAs may provide a novel signature in bone metastases of prostate cancer. Notably, some of the signaling pathways and related genes may be associated with pathological osteogenic differentiation caused by bone metastasis of prostate cancer.

Disruption of CCL2 in Mesenchymal Stem Cells as an Anti-Tumor Approach against Prostate Cancer

BACKGROUND

MSCs are known to secrete abundant CCL2, which plays a crucial role in recruiting TAMs, promoting tumor progression. It is important to know whether disrupting MSC-derived CCL2 affects tumor growth.

METHODS

Murine bone marrow-derived MSCs were characterized by their surface markers and differentiation abilities. Proliferation and migration assays were performed in order to evaluate the functions of MSCs on cancer cells. CCL2 expression in MSCs was reduced by small interfering RNA (siRNA) or completely disrupted by CRISPR/Cas9 knockout (KO) approaches. An immune-competent syngeneic murine model of prostate cancer was applied in order to assess the role of tumor cell- and MSC-derived CCL2. The tumor microenvironment was analyzed to monitor the immune profile.

RESULTS

We confirmed that tumor cell-derived CCL2 was crucial for tumor growth and MSCs migration. CCL2 KO MSCs inhibited the migration of the monocyte/macrophage but not the proliferation of tumor cells in vitro. However, the mice co-injected with tumor cells and CCL2 KO MSCs exhibited anti-tumor effects when compared with those given tumor cell alone and with control MSCs, partly due to increased infiltration of CD45⁺CD11b⁺Ly6G^- mononuclear myeloid cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Disruption of MSC-derived CCL2 enhances anti-tumor functions in an immune-competent syngeneic mouse model for prostate cancer.

Tissue Engineering and Its Potential to Reduce Prostate Cancer Treatment Sequelae-Narrative Review

Tissue engineering offers the possibility to overcome limitations of current management for postprostatectomy incontinence and ED. Developed in recent years biotechnological feasibility of mesenchymal stem cell isolation, in vitro cultivation and implantation became the basis for new cell-based therapies oriented to induce regeneration of adult tissue. The perspective to offer patients suffering from post-prostatectomy incontinence or erectile dysfunction minimal invasive one-time procedure utilizing autologous stem cell transplantation is desired management.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells promote prostate cancer cell stemness via cell-cell contact to activate the Jagged1/Notch1 pathway

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play a crucial role in cancer development and tumor resistance to therapy in prostate cancer, but the influence of MSCs on the stemness potential of PCa cells by cell–cell contact remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of direct contact of PCa cells with MSCs on the stemness of PCa and its mechanisms.

Methods

First, the flow cytometry, colony formation, and sphere formation were performed to determine the stemness of PCa^MSCs, and the expression of stemness-related molecules (Sox2, Oct4, and Nanog) was investigated by western blot analysis. Then, we used western blot and qPCR to determine the activity levels of two candidate pathways and their downstream stemness-associated pathway. Finally, we verified the role of the significantly changed pathway by assessing the key factors in this pathway via in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Results

We established that MSCs promoted the stemness of PCa cells by cell–cell contact. We here established that the enhanced stemness of PCa^MSCs was independent of the CCL5/CCR5 pathway. We also found that PCa^MSCs up-regulated the expression of Notch signaling-related genes, and inhibition of Jagged1-Notch1 signaling in PCa^MSCs cells significantly inhibited MSCs-induced stemness and tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions

Our results reveal a novel interaction between MSCs and PCa cells in promoting tumorigenesis through activation of the Jagged1/Notch1 pathway, providing a new therapeutic target for the treatment of PCa.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13578-021-00599-0.

Immune Checkpoints, Inhibitors and Radionuclides in Prostate Cancer: Promising Combinatorial Therapy Approach

Emerging research demonstrates that co-inhibitory immune checkpoints (ICs) remain the most promising immunotherapy targets in various malignancies. Nonetheless, ICIs have offered insignificant clinical benefits in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer (PCa) especially when they are used as monotherapies. Current existing PCa treatment initially offers an improved clinical outcome and overall survival (OS), however, after a while the treatment becomes resistant leading to aggressive and uncontrolled disease associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Concurrent combination of the ICIs with radionuclides therapy that has rapidly emerged as safe and effective targeted approach for treating PCa patients may shift the paradigm of PCa treatment. Here, we provide an overview of the contextual contribution of old and new emerging inhibitory ICs in PCa, preclinical and clinical studies supporting the use of these ICs in treating PCa patients. Furthermore, we will also describe the potential of using a combinatory approach of ICIs and radionuclides therapy in treating PCa patients to enhance efficacy, durable cancer control and OS. The inhibitory ICs considered in this review are cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4), programmed cell death 1 (PD1), V-domain immunoglobulin suppressor of T cell activation (VISTA), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), T cell Immunoglobulin Domain and Mucin Domain 3 (TIM-3), lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3), T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT), B7 homolog 3 (B7-H3) and B7-H4.

Mesenchymal stem cells desensitize castration-resistant prostate cancer to docetaxel chemotherapy via inducing TGF-β1-mediated cell autophagy

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been proved to drive castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). In this study, we aim to investigate the contribution of MSCs to the development of docetaxel resistance in CRPC cells and its potential mechanisms.

Methods

The effect of MSCs on CRPC cells resistance to docetaxel was determined using in vivo and in vitro approaches. CCK8 and PI/Annexin V-FITC assay were used to examined the cell viability and apoptosis. The concentration of transforming growth factor-β1 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and small interfering RNA was used for functional analyses.

Results

MSCs significantly reduced the sensitivity of CRPC cells to docetaxel-induced proliferation inhibition and apoptosis promotion in vivo and in vitro. CRPC cells cocultured with MSCs under docetaxel administration have an increased autophagy activation, while autophagy inhibitor could effectively reversed MSCs-induced resistance to docetaxel. Additionally, MSCs-induced CRPC cell autophagy increase under docetaxel administration depends on MSCs secreting TGF-β1 and inhibition of TGF-β1 secretion in MSCs could consequently increase the sensitivity of CRPC cells to docetaxel.

Conclusions

These results suggest that docetaxel administrated CRPC cells may elicit MSCs secreting TGF-β1 increase, which desensitizes CRPC to docetaxel chemotherapy accelerating chemoresistance occurrence via inducing cell autophagy.

Various pathways of zoledronic acid against osteoclasts and bone cancer metastasis: a brief review

Zoledronic acid (ZA) is one of the most important and effective class of anti-resorptive drug available among bisphosphonate (BP), which could effectively reduce the risk of skeletal-related events, and lead to a treatment paradigm for patients with skeletal involvement from advanced cancers. However, the exact molecular mechanisms of its anticancer effects have only recently been identified. In this review, we elaborate the detail mechanisms of ZA through inhibiting osteoclasts and cancer cells, which include the inhibition of differentiation of osteoclasts via suppressing receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)/receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (RANK) pathway, non-canonical Wnt/Ca2+/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) pathway, and preventing of macrophage differentiation into osteoclasts, in addition, induction of apoptosis of osteoclasts through inhibiting farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS)-mediated mevalonate pathway, and activation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced pathway. Furthermore, ZA also inhibits cancer cells proliferation, viability, motility, invasion and angiogenesis; induces cancer cell apoptosis; reverts chemoresistance and stimulates immune response; and acts in synergy with other anti-cancer drugs. In addition, some new ways for delivering ZA against cancer is introduced. We hope this review will provide more information in support of future studies of ZA in the treatment of cancers and bone cancer metastasis.

Serum Omentin Levels in Patients with Prostate Cancer and Associations with Sex Steroids and Metabolic Syndrome

Mechanisms linking obesity and prostate cancer (PC) include increased insulin signaling, persistent inflammation, and altered adipocytokines secretion. Previous studies indicated that omentin may play a potential role in cancerogenesis of different sites, including the prostate. In this study, we focused on the hormonal and metabolic characteristics of men recruited for prostate biopsy. We evaluated serum concentrations of adipocytokines and sex steroids where concentrations are related to the adiposity: omentin, leptin, testosterone, estradiol, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the concentration of serum omentin in men with PC. We also investigated relationships between omentin, leptin, sex steroids, SHBG, age, and metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods: Our study was conducted on 72 patients with PC and 65 men with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Both groups were compared for body mass index. Results: Comparing men with PC to subjects with BPH there were significantly higher serum concentrations of omentin, estradiol, and prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the former. Estradiol/testosterone ratio, which is a marker of testosterone to estradiol conversion, was also significantly higher in the PC group. MS was diagnosed in 47 men with PC and in 30 men with BPH, the prevalence was significantly higher in the PC group. When the subjects with PC were subdivided into two subgroups, the serum omentin did not differ between those with MS and without MS. In the overall sample serum, omentin was positively associated with age, SHBG, and leptin. A positive correlation was also found between omentin and estradiol/testosterone ratio, and negatively with testosterone/SHBG ratio. Positive correlations were noted between age and SHBG, PSA and estradiol/testosterone ratio. In our study, a drop of total testosterone and testosterone/SHBG ratio, due to age, was also demonstrated. Conclusions: In patients with prostate cancer, serum omentin may be a diagnostic indicator. Omentin levels do not correlate with estradiol or testosterone concentrations but they are related to the testosterone/SHBG ratio. Omentin is not associated with an increased likelihood of having metabolic syndrome in men with prostate cancer.

Scientific reports concerning the impact of interleukin 4, interleukin 10 and transforming growth factor β on cancer cells

Cytokines are signalling proteins generated in most part by immune cells that have critical functions in cellular lifespan. Here we present recent data on three selected anti-inflammatory cytokines: interleukin (IL)-10, IL-4 and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). IL-10 inhibits the synthesis of major pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and mediates anti-inflammatory reactions. IL-4 is a multifunctional cytokine which plays a crucial role in the regulation of immune responses and is involved in processes associated with development and differentiation of lymphocytes and regulation of T cell survival. Transforming TGF-β, which in normal cells or pre-cancerous cells, promotes proliferation arrest which represses tumour growth. In this review, we focus on the influence of IL-10, IL-4 and TGF-β on various types of cancer as well as potential of these selected cytokines to serve as new biomarkers which can support effective therapies for cancer patients. This article is presented based on a review of the newest research results.

Stage-specific embryonic antigen-4 is a histological marker reflecting the malignant behavior of prostate cancer

Stage-specific embryonic antigen-4 (SSEA-4), a specific marker for pluripotent stem cells, plays an important role in the malignant behavior of several cancers. Here, SSEA-4 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibody RM1 specific to SSEA-4 in 181 and 117 prostate cancer (PC) specimens obtained by biopsy and radical prostatectomy (RP), respectively. The relationships between SSEA-4 expression in cancer cells or the presence of SSEA-4-positive tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TICs) and clinicopathological parameters were analyzed. SSEA-4 expression in cancer cells was significantly associated with Gleason score, local progression, and lymph node and distant metastasis. In RP specimens, high SSEA-4 expression in cancer cells and the presence of SSEA-4-positive TICs were significant predictors of pT3, i.e., invasion and worse biochemical recurrence (BCR) after RP, respectively, in univariate analysis. In contrast, combination of high SSEA-4 expression in cancer cells and the presence of SSEA-4-positive TICs was an independent predictor for pT3 and BCR in multivariate analysis. Biologically this combination was also independently associated with suppression of apoptosis. Thus, the co-expression of SSEA-4 in cancer cells and TICs may have crucial roles in the malignant aggressiveness and prognosis of PC. Invasive potential and suppression of apoptosis may be linked to SSEA-4 expression.

Self-assembling nanoparticles encapsulating zoledronic acid inhibit mesenchymal stromal cells differentiation, migration and secretion of proangiogenic factors and their interactions with prostate cancer cells

Zoledronic Acid (ZA) rapidly concentrates into the bone and reduces skeletal-related events and pain in bone metastatic prostate cancer (PCa), but exerts only a limited or absent impact as anti-cancer activity. Recently, we developed self-assembling nanoparticles (NPS) encapsulating zoledronic acid (NZ) that allowed a higher intratumor delivery of the drug compared with free zoledronic acid (ZA) in in vivo cancer models of PCa. Increasing evidence suggests that Bone Marrow (BM) Mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) are recruited into the stroma of developing tumors where they contribute to progression by enhancing tumor growth and metastasis.

We demonstrated that treatment with NZ decreased migration and differentiation into adipocytes and osteoblasts of MSCs and inhibited osteoclastogenesis. Treatment with NZ reduced the capability of MSCs to promote the migration and the clonogenic growth of the prostate cancer cell lines PC3 and DU145. The levels of Interleukin-6 and of the pro-angiogenic factors VEGF and FGF-2 were significantly reduced in MSC-CM derived from MSCs treated with NZ, and CCL5 secretion was almost totally abolished. Moreover, treatment of MSCs with supernatants from PC3 cells, leading to tumor-educated MSCs (TE-MSCs), increased the secretion of IL-6, CCL5, VEGF and FGF-2 by MSCs and increased their capability to increase PC3 cells clonogenic growth. Treatment with NZ decreased cytokine secretion and the pro-tumorigenic effects also of TE-MSCS. In conclusion, demonstrating that NZ is capable to inhibit the cross talk between MSCs and PCa, this study provides a novel insight to explain the powerful anticancer activity of NZ on PCa.

Identification of a novel microRNA-mRNA regulatory biomodule in human prostate cancer

Our recent study identified a list of differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) in human prostate cancer (PCa) tissues compared to adjacent benign prostate tissues. In the current study, to identify the crucial miRNA-mRNA regulatory biomodule involved into prostate carcinogenesis based on the previous miRNA expression profile in PCa, we proposed an integrated systematic approach which combined miRNA-mediated gene expression regulatory network analysis, experimental validations in vitro and in vivo, as well as clinical significance evaluation. As a result, the CCND1-RNASEL-CDKN1A-TP73-MDM2-UBE2I axis was identified as a bottleneck in the miRNA-mediated gene expression regulatory network of PCa according to network topological analysis. The direct binding relationship between TP73 and PCa downregulated miR-193a-5p, and the direct binding relationship between UBE2I and PCa upregulated miR-188-5p were both experimentally validated. In addition, miR-193a-5p had a more significant regulatory effect on the tumor promoter isoform of TP73-deltaNp73 than on the tumor suppressive isoform of TP73-TAp73. Importantly, the deregulation of either the miR-193a-5p-TP73 or miR-188-5p-UBE2I axes was significantly associated with aggressive progression and poor prognosis in PCa patients. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments showed that miR-193a-5p efficiently inhibited in vitro PCa cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and in vivo tumor growth, and markedly induced PCa cell apoptosis via regulating TP73 with a corresponding suppression of the CCND1-RNASEL-CDKN1A-MDM2 axis. In contrast, miR-188-5p exerted its tumor promoter roles through targeting UBE2I with a subsequent activation of the CCND1-RNASEL-CDKN1A-MDM2 axis. Taken together, this integrated analysis revealed the potential roles of the miR-193a-5p/TP73 and miR-188-5p/UBE2i negative regulation pairs in PCa. In addition to the significant clinical relevance, miR-193a-5p- and miR-188-5p-regulated CCND1-RNASEL-CDKN1A-TP73-MDM2-UBE2I signaling may be a novel regulatory biomodule in prostate carcinogenesis.

Mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing Sirt1 inhibit prostate cancer growth by recruiting natural killer cells and macrophages

Prostate cancer (PCa) has become the second leading cause of male cancer-related mortality in the United States. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are able to migrate to tumor tissues, and are thus considered to be novel antitumor carriers. However, due to their immunosuppressive nature, the application of MSCs in PCa therapy remains limited. In this study, we investigated the effect of MSCs overexpressing an NAD-dependent deacetylase sirtuin 1 (MSCs-Sirt1) on prostate tumor growth, and we analyzed the underlying mechanisms. Our results show that MSCs accelerate prostate tumor growth, whereas MSCs-Sirt1 significantly suppresses tumor growth. Natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages are the prominent antitumor effectors of the MSCs-Sirt1-induced antitumor activity. IFN-γ and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) are highly expressed in MSCs-Sirt1 mice. The antitumor effect of MSCs-Sirt1 is weakened when CXCL10 and IFN-γ are inhibited. These results show that MSCs-Sirt1 can effectively inhibit prostate cancer growthrecruiting NK cells and macrophages in a tumor inflammatory microenvironment.

Gangliosides and Tumors

Tumor-associated gangliosides play important roles in regulation of signal transduction induced by growth-factor receptors including EGFR, FGFR, HGF and PDGFR in a specific microdomain called glycosynapse in the cancer cell membranes, and in interaction with glycan recognition molecules involved in cell adhesion and immune regulation including selectins and siglecs. As the genes involved in the synthesis and degradation of tumor-associated gangliosides were identified, biological functions became clearer from the experimental results employing forced overexpression and/or knockdown/knockout of the genes. Studies on the regulatory mechanisms for their expression also achieved great advancements. Epigenetic silencing of glycan-related genes is a dominant mechanism in glycan alteration at early stages of carcinogenesis. Development of hypoxia resistance involving activation of a transcription factor HIF, and acquisition of cancer stem cell-like characteristics through epithelial-mesenchymal transition are important mechanisms for glycan modulations in the later stages of cancer progression. In the initial stages of studies, the gangliosides which specifically appear in cancers attracted attention under the name of tumor-associated gangliosides. However, it became apparent that not only the cancer-associated gangliosides but also the normal gangliosides present in nonmalignant cells and tissues perform important biological functions, and some of them tend to disappear in cancer cells resulting in the loss of the physiological functions, and this sometimes facilitates progression of cancers.

A subset of high Gleason grade prostate carcinomas contain a large burden of prostate cancer syndecan-1 positive stromal cells

BACKGROUND

There is a pressing need to identify prognostic and predictive biomarkers for prostate cancer to aid treatment decisions in both early and advanced disease settings. Syndecan-1, a heparan sulfate proteoglycan, has been previously identified as a potential prognostic biomarker by multiple studies at the tissue and serum level. However, other studies have questioned its utility.

METHODS

Anti-Syndecan-1 immunohistochemistry was carried out on 157 prostate tissue samples (including cancerous, adjacent normal tissue, and non-diseased prostate) from three independent cohorts of patients. A population of Syndecan-1 positive stromal cells was identified and the number and morphological parameters of these cells quantified. The identity of the Syndecan-1-positive stromal cells was assessed by multiplex immunofluorescence using a range of common cell lineage markers. Finally, the burden of Syndecan-1 positive stromal cells was tested for association with clinical parameters.

RESULTS

We identified a previously unreported cell type which is marked by Syndecan-1 expression and is found in the stroma of prostate tumors and adjacent normal tissue but not in non-diseased prostate. We call these cells Prostate Cancer Syndecan-1 Positive (PCSP) cells. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that the PCSP cell population did not co-stain with markers of common prostate epithelial, stromal, or immune cell populations. However, morphological analysis revealed that PCSP cells are often elongated and displayed prominent lamellipodia, suggesting they are an unidentified migratory cell population. Analysis of clinical parameters showed that PCSP cells were found with a frequency of 20-35% of all tumors evaluated, but were not present in non-diseased normal tissue. Interestingly, a subset of primary Gleason 5 prostate tumors had a high burden of PCSP cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study identifies PCSP cells as a novel, potentially migratory cell type, which is marked by Syndecan-1 expression and is found in the stroma of prostate carcinomas, adjacent normal tissue, but not in non-diseased prostate. A subset of poor prognosis high Gleason grade 5 tumors had a particularly high PCSP cell burden, suggesting an association between this unidentified cell type and tumor aggressiveness.

Effect of hGC-MSCs from human gastric cancer tissue on cell proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in tumor tissue of gastric cancer tumor-bearing mice

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of hGC-MSCs from human gastric cancer tissue on cell proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in tumor tissue of gastric cancer tumor-bearing mice.

METHODS

BABL/c nude mice were selected as experimental animals and gastric cancer tumor-bearing mice model were established by subcutaneous injection of gastric cancer cells, randomly divided into different intervention groups. hGC-MSCs group were given different amounts of gastric cancer cells for subcutaneous injection, PBS group was given equal volume of PBS for subcutaneous injection. Then tumor tissue volume were determined, tumor-bearing mice were killed and tumor tissues were collected, mRNA expression of proliferation, invasion, EMT-related molecules were determined.

RESULTS

4, 8, 12, 16, 20 d after intervention, tumor tissue volume of hGC-MSCs group were significantly higher than those of PBS group and the more the number of hGC-MSCs, the higher the tumor tissue volume; mRNA contents of Ki-67, PCNA, Bcl-2, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-14, N-cadherin, vimentin, Snail and Twist in tumor tissue of hGC-MSCs group were higher than those of PBS group, and mRNA contents of Bax, TIMP1, TIMP2 and E-cadherin were lower than those of PBS group.

CONCLUSION

hGC-MSCs from human gastric cancer tissue can promote the tumor growth in gastric cancer tumor-bearing mice, and the molecular mechanism includes promoting cell proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.