How Fibroblasts Help Cancer Cells Invade
Author Information
Author(s): Sato T, Iwai M, Sakai T, Sato H, Seiki M, Mori Y, Ito A
Primary Institution: Department of Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science
Hypothesis
Co-culturing human squamous carcinoma cells with human dermal fibroblasts enhances the activation of progelatinase A.
Conclusion
The study found that co-culturing carcinoma cells with fibroblasts increases the activation of proMMP-2, which may contribute to tumor invasion.
Supporting Evidence
- Co-culturing A431 cells with fibroblasts led to the conversion of proMMP-2 to its active form.
- In vitro invasion assays showed increased invasion of A431 cells when co-cultured with fibroblasts.
- The activation of proMMP-2 was inhibited by adding tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2.
- Epidermal growth factor enhanced proMMP-2 activation in co-culture.
Takeaway
When cancer cells are grown with skin cells, they become better at invading tissues. This is because the skin cells help the cancer cells activate a special protein that aids in invasion.
Methodology
The study involved co-culturing human squamous carcinoma cells with human dermal fibroblasts and assessing the activation of proMMP-2 and invasive activity.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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