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Prostate cancer cell growth is modulated by adipocyte-cancer cell interaction
Y Tokuda1, Y Satoh, C Fujiyama
1Department of Urology, Saga Medical School, Saga, Japan. ytokuda@karatsu.jrc.or.jp
BJU International
|April 18, 2003
Summary
Adipocytes, a type of mesenchymal stromal cell, significantly alter prostate cancer cell behavior. These findings highlight the crucial role of adipocytes in prostate cancer progression, particularly in bone metastasis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Prostate cancer frequently metastasizes to bone, an environment rich in adipocytes.
- Adipocytes are mesenchymal stromal cells with potential roles in epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro effect of adipocytes on the behavior of prostate cancer cells.
- To understand the interaction between adipocytes and prostate cancer cells in a bone-metastatic context.
Main Methods:
- Co-culture of human bone-metastatic prostate carcinoma PC3 cells with adipocytes in a 3D collagen gel matrix.
- Histological and immunohistochemical analyses to assess PC3 cell proliferation and differentiation.
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to examine cytokine expression.
Main Results:
- Adipocyte co-culture significantly increased PC3 cell proliferation (BrdU index: 36.3% vs 26.95%) and cluster formation (16.0 vs 14.0).
- Prostate cancer cells exhibited morphological changes (pleomorphism) and altered growth patterns when cultured with adipocytes.
- Expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor were elevated in co-cultures.
Conclusions:
- Adipocytes modulate prostate cancer cell growth, morphology, and cytokine expression.
- Mesenchymal stromal cells, specifically adipocytes, play a significant role in the biological behavior of prostate cancer cells.
- These interactions may be critical in the bone microenvironment during prostate cancer metastasis.
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