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Updated: May 21, 2026
09:43
Isolation, Culture, and Characterization of Prostate Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts
Published on: August 1, 2025
Gene expressional changes in prostate fibroblasts from cancerous tissue
Tove Reinertsen1, Jostein Halgunset, Trond Viset
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children's and Women's Health, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. tovere@stud.ntnu.no
Summary
Prostate cancer progression involves complex interactions between cancer cells and fibroblasts. This study reveals how these interactions alter gene expression, potentially impacting invasion and metastasis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Prostate cancer progression is influenced by the tumor microenvironment.
- Stromal-epithelial crosstalk changes with cancer progression, making the stroma a potential therapeutic target.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reciprocal influence between prostate cancer cells and fibroblasts.
- To identify gene expression changes associated with cancer invasion and metastasis.
Main Methods:
- Primary prostate fibroblast cultures from cancerous and hyperplastic tissues were co-cultivated with PC-3 cancer cells.
- Gene expression profiles of fibroblasts and cancer cells were analyzed before and after co-cultivation.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in gene expression were observed between cancerous and hyperplastic fibroblasts prior to co-cultivation.
- Co-cultivation reduced the number of differentially expressed genes between fibroblast types, suggesting they become more similar.
- Downregulation of tenascin C and TGF-β signaling components (TGF-β3, TGF-βR3) was noted in cancerous fibroblasts.
Conclusions:
- Prostate cancer fibroblasts exhibit distinct gene expression patterns compared to hyperplastic fibroblasts.
- Interactions with cancer cells may modulate fibroblast behavior, potentially influencing the tumor microenvironment.
- Altered expression of specific genes like c-Jun and c-Fos in cancerous fibroblasts might promote cancer cell proliferation and invasion.
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