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Updated: Feb 12, 2026

Assessment of Mitochondrial Health in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Isolated from 3D Multicellular Lung Tumor Spheroids
Published on: October 21, 2022
Transforming Growth Factor-Beta Produced by Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Cells Contributes to Lung Fibroblast
Nobuhiro Kanaji1, Masanao Yokohira2, Naoki Watanabe3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Rheumatology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kagawa, Japan kanaji@med.kagawa-u.ac.jp.
Background/Aim:
Fibroblasts can alter the extracellular matrix (ECM), contributing to cancer progression by providing a scaffold for cancer cells. The influence of lung cancer cells (LCCs) on lung fibroblast-mediated ECM alteration is not well understood.
Materials And Methods:
After incubation in serum-free medium, LCC- or fibroblast-conditioned media were collected. The ECM alteration was assessed by collagen gel contraction assay.
Results:
Both LCC-conditioned medium and exogenous transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 increased collagen gel contraction by lung fibroblasts. TGF-β1 was produced in LCC-conditioned media at approximately 2 ng/ml. SB431542, a specific TGF-β receptor kinase inhibitor, partially inhibited the collagen gel contraction that had been increased by LCC-conditioned media. Lung fibroblast-conditioned medium stimulated TGF-β1 production from LCCs, whereas LCC-conditioned medium decreased fibroblast survival and α-smooth muscle actin expression by fibroblasts.
Conclusion:
Interaction between LCCs and lung fibroblasts through TGF-β signaling induces fibroblasts to assume the contractile phenotype and may contribute to cancer progression.
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