The interplay between adipose-derived stem cells and bladder cancer cells

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Oncology
• Stem Cell Biology

Background:

• Tissue engineering offers urinary diversion alternatives after radical cystectomy.
• Stem cell therapies for cancer patients raise concerns about recurrence due to potential tumor-promoting effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the interaction between adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and bladder cancer cells.
• To assess the impact of ASC secretome on cancer cell proliferation, viability, adhesion, migration, and invasion.

Main Methods:

• Co-culture of ASCs with bladder cancer cell lines (5637, HT-1376, HB-CLS-1).
• Measurement of cytokine concentrations (IL-6, IL-8, GM-CSF, MCP-1, RANTES) in ASC secretome.
• Assessment of cancer cell viability, adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM), migration, invasion, and expression of signaling pathway proteins (p-ERK1/2, p-AKT).

Main Results:

• ASCs significantly increased bladder cancer cell viability, migration, and invasion in vitro.
• Elevated levels of IL-6, IL-8, GM-CSF, MCP-1, and RANTES were observed in ASC secretome.
• Increased expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-AKT was noted in cancer cells upon co-culture with ASCs.

Conclusions:

• ASCs interact with bladder cancer cells, enhancing their proliferation and invasive potential.
• ASC tropism to the tumor microenvironment necessitates caution when considering their use in post-oncologic reconstruction.